We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Alissa Razzano a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alissa, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you wish you had started sooner?
Understanding and appreciating the concept of time as a creative (and a human) has been an ongoing journey for me. Do I wish I graduated college with a team of agents and managers, regularly booked gigs, and no need for a day job? Of course. But was I “ready” then? I don’t know. I think my battle with anxiety had and continues to test me, to be that little voice telling me what “ready” means, that I should always account for plan B, C, and D. Thinking back, I’m proud of working in the service industry for so many years. I needed to meet the people I did and understand what it’s like to be treated with little respect from people with wealth beyond my imagination. I can better appreciate where I am now. And while I have no regrets, I do wish I could have believed in myself just a little more, to wake myself up from my complacency. But I’ve learned that everything works out as long as you keep going. It’s so incredibly cheesy, but if you have creative dreams, you can’t give up on them. There is space for you. Share them. Your time may not be now, but it’s coming. It always does.
Alissa, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am an actor and writer living in Los Angeles. If I had to choose what I’m most proud of, it would be the latter title. It’s rather new and I am still unsure if I’ve earned it just yet. But I’ve been writing an audiodrama for three years now and it’s the most meaningful project I could ever have hoped for myself. I currently make my living as an actor and I am so thankful that I can say that. But being able to create my own work, create my own world (outside of Sims, of course), is such a privilege. I get to take all the daydreaming, maladaptive or otherwise, and do something with it. It’s like I’m working in tandem with little Alissa as I am bringing her wild imagination to life and she’s high-fiving me to have the confidence to do it.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
Funding art schools, classes, and programs. It is such a shame that the arts are the first to go when cutting resources and corners in our communities. It’s not even a question if we want creatives to thrive, but humans absolutely need the outlet to express and process their feelings and imagination. Creativity doesn’t solely belong to artists. We need the space and assets to be able to understand ourselves. And for some, they’ll be able to have the courage to share their perspectives and craft with the world which will further inspire others. It is a tiresome weight to have courage without capital.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
To judge my mistakes less and enourage my ideas more. To share and to learn from my community. To collaborate with others with different perspectives and backgrounds. To be able to know myself better.
Contact Info:
- Website: alissarazzano.com
- Instagram: @alissarazz
Image Credits
Matt Kallish