Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Shea Hodge
Hi Amber Shea, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Hi, I’m Amber Shea Hodge, an actor, dancer, choreographer, and vocalist. I started my journey into the arts at a young age, and my love for creating grew as I got older. I was first introduced to theatre at the age of four and ever since I have been clinging to every chance to perform. I have been on stage all throughout Ventura County as well as LA, where I’m now living. My love for dance and choreography started a few years ago and has turned into one of my biggest passions. I also started writing recently as a new way to express my experiences and emotions.
Now I’m a theatre director and dance teacher for Los Angeles Unified School District, as well as a working actor for film and television. I also pick up a lot of private gigs for choreography and theatre. Lately, I’ve found a lot of enjoyment in the creative side of theatre production. It’s been very rewarding to work on a project and then step back and watch artists do what they do best.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Throughout my life and the journey that got me where I am, I have learned many things through hardships. I have never lost sight of my long-term goals, however, there have been things that stood in my way. During the height of the pandemic, I struggled with my mental health and how difficult it can be to be an artist. I often feel hopeless working in entertainment, especially now that jobs have been threatened by Artificial Intelligence and the rise in technology. Being an actor is not a stable job and actors have to support themselves financially in some way to keep working on their dreams. With that said, I wouldn’t trade my life for the world. I will never feel the fulfillment I get from creating a character, a dance number, or a spoken word piece any other way.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
One of my biggest accomplishments as a creative is getting to inspire my students with the magic of theatre. I’ve had the honor of working in more than 30 schools and teaching more than 5,000 kids. I never wanted to be a teacher; it simply fell in my lap and I needed a job. At the time I had no idea the road I was about to travel. I have grown to really enjoy directing and choreographing, and that started when I began to teach. Now I teach the performing arts and the visual arts every day, as well as put on multiple musicals, dance concerts, and performances every year. My students have taught me more than I could ever teach them, and I’m so grateful that I get to be an educator.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I have watched the entertainment industry closely over the last year and what I’ve seen has shocked, frightened, and inspired me all at once. With the actors and writers strike last summer, as well as the introduction of AI, every kind of artist is in some way is at risk. It has been a trainwreck to watch and I feel as if I have been enlightened more to how actors are and are not protected. These next few years will be a crucial part of how actors navigate, avoid, or accept this change in our industry. I am hoping that with the decrease in cinema, there will be an increase in live performances and theatre. It would be a nice change to see the pendulum swing toward more live entertainment. I feel that with everything going on in our world, we could use a night out to see a comedy and a lively musical.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ambersheahodge.wixsite.com/ambersheahodge/home-1
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambersheahodge/
- Other: https://linktr.ee/ambersheahodge
