At this stage: reflections on an eclectic performance career

Caption: Jennifer and two band members are on stage performing at Nexus Arts. Image by Morgan Sette

I was once oblivious to how one becomes an artist. Creative people were fascinating to me. I’d listen to my favourite songs, watch shows on screen and on stage, and read books created by artistic people I admired but I didn’t give much thought to how they arrived at their esteem. They were venerated by many, myself included, and I considered them to be supernatural for a long time. In my late teens, I wanted to pursue a career in the arts but had no idea where to start. How does one even become worthy of the title, ‘artist’?

Seedling

“You see a child play… and it is so close to seeing an artist paint,

for in play a child sees things without uttering a word.” - Erik Erikson, psychologist

At my kindergarten Christmas play, I was asked to be the narrator. This is where I first discovered that presenting something before an audience felt natural to me. When I was eight my mum thought dance lessons would be good for me. I grew to love dance. In this form of storytelling the performer is liberated yet vulnerable – no words, just movement as a means to convey meaning.

I started singing in front of people when I was twelve. School choir was my first foray into vocal ensemble performance, and it was through this activity that my music teacher encouraged me to gig. Through her connections, I began working as a singer in my early teens, performing in public concerts and private functions.

Sprouting

Fast forward to the present day, I have been fortunate to work in many productions on countless stages (sometimes under them in an orchestra pit) as a writer, musician, singer, dancer, actor, conductor, and presenter – each one serving as a rite of passage marking my growth as a performer and as a person.

Through these projects I found my creative voice and I learned about the type of work I’d like to create – conscious work that is thought-provoking and meaningful. Work that lets me break the fourth wall and interact with my audiences is particularly interesting. My work with ActNow Theatre in the Like Me, Like You production affords this type of connection. This is what I love about presenting shows at Fringe festivals, I can get up close and personal with people and allow them to see my most vulnerable and authentic self. I did this in my recent original production Someday – A Mindful Cabaret as I gently led my audiences through a guided meditation. In contrast, the roles I’ve played on larger stages – in Miss Saigon and Once the Musical – demanded an unwavering loyalty to a character and direction. 

While it is an honour to step into such shoes, and bring to life the visions of others, it is important to me to present my own work. To create the work I wish to see in the world!

Of all the creative roles I’ve assumed, I’ve found that being a writer is the most challenging, as it is my original work I’m presenting for scrutiny. Furthermore, if my writing is lacklustre, the rest of the work suffers – no amount of bright lights, shiny costumes, glamorous hair and makeup can disguise poor writing. In order to keep my writing fresh, I read widely, I find interesting people to have conversations with, I observe the world around me, and I keep a pen and notebook nearby. Sometimes I get it right.

“Instructions for living a life.

Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.” - Mary Oliver, poet

Today

At some point during this long journey, I realised that artists are not supernatural, they are us. They are those of us who can’t help but give back to the world through our creations. It’s quite simple. 

Those artists who make it to the stages are simply those of us who continue to do the work despite the challenges, exhaustion and self doubt. They are those of us who fall in love with stories and the many different ways to tell them. Those of us who embrace new ideas and respond to the fleeting moments of inspiration. Those who are brave enough to trust people who believe in us, to take on mentors to have our worldview’s challenged time and time again while leaving our egos at the door. Those of us who treat every experience as a masterclass and adapt to new conversations, new technologies, new generations. 

A career in the arts is not easy and it’s not for the faint hearted but it gives one the capacity to connect with others authentically and meaningfully, to build upon the legacies of one’s artistic heroes and perhaps leave a legacy of their own - this alone makes it worthwhile.

Jennifer Trijo is a facilitator and actor at ActNow Theatre