We recently connected with Gabe Mayfield and have shared our conversation below.

Gabe, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

When I was 12 years old my cousin give me a Casio keyboard that they didn’t want anymore. I had an old fashion tape recorder that I would use to record musical patterns that I made with the keyboard. By the time I was 18 I upgraded from analog to digital music software’s like FL Studio, Acid Pro, and Adobe Audition. My first year of college I took a course called Music Technology, and that’s when I knew I wanted to pursue an artistic path professionally.

Gabe, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I grew up on the southside of Chicago, IL. Theater was never my outlet as a youth, I wanted to play college basketball and focus on my education. I attended the University of Wisconsin Superior in 1999 majoring in Visual Arts, minoring in Theater. I had no idea the impact the performance arts would have on me. I took acting and directing courses the next semester then was cast in two UWS productions, “Little Shop of Horrors” as the Voice of Audrey II and “Amahl and The Night Visitors” as King Balthazar. I soon began auditioning for the Duluth Playhouse and Renegade Theater Company shows. Since then, I’ve performed in over 30 productions locally and professionally. Some of my favorites include “Parade” the Musical, the Rock Opera “RENT”, “Fences” and most recently, “Annie”. I have learned so much about myself through the roles and characters I’ve portrayed and I feel blessed to have shared them with my community, colleagues and family -especially my children. Recently I’ve been focusing on my music, and I just released my second album “Showdown.” I’m currently planning youth talent shows, and special events in the area. But if you would like to hear some of my music in the meantime, you can check it out on most music platforms.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

The experience during the creative process become a driving force that keeps me inspired and engaged. If it wasn’t for my cousin always finding ways to create, weather it was dance choreography, acting, or singing. My mission is to bring passion and understanding in some way through creating art.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the fact that I get to share my life with people. When I’m performing I have the opportunity to become someone else for the moment, and give the viewers an idea of who they are, and what they could be if they share the same interests as I do.

Contact Info:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gabriel.mayfield
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVy40rQciLOywGUG4iw1LXA
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/search/gabe%20mayfield

Image Credits
Daniel Oyinloye, Gabe Mayfield, Duluth News Tribune