Today we’d like to introduce you to Felton Sparks

Hi Felton, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

I started my journey at summer camp, discovering theater for the first time. I was in the camp’s production of Oliver the Musical playing an orphan at 9 years old and instantly knew that I was in love. I was a shy kid so it seemed like a strange thing for me to enjoy but I think what I loved was that I could interact with people and know exactly what to say because it was scripted. There were no surprises. From there, I started taking acting and dance classes both in and out of school. I never learned how to drive because all of my free time was taken up by shows and training, which made getting around LA near-impossible without help from my mom and friends. My family was very supportive, though everybody had a different idea of which direction I should go in according to what they enjoyed the most. I took piano lessons at first to appease my mom, an absolute lover of music, but then it lead me to writing my own songs. Being a creative person was my way of connecting with people before I figured out how to do that genuinely and in my own way. I practiced conversation through characters I played and practiced vulnerability through music. Now in 2024, I have written and released seven singles, acted in many regional productions, and even wrote, shot, and edited my own variety show at one point. And yet sometimes I still get nervous at parties.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

I don’t think a creative life is conducive to anything going smoothly! Of course there’s the comparison and the persistent self doubt. There are injuries, relationships, fallouts, people telling you that you’ll never “make it” even though you might not even know what making it would look like. Life happens and the last thing you want to do is be vulnerable in front of a room full of strangers. And oh the rejection! A director tells you in the audition that you’ve been cast and you never hear from them again. A production you acted in (and went quite well you thought) tells you that they’ll invite you back when they remount only for them to email you that “they want to go in a different direction” a month before it starts. A show that you believe you’re perfect for doesn’t even want to see you audition. And of course I’m saying “you” but all of these things happened to me. The biggest hurdle, which I’m still recovering from, is the pandemic. When it hit, I had a great line-up of starring roles, including originating a new one that I was very excited for. In my mourning (because everybody tells you that your career is over when the momentum is dead), I started writing music again and put all of my energy into that. It has taken over four years to assess the waters again by dipping into auditions. And now I’m so out of practice!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?

I am an artist and curiosity is my unending curse. I’m an actor, dancer/ choreographer, singer, songwriter, music producer, writer, filmmaker, sound designer, and video editor. I have a fascination with period pieces, science fiction, music history, science fiction, Motown, horror, stand-up comedy, dance music, classic literature, and Greta Gerwig. All of these things inform what I do. Though I’m most well known for my work in theater, I think what I’m most proud of is my music. The work it takes to write, rewrite, sing, produce, and put out a single song is daunting and I learned so much by doing it. Then I put my other skills to task and wrote, directed, and edited my music videos. I think what sets me apart from other people is that I’m interested in every step of creation. When my part is done, I want to stick around and learn how the producer hears a beat, or how the cinematographer sets up the next shot. I love being around creative people. It’s an energy that I’m trying to be around more.

Who else deserves credit in your story?

Oh lord, I have so many people to give credit to it’s insane. My mom first and foremost. She always loved that I was creative but it took a while for her to accept that my brains works differently than most. Once she did, she’s been so supportive of my journey and I will be forever indebted to her. Every teacher I ever had needs credit, even the ones I didn’t gel with. Elementary school music teachers, summer school acting coaches, martial arts sensei’s, high school english teachers, they all helped me get to where I am. Since I was 14, I’ve been mentored by a family friend named Bill Cinque on my music. He has been so patient with me as I balance life and all my interests, sometimes music doesn’t make top billing. When it does, he’s always there to help me with whatever project I think up and make my big ideas obtainable.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.feltonishere.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/feltonofficial/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@feltonofficial
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0DqJB67Y18rbd0JQEylbxK?si=naCD0j0zQGuqWKGhBlS9sg

Image Credits

Lory L.
Rob Shanahan