We recently had the chance to connect with Diane Christiansen and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Diane, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
I was interviewed by Time magazine recently and I was extremely honored and proud of that.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Diane Christiansen and I am currently working as a master acting coach for the last 33 years at my award winning studio in Los Angeles. Prior to that I worked as an actress and a professional dancer.
I am also the published author of the recently released memoir “The Last Real Showgirl” – My sequined 70’s onstage. One of the things this 20 years in the making book stresses is the real path of a showgirl in the era of dazzling multi million dollar extravaganzas. We have not always been depicted truthfully or accurately and in my book, authenticity is the backbone of my story.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
When I was 12 years old, I had a wonderful English/Drama teacher who recognized my acting ability as a substantial talent of mine before I knew I was good. Miss Ehlers was a force for many young people in our Junior High who was proactive in guiding students to places where she felt they might shine.
She encouraged me to audition for various community theaters in my town to further my acting ability and help make my dreams of becoming an actress real.
Without her encouragement, I believe I would have wondered and wondered if I had what it takes to succeed?
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
Several of the defining wounds in my life were the many years I had to endure my fathers alcoholism and abuse during my childhood.
I believe that the way I healed those wounds outside of therapy and self help workshops were two things.
1. Learning to meditate.
2. Writing my memoir – @The Last Real Showgirl – My sequined 70’s onstage. Once I gave myself full reign to write the trauma in my childhood, I then found my voice and was able to articulate my journey with ease and grace.
I am indebted to my writing coaches for helping me find my voice.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Being a very ‘project driven’ person, I commit to my visions until I see them through.
Right now I am fully committed to selling the dramatic rights to my new book along with my team of professional Managers.
My vision is to sell a limited series for TV of my story so that once and for all, the real journey of a showgirl is finally told….truthfully. To date, we have not been represented honestly, Unfortunately.
Therefore, I want to not only sell the dramatic rights to my book, but also help maintain the integrity of my life in Cabaret.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
I hesitate to retire for numerous reasons, mostly because my work is not like work to me. It is pure joy. I believe I have created a safe, creative environment at our 33 year award winning acting studio for actors of all ages to thrive, to take risks and to support one another unconditionally.
I believe if I retired, my students would miss that sacred environment and so would I.
Therefore, no retiring for me any time soon!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.thelastrealshowgirl.com
- Instagram: The_Last_Real_Showgirl
- Facebook: Diane Christiansen
- Yelp: Christiansen Acting Academy
- Youtube: Diane Christiansen
- Other: http://www.christiansenactingacademy.com
Image Credits
From the collection of Diane Christiansen
