We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Becca Holloway a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Becca, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
In this industry, it’s really difficult to maintain your creative spark, and I know how easy it is to slip into burnout. What helps me keep my creativity alive is what I call “filling the cup.” Referencing the quote “You can’t pour from an empty cup,” I find other pieces of art that inspire me to “fill my cup.”. I’ll read books either about theater/directing as well as other subjects I’m interested in. I’ll watch a bunch of movies, go see shows, listen to music, etc. Being an artist doesn’t just mean making the art. It is a lifestyle and with that, comes finding inspiration from everywhere. By letting myself absorb the art around me, I in turn, am able to create and be inspired.
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?
I am a freelance theater director and casting director in the non-union scene in Chicago. I am a part of two different companies: Factory Theater and Red Theater.
My work at Factory Theater as an ensemble member includes working as casting associate along with directing two of the three shows in our 2023-2024 season. Factory produces world premiere shows written by our ensemble members. This means that every single show we put on has never been seen before, which creates a fun challenge when casting and directing. We’re able to be very creative and have ownership over what this brand new show looks and sounds like.
Red Theater focuses on putting artists first. This means we prioritize having safe rehearsal and performance spaces, everyone on the production makes the same amount, and making sure we’re all taking care of each other both mentally and physically. At Red, I am the casting director and also the curator of our monthly Readings at Red series. The series focuses on highlighting new plays from early career Chicago playwrights. The goal is to be some of the first audiences for the play and provide feedback for the playwrights to continue working on their piece and eventually pitch the show to be produced.
Upcoming projects I have are:
Wise Guys (director) running Nov. 9th-Dec.16th at The Factory Theater.
Die Hard 4 Your Luv (director) running May 31st-July 13th at The Factory Theater.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The most important qualities for success in the theater industry are: kindness, excellent communication skills, resilience.
When I was first starting out, I prioritized the work over artists, including myself. I wasn’t taking into account others’ feelings and only focused on getting the best product. That led to burning bridges I didn’t mean to and have had to make amends. Since then, I’ve adjusted my bedside manner and made sure to approach everything and everyone with kindness. It’s how I wish I was spoken to when I was younger, and what makes my work even better. Being kind is not only better for yourself, but it also makes others want to work with you more.
Communication skills are imperative for directors. We have to be able to talk to all types of artists. Actors, artistic directors, designers, stage managers, all have different needs and think of the show uniquely. By being able to communicate with all kinds of people, you will have a more successful and smooth process.
Resilience. You hear it all the time, but this industry is truly not for the feint of heart. While people in general are shifting to a more empathetic perspective, rejection is still a huge part of the business. For directors, there’s only one per production. That means jobs are seriously limited and you will pitch 20-30 shows before you book one. It’s important to keep moving forward and not dwell on the shows you don’t book. It goes back to “filling the cup.” When you don’t get a show, pivoting to find more inspiration elsewhere is vital. Your perspective is important and necessary, so keep going.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
I’ve been in Chicago for a decade now, and in that time I have gathered a group of frequent collaborators. Not only are some of them my dearest friends (my husband and maid of honor among them), but they also stand with me in my artistic pursuits.
By saying “yes” so much in my early career, I was able to meet a lot of people pretty quickly. I took every opportunity to learn from those I was surrounded by. Sometimes that knowledge came from what not to do, which was just as valuable as seeing a good example of a successful production. Being a sponge and absorbing everything really helped craft me into the artist I am today.
You never know who will give you your next job, so it’s imperative to be kind to everyone. Especially in Chicago, it’s a tight-knit community and people talk. This can be a positive or a negative, and your attitude around others will affect which jobs you get.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @bwaybexy
