Gary Baker

Lucky Man

Gary Baker
Florida Community College, Class of 2004

Gary Baker considers himself a fortunate man. Born and raised in Jacksonville, attending Sandalwood High School, he was a happy kid. “I’ve always had a good life. My Mom and Dad have been supportive of everything that I do.”

That support extended to his artistic ambitions. “My parents always said that I should be an actor because I would make up characters when I was a child.” Gary liked the idea of acting, but was very shy in school. “It took a long time before I came out of my shell. I finally got up enough courage to audition for a play in my sophomore year of high school and haven’t looked back ever since.”

But after graduating from high school, Gary was at a loss for what to do next. The answer turned out to be right around the corner. Florida Community College’s South Campus is literally down the road from Sandalwood High. And while the locale was convenient, attending classes here also gave him time to explore his career options. “FCCJ offered so many different fields that I could study,” he says.

Gary loved the environment and how both the students and staff were so helpful. He especially enjoyed the unique personalities of his instructors. “All the Fine Arts and Humanities teachers are crazy and that’s the only way I would want them.”

The acting bug stayed with Gary throughout his time at FCCJ. He had roles in many of the plays put on by the drama department and is hard-pressed to choose one stand-out performance. “If I had to, it would have to be Museum,” he says, referring to the 2003 DramaWorks production where 18 actors portrayed 40 characters. “I got to work with a lot of very talented people and we all had our little moments to shine in that show. Also, I got to play three diverse roles; I learned a lot from that play, including some French!”

In 2004, Gary graduated with his associate in arts degree. But unlike his high school graduation, he knew what his next steps would be. “I felt that FCCJ prepared me beyond what I needed to know to move on to a university.” Gary transferred to Jacksonville University and graduated this spring with a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts.

Eventually Gary plans to attend graduate school to pursue a master’s degree in theater, but he’s taking a year off in order to earn extra money. “I just got a job teaching children’s theatre at Atlantic Beach Experimental Theatre (ABET),” he says. Gary looks forward to what the future holds for him as an artist. Whatever that may be, he’ll remember the love and support that helped him get there. “I consider myself lucky to have been surrounded by so many great people throughout my life.”

To see other students and faculty members that have been featured on the College’s home page, visit our Spotlight archive.