We recently connected with Katyana Rocker-Cook and have shared our conversation below.
Katyana, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
This is actually something I feel very passionately about, not just for artists and creatives, but for everyone no matter what industry you’re in. When you’re a kid, you play constantly. You imagine, you daydream, you create worlds and stories from thin air. You interact with the world around you, and the media you’re exposed to.
And then around the time you hit puberty, and certainly by the time you’re a fully-fledged adult, you’re not allowed to do that anymore. Why? Sure, the working world doesn’t allow us time to literally play make believe anymore, and we do have responsibilities that you don’t have in childhood. But I don’t think anyone should ever stop daydreaming or imagining. Or even playing!
When I go to Disneyland (which anyone who’s ever met me will know, is a lot!), I fully immerse myself in the imagination and time given over to playing. I’m flying a spaceship and escaping laser blasters; when would I ever get to do that in real life?!
I imagine and daydream all the time. I’m always playing out little dreams in my head: what if I were in a horror film? What would it be about? What if I were on a sitcom right now; who would my character be?
In a sense I guess this is what we would now call “manifesting your goals”, but I think that’s turning what should be something fun and creative into a quantifiable, goal-based mindset. Once I embraced my imagination and desire to play, I felt my creativity and confidence grow exponentially, and my work was all the stronger for it. I’m also a happier, more open person, which can only be a good thing!
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I moved from the UK to Los Angeles in 2021 to restart my acting career after taking a break from acting professionally to go to university and explore other careers. Throughout that time, my heart was constantly being pulled back to acting and performing, so when the opportunity came to move to LA; there was no doubt in my mind what I had to do.
In the last year; I’ve been very fortunate to see my career grow in new directions – I’m a member of Theatre40 in Beverly Hills and have performed in a variety of wonderful shows with people I’m so lucky to call my friends and collaborators. I recently starred in a short film that I’m incredibly proud of, and I hope to be able to share more about that soon! That’s what so exciting about being an actor; you never know what’s around the corner, or what new world and life you’re going to be stepping into.
Theatre in particular is something I’m deeply passionate about; without it I wouldn’t be where I am now. I’m by no means someone who believes that theatre is inherently more difficult than film; in fact I believe the opposite – they are wildly different beasts and each come with their own very intense challenges and rewards. Stepping onto a film set for the first time is like nothing else; it’s immersion at its strongest, and you really do forget that the world outside exists. But I was raised in the theatre; I’ve been performing onstage since I was 2 years old, and most of my professional work has been in front of a live audience; including on London’s West End. So for that reason I do feel a special connection to the stage and having that immediate connection between performer and audience.
There’s a great theatre presence in Los Angeles, and I love being a member of Theatre40. The caliber of performance, direction, and design that takes place there is some of the best around, and I feel very lucky to have been invited to join last year. If I could encourage one thing of anyone reading this interview; it’s to come to a Theatre40 show (we’re about to launch a fantastic new season!), become a subscriber, a member, or even donate! And check out the other amazing small theatres and companies in Los Angeles – there’s a lot of really incredible work being done all across the city; and it deserves our support and attention.
I’ve spoken before about the powerful community of this industry; and I’ve personally felt that a lot this year. Acting, and any role within the creation of art, relies upon effective collaboration and camaraderie; and for the time period you’re working on a project, however brief, you really do form strong attachments and friendships.
It’s such a strange and beautiful thing; you hope you’ll see each other and work together again, but there’s a very real chance you won’t – which makes even the shortest shoots or productions very hard to let go of and say goodbye to. You find yourself having deep, intense conversations with people you just met one day ago, and saying goodbye after a week to people you feel as if you’ve known for years. And that’s what makes the characters come to life, and the productions work so well – you have to be comfortable with each other for it to work. It’s something I love about this industry; you’re thrown together with people that you’re going to share wonderful memories and experiences with, and hopefully continue working and sharing powerful friendship with for life.
You can check out Theatre40 and our upcoming season here: https://theatre40.org/
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. No single person is more or less important to the end product than anyone else.
This applies both in the workplace, and in life generally. There are of course hierarchies in place (pay scale, titles, etc), and that comes with increased responsibility and accountability which does suggest increased importance. But the attitude that you should bring to life and work is that no-one is more or less important than anyone else.
