Sean Alan Mazur shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Sean Alan, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ince breaker: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
In other interviews, I’ve talked about being a multi-hyphenate, but that never included writing. That’s something that people including my manager, and directors I’ve worked with were like “hey, Sean you should write something.” My response was always like “no”, “that’s not me”, “I don’t really know how to do that” and so on. But since December, I’ve managed to write a full season of a half hour dramedy series as well as an original feature length screenplay. I’m extremely proud of both projects, and I hope the world gets to see them soon. I believe that fear was a product of resisting vulnerability. It depends on the subject matter, but a lot of what I’ve written requires some sort of vulnerability. Some sort of opening a window into my life and letting people see who I am. What I’m about. Also just writing in a way that honors the things I believe in and am fighting for. Art gives us the power to use our voice in a way that can reach masses. Sure, I can act in these types of stories but as someone who wants to start a production company, I think it’s cool to show people the type of material I’m looking for by using my own writing.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I like to say that I’m aiming to be a jack of all trades when it comes to the entertainment business. I act, I sing, I’ve directed for theater and have been trained in dance. I’ve produced some shorts, and I can now officially add writer to my resume. I just want to keep making content for people like me. People who are underrepresented. People in the queer community. There’s been a decline in persons of color and queer people in lead roles, therefore, there’s a decline in those stories being told in an authentic manner. I’m just a kid from Idaho who was rescued from the foster care system. A kid who saw and experienced a lot from a young age. I’ve taken detours, including military service, in order to get to where I am today. So, I want to create a space for people like me. For people who are “nobodys’. Show them that it is possible and their dreams do matter. Every story I write will be diverse, and address one or multiple things I deem as issue in today’s climate.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I was adopted into a rather large family at the age of eleven. I have 20+ siblings, 17 of which are adopted and the rest being biological half siblings. In a family that large, I had no desire to shine through. I was one of the quiet ones, and being homeschooled didn’t aid in how reserved I was. Once I got to drama school after my time in the military; it was kind of a rude awakening. I couldn’t be an actor and bring that version of myself into all of my work. I couldn’t always be the quiet, put together guy, who seemed to have his head on straight. In order to become the performer I am today, I had to break down so many walls I didn’t even realize I had up due to insecurity. All because I never wanted to look the fool. I had to let go of that logical part of myself when it came to the work. Acting requires connection and emotinalability, and I was in a place where I was afraid to let people see me. My time at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts taught me that I would only waste time and money by sinking into the background. The background of 17 siblings is a very different picture than the background of 200+ students. There was one time growing up, I was left behind at a pizza place for a couple minutes because no one realized I wasn’t in the group as they were leaving. It’s even easier to get lost in Hollywood, and none of this matters if I prevent myself from being seen.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
This may sound a bit basic, but “There’s no one you have to be, but yourself.” I had a lot of self-worth issues growing up. Some dealing with sexuality, others with my skin tone, or even not feeling smart enough. I made myself a bit of a chameleon, a people pleaser, and that carried over into young adulthood until I had enough. Being able to tell myself, you’re enough, would have saved me from some toxic relationships, and the shell of a person I was at eighteen years old.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes and no. The public version of me is the parts I want people to see. I have nothing to hide, but I’m a very private person. I’m the kind of person who would be dating someone for a year, and less than a handful of people would know. You can see glimpses of my personal life in some of my instagram posts, but most times I don’t care to share those experiences publicly. I have maybe five pictures with my best friend, and that’s due to us just being in the moment together. The whole social media thing is something I’ve struggled with in my industry. This idea of follower account factoring into casting. Sure, if I’m in something I’m promoting it. Other than that, I’m relatively silent on the socials. If you want to establish a fanbase for something it simply has to be good, and word of mouth will take you far. I’d much rather watch something gripping with unknown actors, rather than watch someone with a million followers do a decent job. There’s a space for all of us in this industry, but posting in an attempt to garner more followers will take away some of the love I have for this industry. I’d rather not let that happen.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What will you regret not doing?
More vacations. More spontaneity. I am activley working on a better work life balance. Being a Capricorn with a Virgo rising, I tend to lean more all work no play. I want to get out more, see more places, and make more memories. I know something has to change because the days that I do have off, sometimes I just bed rot. That is incredibly sad, and part of my career is having a life that is just as fulfilling. I will be 27 years old at the end of this year and I have never been in a long term relationship. A big part of that is I don’t make myself available. I would regret succeeding, and not having someone to share it with. There’s no timeline for romance, but I’d like to have kids within the next ten years.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/seanalanmazur
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seanalanmazur/
Image Credits
Paul L. Davis
Eric Carroll
Hana Adams
Sean Durrie
