Conversations with Heather Dowling

Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Dowling.

Hi Heather, 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?
Well, I think I’ve been a performer and a storyteller since the day I learned to talk. As a kid, I was always writing stories in spiral-bound notebooks and I always wanted to be on stage, in the spotlight. Being on stage has always been my happy place.

But where I am today, an award-winning actress, writer, producer – and now someone who coaches people to tell their own stories in their own spotlight – well, that took working 35 different jobs over 35 years. I was nearly 40 before giving myself permission to pursue this creative life.

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?
Is there anything “easy” about letting go off all the expectations – your own and others – of how your life was supposed to go? To chase a dream that seems impractical, irrational, likely impossible? Um, no.

That was the biggest struggle, honestly, allowing myself to believe that working as an actor and as a writer was truly possible. By the time I turned 16, I was convinced that a life of storytelling in the spotlight was a pipe dream reserved for people born into that world. That’s what launched the journey of 35 jobs, trying to find something that paid the bills first and MAYBE was worth devoting 40 hours a week to for the rest of my life.

During those years, I learned so many hard lessons about relationships, money, and even illness. There were times that I seriously struggled with depression and was convinced my life was over. But looking at all of it now, I am so thankful for it. First, because it made me incredibly resilient and second, because the hard lessons I learned gave me so much compassion for the human condition. That empathy really empowers me as a performer, as a writer and, certainly, as a coach for other writers/performers.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The most exciting thing happening right now, my comedy series, DOWN THE MIDDLE, that I co-wrote, produced and star in is on the festival circuit. Me and my accountability buddy, Michelle Lee Barton – she created the series with me – we were so lucky to connect to the wonderful Tom Bergeron, who plays “Rex” in our show. He has added so much joy to the project. And I can never thank David Fickas and Brice Beckham of Drama 3/4 Productions enough for bringing the show to life.

I’ve written and performed two one-person shows, UNEMPLOYED. FINALLY. and FERTILE. Both shows won the Producers’ Encore Award at the Hollywood Fringe Festival, and both were nominated for top 5 Best Solo Performances out of more than 100 solo acts. The shows were both staged for more than 2 years and garnered many more awards and nominations. And UNEMPLOYED. FINALLY, made it all the way to 42nd Street, in New York City for the United Solo Festival. That was a dream-come-true moment that I will never get over.

As a result of the success of my solo shows, my incredible director/mentor/producer, Jessica Lynn Johnson, invited me to join her Soaring Solo Studios as an instructor. What a joy it’s been to be able to help others create and share their own beautiful stories from the stage!

It’s weird for me to say what I’m proud of – so much of what I’ve accomplished has been because of supportive and talented people all around me. Especially my husband, Mike. But, I’d have to say, I am proud of living this life powerfully as a person who has Multiple Sclerosis. This disease, it’s something I have, but it doesn’t have me.

And I’m also incredibly proud of FERTILE. During the 2-year run of my first show UNEMPLOYED. FINALLY.  the moment people responded to most was when I talked about my challenges with infertility. The audiences’ heartfelt response made me choose to share my story more completely to let those who struggle with infertility know, they are not alone. And hopefully to encourage people to have honest conversations about procreation as an empowered choice.

What matters most to you? Why?
First, my relationship to God. That’s where I find my courage and my peace. Second, my family. Then, at the end of the day, I just want to be someone who encourages people to believe that the things they most want to create – they ARE possible. As a creative, I write and perform to connect us to our shared humanity – our love, our courage, our empathy – intending to leave us profoundly connected to one another.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.HeatherDowling.com
• Instagram: @SaysHeather
• Twitter: @SaysHeather
• Other: www.SoaringSoloStudios.com

Image Credits
Photos by: Scott Pitts, Matt Kamimura and Ni Tai.