Meet Cecily Baring-gould

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cecily Baring-gould a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Cecily, 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.

I’ve discovered a big thing for me is prioritising open time spent alone with my imagination. Whether it’s to work on material or just to play about, explore, and ‘be.’ If I don’t prioritise that time, life can just feel like a non-stop reaction to everything that’s happening around me and it’s far less conducive to creative productivity.

I also love observing the creative work and processes of people that inspire me. Whether they’re actors or painters or sculptors or production designers or stylists… It doesn’t matter. Observing a creative’s process and the work that comes from that process is so inspiring and motivating and definitely helps to keep the creative fire burning. It takes a certain level of courage to be creative, I think. To allow yourself to take that road. So when I observe creatives that have given their life to their craft and bravely paved incredible pathways with their work, it stokes the creative fire in me and in a way is like giving me permission to be creative too. It also opens your eyes to there not being a singular or pre-paved path to follow. Everyone creates their own.

In general, I think it’s important to continually put yourself in situations that get you inspired, even if there’s no direct reason or obligation. I now allow myself to pursue things out of innate curiosity, and so far I’ve found that it’s those subtle, intuitive nudges that lead to the most beautiful and meaningful outcomes.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m an Australian actress currently based in New York City. My journey into acting was unexpected. For over a decade I worked in New York as a publicist in the fashion industry, but when the pandemic hit in 2020, I found myself back in Australia after a decade abroad. This pause in my life turned out to be the ultimate blessing. It gave me the time and space to slow down, reconnect with myself and actually understand and listen to my intuition. It was during this time that I decided to embrace a new path. In 2022, I began my acting training, which led me back to New York to study full-time at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. This place completely changed my life. The next two years were truly transformative.

I’d love for people to know that it’s never too late to pursue something new. Sometimes life’s interruptions lead us to exactly where we’re meant to be.

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?

Talent is important, but as every single one of my incredible teachers have said, it’s hard work and persistence that will sustain you, and passion that will drive your progress and make the inevitable challenges feel worthwhile.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

Connect with friends and family who know me well and can bring me back to a state of balance. It’s so helpful to lean on people who truly have your best interests at heart. I’ve found that taking a step back is also key. Taking a breather is often far more productive than trying to force your way through.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cecily.bg

Image Credits

Personal Photo Photographer Credit: Pamela Torres
Additional Photo 1 Photographer Credit: Mamadou Jalloh
Additional Photo 2 Photographer Credit: Sonni Frej Holmstedt
Additional Photo 3 Credit: Cecily Baring-Gould in Anatomy of a Suicide at the Irma Sandrey Theatre, New York City