We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ashley Poulin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Ashley, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
I recently read a book titled “The Creative Act” by Rick Rubin that opens with an explanation of creativity. He explains, “Creativity is a fundamental aspect of being human… it doesn’t exclusively relate to making art. We all engage in this act daily.” Being able to recognize that everyone is an artist has helped me keep my spark alive because I know that just existing as a creative being in a creative universe is enough; it takes the pressure off. “Attuned choice by attuned choice, a person’s entire life is a form of self-expression.”
As an acting student, it can be hard to feel inspired when you’re constantly surrounded by the work. It’s helpful to find different ways to step back and find something new to feed my artistic soul. I find inspiration in the simple things but also in trying to experience more or different art than I’m used to or taking an even further step and experiencing something that is not stereotypically artistic but challenging myself to find the creativity within it.
I also try to remind myself that my best work is yet to come. I was once told that it’s possible to have “a far too willful will” so it’s important to me that I am able to take breaks and understand that my creativity will not be at a consistent level all the time, and that’s okay!
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?
My name is Ashley Poulin and I am an actor, singer, and director originally from Canada! I currently attend Wayne State University in Detroit, MI as a Dean’s Delegate and Senior B.F.A Actor (with minors in Musical Theatre and Forensic Investigations & Policing). I’ll be graduating this May and moving to New York City to continue my artistic career!
I was incredibly shy as a kid so when I was in the second grade my Mom signed me up for a local production of “Alice in Wonderland” (where I bravely played the Gingersnap). I fell in love with theatre and eventually the world of film and television too. I made my on-screen debut at the age of nine playing opposite Tom Cavanagh (“The Flash”) and Fred Willard (“Anchorman”) and have since performed and competed on-stage in places such as Scotland, Toronto, Los Angeles, and New York. One of my favorite theatrical experiences I’ve had was a production of a play called “Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again.” which encompases what it’s like to be a woman in the 21st century. Our show won 15 national awards from The Kennedy Center For American College Theatre Festival including one I had the privilege of personally receiving, Distinguished Performance By An Actor. Some of my other recent work includes a performance of “Silent Sky” by Lauren Gunderson where I performed as real-life Astronomer Henrietta Leavitt whose unrecognized work attributed to findings such as the Hubble Telescope. As well, two films I’ve been working on are set to release soon. “The Daughters of The Domino” (directed by Jesse McAnally) and “A Field Guide To Sasquatch Structures (and other serious signs)” (directed by Joe Van Auken) were some of my favorite experiences I’ve had on a film set and I can’t wait for audiences to see them. That’s truly my favorite part of being a creative; not only challenging myself with the roles I play but, engaging audiences to rethink and connect with the human experience.
Arts advocacy and criminal justice is something else that I am extremely passionate about. I recently worked with Detroit Public Theatre’s signature community program, Shakespeare In Prison, as a Community Engagement and Programming Intern and was astounded by the work this company does. Currently, I am the Chair of The Underground Theatre Company in Detroit which acts as an incubator for emerging artists as we work to produce a diverse and important season of shows this year. Right now we’re planning our very first Gala event titled Artists of Tomorrow, Tonight which will be at the Hilberry Gateway Theatre on April 22nd. We’re very excited to bring together the Arts and Culture community of Detroit in this unique way!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The biggest one that has impacted me is not being afraid to fail. There have been so many times when I felt like not reaching the goal I wanted meant I would never get there. But the fact that you’re even taking steps means you’re closer to your goal than you were yesterday, it’s okay that they’re not always in the right direction. Especially in an industry as personal as the entertainment industry, it’s hard to not compare yourself to other’s paths (because there isn’t a set one). You have to acknowledge that other people’s successes are not your failures. Creativity and growth arise from the rift between order and expectation, especially as an artist. One of my favorite quotes is by Agnes De Milles and it serves as a constant reminder for me: “Living is a form of not being sure, not knowing what, next or how. The moment you know how, you begin to die a little. The artist never entirely knows. We guess. We may be wrong, but we take leap after leap in the dark.”
Simply being kind is another. This might sound obvious but, it’s so important. It can be hard sometimes to get caught up in the work and forget that we’re all human first but, patience is an easy practice. I remind myself that we’re all different but we’re all also just trying our best, trying to figure out life on this floating rock. People will always remember how you made them feel and being someone that people want to be around is very important to me.
Lastly, I would say, always be the dumbest person in the room. Though a rather blunt saying, it serves as the perfect expression to remember to always want to keep learning. Listen to whoever is around you, read whatever and whenever you can, and be observant. You’ll be surprised what sticks.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
I am extremely lucky and grateful to be able to say that I have quite a few people on my list. The first is my family. My parents and sister have always been my biggest supporters and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them and the sacrifices they’ve made for me. They have always believed in me, especially when I didn’t believe in myself.
The next is my friends and my boyfriend. They are always in my corner and are who I rely on when being an artist gets hard. Their love means the world to me.
Finally, two of my professors that I look up to immensely, James Kuhl and Jill Dion, have personally changed the way I see acting and directing and have taught me lessons that I carry beyond the classroom. They’ve shown me what great leadership looks like, taught me to surround myself with the right people, how far a little patience can go, and given me opportunities I will never forget as the basis of my performance career. They have pushed me when I needed it and somehow always knew exactly what to say and when to say it (or not to so I would learn to trust myself). They make me feel rejuvenated in my decision to be an artist and I only hope that any future work I do is with people as great as them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ashleypoulin6.wixsite.com/my-site-1
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashley.poulin/
- Other: [email protected] Fusion Talent Agency ([email protected]) The iGroup ([email protected])
Image Credits
Chuk Nowak Calvin Thomas Photography Sam Nork Photography Jen Gurniak Alivia Vandale Hailey Joacim
