We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alexandra Ficken. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alexandra below.

Alexandra, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

That’s such a great question and an important one. As humans I think we strive so hard for this: the feeling of true happiness and contentment. We are constantly chasing it, especially in a world that tells us having certain things will make us happy. And I think as creatives we will do whatever we can to get to that point. But sometimes the harsh reality is we don’t always feel that way. In fact, I think it’s fair to say I don’t feel that most of the time. The meaning of ‘being happy’ has changed for me over the years. I always thought happiness was this perfect destination, when everything aligned, when I got exactly what I wanted, and nothing would bother me. But for me, I’m learning that happiness is in the journey and ultimately a choice every day. I can choose to not be happy as an artist, and I’ll be honest, I have many times. Or I can choose to wake up and be grateful that I have found something that gives me so much joy, even in the pain. It’s not easy at all. But I do think it’s worth it.

I’ll be completely honest, I think about changing careers every single day. I wake up and wonder why I even do all this. And I think that’s okay! It’s natural and we shouldn’t shame ourselves for it. We are human. But at the end of that day, I still find myself working towards these goals, and I have to believe that means something. I know I am in love with a job that doesn’t necessarily love me back sometimes and that’s why I think it’s so important to have other things, passions, and people in your life that make you just as happy.

As I continue my path in this career, I’m really proud of myself for staying and working in this rewarding, unpredictable, sometimes grueling job. And any creative reading this, I hope you’re proud of you too.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Of course! My name is Alexandra Ficken, everyone calls me “Allie”, and I grew up right outside Atlanta. I received both a musical theatre and dance degree, and been pursing acting professionally for 12 years now.

Growing up, there weren’t a lot of kids in my neighborhood and I was an only child for about 8 years, so I had A LOT of free time by myself. I was constantly putting on puppet shows, playing with dolls and their backstories, full on dance performances in the living room, and watching lots of 90s television/Nick at Night. I felt this huge connection to stories, performing, and entertainment. But my main creative outlet was ballet. Year after year, I kept at it, got stronger as a dancer, and more committed.
I was a part of The Georgia Ballet’s company for many years, and that was going to be the end goal – a professional ballerina. But when middle school came around, we all had to take a drama class and everything changed for me. It was like I found a part of my voice I didn’t know I had. Acting was like ballet but with speaking actual words. I couldn’t get enough of it. And ever since then, it was ‘how can I do this all the time!?’.
After receiving my bachelor degrees in the arts, I figured the move would be LA, NYC, maybe Chicago, but funny enough, Atlanta started their tax incentive and so much of the film industry and production came here. Now it’s the ongoing journey of finding work where I can and growing as an actor.
And I’ve found ballet again, I guess it never really left. Kind of poetic.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I think it has to be the people… The amazing people I have met through this whole process. And getting to share experiences and stories with so many talented individuals. This industry is full of loving and giving humans, something I wasn’t sure would be the case when I started out. I also have an incredible support system that believe in me and help keep me going. I feel so lucky to know a community of artists that want to support each other. And even the non creatives in my life that genuinely love supporting the arts, it truly means the world to me.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

So many good ones out there! And I’m sure this book has been mentioned before… But the one I keep coming back to year after year is The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. It’s transformative. I’ve never had a book challenge me so much. It’s one that no matter what is going on with me professionally or even personally, I feel a sense of comfort and know I’m not alone. It centers around your doubts, worries, and struggles and uplifts them into productive action. It gives you a space for being heard and helps you to create ideas on pursuing your creative endeavors head on. It is a book I will be re-reading forever. Where ever you are in your creative journey or process, I cannot recommend it enough. The book will speak to you like a spiritual, supportive friend who just gets it.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.alexandraficken.com
• Instagram: @alexandraficken
• IMDb: imdb.me/alexandraficken 

Image Credits
– Emily Lambert, Jonathan Wade, Casey Gardner, Greg Mooney, Emily Diamond