Jameson White Brings “Ahead of Their Time” Home to Tulsa

We love seeing a Tulsa kid grow up and find their place in the world, especially when they return to share what they’ve created. Jameson White is back in town from Brooklyn to share the stories of the women who helped shape her.

From Italy to Oklahoma, Jameson’s family history offers glimpses into both struggles and strength that many families know well. Her dream is to “carry the torch” passed down by the women in her family. As she tells their stories, she hopes to be a voice for all women and inspire people to envision a future with more hope and love.

Ahead of Their Time was inspired by this dream. She calls the play “a love letter to the women who have shaped me.” Jameson is excited to share treasured stories of four generations of women in her family this week at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center.

The Women Who Came Before

Generation after generation, she sees her family as part of a “grand tapestry of American women” who helped create opportunities for those who came after them, both in their communities and beyond.

Without spoiling too much before the show, Jameson said that her great-great-grandmother had to make brave decisions at a very young age when she immigrated to the United States from Italy. She had to grow up fast. This “movie-worthy” piece of her family history reveals an idea Jameson feels is central to the show and America’s history: that regardless of our backgrounds, we all have the same dreams and a common humanity.

Jameson’s great-great-grandmother

Still, every generation of women in her family was just as impressive as the last. Her great-grandmother was the first woman to hold her specific executive position in the Midwest and was an active member of the ERA feminist movement.

Jameson’s great-grandmother

Her grandmother, Rosa Jane Shockey, is the most featured woman in the show. She was involved with political groups in Chicago and Missouri. If she had to choose one woman from the play to be there on opening night, she would choose her grandmother, Rosa. Their time together was short, but her impact on Jameson’s life was undeniable. She wishes she could tell her that—or in this case, show her.

Jameson and her grandmother

Only 10 years old when her grandmother died, she still feels a close connection with her through her mother’s stories. Jameson’s mother remains a strong advocate for women in the professional world, and they’re very close.

Opportunities for women have changed dramatically throughout American history. Not so long ago, women faced significant legal and financial barriers, from restrictions on property rights to discrimination in accessing credit. Jameson recognizes that the life she knows today was made possible in part by the generations of women who came before her.

And even though she and her family have faced barriers due to gender, she emphasizes their privilege and the tremendous progress that has been made by women of color. The grand tapestry includes all women, notably the women whose shoulders Jameson (and the rest of us) can stand on today.

Coming Home to Tulsa

Jameson grew up in Tulsa before moving to New York City to pursue her BFA in Theatre Arts at Molloy College/CAP 21. She attended Eliot Elementary and Edison Preparatory for middle and high school. She credits her theater director, Amber Harrington, with creating a one-of-a-kind experience that challenges kids and helps them fall in love with theater. Amber Harrington continues to impact Edison students and was named the Edison High School Teacher of the Year in 2025-2026.

Educators at Theatre Tulsa gave her a strong foundation as a professional performer, which she still carries today.

Ahead of Their Time was originally produced for the New York Theater Festival, but now she’s bringing her art back home, to the community where her love for theater was born. Meshing two of the show’s original actresses with a new company in Tulsa has been a fun part of the process. Fresh interpretations and colors from the cast are bringing a new level of excitement to the show.

Over the last month, they’ve created a “wonderful little family” with the cast here. Her childhood best friend, Jenna Davis, is in the cast along with her current best friends, Mikaela Bonilla and Katie Blackwell. They’re joined by other local cast members who have spent the past month bringing the show to life.

“The talent that exists in this town is insane. We all think of New York, L.A., Chicago, etc. as the hubs of the arts, which of course they are, but Tulsa might as well be up there with them at this rate,” Jameson says.

She praises the entire cast for making this a beautiful experience. They have created an atmosphere of love and respect and collaborated to create a show that Tulsans won’t want to miss.

Of course, coming back to her hometown has been exciting for other reasons, too. Whenever she returns, reconnecting with family and friends is No. 1. She has taken multiple trips to Mondo’s (a must for every visit!), experienced the Blue Whale comedy festival for the first time in years, gone to a couple of shows and attended the opening of The Black Cat Theatre Cafe. Touring the new Church Studio museum was another highlight.

Jameson’s great-great-grandmother and grandmother

For the Ones Who Come Next

Bringing her story back home is a big deal, and Jameson is grateful to share the experience with students and teachers here. Historically, theater has been inaccessible to many people because of the cost. That’s why she is determined to help others get to the show.

Jameson also hopes people leave with a deeper connection to love and legacy.

“Sometimes family is the people you’re born into; sometimes it’s people you choose, but ultimately it’s based on love, trust, shared values and a mutual support system. I hope it inspires people to love those around them more freely and not take a moment for granted. I hope everyone thanks their mother. I also hope it sparks a desire to leave behind stories that don’t serve them and break cycles that have continued to follow them,” she says.

Seeing one family’s place in the grand tapestry—and recognizing our own—makes our lives and our city better.

Free & Discounted Tickets for Tulsa Teachers, Students and Families

A limited number of free tickets remain for Ahead of Their Time. To claim these for your students or family, you can reach out to Jameson’s mom, Diane White, at diane@dianewhitepr.com or 918.770.3905. These tickets will be first come, first served and are only for the 2 p.m. show on Saturday, Sept. 12.

Reduced-price tickets are also still available for the 2 p.m. Saturday show. You can purchase them directly from the Tulsa PAC website.

Tickets for all showings are available online or at the Third Street box office for Ahead of Their Time on Sept. 10-13, at the Liddy Doenges Theatre at the Tulsa PAC.