We recently connected with Victoria Gordon and have shared our conversation below.
Victoria, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
The wonderful thing about “purpose” is that finding it isn’t about reaching a destination. It really is about the journey.
From the time I was very young, I felt comfortable performing for audiences. I was four years old when I began playing the violin, and I had my first recital when I was five. My parents will tell you that I wasn’t the best violinist, but that I carried myself with such poise and confidence on stage (even at five years old!) that I could sell “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” far better than the strongest player in the group. I’ve carried that gift with me throughout my life, and I know that connecting with and entertaining audiences is what I’m meant to do.
But the way I connect with and entertain audiences has evolved as I’ve grown and matured. For the longest time, I believed that my purpose was to make audiences laugh. This made total sense, given my love of classic sitcoms (and my dream to have my own MTM sitcom, in the vein of The Mary Tyler Moore Show–shame MTM no longer exists!), my talent for improv, and my ability to toss off sarcastic one-liners. I figured comedy was my way to bring people together.
Then came 2020.
I don’t think I have to remind you that 2020 was a really, really tough year. I pivoted quickly; just 10 days after Covid-19 was declared a pandemic, I held my first virtual performance. Yes, I found myself making audiences laugh. But as I delved deeper and deeper into new and interesting material, I began to realize that comedy is just one tool to connect people.
What matters more than just making people laugh? Making people feel.
Think about your favorite comedy movie. Yes, it’s funny. Yes, you laugh. But think about all the other feelings that come with that movie: the disappointment when the main character doesn’t get what they want right away. The sadness when the lead characters break up. The anxious excitement as the film builds up to its conclusion. If a movie only left you with one emotion, it probably wouldn’t be very memorable.
As I made this discovery, I thought back to my favorite MTM sitcoms. What made them successful? They revolutionized TV by creating sophisticated characters living real lives. They showed the humor in the mundane. They didn’t need to be goofy or zany or off-the-walls hysterical. MTM shows were refined, comedic, and full of feelings of all kinds. No wonder I was so drawn to them!
Now, I recognize what my purpose is. I am a storyteller, and I am here to connect people to their feelings. Happiness, sadness, and everything in between–emotion defines the human experience, and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to share many, many emotions with my audience!
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am a singer, actress, and writer-producer. I’ve performed nearly 200 solo cabaret shows of vintage showtunes and standards, and I’ve created and appeared in film and television projects that have screened at film festivals throughout the world (and gotten millions of views online). Everything I do tends to have an old-school touch. I was definitely born after my time, and I love to keep the classics alive!
Keep an eye out for my upcoming music releases! I’ll be doing a mix of 1970s musical theater classics and selections from the Great American Songbook.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I’d have to say that a fundamental understanding of business is key. Take a course, read a book, watch some good YouTube videos–whatever you can do to learn the basics of how business works is critical! Remember, every creative professional has to be a businessperson.
Being knowledgeable has also done a lot for me. I’ve been able to speak to people who are heroes in my field, even if they aren’t as recognizable by name or face as, say, a major celebrity, because I was aware of who they were and what they were doing. This has allowed me to talk to everyone from creators of my favorite shows to production companies and studios whose projects I admire. Study the history of your field. Study the present landscape of your field. Be a subject-matter expert not only in your craft, but also, in the world that makes your craft happen.
Finally, courage is at the heart of any unconventional journey. I would not be a performer or writer if I did not have the guts to take that leap for myself. Any creative has to be his, her, or their number one cheerleader. Developing a strong sense of self and a can-do spirit will make the entire experience so much less scary!
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
My parents understood the entertainment industry well enough to keep me out of it throughout my childhood, and to monitor me very carefully throughout my teen years (and even my young adult years) to make sure I was safe. I am so grateful to them for that. As a kid, I was annoyed because I thought they were overprotective; as an adult, I recognize that they knew better than I did.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thevictoriagordon.com
