We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dyan McBride. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dyan below.

Dyan, 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?

Ah the theatre. It’s a weird, wonderful world. It grabs you and doesn’t let go.

I knew I wanted to be in the theatre from about 14 years old, but I had no idea what that really meant. I just liked being in a theatre building with all those artistic, outgoing kids. I loved to sing and I was sort of a natural actor. By that I mean, I had zero technique, but I was a reader and I was pretty imaginative. I thought I could figure out how people should sound, dress, speak and behave. I was sort of fearless with imitation having grown up watching cartoons and I Love Lucy.

I think the moment that I knew I wanted to do this was in my high school production of Grease. I was playing Rizzo and I was in the middle of “There Are Worse Things I Could Do.” I was singing this long belty note, and I could feel that I had the audience with me. I remember the spotlight on me, the saxophone wailing and thinking, “Oh I like this powerful feeling.’ I want to keep doing this forever.” And I still feel like that when I get the right moment in a song or a scene.

Dyan, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am in the performing arts industry, and I am also an educator. I have been an actor/director/singer/educator for over thirty years. I am a member of SAG/AFTRA/AEA ,and I am a professor of theatre arts at Las Positas College, the #1 community college in California! I got into the arts through singing in my school choirs and I eventually got my BA in musical theatre and my MFA in acting.

I believe my professional career in the arts goes hand in hand with teaching. I use my real world experience in the classroom. I also use my classroom experience in the real world. When I am teaching, I try to enlighten my students about trends, ideas and changes within the industry. When I am working professionally, I try and use classroom ideas such as process, patience, and compassion towards myself and others.

I feel very lucky to make a living in the arts. I also feel fortunate to have such a supportive college with fantastic students and an amazing facility. I wake up most every day knowing I get to make art in some fashion. I usually get to crack up laughing at some point. I may not be uber famous or insanely rich, the hallmarks of what many people consider “success,” but I am satisfied, grateful and happy. And I get to put good things into the world.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

As an artist, I’ve seen this business thrive and I’ve seen it struggle. Currently, the theatre is in a struggle to survive. The numbers of audiences attending regional theatres is on the decline. Regional theatres are where producers look for work to transfer to Broadway and where local communities find a sense of togetherness and identity.
It is imperative that we keep this art form alive.

The world has been telling stories onstage for over 2500 years. It’s how we pass along traditions, instruct, warn, and celebrate. So many people view theatre as a frivolous way to make a living, a lark. But true theatre making is necessary for society to thrive. Theatre helps facilitate social changes, reflects the world back at us, and in some cases, saves lives. It’s powerful. And it’s why so many people don’t want to hear the messages of truth, acceptance and change. It’s big ideas. It can be scary.

It is my hope that we have a radical change in consciousness towards all arts. I’d love to see us stop pitting sports against arts. Why not arts against war? I’d much rather my taxes went towards art, sports, nature, and helping people rather than making bombs.

You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Even though show-biz can be a rough path, it’s also ridiculously fun. It’s very rewarding in many ways. At it’s very simple core, we are playing make believe and dress-up. We get to tell stories, sing songs, play instruments, dance, craft, paint, draw and use cool tools!

Besides my family and friends, it’s also the most important thing in the world to me. It sustains me, defines me and gives me a path forward.

When I am overwhelmed or stressed out at rehearsal, it often helps to remember that I’m just doing a play. And even though I know how powerful a play can be, sometimes it’s just a play. I like to take this Springsteen quote and apply it to the theatre. I believe the same thing.

“Don’t take yourself too seriously. Take yourself as seriously as death itself. Don’t worry. Worry your ass off. Have iron-clad confidence, but doubt. It keeps you alive and alert! Believe you are the baddest ass in town – and that you suck! It keeps you honest. Be able to keep two completely contradictory ideas alive and well inside of your heart and head at all times. If it doesn’t drive you crazy, it will make you strong. And when you walk on stage tonight to bring the noise, treat it like it’s all we have – and then remember it’s only rock’ n’ roll.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dyanmcbride.com
• Instagram: @princessleiahansolo
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/dyanmcbride

Image Credits

Headshots by Ben Krantz.

Press photo for the Mountain Play-Gypsy.

Press photo for Lucky Penny-A Little Night Music

Press Photo for The Mountain Play-Hello, Dolly!