The Artist Pivot

On this episode I am joined by the multi-hyphenated Sharrod Williams. He grew up in Newark, New Jersey the middle child of Kevin and Pamela. A Capricorn in all the best ways, Sharrod is a dreamer, go-getter, and natural born leader. He graduated cum laude from Montclair State University with a dual major in Communication Studies and Dance. After discovering a desire to perform in college, his path...

On this episode I am joined by founder and executive director of Omnium Circus Lisa Lewis. Lisa began her career with Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus. She earned a Masters Degree in Clown/Circus History from NYU. During the same period, she co-founded the Super Scientific Circus. A scientific, technology, engineering, arts, and math, also known as STEAM based series of 6 shows, which tour...

On this episode I am joined by conductor Ryan Bancroft. He is originally from Los Angeles, California and is currently the principal conductor with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. He studied trumpet at the California Institute of the Arts and received his Masters of Music in Orchestral Conducting from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. According to the Pool Alumni Magazine of Cal Arts The M...

On this episode I am joined by actor, voiceover artist, and teacher Tommy Coleman. A native of Norfolk, Virginia,  Tommy's love of acting took him to Philadelphia, Scotland, London,  back to Virginia and eventually New York. He holds a B.A in Theatre from Temple University and a M.A in Musical Theatre Performance from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. He's been in an Emmy nominated documentary...

On this episode I am joined by actress, singer, comedian, and entrepreneur Robbin Major. Also known to me as my cousin friend. I say that because Robbin and I met at an audition many years ago and we have the same last name. Technically my name is Major-Bey but the family doesn't use it that way. Robbin and I haven't figured out how we are related yet but we are. So Robbin was born in Chicago and...

On this episode I am joined by Megan Colleen Johnson. She is a life coach, creative consultant, space holder, and speaker, who helps passionate humans as they rise as the leader of their own life. With a focus on self-trust, wholeness, and sovereign reclamation, Megan coaches humans who are ready to discover their magic, stand in their power, and reclaim their dreams. Megan is a trained life coach...

On this episode I am joined by photographer and performer Ambe J. Williams. She is a New Jersey born, Brooklyn based self taught photographer and small business owner. Before she was photographing Broadways' finest, she toured the country as a singer and actress performing in a number of regional theaters as well as off-broadway houses. When she's not with her camera, she's either watching delight...

On this episode I am joined by actor, singer, entertainer, teacher, and entrepreneur Kwame Michael Remy. He is an international performing artist with theatre, concert, and recording credits. He has shared the stage performing with luminaries such as Sam Smith, Billy Porter,  Bebe Winans, and Linda Eder to name a few. Pre-Pandemic he was seen in the Pacific premiere of Kinky Boots in the role of L...

Hello... Hello... Hello! Welcome to Season 2 of The Artist Pivot Podcast!! Welcome back to my lovely loyal listeners.  Welcome and thank you to my new ones! This is a weekly conversation with artists about their current pivot, past pivots, and every pivot in between. With these conversations I hope to remind artists that we are actually taught, trained, and innately have it in us to reevaluate and...

On this season 1 finale episode I am joined by The Real Housewives of After Midnight 3.0, which include Brenda Braxton, Leandra Ellis-Gaston, Asha-Brownie Gordon, Krystal Mackie, Iman Ayana Barnes, and Bria Williams. I had the pleasure of working with these beautiful ladies in the show After Midnight on the Norwegian Escape.  So here is a little bit about each one:   Ms. Brenda Braxton is an autho...

On this episode I am joined by independent filmmaker and writer Alex Costello. He is based in Los Angeles and has been an avid movie fan since he was a kid.  Alex went to film school and has worked for 10 years for a nationally syndicated news show, all while continuing to try to find his ideal place in Hollywood.  He's produced and created a variety of short films, attempted to make a feature-len...

On this episode I am joined by Progressive Theater founder Gregory Omar Osborne. Progressive Theater is a nonprofit theater company which aims to tell culturally enriched stories that empower the misrepresented and people of color, while captivating all audiences with the focus being the change we want to see. He recently produced a film adaptation of THE GOSPEL AT COLONUS amidst COVID, with a mis...

