We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Colleen DeForrest. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Colleen below.
Hi Colleen , 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?
I felt from an early age that I loved to perform in front of people and of course I love to make people laugh. I felt like entertaining people on a stage was the exact way to make that happen, and turns out I’m pretty good at it. I found out it was my purpose around the age of 11 when I did one of my first stage productions, which I believe was Pinocchio where I played a bully who turned into a donkey.
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?
Well I am a drag queen and an actor, I perform specifically with Highland Lounge and Still Austin Whiskey as a resident drag queen. I have been doing this since 2016 where it all started during Halloween that led this into a career. I’ve also done a short and currently filming a movie which will both be out this year. I just love performing wether it be on stage or in front of a camera. There is something about transforming into a character that isn’t yourself and playing that part that just gives me joy. I’m also a person who loves to make people laugh, so it brings me so pleasure that I’m able to get on a microphone, talk to an audience, relate and tell a few funny stories about how the week has been, but of course all in character. It’s really what I feel I do best
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?
I think the three things that were most impactful for my journey were confidence, creativity and definitely having the drive to succeed.. The best advice I can give someone in their early stages is to keep doing what you’re doing no matter what anybody says. People will always have something to say about you wether it be appearance, how you perform and sometimes it can be about what you are not doing. To them I say kick rocks, because if you’re happy with what you have and what you are doing then that’s all that matters every performer improves in every journey, it’s up to you to improve on your time and your time only..
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
Feeling overwhelmed in this business is a real thing. Just as it is for anyone in any industry. But when it happens to me, and I’ve been doing back to back shows and I’m just tired and overwhelmed, I just tell myself we made it this far, keep smiling and it will be over soon. And I think about the nice relaxing movie nights or dinners I’ll be doing when it’s all over with my fabulous friend group. Laughing over some white wine and maybe a beer. It’s always good to have something planned after having to work back to back. Gives you that excitement of having something to look forward too.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Colleen_DeForrest
