Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Monroe Cline. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Monroe, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.
Ever since I was little, my parents made me feel like I could do absolutely anything. If I put in a little elbow grease, sky is the limit. That stuck. My parents gave me the space to make mistakes on my own, but were always a phone call away to get me back on track if I ever needed anything. Their easy love and forgiveness is something I constantly learn from, and I think being surrounded by people that believe in you (even if you don’t always believe in yourself) is a key element to long term success.
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?
Hello hello! By category: I am a professional dancer and actress. I thrive when I am creating and performing – I have yet to come across any feeling like it. I’m fueled by the entire process (no caffeine needed, although I am a sucker for matcha lattes). I fell in love with dance when I was very young, but it took me until I was a teenager to come to terms with the fact I could pursue it as a career. That was a hurdle of fear that I had to jump, and I’m so glad I did. Acting became an extension of dance very organically, and now it is an all-consuming craft that I look forward continuing until I am old and wrinkly. I’ve done my fair share of dance industry work: music videos (Eminem, Hailee Steinfield, OneRepublic, Weezer, Lana Del Rey), commercials (Gucci, Audi, Chanel, SK-II, etc.), live performances, film (“The Prom” on Netflix, “Don’t Worry Darling”)and more. My acting roles have been even more diverse, ranging from playing the lead in several Lifetime films, to horror (“Malum” and “Teardrop”), to playing Tammin Sursok’s blonde daughter in a dark comedy in Atlanta. Each day in “the office” is something new, and I live for that challenge.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
With any project I do, I want at least one person watching to feel seen. I strive to put my unedited, human self into my work because that is what’s REAL and that’s what people relate to when watching, say, a dance piece or a film in the theater. Most people want to see a version of themselves – It’s very comforting and connecting.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I remember always hearing the phrase “there’s always someone working harder than you.” While this was motivating for a while, I learned quickly after a brief injury (while training on scholarship at the legendary Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles – I miss you!), that there is a difference between working hard and working smart. Knowing your personal limits and when to take a “rest day” can be the difference between missing out on one opportunity vs. missing out on a month’s worth of opportunities. Be mindful!
Contact Info:
- Website: imdb.me/monroecline
- Instagram: @MonroeCline
- Facebook: Monroe Cline
- Twitter: @MonroeClinee
- Youtube: youtube.com/@monroeclineofficial
- Others: https://www.monroecline.com/
Image Credits
Kristi Griffith, Eddie Galvan, Jon Pears, Getty Images.