Today we’d like to introduce you to Carlene Griffith.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?

In 2010, with my oldest son about to finish his first year of kindergarten, two other little ones underfoot, and a husband who traveled for work, I foresaw a brutally hot, lonely summer trying to fill the days with low-cost activities to keep the kids busy and me sane. I had made enough friends through school, the neighborhood, and church that I could find kids for mine to play with. But I didn’t want to do playdates or trade babysitting as I had done before. I wanted to do something that gave me a sense of purpose, too.

In my research into home-based businesses, I discovered that if I got a business license and insurance, I could offer theater classes for kids out of my home. Which is exactly what I did. I opened Griffith Playhouse, and my Kinder Theater program was born. A program that taught little ones singing, choreography, and acting skills with an opportunity to perform. That summer, I taught two sessions of four-week theater classes, giving my mom-friends a three-hour break, my kids’ playmates and me a creative outlet, and a little more cash in my pocket. The kids loved it. Each session had a theme, and all the mini-lessons were geared to the end-of-session performance.

As my kids and program have grown over the years, so have my interests in playwriting and children’s book writing. In 2016, I self-published my first children’s book, ROSE MAIDELAIDEN, along with a compilation of short plays from my classes. So in addition to my classes and theater program, I write children’s picture books and Young Adult novels. I’m working on trying to publish traditionally and get an agent.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

My journey has been a very personal and unconventional one, and it hasn’t been easy, but I knew that if I could see myself or imagine myself doing something, I knew deep down I could do it.

I’m not traditionally educated like most. And I’ve been on my own financially since I was seventeen years old. Working to support myself and pursue my dreams weren’t things I could do well at the same time, so I struggled a lot. It wasn’t until my 40s that I learned I’d had ADD my whole life. Once I was diagnosed and understood my difficulties, I was able to take charge of my life and accomplish so much more.

Yet, regardless of my attention struggles, I’ve always had an independent spirit. I’ve never been one to wait around for someone else to lead me, and I’ve always taken it upon myself to learn what I wanted to know. I’ve always been willing to do the research, ask around, and learn what I needed to do to make my goals happen. I don’t know if that comes from my upbringing influences or just I was born a leader, but it’s something that has helped me my entire life. I wasn’t afraid to do it alone. I’m determined and don’t shy away from when I’m faced with obticles. I’m open to knowing I don’t know everything. I’m flexible and pivot when I screw up. And my measure of success isn’t dependent on others. So whether it’s time management, self-motivation, or lack of funds, I’m willing to work through it no matter how long it takes.

Thankfully, I have also surrounded myself with very supportive people and a loving husband who believes in me.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?

What makes Griffith Playhouse, my program unique from others is that I write original short plays for my students to perform for their end-of-session recitals. Each performance is tailored to participants’ skill levels and allows my students to apply what they’ve learned in classes. The plays are then available for purchase in short play compilations called 10-MINUTE PLAYS FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES. These compilations are a #1 best seller on Amazon and are purchased worldwide by schools and theater groups to perform. Individual versions of my plays will soon be available on my website, griffithplayhouse.com. Until then, they can be requested for a downloadable PDF purchase via email. 10-MINUTE PLAYS FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES has been translated into Farsi, and one of my plays, TRIP THROUGH TIME, is featured in CJ Fallon’s education publication, MASTER YOUR ENGLISH 6, published in January 2024.

As a result of my program’s evolving, I have recently partnered with Hazel Morales, a musically trained and talented woman, and we are now taking those plays and creating mini musical versions for our students to perform. Hopefully, they, too, will be available for purchase for schools and theater groups to perform.

Classes are available in Victorville, CA, through the Cultural Arts Center of the High Desert. We use their theater space and advertising means to grow classes and run classes throughout the school year.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?

Fortunately, we live in a time where, if you are determined, the internet can be your friend. There are so many tools to help you learn what you need to know, even if you don’t go to a conventional school. One’s learning is vital to success today. At least for me, it has been. And if you’re resourceful enough, you can make friends from all over the world who can help you learn just what you need to know for your specific goal. YouTube and Pinterest are wonderful resources.

However, I do warn readers to learn from the right sources. Creative organizations like SAG (the Screen Actors Guild), WGA (the Writers Guild of America), the Dramatists Guild, and SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) have multiple resources for those wishing to learn about acting, writing, playwriting, or specifically children’s writing. For Business, there’s the SBA.gov. MASTERCLASS.COM is a great resource for learning creative and business skills from successful entrepreneurs. Get involved in these organizations, and you’ll meet people.

Networking has always been an important skill to have, and today you can network online through social media and don’t even have to meet someone in person. But I will say that getting personally involved and volunteering is where the quickest and most success comes from. And I wouldn’t rely on only one person. It’s valuable information when it’s supported by multiple sources. I wouldn’t blindly follow only one person’s opinion, be discriminating who you depend on, and know they’re where they get their expertise from.

It’s an amazing time, but one must remember that nothing can be accomplished by wishing. It takes work and risk to make dreams happen.

Pricing:

• Classes are currently offered at $175 per 6 week session
• Compilation play books are $20 on Amazon.
• Individual play scripts vary depending on length.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.carlenegriffith.com or www.griffithplayhouse.com
• Instagram: @Cmgriffith123
• Facebook: @AuthorCarleneGriffith
• Twitter: @AuthorCGriffith