We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Harry Allen a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Harry, you’ve got such an interesting story, but before we jump into that, let’s first talk about a topic near and dear to us – generosity. We think success, happiness and wellbeing depends on authentic generosity and empathy and so we’d love to hear about how you became such a generous person – where do you think your generosity comes from?
Chasing a dream doesn’t always look fun; sometimes it looks like not eating for days, walking miles to an interview or to an audition, being homeless, and even sometimes living in your car.
But chasing your dream also can look like a world of possibility opening up to you, where authenticity leads to community.
When I was younger, I was extremely afraid to speak up and tell people what I was experiencing; even as a high schooler, no one knew about my struggles with depression and wanting to be accepted. This “imposter syndrome” often led me to living in the shadows of others and suffering in silence.
When I graduated high school, I knew I had a God given dream to work in the music industry in some way; I just wasn’t sure what that looked like for me. After graduating high school, I bounced around from job to job, place to place just trying to find my way…. This instability led to me being homeless and afraid to speak on what was actually happening in my life. Many nights I would walk around just thinking what my life would look like if I “made it” or if I’d made a different decision regarding my career choice or if I was more confident with my authenticity.
As time went on, I realized I couldn’t continue to live in the shadows; I NEEDED HELP! My breakthrough came from breaking the mold of discomfort and sending out a text to a friend to let him know my life was crumbling, and I couldn’t continue to live the way I was.
Surprisingly, shaking, nervously awaiting his response, anxiety filled; I read his text, welcoming me into his home. This season of my life was called honor through humility. I’d never experienced someone serving me at the level he and his family did. For months he and his family allowed me to live rent free, eat meals for free, prayed with me, casted vision into my life and truly lit a fire into what my destiny would look like.
Almost daily I would accompany him to his church where he worked; and I would be blown away by the generosity from staff; literally weekly seeing hundreds of people like me coming to the church campus, not looked down upon, but served, whether it was through food and beverage resources, mental and spiritual health resources, or even at times housing. But what stood out the most was this, he and his team knew my story, and never looked at me any differently; still embracing me and welcoming me into circles and meetings just as if I was the guy who was still coordinating deals, producing records, and traveling the states. I was amazed at their level of love through generosity.
My life has changed completely.
As time went on things did get better; I started an internship, worked at a prominent recording studio, and toured the world. But through it all, I’ve never forgotten the months a family took me in and showed me what it looked like to love and serve through generosity.
Today, the investment of that family has led to my core DNA.
In 2023, I started a nonprofit, Be The Answer, which focuses on meeting the needs of urban communities through entertainment. Our entire goal is to “pay it forward” by showing love through generosity, whether it be through our mental health enrichment programs, community festivals, or internships.
In addition to our nonprofit initiatives, our DNA expands heavily into the world of entertainment with the clients we serve throughout the touring industry.
Love is the goal, and generosity is the tool we use.
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?
Music has always been an escape for me; I can remember times in my life, I found myself daydreaming about anything and everything related to music; being in recording studios, traveling the world with A-list artists, and coordinating million dollar deals.
I attended the Los Angeles School of Recording after high school. This was my first actual introduction to what it meant to live and work in “Hollywood”, and to my surprise it wasn’t like the movies.
Unfortunately, I didn’t finish my degree program at LARS, but I did capture an internship at a recording studio nearby and that’s when I like to say I had my “ah ha moment”.
Spending most of my days there; broke mind you! was a challenge for me but I loved every minute of it; from eating Cream of Chicken Top Ramen and blueberry muffins, to riding the redline on cold summer nights; this was it for me.
Throughout that experience, I was able to learn a great deal of the technical skills I utilize today on the road.
I’m a Production and Stage Manager.
What this means is, I’m typically getting screamed at by local venue staff, wrangling talent on and off stages around the world, while eating terribly, and being sleep deprived. (smile)
But no, in all seriousness, my days are typically spent on dozens of email chains and group chats, coordinating both technical and travel logistics; that can look like speaking with Event and Venue managers at venues, In addition to Equipment Vendors in order to ensure when our team arrives we have the necessary components in order to put on a quality experience for the attendees; this is what we call the “advance”.