Without every single person on that set, in that office, in that family – you wouldn’t get to the ‘end product’ or atmosphere you’re working towards. Everyone has something unique and important to bring, and we all need each other to bring that uniqueness every day. The only way you can ask people to bring their best to the table is to make them aware that you appreciate them.
I also take this attitude to every role I’ve ever received. Every role is a character waiting to be brought to life, and is in their own way integral to the story. Of course, don’t start chewing the scenery and throwing your weight around, but don’t dismiss a role just because it’s “small”. It’s the best thing in the world to have a role at all – this is what I love to do, and I’m going to have a blast doing it!
Equally, don’t chew the scenery and throw your weight around just because your role is “large”!!No single person is more or less important to the end product than anyone else.
2. Dreams come true if you make them.
As I said, I’m a big believer in dreaming, and I do think that dreams have a way of coming true. But only if you also work for them.
If you dream and love something with all your heart, you can absolutely make it happen. It might adapt and change over time, it might even have to – but that doesn’t stop it from coming true in its own way. And if you have a dream that you’re passionate about; then the hard work, and even the heartbreak, will feel like progress and something you’re happy to take on. Excited, even!
It’s definitely not going to be easy, and my own dreams of being in this industry have broken my heart so many times already, but in a way I do feel grateful for every knock and set back because it’s a motivator to keep going and truly embrace and enjoy the successes when they come.
3. Never stop playing!
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
In July 2023 I co-produced my first cabaret; thinking there was a high chance it was going to be a one-time thing.
Now, a year later; Cabaret23 is about to celebrate its 4th performance, with our second annual Unofficial MISCAST!
The decision to produce the cabaret in the first place came from a light conversation with a friend (my co-producer and co-founder, Emma Puglia) about how fun it would be to do a MISCAST for ourselves. I don’t think either of us were expecting the show to sell out and raise as much money for charity as we did; but it was a huge success that prompted a more serious discussion about trying to grow the idea of a low-key musical theatre cabaret in Los Angeles.
Producing my own show was something I’d always thought about, and there’s really nothing like just diving right in to the experience! Over the last year, and in the 3 shows I’ve produced; I’ve felt myself grow more confident and at ease with the role. It’s been incredibly daunting; even just producing a small company like ours, but it’s one of the more rewarding experiences I’ve had in my life.
As we celebrate our first year, and the growth of the company with new members being added every performance – I’m looking ahead to our next stage of growth and where we’re going from here. There are a few early plans in the works which I’m very excited about; again pushing myself to grow as a producer and feel empowered to make those big decisions. 12 months ago I would not have had the confidence to have produced this many shows and start planning for growth; and I’m so grateful to my family, and my Cabaret23 family, for everything they’ve done to get us here!
Over the last 12 months I really have felt myself grow dramatically as both a performer and a producer; and I attribute a good portion of that growth to taking the time to sit and reflect on what’s working for me. Once I was able to identify habits and actions that were bringing success, and which ones were potentially holding me back, I was able to move forward and work with myself to take more steps on the path I’d chosen. I’ve talked about the importance of collaboration in this industry; being kind and humble, and valuing everyone equally. I have always held that belief, ever since I was a child. But in the last year I’ve learned the importance of treating yourself that way too. Be humble, critique yourself, look for places to improve and never stop striving to do better. But champion yourself too, and recognise your value and successes. I think that’s the most important lesson and growth I’ve experienced this year, and it’s something I still need to practise. But that’s what growth is all about!
Cabaret23’s next performance is on Saturday August 24th at Junior High in Glendale. Tickets are $10, available here: https://juniorhighlosangeles.com/calendar/cabaret23-the-unofficial-miscast-2024
The Unofficial MISCAST is in aid of Piece by Piece, an arts charity that provides free workshops to those experiencing financial instability.
The show is a gender-bent journey through musical theatre roles we’d never be cast in! Join us for an unforgettable night celebrating musical theatre classics, with a twist!
Follow Cabaret23 on Instagram: @cabaret_23
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.katyanarockercook.com
- Instagram: @katyanarockercook @cabaret_23 @theatreforty
Image Credits
Casey Durkin
David Muller
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