Jillian Vitko of Manhattan on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Jillian Vitko. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Jillian, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I think there has to be a little of both. When you’re on a hike, you’re trying to make it over the mountain, but you’re also taking in the scenery and appreciating the work it took to get you where you are. I’m focused on my journey and continuing to build my career, but I can’t forget to enjoy what’s around me right now.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Jillian Vitko, and I’m a multi-hyphenate artist living in NYC. I’m an actor represented by Dreammaker Talent Management and Glitter Talent Agency. I currently perform in and produce the comedy shows True Crime the Musical & Love is Blind the Musical (Beautiful Dreamers Comedy), and I’m a regular cast member on the musical comedy show On the Spot (Room 52). Recent stage work includes original plays Hunger (Chain Theatre) & Scar Tissue (Playwrights Horizons), and recent TV/film credits include Law & Order (NBC), HoneyDough (Screen Indie – multi award winner), and The Boys Will Be (Amazon – best actress nom). I’m also a Voice Over Artist, most recently narrating the Every Woman’s Marathon documentary trailer. I also use my voice as a singer/songwriter/musician; I’ve put out one EP (Glimmers) and three singles (Color Me Crazy, My Gemini, This Lullaby’s for You). I’m currently recording my first full length album (Synesthesia Story), which is the soundtrack for the upcoming feature film of the same name that I wrote based on my solo show (Synesthesia the Musical). I also recently wrote a rhyming story that won first place in its group in Round 1 of the NYC Midnight Writing Challenge. As far as filmmaking/producing, I’ve got a few projects in the works, including a short film I wrote. I teach classes and work one-on-one with students in areas like musical improvisation, writing, and organization. I mentor early career artists as a Co-Chair of The BOOST Program with the non-profit Off the Lane, where I also co-lead a workshop about being a multi-hyphenate artist and how to balance all of these things at once!

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
At a young age, I realized that the world can be really scary. Ever since then, the beauty in creation and expressing myself through art has been a lifesaver: a way to process the pain, to manage the mess. In short, my view of the world can be summed up by this quote: “The world is a scary place if you believe it is. The world is a beautiful place whether you believe it or not.”

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
One of the songs I wrote for the Synesthesia Story album is called “Song to My Childhood Self.” The story of the film is based on my life experiences, and it was really healing to write this song.

Some lyrics: “Would you be proud of me? This small amount of me? / Have I spun gold out of straw? / Can I just go back before time went black / and forget everything that I saw? / But I love you, you’re me, too. / You’re part of me and I am part of you. / You’re worthy, I promise you’ll see / I’ll make you glad that I’m who you turned out to be.”

We can’t control what happened to us in childhood, but once we become adults, we can take control of the narrative and remind our younger selves that what happened to them wasn’t their fault. They’re us, too.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes and no. I’m not putting on a fake persona in public, but at the same time, I’m not sharing everything about myself. I’ve always been pretty private, and especially in the age of social media, it’s really important to keep some things just for me. I’d definitely describe myself as an ambivert. My extrovert side loves being around people, having fun, and sharing parts of her life; my introvert side needs alone time and privacy. They’re both me, just different sides of the same coin.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days. 
There came a time in my life when I told myself that anything I spent my time and energy on needed to be something I cared about. Working a “survival job” just to pay the bills never quite meshed with me. I’m so thrilled to say I’ve gotten to a place where everything I do is part of my passion. Whether I’m performing a show, shooting a film, mentoring a young artist, working with students, writing a song… (the list goes on) it’s something that uses my creativity in a different way, and I’m so grateful for that. Everyone has good days and bad days, but every day, I get to do something I love, and I think that’s the dream.

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Image Credits
Lea Pfandler, Logan Robinson

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Alyssa Hatchard That is a brilliant question. For my brand, Healing with Wanderlyss, the answer

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Marina Larina I would tell her: believe in yourself and trust life. The things you’re

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Shari Mocheit Put God first and trust the process. See God in everyone and everything.