Meet Tia Cassmira

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

Hi Tia Cassmira, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, purpose is defined as “the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.” What a loaded definition! As a child, I instinctively felt that my God-given purpose was to bring joy to those around me and assist in fostering a sense of community via theater. Whether I was performing on a stage, or leading with my sense of humor in a more intimate, everyday setting, I knew I had something valuable to offer, and my parents nurtured that spirit. They made sure that I knew the world was my oyster and they involved me in as many activities as possible. From dancing to theater to playing sports, I discovered that I love being part of a team and working toward something greater than myself. Theater, in particular, offered me a unique way to explore the vast ranges of perspectives and lived experiences that exist in the world through character, movement, and storytelling. Even before I had the words to articulate it, I understood that this medium had a kind of transformative power and could bring people from all walks of life together, and even expand their minds! For me, it’s about empathy, expression, and sparking conversation.
Although the language to describe what I felt while acting came much later in life, by sixth grade I was confident that it was the career I want to pursue professionally, and made the conscious decision to center my education around it in high school and college. Summers were packed with opportunities to deepen my craft by training abroad, enrolling in acting classes, and working administratively in theaters. However, as I’ve got older, I began to see the complex, and often political realities of the theater industry. After completing my undergraduate training, I hit an unexpected wall. I felt lost, overwhelmed by self doubt, and for the first time, began to question by purpose. Was this truly what I was meant to be doing, and was it worth it? Should it have to come at the cost of my mental health, financial well-being, and overall quality of life? I had envisioned life in my early twenties to be filled with a ton of auditions, rehearsals, and exciting new roles. Instead, I found myself asking: Who am I when I’m not doing the thing that I love? What does it mean when the path I’d planned doesn’t unfold the way I expected?
What I have come to understand is that purpose doesn’t have a time constraint and it’s not a fixed-point. As you grow, shift, and evolve, so does your purpose–there is no one “right” way to live it out. Mine has shifted to being about connecting, creating, and contributing to meaningful conversations, whether onstage or off, and will likely shift as I enter new seasons in my life. Through the love and support of my family, the power of prayer, and a deepening trust in the timing of my journey, I’ve concluded that purpose isn’t something you chase, it’s something you live, even in the quiet, uncertain moments.

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 am a first-generation Trinidadian American actress from Queens, New York. I graduated from Professional Performing Arts High School in 2015 as a Drama Major, and hold a BFA in Acting from Mason Gross School of the Arts. In addition to studying in London at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, I has also completed the British American Drama Academy’s Midsummer in Oxford and Midsummer Conservatory Program. Currently, I can be found miming alongside Broken Box Mime, performing in sketch-comedy shows with Recent Cutbacks, acting in shows with Anomalous Co., and researching women and non-binary playwrights with Expand the Canon.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey is adaptability, integrity, and curiosity. Folks who are early in their career and journey should make sure to be flexible and able and willing to pivot their approach when the unexpected happens, whatever that may be. Integrity is an important skill that communicates dependability, honesty, and standards. Many artists that I look up to are constantly curious about the world in which we live, and this curiosity leads to deeper, more nuanced work, conversations, and relationships.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

The most impactful thing my parents have done for me is give me the time, space, and support to really explore my craft. They have shown up to the smallest of shows, and encouraged me to keep going when I ran out of the motivation for myself. Their love and support has been instrumental in my consistency as an artist.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tiacassmira.com
• Instagram: @tiacassmira

Image Credits

Ambe J. Williams
Cindy Trinh
JT Anderson
Natalie Kane