Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Dixon
Hi Chris , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
For over a decade, I’ve booked, directed, produced, and starred in the touring, international, one woman show Harriet Tubman Herself. My contract was for only four shows. Recently in Paris, France was my 759th show.
I drive around the country by myself, pitching my show to many schools, universities, senior centers, Temples, Churches, galas, African American museums, Maritime Museum in Santa Barbara, Lighthouse Museums, The African Burial Grounds, and National Parks. I performed at Battery Park in New York City.
Katherine Hepburn said “if you can show up, show up.” I believe those who show up, go up. I constantly show up for myself, no matter what.
On St. Patrick’s Day, back in 2020, I landed in Las Vegas (my first time there) to perform nine shows. When I landed at 3:23 pm, I was informed that Governor Sisolak shutdown the state due to Covid for 4-6 weeks, so they thought. I was told to return to NYC immediately and I told them, “no thank you! I will explore Nevada until it opens. When life gives me lemons, I add Vodka! (I don’t drink) Could you please show me to a really good car rental place?”
I arrived at Fox Car Rental and rented from them for approximately three years. I rented a car, not knowing how much I would change and how much my life would change. Being on the road for three years by myself, and meditating everyday gave me a stronger faith.
By car, I explored 40 states, two Countries, (car & boat) two Islands, nine canyons, five national parks, 733 cities/towns, 100 Harriet shows, starring Off Broadway, booking two global commercials (with brands like Nike & AT&T,) creating a brand new Tubman Lighthouse show, starting a texting VIP Harriet Friday update group that way I wouldn’t feel alone exploring. In mid to late 2023, I explored 28 countries over seven months all by myself, and I met people who are now my family.
One of my daily affirmations is “I am open and receptive to all good things, the Universe always says yes to me.”
Some of my best experiences are meeting incredible humans like you on my journey, reconnecting with my biggest Harriet supporters, and meeting/connecting with a few people like Shonda Rhimes, Steven Spielberg, Natalie Portman, Angela Bassett, Denzel Washington, Sandra Bullock, Rachael Brosnahan, Mama Knowles/Beyonce’s mom, Sterling K. Brown, Amy Schumer, Creator Chris Brancato, Creator Kenya Barris, Nicholas Cage, Rita Wilson, Gina Prince Bythewood, Jeffrey Wright, and casting director Robi Reed to name a few. Robi Reed in the black shirt & black glasses,) is one of the Top Black Female casting directors in Hollywood. Spike Lee and Tyler Perry use her a lot.
Lastly, founded in 1876, I performed at the The New York Society for Ethical Culture for the Gandhi-King Non Violence organization. Dr. Elizabeth Eckford was honored, and I was brought in to perform a special Harriet Tubman piece for her. The photo of me sitting down, while holding the photo of a 15 year old Elizabeth Eckford, of The Little Rock Nine incident, (1957) being escorted into school by The National Guards, while being harrassed by other students. I met with leaders from The United Nations, they are the hosts of the Dr. Elizabeth Eckford event, which was up the block from Lincoln Center.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all smooth. When Covid shut the world down, and I was in Las Vegas by myself with nowhere to sleep, I didn’t know what to do and I didn’t have any friends in Nevada to stay with.
So, I reached out to every Airbnb and they all said “no new germs may enter their home. If you weren’t here before the state shut down, you may not enter.” I totally respect and understand their decision.
So, I told myself Chris, honey if you can’t get an Airbnb, you better make a Car BnB. I went to Target. Only Target, Walmart and CVS stayed open.
At Target, I bought a a comforter not knowing how cold Las Vegas gets at night, a pack of washcloths to bathe with, Dr. Bronners Peppermint Oil soap to wash with, a lot of new undergarments, two packs of socks, a nightgown, two pillows, then I put one pillow back since no one will be sleeping in the car with me, a new toothbrush, Tom’s fluoride free toothpaste, Biotene Oral Rinse, three sheets, pillowcases, a fleece nightgown because the nights were so cold, one king size foam mattress topper, since I couldn’t put a mattress in my rented, seven seater Mitsubishi Outlander. I dropped the backseats and spread it out. I mostly slept in the parking lot at The World’s Largest Chevron in Jean, Nevada which is about a ten minute drive to Seven Magic Mountains. 25 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip. They also have 65 restrooms at the Chevron Station.
