Check Out Deb Hiett’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Deb Hiett.

Hi Deb, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Born and raised in the Deep South, I moved to New York City on a dance scholarship while still in my teens. I lived in NYC for years, working as one of those hyphenates that goes on forever: actor-dancer-singer-musician-writer-waiter-salesclerk-marketing manager-survivor! I graduated from New York University and ultimately made Los Angeles my home about 15 years ago. I met my amazing Aussie husband and found a community of creative, strong, dedicated artists and friends, which has helped me to carve out a career here doing what I love: acting and writing.

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?
Isn’t there an expression, “Smooth roads never make good drivers?” I have yet to meet an artist who can honestly say their road has been smooth, which is okay because it gets them where they need to be. I used to think “success” was booking all the auditions and getting all the screenplays and plays sold/published/produced. Now I realize “success” is resilience. Dealing with disappointment while still being able to hope. Finishing another draft of a play no one is waiting for. Finding a way to produce my work because it feels important to me because it’s fun because it feeds my soul. I try to keep in mind another great expression: “If you genuinely have a story to tell, there is someone who genuinely needs to hear it.” I’ve chosen a very difficult profession with a pretty messed up power balance. It’s not a reliable meritocracy. There is very little rhyme or reason and lots of challenges. I’ve been very privileged and lucky, and I’ve worked very hard, too. Right now, the thing I’m proudest of is that I am still here, still creating, still genuinely happy for my friends’ recognition, and still honing my craft. In a field of “no,” I keep saying “yes.” Despite all the potholes, I keep bouncing along!

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?
A storyteller at heart, I’m as proud of my work as an actor/musician as I am about my writing. I’m so grateful that I have the creative bandwidth for creating plays and screenplays, producing short films, writing little comedy books, being a panelist on the NPR “Says You!” comedy quiz show, recording songs and music videos, and acting in both comedic and dramatic roles in television, film, and stage.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.DebHiett.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debhiett/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debhiett
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/debhiett

Image Credits:
Joanna DeGeneres Amy Francis Schott Laura Sher