In addition to advancing; on event days, my mornings typically start with an introduction to the venue Event Management team that I’ve been interfacing with via email or text. During this time, we’re talking through introductions with venue department leads, loading/loadout plans, any safety concerns , and most importantly any gear and technical support we may need.
After that…
The fun begins.
My morning hours usually consist of lots of sweat, snacks, curse words, and unloading gear from overly packed 55 foot trailers.
Once our gear has entered the venue, my role more-so becomes a role of delegation where cases are being directed to landing areas, leading any deck builds, and partnering with our traveling technical team to ensure they have everything they need to ensure a smooth load in process.
About mid-day, my time usually consists of updating Management on any delays, changes that may have occurred due to venue specifics, and responding to numerous group chats with logistics on the day.
Finally, it’s showtime. This can vary depending upon the client. However, typically my role consists of moving the show and ensuring the show runs on schedule. Moving the show can look like running around backstage ensuring props, people, and cues are set. Wrangling dancers, dodging heels , and trying not to slip over a wardrobe that’s been tossed off due to quick changes , ensuring the client is safe and secure with all movement in addition to being in position for any technical difficulties that may occur throughout the show.
At last, thousands of fans of experienced the show, client walks off, band has hit the last note, dancers have smiled and waved at the crowd venue lights have come back on…. local labor has arrived, load out has begun, trucks have been packed , and we’re off to do it all over again, the following day….
Oh, the joys of touring.
I love it!
And 2024 hasn’t stopped.
Recently, I finished three incredible world tours; The Heart on My Sleeves tour with Ella Mai, The Jaguar Tour with Victoria Monet; I might add Grammy Award Winning Victoria Monet now and Atlanta’s own, 6lack.
And while those experiences have been amazing, I am most excited to gear up for an incredible run on The Serenade Tour this fall with Jazmine Sullivan.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back on the last 3-5 years, I would say Service, Gratitude, and Excellence are the three traits that have catapulted my career.
When we approach each opportunity not focused on the level or the “name” but with a sense of gratitude; the energy we put out into the world certainly is noticeable.
I work in very high stress, and tight deadline environments.
With that emotions run high ALL the time!
You must have tough skin for real!
But what I’ve learned is to be thankful for it all, the good, the bad, and the ugly. I work in an industry where I get to travel around the world, experience foreign cultures, and even at times touch monuments that I’ve only seen in the history books, and I make good money too!
Coming from a time in my life where homelessness, living paycheck to paycheck, hiding my true identity and living in fear of being “seen”, I’m extremely blessed; and because of that I serve my clients with a level of excellence that comes from knowing that God kept me, made a way, and allowed his presence through other people to ignite in me a level of SERVICE, GRATITUDE and EXCELLENCE.
This is the foundation of who I am. When I interview for new opportunities, I rarely talk about the work I’ve done and who I’ve worked for, I focus on my core traits SERVICE, GRATITUDE and EXCELLENCE. There are tons of skilled stage and production managers around the world, even dozens that are a great deal more experienced than me, but what sets me apart is the culture of EXCELLENCE that I bring to my teams, and a DNA of gratitude that I teach and preach throughout my experiences.
So, I’d say start there…find who you are and be firm about that! I’ve learned I’m not for everyone…. but I am for some!
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shout out for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
Community.
Whether it’s overcoming challenges of homelessness or living through seasons of depression or learning new and relevant skills within the event production space, community has always been the “gift that keeps on giving”.
I can remember a time where I was afraid to speak to people about my experiences, being afraid of being judged and at times not accepted. But the mold for me broke when I took the risk to introduce who I really was; and just like the Aladdin slogan, “a new world”, was opened to me.
I’ve found transparency and authenticity; it is the breeding ground to purpose, destiny, and the community that will help you get there.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Iamharryallen
Image Credits
Tyler Fuhrmeister ( Acremedia ) Van ( iii.mages )
