We recently connected with Rachel Sullivan and have shared our conversation below.
Rachel, 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.
I was lucky enough to find my purpose in life at an early age. I was never a math whiz, nor did I ever show signs of becoming the first doctor in my family. I was always drawn to creativity. I’ve loved to write, dance, and play pretend ever since I could remember. Even when I had a brief period of my life where I thought I wanted to be a lawyer (thanks to watching Primal Fear on repeat), I came to the realization that I wanted to play one rather than actually be one. I fell in love with storytelling in every capacity and felt that was my purpose in life even when I wasn’t fully aware of it. From every character I’ve ever played, every script I’ve ever written, or any dance I’ve ever performed, storytelling has made me who I am today, and I would be foolish to not recognize it as my life’s calling.
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?
Acting is my passion and calling. Well, performance in general. Thanks to my start in competition dance, I knew performing was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Whether it be in front of the camera for TV and film or on the stage for theatre, I am driven by the power of storytelling and the goal of authenticity in every role. In television and film, I love exploring complex characters through the subtleties the screen captures. Theatre remains a core element of my artistic journey with its raw energy and immediate connection with the audience, constantly challenging and inspiring me. I am dedicated to honing my craft, embracing challenging roles, and collaborating with fellow artists to create impactful work. I am thrilled to be playing King Menelaus in “Troilus and Cressida” directed by Kevin Wetmore for Loyola Marymount University’s Shakespeare On the Bluff, coming July 2024. Additionally, the upcoming film “Flow,” directed by Emily Kelly, in which I had the pleasure of playing the character Emma, is set to be released in 2024. Although my career is truly just starting, I am eager to see what the future holds as I enter this new season of life.
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?
Although I am just beginning my journey and probably am not in much of a place to be giving advice, I believe there have been certain ideas that have been instilled in me that have shaped my outlook on not just my career, but myself as an artist. The first being self-evaluation and reflection. Regularly assessing your progress, strengths, and areas for growth is crucial, especially for fellow performers, as well as seeking feedback from mentors or peers, and being open to constructive criticism. The second is leaning into the uncomfortable. I personally love a good comfort zone, as most people do, but you truly never get to where you want to go without stepping out of it. Embracing challenges and unfamiliar situations as opportunities for growth is crucial and can lead to breakthroughs in creativity and personal development. Lastly, caring for the person, not just the artist. My dear friend Makena actually told me this one. Remembering that your well-being and personal growth are essential components of your artistic journey, and your worth is not based on your success. If you don’t take care of you, then the art you’re trying to create won’t have any sustenance to it, regardless of your industry. Self-care is not selfish! Like I said, take what I say with a grain of salt, I’m still figuring it out myself.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
As cliché as it may sound, my mom is the person who has truly helped me overcome any obstacle I have ever faced and given me the necessary tools to help learn and grow from them. She is easily the most hard working person I know. As I’ve gotten older, she has provided me a certain level of tough love that was a perfect balance of support and reality. Her biggest mantra has always been, “Be kind and be grateful.” This mentality has kept me as level-headed as I can be through whatever trials and tribulations I have and will face, especially with an industry as brutal as the one I’m getting into. She has shown me my whole life that hard work will never be a waste of time. Moving into the big girl world is definitely scary, but she has prepped me in ways I could never thank her enough for. Plus, I can always call my mom.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rachelasullivan.com
- Instagram: @rachelasullivan
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelaverysullivan
Image Credits
Yves Bright, Thomas Photography, Cary Qian
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