We were lucky to catch up with Isaiah Seward recently and have shared our conversation below.
Isaiah, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about how you’ve thought about whether to sign with an agent or manager?
Yes, I have a great team that I’m very grateful for. A few years back I was a part of a comedy sketch show at The People’s Improv Theater. After one of the shows while I was packing up someone came up to me and started up a conversation about the show. I had no idea who it was but it was an agent’s assistant. We had a great conversation and then traded contact info to set up a meeting with the agency. Someone once told me that getting an agent is like dating. You can’t force it and it has to happen organically. It can’t be simulated and I think that’s why they signed me. Our performance that night may have helped a little too.
Isaiah, 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?
When I first moved to NY I was primarily working in the music world, performing at concerts and recording songs. A musician I knew suggested acting and it sounded fun but I wanted to make sure I got the training to actually be good. From there I took classes, worked background, and did student films, etc. As an actor, solving the director’s problem of bringing the vision to life and the writer’s desire to bring the script to life is a big part of creating the finished product. There’s two things I’m most proud. The fact that I took a chance and pursued something new and challenging is one. And I’m proud that I’ve been able to help fellow actors and others in their careers. It’s the best feeling to help someone to also reach their goals and dreams while also taking steps in your own.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
With it becoming more and more normalized to view art as something that doesn’t have much value, its more important than ever to choose artist over ai replicas, support artists by buying their work, or seeing their shows, or even spreading the word about the artists you like. In the big picture I think advocating for grants and programs that benefit artists is important. It spawns the next generation of artists and ensures that they have some kind of a safety net.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The way art that I’ve been a part of creating affects other people is my biggest reward. If you can create music that gets someone through a tough time, or create a character that lets someone know they’re not the only one going through something, or be the reason a person looks at life differently that’s the payoff. In some small way, or maybe even a large way arts, allows you to change the world in a positive way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.isaiahseward.com
- Instagram: @isaiahseward4
- Twitter: @isaiahseward4
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@isaiahseward4
- Soundcloud: https://www.soundcloud.com/@isaiahseward4
- Other: https://imdb.me/isaiahseward
Image Credits
Jeffrey Mosier photography
Kiki Vassilakis