This is something I’ve been thinking about for a while now, but haven’t quite found the right thing to say. The idea has been percolating and swirling around my mind, and instead of waiting until it was perfectly formed (ahem, recovering perfectionist over here), I decided to put pen to paper and just get it out. Okay…here goes.
You’re at a party. A friend introduces you to a friend of theirs. Your friend leaves to go get a drink, and you’re left with your new friend. The small talk begins. What’s one of the first questions that always comes out of their mouth? “So, what do you do?”
I know it’s coming, but it still always makes my chest tighten and my voice get caught in my throat. How do I answer this? Do you want to know what I “do” based on what project I was working on 15 minutes before I showed up at this party? Or is it based on which category the highest percentage of my income came from according to my taxes that year? Or, is it how I want to be perceived in the world?
For the past few years, I’ve been an “actor”. That’s the answer I give to that question, anyway. And then the follow up question always comes – “So, what’s your day job?”. Well guess what Bob, I’ve been fully self-employed for 9 years now, so that IS my day job. Well…along with about a million other things. Yet still my answer is just “actor”. Why? Because that’s how I want to be perceived. Because the idea that I can only be that one thing if I want to be taken seriously in the industry was drilled into my head early on in my acting career. I was told I needed to shed my “dancer” image, and while that advice was probably given to me innocently, I absolutely did not take it lightheartedly. “So you’re a dancer!”, “No, I’m an actor”. Ummmm…what? I have 28 years of dance training behind me, I’ve performed on stages all over North America, was a contestant on So You Think You Can Dance Canada, choreographed for artists like Sam Smith and Carly Rae Jepsen, have too many film and TV credits to name, and travel all across Canada teaching and choreographing young dancers. But no – I’m absolutely not a dancer, I’m an ACTOR.
This has me thinking about all of the times I’ve blocked or denied my creative energy because it didn’t fit into the box I’ve placed myself in. That’s right, the box I’VE placed MYSELF in. Sure, outside sources and their suggestions may have planted seeds and steered me towards labelling myself…but I have to take responsibility for giving those suggestions too much power and latching on to the ideas so much so that I’ve denied a core part of my being for years.
Over the past few months, I’ve fallen in love with dance again. I’ve allowed it back into my life with open arms. I’ve felt the love, joy and freedom that comes from succumbing to movement. I’ve also realized how much people respect and are in awe of my talent. I always thought it made me lesser than in the world of acting. But why can’t I celebrate my artistry the way others do? It’s one of my super powers! It’s when I feel the most alive. And when I combine my artistry as a dancer with my artistry as an actor? Watch out world!
Yet these are only two of the major things I “do”. I have a host of other skills that fill my time and my bank account. Here’s a few extra –
- CEO – Whoa. That’s the first time I’ve written that. Or even acknowledged it. But guess what? I started Pure Dance Convention 7 years ago, and I am the sole employee of this company that travels across Canada hosting a day of epic dance classes for young dancers. I do all admin work, sales, marketing, social media, video editing, finances, website creation, customer service, event planning, hosting, etc., etc., etc. The only school I’ve attended is the School of Life, and I learned all of this through first hand experience. Like Nike said, JUST DO IT.
- INFLUENCER – This was not an intentional career choice, but something I fell into. I feel beyond grateful to have such an engaged following, and have really enjoyed sharing my life with you all (ups, downs and in-betweens). I’ve learned about branding, finding my voice, photography (most of the shots on my Instagram I take myself), editing, writing, etc. It’s an ever-changing landscape, and I love the creativity involved on all platforms!
- DANCE TEACHER AND CHOREOGRAPHER – I taught my first dance class at 17, and have never turned back. While I haven’t been on faculty at a studio since I moved to Toronto at 19, I have the great pleasure of travelling across Canada teaching workshops and master classes, as well as choreographing competitive routines for young dancers.
- CREATIVE DIRECTOR/PRODUCER – For Film/TV, stage, corporate events, you name it. As a former Co-Director of entertainment/production company Collective Elite, I’ve been behind the scenes working on every aspect of a project. From initial storyboard creation, all the way through to execution on the day of shoot/event, I can create a mean call sheet, wrangle talent, and direct actors, dancers and camera(wo)men throughout the process.
- COACH – Whether it’s young performers looking to transition from dance/figure skating/gymnastics/any other sport into acting, or actors looking to loosen up and add some dance/movement to their vocabulary, I work one-on-one with performers to help them achieve their goals.
- DOG SITTER – Umm…this should be number one on the list. I joined Rover this past summer, and it’s been one of my greatest joys. I get to hang out with dogs whether just for the day or for multiple over night stays in a row, and get paid for it. We go on adventures (I easily get in my recommended 10,000 steps a day), have photoshoots (dog photography is quite possibly my favourite thing in the entire world), and we snuggle like our lives depend on it. If this sounds like your dream come true, you can sign up for Rover here.
So…when someone asks me what I “do”, how do you think I should answer? I’m legitimately open to suggestions, as “how much time do you have?!” probably isn’t the answer most people are looking for. But let’s talk about the more important thing here – WHY do we need to just do ONE THING??! Why do we need to define ourselves within a neat and tidy box, all tied up with a perfect bow? Why can’t we do many things, pursue many passions, and be ever-changing? The next time you ask someone what they “do”, I challenge you to follow up with “and what are some of your passions?” Because perhaps they work at a bank, but have an Etsy shop on the side selling their custom-made artwork. And let’s be honest – when people talk about what they’re passionate about, they light up and the energy in the room becomes electric. And perhaps this will allow you to feel comfortable sharing some of YOUR passions. Your side projects. And will push you to be open and shake off the shackles of that perfectly limiting box you’ve created for yourself <3
