Meet Liz Cooper

We were lucky to catch up with Liz Cooper recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Liz, 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?

The rehearsal room has always been a sacred space for me. It is the place where my entire mind is absorbed and the outside world doesn’t exist. As I have gone through the toughest periods of my life – trauma, grief, heartbreak, you name it – music and theatre have always been my saving grace.
It’s a combination of the people and the work itself.
I adore the people I collaborate with. I am always learning from them and am constantly blown away by their generosity and kindness. But most importantly, they are the most playful people I know. We can spend hours rehearsing and getting incredible work done, but also be brain-rot idiots laughing our heads off.
When I’m practicing or rehearsing, I become addicted to the material. I’m thinking about this song or this character on the subway, in the shower, while I’m cooking, while I’m walking. A healthy amount, I promise! But for someone that struggles to concentrate on the simplest thing like an email, it’s kind of miraculous! And it doesn’t feel like work, it feels like play!

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?

In general, I am a performer. I say this because the last few years my career has been more focused on acting, but I spent most of my life as a musician. I’m in a unique position now where I get to be both! I came to the United States to study acting in New York and have had a great amount of success! I’ve enjoyed numerous roles in some incredible plays since arriving here – bother contemporary plays and classical/Shakespeare!

While my theatre career has taken off, I also have the privilege of bringing back my music chops. Last year I had my first original show produced by Willow Tree Productions. It is a one woman cabaret, titled Enough, where I tell a crazy story from my life in a stand up format with several songs woven throughout. Most of the songs are covers arranged by myself and I also wrote an original song inspired by some content in the show!

For the show I had a guitarist accompanying me, the incredible Simeon Brown, Simeon has an extensive background in performance and classical training that worked perfectly in the development of this show. Since then, Simeon and I have continued to collaborate as a music duo currently under the name of Cooper Brown. At the moment we are working on covers of our favorite songs by artists that have inspired us as musicians; James Taylor, Regina Spector, Sufjan Stevens, and Joni Mitchell, Brandi Carlile to name just a few. We are also working towards building a collection of original songs and are having the best time getting to put our music chops to work and making our own creative decisions as musicians AND artists!

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. Resilience and Perseverance:
One of the most impactful qualities in my journey has been resilience—pushing through the inevitable challenges and setbacks that come with being an artist. The road can be uncertain, rejection is a part of the process and good god does it hurt. But learning to take constructive feedback, adapt, and keep going has been essential in my growth. There have been many times where I check in and ask myself “is this the time when I stop and do something else?” The answer always has been, and will be for a very long time, a big fat yes. But knowing that I am genuinely choosing to keep going and will only do so as long as it makes me happy allows me to trust myself.

For those early in their journey, I would say, don’t be discouraged by obstacles. Check in with yourself! When you ask yourself the hard questions, you can trust that no matter what you’re doing, it will be the thing that makes you happy because you are CHOOSING it. There is no giving up, just choosing. When it is a big fat yes, build a routine of consistency and perseverance. Understand that growth takes time and that each challenge is an opportunity to refine your craft. Surround yourself with supportive people who encourage you to keep moving forward, no matter how tough it gets.

2. Curiosity and Continuous Learning:
Another key aspect has been an ongoing desire to learn and experiment. Whether it’s exploring new techniques, discovering different styles, or diving into areas outside of my comfort zone, curiosity has pushed me to evolve. My latest extensions to my career as an actor AND a musician have been surprising, rewarding and exciting as hell! The creative world is ever-changing, and staying open to new ideas keeps my work fresh and relevant.

Early in your journey, it’s vital to stay curious and never stop learning. Seek out resources, workshops, and mentors. Experiment with different mediums, techniques, and influences—don’t limit yourself to just one path. This broadens your skills and helps you find your unique artistic voice.

3. Building Relationships and Networking:
The importance of building relationships with other artists, curators, and individuals in the art world has been a game-changer for me. Having a network not only provides support but also opens up opportunities for collaboration, exhibitions, and learning from others. Connecting with like-minded creatives can elevate your own practice. It’s what I love about living in New York City! There’s a whole sea of generous and original creatives.

I recommend actively engaging with the art community, whether that’s online or in person. Support your friends in their productions, reach out to other artists, and don’t be afraid to share your work with the world. Relationships can lead to invaluable collaborations and provide the support needed to take your career to the next level.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

Setting me up with an incredible music education at an early age. Before I even went to school, I went to these group music classes that my Aunt did for children in the area I grew up in. My parents highly valued music education and I am endlessly grateful to them for it. They always encouraged me to take lessons and participate in extra curricular music ensembles; bands, choirs, orchestras. Not only did they set me up with a lifelong love for music, but they worked tirelessly to facilitate this relationship. Driving me to rehearsals and concerts all over the city and forking out the money. It is a true privilege and it changed my life.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @coopscups

Image Credits

@aknouveau
@richelleszypulskiphoto
@romero.portraits