Jessica Shelkey: Grief, Acting, and Building a Film Industry in East Texas

Could East Texas become the next destination for filmmaking?In this episode of Made in Nacogdoches, actress Jessica Shelkey shares an incredibly honest conversation about losing her mother at sixteen, discovering acting as a way to heal, and helping launch the Nacogdoches Film Commission.She also explains how professional productions could create jobs, grow the local economy, and give aspiring filmmakers opportunities without leaving East Texas.Along the way, Jessica exposes common acting scams, discusses the realities of life on film sets, and explains why bringing Hollywood to Nacogdoches is about much more than making movies.If you enjoyed this episode of Made in Nacogdoches with Brad Maule, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you never miss a story from the oldest town in Texas. Your support helps this podcast reach more people who love great stories, rich history, and the magic of East Texas.Host Brad Maule is an accomplished American actor, director, and educator best known for his 22-year run as Tony Jones on General Hospital. With a career spanning television, film, and stage, Maule has worked across classical theater, contemporary drama, and musical performance, earning respect for his range, discipline, and longevity in the industry. Beyond acting, he is a dedicated teacher and mentor, shaping the next generation of performers through his work in higher education.Listen to the Podcast Anywhere You Get Your ShowsFind Made in Nacogdoches on:– Apple Podcasts – Spotify– Amazon Music– iHeartRadio– And all major podcast platformsThanks again for being part of the journey. See you in the next episode!