On this episode I am joined by former stand-up comedian, former gag gift business owner, and now simplicity coach Delanie Fischer. She has made many a pivot and has found that conscious consumption and taking a fun and simple approach to her new endeavors proves to be the way to go. We discuss her former life as a stand-up comedian; how she wants to provide a holistic approach in her business coac...

On this episode, I am joined by singer and actress Yvette Monique Clark. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and started her career a little later in life. She was the mother of a nine year old son when she decided to change her life. With no formal training, some talent, faith, and determination she set out to follow her dreams. After many survival jobs, singing in clubs around Manhatta...

On this episode I am joined by former actress, whiskey educator, and now whiskey distiller apprentice, Tracie Franklin. She grew up in a military family and is now based in DC. Traveling and seeking out unique foods drives her adventurous side and this year she was awarded the “Scotch Ambassador of the Year 2020” by Whisky Magazine. We discuss how her transition from the arts into whiskey wasn't i...

On this episode I am joined by actor, producer, founder & creative director of Broadway Black, Andrew Shade. He is originally from Indiana and now resides in New York City. This year he produced the first ever ANTONYO Awards honoring black artists on Broadway. We discuss his swift move to NYC after losing his job in Indiana; how Broadway Black turned into much more than he imagined resulting in hi...

On this episode I am joined by Broadway & West End actress and now recording artist Marisha Wallace. She is from North Carolina, lived in New York City for sometime, and moved to London when the opportunity presented itself. She was in the Original Broadway casts of Aladdin and Something Rotten. Appeared as Effie White in Dreamgirls on the West End and also originated the role of Becky in Waitress...

On this episode I am joined by filmmaker, actress, and producer Tamala Baldwin. She is the creator of the series Bubbly Brown Sugar, that is now streaming on UrbanFlix TV, and wants her writing to give black people hope because we also deserve our happily ever after. We discuss how she left corporate America to pursue musical theatre, how this grind we artists find ourselves on, is actually about...

On this episode I am joined by aerialist and dancer Chance Hill. He has a BFA from Southeast Missouri State University and is a former dancer with the Chicago Repertory Ballet. He has also been a Dancer/Acrobat for Streb: Extreme Action Dance Company and a Dancer/Aerialist/Vocalist for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. We discuss how he made a pivot from Dentistry to Dance in college, how early on in...

On this episode, I am joined by actress Martina Sykes. She hails from St. Petersburg, FL and graduated from the University of Florida. She was in Motown: The Musical both on Broadway and the National Tour, and has been on The Lion King National Tour for almost 3 years. Martina is also the founder and owner of The Heart Mission, which is a 501c3 community service-based organization designed by arti...

On this episode I am joined by dancer, singer, and model, Tempestt Perrin. She hails from Houston, Texas and now resides in New York City. She has graced the stage of the Houston Grand Opera, The World Famous Cotton Club, and has been a Spokesmodel for Luster's Pink Inc. We discuss how inspiring the people around you can be, how knowing your worth can help you focus on what you actually want, and...

On this episode I am joined by Salisha Thomas who is an Actress, Blogger, and former Disney vocalist. She was in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical on Tour as well as on Broadway, and a former Miss California. We discuss her having no sense of urgency to complete her own projects prior to the pandemic and pivoting her priorities from career to family. Also, discovering meditation during this time...

On this episode I am joined by Melissa Victor who is a Baltimore native, DC trained, NYC performer in musical theatre. She has been seen on many stages across the US and just wrapped her first SAG film The Foundation. She is also the creator and host of a new children's podcast called Stoopkid Stories which is now making its way into households all over the world. A lover of Christ, Cookies and al...

On this episode I am joined by James Roberts IV. He is an actor, singer, and content creator. He's appeared to critical acclaim in numerous regional and national touring productions and currently co-hosts "Take the Stairs", a podcast offering real talk about life in entertainment. We discuss his plan of getting a yoga certification to down time proof himself in between contracts and getting over t...

On this episode I am joined by Tavia Riveé who is a performer, director, and former Communications Coordinator for the LA Chamber of Commerce. After earning her Communications degree from Chapman University, Tavia returned to the arts performing in shows including the Inaugural Cruise Cast of the Disney Fantasy, Royal Caribbean’s Hairspray, the National Tour of Motown the Musical and most recently...