Meet Christine D.

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

Christine , thank you so much for making time for us. We’ve always admired your ability to take risks and so maybe we can kick things off with a discussion around how you developed your ability to take and bear risk?
By being fearless in my decisions. I try not to second guess myself. I know whatever it is that I’m facing, won’t cause me any physical pain. When I’m told “No,” I just tell myself that it means, not now and that a redirection is the Universe’s protection. Also by walking up to the thing that scares me. My biggest fear was driving from The East Coast to the West Coast by myself. The first time I drove across the country was August 2020. I was in West Hollywood, California and I drove by myself all the way to Brooklyn, New York. Since then, I’ve done it approximately 17 times by myself, and it takes me anywhere from 47-62 hours.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
For ten years, I’ve been booking, directing, producing, and starring in this historical touring, interactive, one woman show. When my family heard this is what I’d be doing with my life, I had to fend for myself. I slept in my car for a couple of years. I gave a lot of free shows just to build my experience and resume.

My contract was for only four shows and a few weeks ago in Paris, France were my 736th& 737th shows. A few days ago on Staten Island, NY was my 738th show.

I had my Off- Broadway debut at The Historic Theatre 80 St. Mark’s. I was one of their final shows.

I didn’t know I was capable/talented enough to do a one woman show. However, Hollywood theater critic Morna Murphy Martell, gave me the original concept and said “I believe in you!” I’m not a classical trained actor, however Pauline Johnson, Harriet’s Great Grand niece, told me “you’re the best Harriet Tubman entertainer I’ve ever seen!”

I’m currently working on a clothing line for average to plus size women.

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?
1. A Positive Attitude is critical. Yes, there will be trials and tribulations; however, how you view what happens to you by not taking things personally and seeing the bright side of situations will always outweigh the negative. In addition, trials help shape our character and makes us resilient with better problem solving skills, critical thinking skills.

2. Watch the words you say to yourself and about yourself. People often speak of destruction over their lives and get upset when they find themselves in an unwanted situation. Remember, the subconscious mind cannot take a joke, so watch your words.

3. Every human being you encounter has an imaginary sign around their throats with these initials MMFI, which stands for Make Me Feel Important. I always smile and make eye contact. When I ask someone “how are you?” I actually wait for their reply and engage with them. Kindness is free and people are hurting.

Keep going. It will hurt, keep going, you will be tired. Keep going. You will want to give up. Keep going. You will be hungry. Keep going. Remember, your story is someone else’s survival guide. So keep going.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
In July 2023, I took an 18 day trip to Paris, France. I attended a comedy show, where I ended up telling jokes from my seat in the audience and helping the comedians out with their own sets. It was incredible! The comedians (10) of them even thanked me.

Now, I was a little uneasy because there was a huge language barrier because the audience spoke French and Arabic. A few of them spoke English. However, I do love a challenge!

So, I learned a lot of words in French and Arabic to fit in and make friends. In the words of Nelson Mandela, “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.”

I used Google Translate and Duo to help me. You see, my mother was raised in Paris, France. Unfortunately, she didn’t have the chance to teach me French.

After Paris, I decided to visit Italy for the first time. Once again, a language barrier. I taught myself full sentences in Italian and the locals were happy to see my try. I visited 16 Italian cities all by myself. After Italy, I went to Heraklion & Santorini, Greece. If I thought French was hard, Greek nearly knocked me over.

I kept my positive attitude and my curiosity to learn wide open. I had an incredible time and the people were absolute darlings.

After four and a half months and 25 countries later, I realized that I never had a problem with anyone (excluding the two women in Turkey who tried to Human Traffic me. That’s another story for another time,) and even then I smiled and remained gracious.

You see, I believe my calm, open, peaceful, energetic, loving demeanor was mirrored back to me in all 25 countries I visited in the Summer and Fall of 2023. I believe that everywhere I go, I meet me. So, the universe will always guide and provide for me, and I believe it so it does.

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Image Credits
Santa Barbara Maritime Museum USA Flag Photo

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