We recently connected with Kelcie Bush and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kelcie , thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I actually have several of those “Ah-Ha!” moments in my life. The first one being entirely off the wall, or I shall I say puzzling?

When I was very young I went to daycare for a full day during the summer. Both of my parents were extremely hard workers, my Father was a laborer in a glass factory, my Mother was a nurse. During those daycare days I remember spending a lot of time playing with this puzzle. One of those flat cardboard styles with simple shapes that fit into the “frame”. This particular puzzle had two layers, the first depicting a grand proscenium arch, giving way to a vivid play and fantastical opera in full swing. Colors ablaze, tiny ballet dancers in their places, horse drawn chariots, floral swags, and even a moon. The stage was stuffed to the brim from right to left with unbridled life. The bottom edge of the frame showed the playgoers enraptured by the pantomime, mouths happy and in awe. But what made this puzzle special is that underneath each colorful piece when lifted from the frame, you got a glimpse of what happened “behind the scenes”. These images were depicted in black and white, but were companions to the piece above. The singing lady center stage wearing a voluptuous ball gown was revealed to have a set of seamstresses hand sewing trim to yards of fabric below her. The moon gave way to a scowling painter on a scaffolding, paintbrush tucked behind his ear. The cheery chorus hid a full orchestra pit filled with instruments and a sweating conductor. Each piece severed as a metaphor for the hard work it took to make the full range color “life” a reality. The dream, the play was supported by the hard work by all those behind the curtain. Both sides worked in tandem, and I was completely fascinated by both aspects. By what I saw there on stage, and also by what happened behind the curtain to make it a reality. (I have mixed feelings about the technician side being in black and white, but I’ll chalk it up to it being a choice based pure metaphorical reasons!) After studying that puzzle up and down, I decided I wanted to become part of both worlds. I wanted the stage, but I also wanted to understand the backstage aspect of it as well. I wanted the thrill of treading the boards, and the feeling of accomplishment by crafting art with my hands. I say, if I ever come across this altering puzzle in my adult life, I would pay dearly for it! This new found passion is definitely what set off the interests I would go on to cultivate, both onstage and off.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m very proud to say that I actually do work on both sides of the curtain to this day! I’m an active performer and creative technician in Orlando, where I’m currently based. I also have been expanding on my voice over platform as well, and I’m looking to dive even deeper. I graduated from Midwestern State University with a B.F.A. in Acting and Directing, and after college I worked a few summer stock seasons at the Texas Shakespeare Festival in Kilgore, TX. This is where I made artistic connections, and met the right people to spark the flames of confidence to pack up and move to a place where there would be more opportunity. Since then, I’ve ever been following the trail of career breadcrumbs! Snagging each piece that aligned with my goals and purposes (even if that purpose was only to pay rent for that month!) I networked my way into positions, auditioned, my car became a dressing room between jobs, and I didn’t sleep for long periods of time. Amidst all this, I would take a moment occasionally and realize, “Wow, here I am behind the curtain.” Even if I was wringing out the dirty tights from that evening’s Shakespearian performance, or looking up at the dusty lights between the curtains from backstage right. It’s all part of the process, it’s all part of the show, and it’s all important. Its art, it IS the craft. Wholly and undeniable. I think my desire to know and understand all the perspectives has set me apart. I am most proud of my work ethic and passion that has allowed me to experience a plethora of positions and perspectives. I want people to know that I believe in the whole experience, and that each detail does matter. I want to derail putting specific people on pedestals, and instead recognize all the “pieces” as a whole, those pieces are what create the complete puzzle. In my professional experience so far, I’ve observed so much admiration, strife, and obsession over what is seen. I want to continue to peel back that curtain, and understand what’s really supporting the outcome, the unseen. Admire that aspect instead. I hope my art reflects that.

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

I feel incredibly blessed to say I earn my living through my creative endeavors, training, and area of study. I’m walking down the path that I have chosen for myself, and that is extremely rewarding. It’s very empowering to know that the life that I’ve crafted so far has been hewn from the knowledge I’ve gained from people who have supported me. It’s never been just me, there have always been people along the path. I hope every creative always pauses to remember the people who supported them in pivotal moments. It is so easy to fall into mental pitfalls and entrapments of trying to adhere to what society has prescribed to who and what we are supposed to be.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Yes! I have been meditating for a while now. (That’s a thing you’re apparently not supposed to brag about, so please note, no bragging is happening here!) I adore using the “Headspace” app. They have an extensive catalog of courses, videos, regimens, even anxiety and sleep aids. I found meditation helps my mind process those extremely stressful moments, or life situations. They practice on viewing the whole, rather than just one thought. This philosophy fits snuggly in with my “whole picture/puzzle” dogma. After a while of this training, your mind starts working in different ways, what once would cause a crashing wave now only disturbs with ripples across a surface. I would love to see meditation being integrated more commonly into Creative’s daily routines. Imperfection and impermanence are pillars in our artistic lives, learning to embrace that side of my life more freely has helped immensely.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kelciebush.com/index.html?fbclid=IwAR1Gmo5_OfDWhV2rZzuDMscvDcf-QRBUFA3w2Sxn2bPzXasV8GphELnXmF8
• Instagram: @thekshrub
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/kelcie-bush-780a73245

Image Credits
Brian Diaz Photography (Main image, and first 2 additional images)