We were lucky to catch up with Briona Johnson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Briona, appreciate you joining us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

Not from day one. It took time and consistency. I had to build trust in myself and in my work first. I’ve done everything from teaching theatre to writing curriculum to filming content and licensing my creative ideas. I was doing it all at the same time, figuring it out as I went.
Eventually I started realizing what parts of my creativity could actually pay me and not just once, but over and over. That’s when everything changed. I stopped waiting to be picked and started treating my work like something people needed. I leaned into what made me different, and I built systems to sell and show up even when I wasn’t performing.
If I could’ve sped it up, I would’ve owned my value earlier. I would’ve invested in support sooner and trusted that the version of me I was becoming could handle the visibility, the income, and the impact. But I don’t rush any part of it now. Every step was necessary. Every lesson added to what I offer now.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Briona, a multi-passionate creative and educator. I’m an actress, a graduate student, a mom, a curriculum creator, and the founder of Theatre AOG, LLC. Everything I do is rooted in story, self-expression, and legacy. My work lives at the intersection of art, education, and healing. Whether I’m teaching a class, performing on screen, licensing curriculum, or modeling joy and softness as a Black woman and mother, the through line is freedom.

I got into this work through experience and alignment. I started out teaching elementary theatre and quickly noticed how naturally kids processed big emotions through performance. I began creating my own lessons that combined Social Emotional Learning with acting, improv, and storytelling, and the results were powerful. I went from teaching in one classroom to selling my 36-week SEL and Theatre curriculum to schools and districts, while also helping other creatives and educators turn their gifts into scalable offers.

The curriculum I created is for grades kindergarten through fifth. It teaches one core emotion per week like joy, frustration, bravery, gratitude, and love, using theatre-based activities. Each lesson includes teacher scripts, improv prompts, student check-ins, coloring sheets, skits, and more. It helps educators build stronger classroom communities and gives students a safe space to understand themselves, express what they’re feeling, and build empathy through storytelling.

I also lead professional development sessions for schools and organizations that want to implement SEL in a more meaningful and embodied way. Beyond that, I create digital resources, affirmations, and rituals that support Black women in reclaiming softness, creativity, and rhythm in their daily lives.

What sets me apart is that I bring my full self into everything. I don’t compartmentalize. I’m not just a teacher or an actress or a business owner, I’m all of it. And I believe that’s what makes the work resonate. My offers are deeply personal, spiritually led, and rooted in the belief that creativity is a healing force.

I’m most proud of how I’ve stayed consistent through motherhood, grad school, transitions, and creative reinventions. I’ve kept showing up and creating. I’ve stayed true to my vision even when the path wasn’t clear.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about me and my brand, it’s this, I build what I wish existed. I create from love, alignment, and purpose, and I always think about legacy. Whether it’s a curriculum, a film, a voiceover, or a piece of content, I’m thinking about how it will impact others long after I’m gone. My work is for the child who wants to be seen, for the teacher who wants more freedom, for the mother who’s finding her rhythm again, and for the creative who knows deep down they’re meant for more.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Back in March, I felt this deep energetic and spiritual pull to return to acting. It came out of nowhere but also felt like everything in my life had been building toward that moment. I had been pouring so much into teaching, building my curriculum business, and showing up for others that I hadn’t realized how much of me I’d tucked away. My artistry. My performer self. The version of me that thrives on set and lights up in front of a camera. She was still there, just waiting on an invitation to come back.

I didn’t have a full plan. I just said yes. I started putting myself in alignment again, making space in my schedule, updating my materials, connecting with people who had always believed in me as an actress. Within weeks, doors started opening. Opportunities found me. The energy shifted fast. I landed film projects, began training with my acting coach, and even brought my daughter on set with me, full circle moments that reminded me who I’ve always been.

That pivot wasn’t just about stepping back into acting. It was about giving myself permission to be fully expressed again. To honor the version of me that exists beyond roles and responsibilities. It showed me how much alignment can change everything when you trust it.

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

The most rewarding part of being a creative is the freedom to turn what I feel or imagine into something that moves people. Whether it’s a script a performance a curriculum or a piece of content I made with my daughter it’s powerful to know my work can teach inspire and heal. I love that my creativity creates space for others to see themselves feel something new or reconnect with who they are. It keeps evolving with me and that kind of impact and freedom is everything.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theatreacademyofgeorgia.com
• Instagram: @brionajohnsonofficial
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/briona.johnson
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brionajohnson/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@johnsonbriona
• Other: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/k-5th-sel-through-drama-enrichment

Image Credits

Nichole Stovall