Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Briana Rose Lee. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Briana Rose thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
I knew I was going to work in the arts from a very young age. When I was six, I auditioned for an equity production of “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” and got the role of Trixie, or one of the “no-neck” monsters. Two of the other children selected had already been in equity productions and being cast with the girl who had played “Annie” made me realize how fun it was to work at play and that I could do it too. (Miss Hannigan is one of my dream roles). I went on more auditions and did some catalog work as a child model. I remember traveling to what are called go-sees and shoots. Sometimes I got the part and sometimes I didn’t. I have positive memories from the experience and I attribute that to my mom. She never let my self-esteem get wrapped up in being the chosen one. Looking back, she had a healthy approach to the wild world of child modeling and acting and it made me just have fun with it. It led to other creative outlets, drama classes, productions, piano lessons, drawing, singing, it all blended into a path where I felt my life made sense and so I pursued theater in college.
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?
I feel blessed that I was exposed to the arts early in life and was supported to experiment in various mediums. It led me to work professionally as a production coordinator and producer (film), stage manager (theatre), actress, tour manager, field organizer, and social media manager. If someone has production needs, call me. If the job is a little non-traditional, call me. I think if you’re going to pursue a career in the creative arts, it means being a human Swiss Army Knife and pulling out the tools needed. I’ve learned that two of the most important tools are being able to organize people and things and if you want to be called back, develop a reputation as a collaborative member and —bring a good attitude to the set.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
Nothing about working in the arts is easy. It’s a path that chooses you rather than the other way around but art needs to present itself. To me, there are two things that ensure an environment helpful to artists and creatives. The first is exposure. Lots of it. In school curriculums, after school programs, local theater, music venues, museums and a state budget that supports the arts in all its forms. The second is for Congress to pass universal and portable healthcare. It would encourage more entrepreneurs, freelancers and artists to take creative risks. The hours can be long and the work is irregular but that isn’t where we lose talent. Freelancers have the additional stress of constantly looking for the next job and we lose many talented people because of the fear of being financially insecure and without health insurance. I’m extremely skilled and passionate and good at what I do —and I love what I do— but it is stressful to maintain a standard of living as a freelancer who has to constantly monitor and juggle if my health is covered out of state and keeping up with the escalating insurance premiums as a self employed freelancer. The struggle is real. If Congress passed universal healthcare and canceled student loans, I think we’d see a new age that spurs creativity and talented entrepreneurs who are free to move this country forward in a healthy and happier direction.
Have you ever had to pivot?
The pandemic was an interesting career pivot for me. The events and entertainment industries were hit hard and all my usual work in film and marketing tour jobs were shut down. I am not one to sit around, so I began to volunteer on issues that resonated with me, I applied and was selected for campaign management training. The work eventually turned into a paid full time job with Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s campaign. I was elected as Chair for the DFL party here in Minneapolis and the excitement of politics has been a close second to what I did before the pandemic. The pivot provided a growth opportunity for me and my skills in organizing, event management, training staff, social media, and public speaking were all easily transferable to politics. It turns out, I really enjoy working in politics. So for now, I’m going to stay involved in the political process and the upcoming campaigns but— call me if you have a job for me in film or theater and yes, I’ll work it in.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.brianaroselee.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briana_rose_lee/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/briana.rose.lee
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianaroselee/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrianaRoseLee
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/brianaroselee
- Other: IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5324955/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1