Meet Larose Washington

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

Hi LaRose, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

There’s only ever been one way that I could succeed in a space that often isolated me: Focus on loving myself more than worrying about what others may think.

Being the only Black girl in the room has been my way of life. I grew up in predominantly white areas, went to college at a predominantly white institution, and picked a career field that is predominantly white. So I was never a stranger to the idea that I’d have to forge my own path.

But in my younger days, I didn’t have the space to dream up how to be effective or successful. I was too busy calculating all the things that people may think of me, how my presence affected them, or even how my success bothered others. It made me flounder, and it slowed me down. It wasn’t until my mother sat me down and said, “Girl, focus on what you want.” that it finally clicked.

I had to be the role model that I hoped to see. I had to imagine my steps toward success, and most importantly I had to care for myself enough to not let others get in the way or stop me.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am an award-winning theatrical and film producer who graduated from the University of Southern California. I began my career by co-founding a comedy troupe, Trifecta Sketch Comedy, where I produced and acted in sketches with other USC alums.

After a few years in Los Angeles, I decided to relocate to Chicago. Here I’ve been really focusing on producing stories that have the power to make a social impact.

I am someone who believes that storytelling is the most effective way to create substantial change in the world. So, I founded Lex The Movie, LLC.

We are a production company that focuses on putting stories into the world that foster growth and healing while also giving people a good laugh.

Currently we’re producing a show in Chicago called “Within a Shadow”. It’ll be going up at The Den Theatre from September 5th to October 13th, 2024.

I am incredibly proud that we are putting up this production. This world premiere will help shine a light on a lesser discussed phenomenon for minorities and educate the audience on how this experience feels and manifests in reality.

It’s something you definitely don’t want to miss. The ticket link is below!

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

Audacity, Resilience, and Openness.

Being a producer means bringing a creative piece to life, and that’s an emotional journey. You first have to have the audacity to put on the show regardless of what others think. In my early career, my imposter syndrome was outrageous. I didn’t think I had the tools to put on productions well. And even when I did put on successful productions, I didn’t think people would like it. But at a certain point, I had to say “dang it I’m doing it and I don’t care what anyone has to say about it.”

Then, when I was feeling audacious, of course the problems hit. Projects often take more time or money than we have. If it isn’t a location falling through, it’s an actor getting sick. Resilience is probably the most important skill set for any producer because you have to be able to get back up and keep the project moving forward.

Last, but certainly not least, is openness. I had to be open to the different possibilities of how my artistic career would turn out. By being too rigid, I wasn’t seeing all the possibilities or allowing myself the space for things to happen how they naturally would.

So, my advice for anyone who’s just starting out as a producer is enjoy the challenge. Keep producing the work that inspires you because at the end of the day it’s on you to advocate for yourself and what you find passion in. All the little obstacles and emerging opportunities along the way will just help you become the phenomenal producer you’re meant to be.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

Breathe, talk it out, and remember why you’re doing what you’re doing.

Life can really be difficult sometimes, and I’ve found that when you’re reaching toward your goals and making strides – things become overwhelming. Whenever things get wild, the first thing I do is breathe and connect with my body. It allows me to reset myself in that moment. After resetting, I talk it out with the people I trust and allow myself to get all the swirling thoughts out of my head. Lastly I talk to myself about why I’m doing the thing that I’m doing; – and ask what makes it worthwhile. That final reminder really helps me calm down and get back to working towards my dreams.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Photo Illustration: Jo Riedner — @Earthbound_Sky

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