Meet Mason Risser

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mason Risser a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Mason, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

A clear sense of purpose has always felt elusive to me.

In some way, I find myself not so much consumed by purpose itself – but by the search for the contentment it brings. Ever since I was young, my sense of identity was tied to temporary achievements. If I book this role, I will be happy. If I get into a good college, I will be happy. If I get this job, I will be happy. This mindset has forced me onto a seesaw of tension–teetering between striving for achievement and ultimately feeling unfulfilled once the goal is achieved.

Over time, I came to recognize this distorted way of thinking, yet I couldn’t detach myself from it. I felt lost. Throughout my life, I had been praised for being ambitious and driven. But was that ambition preventing me from being happy? Could the motivation that propels me through life be causing me harm?

These questions haunted me for a while, and honestly, still do sometimes. My identity was tied in the temporary. Yet, a critical revelation came to me through the words of my father. He told me that true contentment doesn’t come from our achievements. It doesn’t come from external validation. It comes only from placing our identity in something unchanging; our relationship with God. This insight led to a lot of personal reflection, and helped reframe how I think about purpose and where I find meaning in life.

Obviously, this realization didn’t instantly solve the problem of purpose, but gave a foundation. A solid ground from which to build my priorities and sense of self; one based on deeper values and relationships.

While I still wrestle with doubts and the pull of achievement, I now approach my life and purpose from a new angle. I approach with the understanding that my worth isn’t defined by what I do, but who I am.

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?

I’m an actor currently completing my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theatre at Ithaca College, in upstate New York. Growing up in Nashville, Tennessee, I’ve had the blessing of being surrounded by music and theatre my whole life.

What excites me most about the work is its ability to bring stories to life in ways that change people. The media we consume shapes our perspectives, and influences how we see the world. Having experienced this power in my own life, pursuing a career in the arts felt inevitable.

I have had the opportunity to work on some exciting projects that have fueled my passion for storytelling. I appeared in the feature film Just Jake on UpTV, starring Rob Mayes and Brittany Bristow, and most recently in A Little Women’s Christmas on GAC Family, starring Trevor Donovan, Jillian Murray, Jen Lilley, Laura Osnes, Jesse Hutch, Julia Reilly, and Gladys Knight. Both experiences challenged and inspired me to grow as a performer.

A highlight of my journey has been contributing my voice to the cast recording of The Big One-Oh, where I played the role of Daryll alongside an amazingly talented cast, including Christian Borle, Derek Klena, Brittany Mack, Patti Murin, and Michael James Scott. It was a truly surreal experience to be part of a project with such an incredible group of performers, all of whom I deeply admire and look up to.

Looking ahead, I’m eager to build on these experiences and expand into new creative opportunities. Whether through new roles, collaborations, or original projects, I’m always striving to grow as an artist and human being.

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 believe that the three most important qualities to have, in terms of a performance career, are resilience, openness, and gratitude. With a career in performance, you face inevitable rejection after rejection… after rejection. You can cultivate this resilience by looking for the growth in each failure, as well as building a strong support network. This network can consist of friends, mentors, family, maybe even a dog! (Love you, Schuyler!)

Openness is equally crucial for success in the arts. Being able to embrace new experiences and remain receptive to new ideas helps you become a well-rounded artist and avoids limiting you to a single path.

Gratitude. In my mind, it is the most important quality but also the most difficult to foster. Gratitude keeps us grounded and motivated, helping us appreciate life without being weighed down by its challenges. There are a ton of ways to practice this: keeping a journal, expressing appreciation to loved ones, or even downloading an app. (I have one called Gratitude Jar!) Personally, I like to go on walks and consciously reflect on the things I’m grateful for. I always feel better afterward!

All in all, I believe it is important to work on yourself as well as your craft. A well-rounded person creates a well-rounded artist.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

The biggest challenge I currently face is allowing myself to feel relaxed and content. There’s a relentless voice in my head insisting that if I don’t book a job immediately or grind through every second of every day, I’ll never work again. That there isn’t enough time. I hear a clock ticking, loud and insistent. While I can’t silence it entirely, I am learning how to muffle it.

I began by looking to my favorite actor’s for advice. Through watching interviews, I learned that they were once not so different from myself. They all felt the same way that I feel right now; some even still feel it!

One particular moment that brings me comfort comes from Brian Cox, which I believe I first heard on the Succession podcast; He said, “What’s for you will not go by you.” This truly struck a chord with me. Hearing this from one of my favorite actors brought on a wave of reassurance, one that has had a profound and lasting effect on me.

I believe we have to grant ourselves the freedom to trust the journey and believe in the path God has laid out for us. Easier said than done, of course, but it’s a practice worth pursuing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://masonrisser.com
• Instagram: @masonrisser
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@masonrisser

Image Credits

Jeremy Cowart, Nora Canfield, James Stoake, David Burbank, Jasmine Roy, Keegan Webber