We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sean Alan Mazur a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Sean Alan, 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?
My life definitely prepared me to navigate being in the minority. When I was adopted by a white couple, I moved to a small town in Idaho where my siblings and I were the only African Americans in the area. There were moments when I was younger that racist comments were made towards us, but at the time we didn’t really comprehend what was going on. As I got older and my mom was teaching me to drive, she said to me that I had to be extra careful on the roadways as I could be pulled over for “driving while being black.” With everything that’s happened within the media regarding racial profiling and inequality, that has really stuck with me. Something my parents also taught us was that we have to work ten times harder just to get the same recognition. Unfortunately, that’s true. So that’s how I live my life. I put my all into the work I do so that no one can ever discredit or overlook me. There aren’t that many roles specifically made for people who look like me, but in spaces my talent and work ethic speaks for itself. I’ve even managed to land roles that were originally written for a white presenting person. I credit my success to the lessons my parents taught me as well as my ambition. Failure is not an option. Shortcomings are just a lesson learned, and if something doesn’t come to pass, it was never mine to have. And who knows, sometimes it pays to be the only one in the room that looks like you.
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’m what you would consider a jack of all trades or at least headed in that direction. I hold the “triple threat” status as I act, dance, and sing. I have also done work as a producer, song write, and the next big thing for me would be directing theater in the near future. Currently, I’m working on a degree in Liberal Arts with a concentration in psychology. I’m extremely close to finishing so I’m very excited for that and everything these studies have done to enhance my performance as an actor in certain types of roles. Music has pretty much always been a part of my life and I’ve taken it into my career. I’ve released about 10 songs including two EP’s in the last year and a half, and have a couple more releases planned for this new year before venturing on to my next musical journey. I’m joining forces with a couple of my good friends to start a band, and hopefully have our first single out sometime this year. Last year contained a lot of firsts for me including some film/tv projects that are slated to be released this year as well. I also signed with a manager and the team is everything I could have asked for and more. I consider myself very blessed and I’m looking forward to what God has planned for me in the coming years.
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?
Resilience is a must have. The entertainment industry is very hard to break into and there are a lot of no’s or what may feel like an endless cycle of auditions but no bookings. Sometimes an agent is right for you, or you’re not a fit for each other and that’s okay. It’s also not a race, not everyone is going to progress at the same rate. However, it’s important to be able to shake it off and press on. Part of my journey was four years spent serving the Air Force. I was not the greatest fan of that structure, and there were times I wanted to give in. If I had, I wouldn’t be doing this interview right now. Next I would say that talent isn’t everything. You can be the most gifted person in the world, but if you’re ugly on the inside, no one will want to work with you. Part of the industry is connections and it’s a small world. So always aim to leave the best impression, and just genuinely be a good person. I’ve been on sets where an actor was very nasty or entitled and I could hear the murmurings about said person from various cast and crew. People want to work with people they enjoy working with, so be that.
Lastly, I was taught to stay sharp. Performing in any aspect is something that needs to be exercised. Many actors take various classes in place of an arts degree and/or after receiving an arts degree. Your favorite singers still work with vocal coaches. One of the things I did was join a theater company. When I’m in a show, that’s at least two months of exercising my skills as an actor. There is always something to learn; something new to discover.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
For quite some time I lacked confidence in my abilities as a performer. I can be a bit of a perfectionist and found it hard to believe my work was good unless it was validated by someone else. There were times, I still doubted myself even after receiving validation. I was a quiet kid growing up and I am still a bit reserved, but as of late I’ve found it easier to be pleased with my work and be a voice within a room. Although it may sound a bit cliché, I’ve definitely started to love myself more. I have had insecurities about my physical appearance, and still struggle with the color of my skin at times. Now, most days I look in the mirror and smile. It’s also allowed me to take care of myself more. Getting a fulls night rest at every opportunity and making sure I don’t over work myself. I’m starting to find the balance between my Capricorn/Virgo tendencies and self- care. I’m no good to myself or anyone else if I’m not at my best. Also you have to believe in yourself for anyone else to, at least fake it until it becomes reality. It astounds me anytime someone says something along the lines of me being confident. I’m like, okay….thanks. It ultimately raises my spirits; I’m more at peace than I was a year ago.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/seanalanmazur
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/seanalanmazur
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/seanalanmazur_
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzAnkoRpd0u2H2QVUaIF5Ig
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2tac1jwQUUk2VBKSztm6yR
Image Credits
Hana Adams @hanz.a Dario @d.vision_
