We recently connected with Leah Wilczewski and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Leah, thanks for joining us today. The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?

Wow! First time I ever earned pay from being an actor was when I was about 17. At the time I was a few years into my professional career, but working in unpaid children contracts– kind of like unpaid internships (this is also where I learned the most of the basis on how to act in rehearsal rooms and work as a professional).

At the time of my first acting paycheck, I was working two jobs, in college full time trying to finish high school and my associate’s degree at the same time, and rushing to rehearsals and performances after! It was such a busy time in my life, but my aspirations and dreams were electrically bright and always pulling me forward.

The work I collected pay for was a developmental piece called Death By Shakespeare– about several of Shakespeare’s women and the lead up to their deaths. It was incredibly poetic, allowed me a lot of control over my character development and was so spot on for who I am as an artist. Collecting the paycheck for it was mind boggling. Like “wow!!! I get to love my work, share it with people, have an impact on audiences and get paid?!?!”

So so cool. I am so grateful.

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?

I grew up knowing I’d always wanted to be an actor which I’m so grateful for because it was relatively clear to me how I wanted to aim, shoot, and ignite on my training, school, work, and where I needed to be located for my work.

I am an actor based in Brooklyn, New York. Growing up I was based throughout the midwest, and worked in regional classical theatre productions. I was lucky enough to study Shakespeare and Chekhov from a young age, and learned from some of the coolest actors from around the world. Some of which are still my mentors today.

I think what I’m most proud of is the fact that upon working with directors for the first time– we are always connecting again afterwards and I think it speaks to my character, my work on a set or in rehearsal rooms, that I am always being asked back to audition, and work with some of the most awesome folks!

Being able to come together with a group creatives, with all of us bringing our best and biggest hearts to the table is perhaps one of the most magical things I’ll ever experience.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I think what most people don’t understand, or rather maybe haven’t thought about much, is how much time is spent NOT working in particularly “creative” ways to continue the business, and keep personal finances, studies, and wellbeing alive.

I’m usually rotating through a couple of jobs to hit my personal financial goals and to be able to keep studying and staying in rooms where I can be creative with other artists while auditioning and working in actual acting, modeling, and commercial roles.

It’s ALOT of work, and I really need to stay on top of my wellbeing in order to keep up, but I’m so proud of my initiative, and love what I’m creating with the energy I have.

Also, it’s very important to note, that I wouldn’t be able to keep up with the multiple jobs and auditions and just being a normal human (working out, seeing friends, making sure I’m eating enough) without the support of my partner, my friends and my family. They are really where I get most of the energy to continue onward. They are the best!

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I think taking the time to be thoughtful and intentional with our creative consumption.

Recognizing just how much we rely on artists is so vital to the heartbeat of everyone’s lives.

If we think about how often we turn to our favorite comfort movies, or our go-to albums and songs, we are almost always consuming INCREDIBLE work created by HUNDREDS of humans per project.

A couple of things to think about:

– If you go see a movie in theaters, try staying for the full credits! Take a few minutes to be in the presence of how many faces are behind making a movie, and that they all wanted to create that just for you to experience and enjoy.

-If you have artists (maybe specifically actors in this scenario) working for you in your restaurants, retail, and businesses, approach them with good intention and trust. I can’t even count the amount of times on my hands when employers met my interest to work with them with large anxiety and distrust–thinking I’ll up and leave my work with them tomorrow.
In reality, I’ve been some of the top performers on sales teams, customer service, barista-ing, and cleaning. I’ve contributed FAR more to every job I’ve had than I’ve taken, and I deeply respect those in management and business. I view your work as art as well, and respect you as such!

Usually if I ever need time off for acting work, it’s submitted well in advance, and if any scheduling issues come up, I always have a plan A, B, and C to make sure you don’t feel left in the lurch.

Some food for thought!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @thecostcopeach
• Linkedin: Leah Wilczewski
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@leahwilczewski7518?si=gJdnOE1ywVt-3npr
• Other: My Email: [email protected]

  Casting Websites:
  Actor’s Access: Leah Wilczewski

  Backstage: Leah Wilczewski

  Casting Networks: Leah Wilczewski

  My agents:
  Lauren Green Agency
  Mainline Models

Image Credits

Jeff Mosier, Julie Deneshaw, Elisa Gruber, Colleen Krantz