Meet Georgia Lyman

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Georgia Lyman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Georgia, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

I was an actor for many years. I trained as one, I always wanted to be one, and I never thought I’d do anything else. As an attractive, young woman with some talent, I grew used to many eyes on me, and praise for my work. I felt alive when I was performing, and relished and respected the applause and acclaim.

Then came what I call The Lull. That moment in every actors’ career, especially women, when the roles seem to dry up. You don’t fit the mold of what you once had anymore, and the parts begin to slip to other actors. Directors don’t seem to know what to do with you. The auditions slow. Then the calls stop coming. And that basis of confidence that I developed; the eyes, applause and glowing reviews; they fade. I began to doubt the rest of my life. The self worth that I had rested on was shaken, and I had to start from scratch.

I moved into the other side of the table, as a producer and curator, beginning with small companies who paid in drink tickets and company BBQ’s. I guessed at what I didn’t know, learned as I went along, and gathered mentors and colleagues to help me build a new path. I discovered that my own eye had worth- I can spot talent even in tiny seedling form, and can bolster artists in their creativity. My acting experience prepared me to pitch ideas to funders, and how to navigate difficult negotiations or productions. Sometimes I knew I was making it up, but also that I would make it true.

And then one day, in the middle of a meeting, my brain disconnected as I was speaking. My mouth kept talking, and my mind said “…….Everything I’m saying is true. I actually know what I’m talking about”. I had, in fact, faked it till I made it (maked it?)…

Now my sense of confidence comes from a true knowledge of my own worth, faith in my lived experience, and my wisdom of knowing both what I know, and what I do not. Never stop learning. Never stop making mistakes. Never stop finding out who you are.

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’m currently the Executive Producer of Liars and Believers, a physical theater company based in Cambridge, MA. We create our own stories, and design them to tour with the goal of not only exporting Boston based talent, but also of creating sustainable artistic career longevity.

We are currently seeking funders for our new show, tentatively titled “The End is Nigh”. This will be an ensemble work with music, large scale spectacle, probably puppets and clowning.
It’s a comedy about the end of the world. We know it’s coming. Might as well laugh about it.

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?

The best advice I got was early on: Don’t stop asking what you can do to help. Learn everything you can, whether you think it pertains to you or not.
Remember that you are only one piece of the puzzle, and it’s usually not a corner piece. Be part of the arch instead.

I try to listen well. I find it far more important than speaking, no matter how great I think I sound. Learn the art of active listening. And take notes.
Practice building trust. That can look different for different people.
Always acknowledge when you are wrong.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

I love finding new folx to collaborate with. I’m currently looking for partners to bring the pieces Liars and Believers does to a wider audience. If you have a podcast, a large network, a venue, someone looking to support new creative venture, or if you’re a devising artist yourself- say hello!
I’ve found community all over the world, and it’s always by starting a conversation. You can find me at georgia@liarsandbelievers.com

Let’s talk!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.liarsandbelievers.com/
• Instagram: @onlygeorgialyman
• Facebook: @georgialyman
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgia-lyman/

Image Credits

Anna Kamens
Loop Lab
Pulse Media