Not at all smooth. When Covid shut the world down, and I was in Las Vegas by myself with nowhere to sleep, I didn’t know what to do and I didn’t have any friends in Nevada to stay with.
So, I reached out to every Airbnb and they all said “no new germs may enter their home. If you weren’t here before the state shut down, you may not enter.” I totally respect and understand their decision.
So, I told myself Chris, honey if you can’t get an Airbnb, you better make a Car B&B. I went to Target. Only Target, Walmart and CVS stayed open.
At Target, I bought a comforter not knowing how cold Las Vegas gets at night, a pack of washcloths to bathe with, Dr. Bronners Peppermint Oil soap to wash with, a lot of new undergarments, two packs of socks, a nightgown, two pillows, then I put one pillow back since no one will be sleeping in the car with me, a new toothbrush, Tom’s fluoride free toothpaste, Biotene Oral Rinse, three sheets, pillowcases, a fleece nightgown because the nights were so cold, one king size foam mattress topper, since I couldn’t put a mattress in my rented, seven seater Mitsubishi Outlander. I dropped the backseats and spread them out.
I mostly slept in the parking lot at The World’s Largest Chevron in Jean, Nevada which is about a ten minute drive to Seven Magic Mountains. 25 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip. They also have 65 restrooms at the Chevron Station and 95 gas pumps.
I would drive the 3 hours and 53 minutes to Los Angeles and explore the different counties all day and around 9 pm, I would drive to Oceanside Pier in San Diego County, and camp out in the car. The next day, I would drive the seven hours to San Francisco and camp out at rest stops and large truck stops like Petro.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
For over a decade, I’ve booked, directed, produced, and starred in the touring, international, one woman show Harriet Tubman Herself. My contract was for only four shows. Recently in Paris, France was my 759th show.
During my travels, I no longer hear my name being being called, I just hear “Hey Harriet!” That makes me proud. Knowing that my discpline, my work ethic, and the 128000+ hours in put in, have people calling me Harriet because that’s how much my work and dedication to Harriet impacted them.
I’m willing to drive around the country for my dreams. They are worth the winter and summer nights in the car.
I’ve dedicated over ten years of my life to Harriet Tubman. Retracing her steps by car all along the Eastern shore of Maryland all the way to St. Catherine’s in Ontario, Canada.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Gratitude
Being still
Strong work ethic
Making what I do fun, our Spirit loves fun
Discipline
Believing I’m worth it
Knowing I’m Enough
Work Ethic
Showing up for myself
Telling myself no means not now
Redirection is God’s protection
Tenacity
Ambition
Knowing my Why
Having The right people in your corner. For me my biggest cheerleaders were the late/great Louis Gossett Jr. and my life coaches Uncle Sal Giambanco and his husband Uncle Tom Perrault who both encourage me to keep going and put me up in hotels around the country, so I can have a warm bed and hot meals to keep going.
Lastly, I was invited back to Paris, France on the fourth of July 2024, to perform my 763rd show. While there, I attended the Olympics and Disneyland Park, Paris. Then I visited the Automobile Museum in Turino/Turin Italty. The FIAT car comes from.there. The T in FIAT stands for Turin.
I landed in America on Sunday and then on Monday I drove 13 hours straight to Georgia to perform my 764th show in Atlanta, on the 15th of August 2024.
Pricing:
- I work with all budgets
- Senior centers pay me $260-$800
- Colleges pay me $2000+
- Elementary Schools pay me $1300+
Contact Info:
- Website: https://harriettubmanherself.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/harriettubmanherself
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Harriettubmanherself1?mibextid=ZbWKwL
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Harriettubmanherself
Image Credits
Susan Fenley, children’s photo