We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Megan Gill. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Megan below.
Hi Megan, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I’ve always known I was going to be a performer. I grew up dancing, singing, and acting in theatre. I, then, went on to get my BFA in Musical Theatre from Wichita State University. I spent the years following graduation working professionally on stage and screen in both Chicago and LA. Once the pandemic hit, I sort of fell into my purpose as an artist.
I’ve always been someone who struggled with my body image. In 2020, I had done a lot of work on my relationship to my body, and I wrote, produced, and starred in a short film that brought me a lot of personal healing. Through this experience, I realized that I am meant to tell female-focused stories that empower women.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m a multi-passionate creative being that has pursued a life in the arts – both personally and professionally. As an actor, writer, and filmmaker, I strive to tell stories that highlight strong women. I enjoy focusing on topics surrounding social impact, pointing out the ways in which society tries to mold us and control us. My short film “A Broadway Body” recently premiered at LA Shorts International Film Festival in Los Angeles, CA in July 2023. This project specifically pointed out the prevalence of body image struggles in the musical theatre world. I am en route to start a podcast this next year continuing the conversations this film started. I am also in the pro-production process for a short film that comments on grief – this project is a part of the Collision Film Initiative and will be showcased at a film festival in LA this fall. In my downtime, I enjoy painting acrylic on canvas using local South Bay sand and seashells. I am grateful to live an artistic life in one of the most beautiful places in the world.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I think the things that’ve had the largest impact on my journey as a creative are the development of resilience, the belief that I can achieve what I put my mind to, and the drive to keep going. This might sound a little woo to some, but it’s through this process that I’ve found myself in a place of peace with my art and my life. I trust the journey to lead me where I’m supposed to be; I trust myself to carry out my dreams. My advice to anyone starting out in their creative career is to find a way to hold an unwavering belief that you can and you will, and develop the strength within yourself to keep going against all odds. The truth is, for every 100 no’s, you’ll get 1 to 5 yesses.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Always! If you are interested in partnering to find a project, co-develop a project, co-write a project, or hire an actor, please reach out! My email is themegangill@gmail.com and my Instagram is @themegangill.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.abroadwaybody.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/themegangill
Image Credits
Huebner Headshots
