Today we’d like to introduce you to Laurel Harris.
Hi Laurel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Sure thing! My interest in being a performer, and the performing arts in general, definitely began with an early fascination with all things dance. From the impressionable age of six, when I started ballet lessons, all I dreamt of was being a prima ballerina in a sparkling white tutu, while standing center stage in the spotlight after an exhilarating performance, a dozen roses in hand, and receiving the thunderous applause from a packed theater. Yup; that was me.
Honestly, I could FEEL the energy of the moment every time I revisited this dream…the sweat on my torso, the velvety sweet roses draped in my arms, the tutu’s tight bodice caging my rhythmically expanding rib cage. I could even hear the subtle whispers and nuances from the standing-room only audience.
It was such a liberating, vivid and palpable vision, that I couldn’t WAIT to jump into it in my dreams, and eventually what I thought would be my real life. It may sound pretentious to some, but it was innocently born, and I look
back on it with a deep appreciation for what I think my Spirit was preparing for me at the time; what’s possible.
As life would have it, that vision didn’t come to life for me, but I still believe this dream was asking me some bigger questions, like; “are you ready for this kind of life, even if it doesn’t look exactly like this?” And maybe even, “are you ready to give everything you’ve got and BE in the spotlight?”
Of course, I had no idea what that would entail at the time, but I was ready to go full throttle into the unknown, so I launched my love affair with the arts. In full disclosure, I can still feel the deep fear this dream also brought up for me consistently as well; a resounding question of worthiness. It was as if that spotlight from the back of the theater wasn’t just shining on me, it was focusing on my soul in some way; like some formidable higher power asking if I was REALLY ready to give whatever it takes?
It’s a bit surreal now, and I’m honestly thankful for the expansion it’s given me as I’ve examined this question countless times since. An inner strength inevitably developed as a result, even as my path has drifted from dance to acting, and all things film and television in my career.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I don’t believe there’s any such thing as a perfectly smooth road in this thing called “life.” I think our journeys are filled with challenges intentionally so that we can become better,
fuller versions of ourselves. It took me years to stop fighting this idea, but as I’ve lessened the resistance, I’ve come to enjoy many more smooth moments and to feel the challenging ones as less tumultuous. I’m always asking, “What’s in this moment for me to learn?”
I’d say some of my biggest struggles have been overcoming that self-doubt that was poised for me to acknowledge in my childhood dream. Even when I felt called or driven to pursue my acting and producing goals, I still wrestled that inner critic who argued, “There’s someone doing it way better than you, with way more experience, and a lot more going for them.” That’s when I’ve had to learn to tell that voice to sit down and shut up, and to mandate a serious “time out!”
Of course, the grander the perceived stakes at hand, the louder my inner critic. Now though, instead of fighting and blaming her, I’ve accepted her offer for attention by saying, “OK, then. Let’s dance!” It can be a sassy, salty tango, or a shimmering shake your *&%$@* off raucous workout, but whatever the dance party theme, she knows I ultimately lead every number. I’m the lead choreographer, listening to her input, then telling her to take a chill pill while I choose the music and work out the choreography. That’s it. No further questions allowed.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Wow. Thank you so much for that!
I’ll say, I’m a woman, who’s creating as an actor, writer and producer in this thing called, ‘life!’ I therefore look at my career in all of these avenues as one I’m in for the long haul.
Early on, I was told to think of my career as a marathon and not a sprint. To be honest, that infuriated me for a while. My impatient, “I want it now,” self couldn’t imagine any such thing. Fortunately, I think I’ve wisened up a bit and see the importance of the adage now. Burning brightly and quickly, and then possibly burning out, just doesn’t appeal to me. While I’m grateful for the more “bright” moments
I’ve had along my path, I’ve learned that they WILL be balanced with dark times and I can’t predict how long either will last. Therefore, the best thing I can do is to stay grounded and surrounded; grounded in my own truths and surrounded by those I know and love, and who know and love me in return. This business is not for the faint of heart. It can be grueling and demanding, and yet equally rewarding and fulfilling. While there’s no shame in choosing to step out of it, there must be a reckoning with the long road if you decide to stay in.
For me, coming to terms with the idea that there is no “right” or “one” way to make it in this business has also been liberating. Letting go of the idea that my career was less than anyone else’s because I haven’t achieved what they did by a certain age, or received nearly the awareness or opportunities another has, and therefore I must be “less than” in the essence of who I truly Am, is utterly ridonkulous and must be kicked to the curb to survive and thrive. We’re far more free, creative, and therefore compelling when we do. Am I perfect at this? Not at all! But, my “BS meter” for myself is a heck of a lot better than it used to be at detecting when I’m falling victim to the comparison game, and for that I shout an emphatic, “YES,” and high five the Universe!
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
How many times can we use the word “pivot?”
When our entire industry shut down last year, I was faced with some pretty intense and unexpected awarenesses, as we all were. There was a lot of gulping down some humble
pie in terms of looking at how to move forward without the expected acting, voice-over and producing work I’d come to rely on. I’d always been exceedingly grateful for my work, because we know it’s a gift to work in this industry, but now I was being called to look even more expansively at my life in relation to this work and to really dive deeper into the question of “how can I serve?” It’s been profound and surprising.
For example, I’d been asked for years if I’d consider consulting other actors. While I was flattered and intrigued by the idea, I honestly hadn’t given it more thought as I was intensely focused on my own career path. COVID opened me up to new possibilities and I’m so very grateful I said yes to this one! Helping other actors find their deeper connection to their calling has been rewarding beyond my wildest dreams. (And I’m keenly aware of the selfish gemstones of insight it’s afforded me too – both for my own inner work and in the sheer joy of seeing someone else make meaningful breakthroughs.) It’s thrilling.
Family and friends have always been a pillar in my value system too, and jumping on zoom last year for regular dance parties with my young nephews, group meets with friends, or long face to face calls with dear ones reminded me of how vital they are, no matter how attention-seeking my career may seem in comparison. Relationships will be there when work isn’t. Period. Now that the entertainment industry has kicked back into gear, my goal is to still keep this top of mind. As my mom used to remind me, “life ain’t just about how you dance in the sunshine, it’s about how you dance in the storms!”
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.laurelharris.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurelharrisactor/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurelharrisact
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC5GxLPQ4vK93UJEq6Vu_VxQ
- Other: http://laurelleafproductions.com/
Image Credits:
Daniel Corey, Photographer Annalisa Dudley, Hair and Makeup
