We were lucky to catch up with Jillian Vitko recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jillian , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
My resilience has come from taking risks and not giving up when something doesn’t go according to plan. I realized early on in life that I had to make things happen for myself. That’s not to say that I haven’t had support – I’m lucky to be surrounded by people who believe in me and the work that I do – but at the end of the day, you have to want it for yourself. More importantly than just wanting it, though, is taking action. You can talk and talk about your ideas, but you have to take action to make them a reality. Failure is a part of success, but you can’t fail without trying, which means you also can’t succeed without trying. One of my favorite mantras: you can’t edit a blank page!
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
As a multi-hyphenate artist, I think of myself as a bit of a “Jill of All Trades.” Let’s break down the hyphens!
Actor: I’m represented by Glitter Talent Agency and DreamMaker Talent Management; some selected credits include “Law & Order” (NBC), “HoneyDough” (Best Actress – AGPFF, HBHFF, RIFF, NJFA, RWFF, GLIFF), “Scar Tissue” (original NYC cast).
Singer/Songwriter/Musician: I recently released my acoustic EP “Glimmers.” I’m working on releasing my next album, which is the soundtrack to my feature film “Synesthesia Story,” currently in pre-production. The first single from the film, “Color Me Crazy,” is out now, along with the music video.
Writer/Filmmaker: The film “Synesthesia Story” is based on my solo show “Synesthesia the Musical,” which was named a stand out show at Edinburgh Fringe by PopDust in 2019. The screenplay for the film has won numerous awards such as Best Feature Script, Best Drama, and Grand Jury Award at various film and screenwriting festivals. We’re currently raising funds for production; all donations are fully tax deductible through our fiscal sponsor, Fractured Atlas. (You can donate here: fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/synesthesia-story-the-album-and-feature-film)
Producer/Comedian: I’m co-creator and co-star of the hit improvised show “True Crime the Musical,” currently running Off-Broadway, and I’m a cast member of the long running musical comedy show “On the Spot” at Broadway Comedy Club. I also work for the production company 99 Cent Productions as a producer and writer.
Mentor/Teacher: I teach/tutor in a variety of subjects, including improv, musical improv, and writing. I’m also co-chair for the BOOST Program with the nonprofit Off The Lane, where we provide free guidance for early career artists in NYC. We also lead a workshop on being a multi-hyphenate called “Creative Versatility: How to Develop Your Own Artistic Ecosystem.”
I love that I’m able to apply my passion to so many different areas. More info about all of these hyphens (and more!) can be found at jillianvitko.com
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
First, I would say the ability to adapt is the most useful skill I have. Things aren’t always going to go the way you plan, in fact, it’s very likely they won’t! Being willing to change course and improvise a bit goes a long way. Second, being a good collaborator is huge. I’m very independent and know how to get things done by myself, but no matter how efficient you are, working with a team of good collaborators will get you so much further than you can get alone. Lastly, get comfortable in the uncomfortable. It can be hard to get outside your comfort zone, but that’s where the magic happens! It might feel scary, but that probably just means you’re doing something big. Another favorite mantra: feel the fear and do it anyway.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
When I’m overwhelmed, it’s usually because I’m thinking too far ahead, or thinking of everything I need to do all at once. When that happens, I say: what’s the next thing that needs to be done? Or, what’s something I can get done quickly and easily so that I can cross it off my to-do list? Breaking things down into manageable pieces and just focusing on the task at hand keeps me focused on the little things, and after a while, enough little things become a big thing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jillianvitko.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/jillianvitko
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/jillianvitkoactor
- Other: Synesthesia Story fundraiser: https://fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/synesthesia-story-the-album-and-feature-film
Image Credits
Lea Pfandler
Mind of Who Photography
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