Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Diana Elizabeth Jordan. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Diana Elizabeth , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
I really can’t remember when I didn’t want to be an actor. I often joke, that I was meant to be an actor because i entered the world in highly dramatic fashion, My doctors worked on me for 45 minutes before I started breathing on my own when I was born. As a result I was diagnosed with cerebral palsy a neurological condition that mildly affects my speech and gait. Joking aside though like I said early I feel it is something (being an actor) I knew always knew I wanted to do. My dad had an older sister -My Aunt Rhoda- who was an actress who sadly passed away at 35 a year before I was born.
I grew up hearing stories about her from my grandmother, my dad and my dad’s younger sister My Aunt Anna who still shares stories with me about her older sister to this day.
So like I said I guess it was something I just knew, There were moments like the first time is saw a production of Romeo and Juliet and the first time I say Cicely Tyson on screen where the craft of acting seemed so magical to me as a kid. I was so moved by those performances I just knew it was something I would always do.
Diana Elizabeth , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I always find describing myself a little hard because I feel I am many things. I am an Award Winning Actor, Award Nominated Director, Theater Maker, Disability & IDEA Influencer (sometimes you have to make up your own titles lol) Artist Educator and the founder and Chief Creative Artivist of The Rainbow Butterfly Cafe an Edutainment Production & Consulting Company and the production company Dreaming Big On A Swing Entertainment. I have been teaching acting to actors with disabilities at Performing Arts Studio West for over 20 years and have produced a weekly vlog, A Morning Cup of Joy which begins its third season in April 19th on my instagram and tiktoj0ntial clients vary
For example through my company The Rainbow Company I use solo performances and expressive workshops to celebrate disability intersectionality, the power of resiliency, imagining, goal setting and self love so potential clients might be event planners who plan Female Focused conferences, Self Dedvelopment Conferences or DEIB events
As an actor I like to say that I offer an intersectional image of maturity and disability for your next film or television project so “potential clients” in that area are directors, casting directors or producers.
My work though it may seem eclectic and all over place is really about creating equity, belonging and transforming perceptions through the power of storytelling. That also includes the stories we tell ourselves. Our world is beautifully diverse but there are so many stories that haven’t been told yet and whether I am playing a character, sharing a personal story, or working behind the scenes I want to celebrate those untold stories and bring them to life.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
I am smiling because I think both my career and life journeys are all about being resilient, I think that is true for everyone honestly but for me much of it has to do with being told how unrealistic my acting career goals were because I have a disability ( cerebral palsy which mildly affects my speech and gait). There are really to many examples to mention but for me has itThan always been about knowing what I wanted and having faith that I was on the right path and not taking no for an answer. Not that I haven’t heard no, I have and it is not that the no’s don’t sting or the statements like I wasn’t pretty enough to be an actress don’t hurt because they do, I have cried buckets of tears over the years. The truth is I think no matter what I decided to do with my life I would face hardships, exclusions, racism or ableism, so I may as well do what I love the most create. Besides it really is hearing the nos that fuel my resiliency especially if the no is based on a limiting belief.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
That is such a great question and it changes depending on what I am doing at the moment. When I am acting, it is the joy of going on the journey of the character and seeing how it impacts the audience. When I am directing or teaching it is supporting others in manifesting their dreams which is equally important to me. I also love when I am leading one of my workshops through The Rainbow Butter Cafe and raising awareness about disability culture, history and pride. All of that is great but the truth is it also make me happy when I am creating. Yes there is the frustration that comes along with but the occasional frustrations are far outweighed by the immense joy being a multi-disciplined creative brings me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rainbowbutterflycafe.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromtheheartdej/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therbcafe
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianaelizabethjordan/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/fromtheheartdej
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBUyWKAcvcp3Tzl1geTigwQ
- Other: www.dianaelizabethjordan.com https://www.facebook.com/dianaEjordan
Image Credits
House LOGO- Paul McAvene Pink Dress- Abigal Gardan