Meet Dream Hudson

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dream Hudson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Dream , appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

I would say I definitely get my resilience from my mother, Tareka McClellan. To me, she fully embodies the title of Superwoman. As a single Black mother, life hasn’t always been kind to her, but through her deep faith and determination, she continues to overcome every obstacle thrown her way.
From a young age, I’ve known that I have the best role model in her. She has an incredible work ethic from balancing her job as a paraprofessional in an elementary school while also pursuing her dreams as a performer. Recently, she’s been traveling and doing stand-up comedy, which actually grew out of a really difficult time for our family. During COVID, when we were losing loved ones and the entire world felt heavy, my mother was deeply affected, just like everyone else. But instead of sinking into that sadness, she chose to bring joy to others through her beloved comedy character, Memaw.
I had a front-row seat to her resilience in real time. Watching her turn hardship into hope taught me what true strength looks like, and it’s exactly where I get my own resilience today.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m currently a Liberal Studies major with a theatre minor, and the performing arts have been a lifelong passion for me. I grew up surrounded by creativity, and I was fortunate to have a community that not only supported my interest in the arts but also encouraged me to explore and discover who I wanted to be as an artist. Theatre was my first love. My mom introduced me to it when I was just five years old, and I’ve been acting ever since.
At California State University, Sacramento, where I’m currently enrolled, I’ve had the opportunity to perform in several productions, each one reminding me why I fell in love with storytelling in the first place. What excites me most about theatre and performance is the way it builds connections between actors, between audiences, and within communities. It has the power to open minds, inspire empathy, and spark curiosity.
Looking ahead, my goal is to use my passion for the arts as a bridge into my future career as an educator. I hope to integrate creative expression into the classroom, particularly to promote literacy in underrepresented communities. I believe the arts can make learning more accessible, joyful, and transformative, and I want to bring that impact to the students I serve.
In addition to my work as a performer and future educator, I’m also expanding creatively. I’ll be doing more writing and plan to begin shooting a series of short films, with my best friend’s. This new phase of my artistic journey allows me to explore storytelling from a different perspective and build a body of work that reflects my voice and experiences.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, the three qualities that have had the biggest impact on my journey are determination, attention to detail, and creativity.
Determination has carried me through every major goal I’ve set for myself. Once I get my heart set on something, I’m fully committed to seeing it through. Whether it’s a role I’m preparing for, a project I’m developing, or a milestone in my education, I don’t stop until I’ve given it everything I have. For anyone early in their journey, my advice is to trust your own drive. Set clear intentions, remind yourself why you want what you want, and don’t be afraid to pursue your goals with your whole heart.
Attention to detail has also shaped the way I work both on stage and in the classroom. In theatre, the smallest choices can transform a character, and in the realm of education, small shifts in approach can change a student’s experience. Paying attention to details has helped me stay thoughtful, prepared, and intentional. For those looking to strengthen this skill, I recommend slowing down enough to truly observe. Listen closely, ask questions, and give yourself time to refine your work.
And finally, creativity has been the thread connecting all parts of my life. It fuels my love for storytelling, inspires my artistic projects, and guides my vision for the future as an educator. Creativity isn’t just about making art, it’s about being open to new ideas and believing that you can shape something meaningful from what you imagine. To build this skill, surround yourself with inspiration and allow yourself to play, explore, and take risks. Creativity grows when you create space for it.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

My biggest area of growth over the past 12 months has been learning the importance of boundaries and protecting my peace. For most of my life, I never put myself first. I’ve always been the type of person who would do anything for others, putting their needs ahead of my own and placing people on pedestals that I never allowed myself to stand on. I thought selflessness meant constantly giving, even when it left me drained.
This year, I learned that being a little selfish is not only okay, but it’s also healthy. My friend Emily always says, “You have to tend to your own garden before you can help someone else’s garden flourish.” That message finally clicked for me. I realized that I can’t pour into others if I’m running on empty.
Setting boundaries has helped me reclaim my energy, my confidence, and my sense of peace. It’s taught me that I deserve the same care and priority that I give so freely to others. Protecting my peace has become an act of self-respect, and it’s made me more grounded and more present in every part of my life.
This growth has also shaped who I’m becoming as an artist and future educator. It reminded me that nurturing myself is the first step to being able to genuinely support and uplift others.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @dreamhudson_

Image Credits

stage photos @charrcrail