We were lucky to catch up with Jessica Black recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jessica, appreciate you joining us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?
Based in NY, I have been working as a freelance artist ever since I graduated from LaGuardia High School in 2007. Over the years, I have made amazing connections with northeastern entertainment companies. These companies have given me the opportunity to perform at some really incredible venues, over the top larger than life events!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
After graduating from the FAME school (Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts), I went on to work as a professional dancer. I freelanced with several dance companies and entertainment groups in NY and NJ. Later I went into performing on elite cruise ships such as Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruise Lines. On Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, I had my first opportunity to dance in the Broadway show CATS, featured as the white cat Victoria.
When the Covid pandemic arrived, my performance direction changed. I moved back to NY and began working as a freelance artist again. Throughout the years, I have been making a full career out of the gig work life.
I’m very proud of myself for honing a new craft in the aerial arts and circus world. This career change has been very challenging and yet very rewarding for me.
I’m always pushing myself to learn new art forms to enhance my dance and performance styles, which help to make me more marketable in the freelance performance industry.
I would love for my clients to know how much love, years, discipline and dedication went into my art-forms that I’m incredibly lucky to share!
I love providing my clients with fun interactive performance styles such as aerial bartending, aerial acrobatic performances, stilt walking, ballet dancing, dancing as a disco ball, and strolling around in a champagne dress.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist for me is being able to share my talents and making an event memorable.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
I truly love the book “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle.
This book has really allowed me to embrace being an artist, living and performing in the present moment, and realizing how precious every movement is.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jbonstage.live
- Instagram: @jessiecatblack
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jessicablack6834
- Yelp: Jessica Black OnStage
Image Credits
Andrew Elder- Best Frame Forward
Maria Roberts
Judy Black