Rising Stars: Meet Sean Yves Lessard of West Hollywood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sean Yves Lessard

Hi Sean, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started out as a gymnast, actually. I was determined to be an Olympian. But unfortunately, that plan was foiled by an ankle injury. Alas. But the next year, I was babysitting for a neighbor and their son wanted to audition for a local children’s production of Twelfth Night but was too scared to audition with anyone but me. So, I got on stage and read with him, thinking nothing of it. The next day, they called and asked if I would join the cast. That was the actual start. After that, I went to undergrad for music and theatre and continued from there to the American Repertory Theater Institute at Harvard University, where I received my MFA in acting. After graduating, I moved to New York and had the incredible privilege of taking on some amazing musical roles. When the pandemic hit, I was playing Stacee Jaxx in Rock of Ages. The show closed, for what was supposed to be two weeks. That quickly changed to a month and then two. Eventually, the production team realized it was futile and closed the show. I had some hard decisions to make at that point. I decided to take a massive gamble and move to Vancouver, B.C. and sign with a new rep team. I didn’t know what would happen but I knew in my bones it was the right choice. Within a few months I booked my first recurring television role. From there it was like dominos. My first feature, another heavy recurring role, more films and guest stars. I couldn’t have been more grateful for people’s faith in me and now I couldn’t be more excited for what the future holds.

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?
I feel as though struggle is relative. It is always specific to the person and the circumstance. For me, my road was anything but smooth. Like far too many people in America, my family operated for years at or below the poverty line. We were on food stamps and Medicaid and could barely make ends meet. My mother worked long hours and when I reached high school age, I joined the work force with as many as three jobs at a time. But when I look back at that time of my life, I don’t remember it as a struggle. I remember it, simply, as my life. These times made me who I am. And I’m blessed to say my family is doing well now. They are strong and resilient and beautiful.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I used to be so embarrassed to say it, but now, after the years of struggle and work, I couldn’t be more proud to say that I am an actor. I started in musical theatre and eventually had the privilege of realizing my dream of being on screen. Honestly, I’m just proud that I’m still here. That I didn’t give up along the way. This industry is filled with so much rejection and heartache, that those who decide to leave and pursue other goals have my deepest respect. In fact, I think I’m a bit delusional. I would wager that that is what sets me apart. Delusion. But, truly, I think a bit of delusion is a necessary ingredient. In terms of what I am most proud of, I would say a film I did called The Twelve Dares of Christmas. It was my first time leading a film and taking on that kind of responsibility. I gained so much respect for the art of filmmaking. Especially those that work tirelessly on the other side of the camera to make the magic come alive.

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Covid changed my life in incredible and devastating ways. As the pandemic set in, I was performing in Los Angeles in Rock of Ages alongside an incredible cast, including Nick Cordero. He was a light. He was a dream to work with and never had an unkind word for anyone. In the middle of March, he was diagnosed with Covid after going to the emergency room. He never left the hospital. It forced me to be grateful. It forced me to get out of bed every day and LIVE. To move my body and engage with people and artists because we never know when our last day will be. We never know how much time we have. His passing forced me to look at my life and examine what it was that I really wanted. Shortly after, I moved to Vancouver and began what would be an incredible adventure.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @seanyveslessard

Image Credits
@laurel_society
@rynebelanger