We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Candace Moore. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Candace below.
Alright, Candace thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
As a director I am lucky enough to work with a range of artists. Most of the time I work with adults, but this season at Encore I was able to work with children, the youngest being only 8 years old. That experience really reminded me why I do what I do. I realized how much I was taking for granted as a director and reminded how important art is for the younger generations. The cast showed up daily excited to learn, full of hope, and ready to try anything. It was truly inspiring to be a part of and fueled me to push myself even harder going into the 2024 season. It’s easy to get burnt out when you’re constantly creating and trying to stay relevant and original. Shows like the one mentioned really revive you and bring a much needed fresh perspective.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I work as the Executive Artistic Director for Encore Theatrical Company located in Morristown, TN. A performance arts organization that has been around for almost 2 decades spreading theatre arts and arts education throughout the Lakeway Area. I make the creative decisions for Encore as well as direct 60% of our productions. I began directing my sophomore year of college totally out of the blue. A friend of mine was directing a student production and asked me if I’d like to play the leading role, stage manage, or co-direct with her. I decided to co-direct and it’s as if my entire life had finally begun. My friend ended up HATING it and she absolutely refuses to do it again, which has always been funny to me. I however, felt like I found my place in the world and finally discovered how I could contribute to the greater good. From there I directed anything I could possibly get my hands on and eventually started directing for community theatres around Knoxville. I met some incredible artists and made my way around every theatre in the area, eventually leading me to Encore. I started out acting with Encore because I do love to sing when I get the chance. I later started assistant directing at Walter State which was a venue frequently used by Encore and grew very close with the local theatre community. I was finally given the opportunity to direct my first show with Encore almost 4 years ago now and it’s been my home ever since! The previous Artistic Director was preparing to leave and searching for a replacement. I approached him about being considered for the job and was later voted in by the company. Being the youngest artistic director in the company’s history, you can imagine how nervous I was. The first year was SUPER challenging and pushed me harder than I even knew I could be pushed, but I’ve learned invaluable lessons that I’ll take with me for the rest of my career. Don’t get me wrong, there have been times when I’ve wanted to run away to a far away beach, get bangs, and scream into infinity, but I wouldn’t trade this experience for the world. I’ve worked very hard to get where I am, and being a young woman in a very male dominated field has at times felt impossible. However, my parents instilled in me a go-getter mentality and the confidence to never let anything get in my way. I love what I do so much, and sharing stories with the world has truly made me feel whole. I feel like I am able to give back to a community that has given me so much.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
My goal for the last 12 years has been to direct professionally and earn a full time living off of what I love most. Although I was working consistently at my local theatres, I was not earning enough to make the job fulltime. Then the pandemic hit and that REALLY threw a wrench in things. As a day job I do marketing and graphic design, which gives me the ability to continue using my creativity in a different way. However, I was at a workplace that truly was making me absolutely miserable. So I took a HARD shift into real estate! Why real estate you ask?? I have absolutely no idea. It was a very expensive and very brief hobby that almost bankrupt me. SALES AINT FOR EVERYBODY FOLKS! No matter what they tell you. I made a few sales but quickly realized that real estate was not my gig, plus I can NOT rock a power suit. No. So as the pandemic started to at least calm a bit I started pursuing design and theatre again. I’m so very glad I did because it led me to the best job I’ve ever had.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
Support local art people! Go see plays, go see concerts, visit your local museum, stop by farmers markets, anything! Story telling has been around since the dawn of man. Literally! Cave men would carve stories onto walls. This art form lives on through theatre, film, television, and many other industries. Stories are what connect us as humans. They are what bring us together, what spark conversations, what inspire change! If we stop telling stories, we stop connecting ourselves to our ever changing and evolving world. As a society, I think now more than ever it’s vital to support your local artists. Keep arts alive. Allow yourself to put your critical thinking skills to use, to push yourself beyond what you thought you were capable of, to start new conversations and gain a new perspective on life! Also volunteer. Meet new people. Learn more about your local community and get out of your comfort zone. You never know what you could learn about yourself just by attending a local theatre production!
Contact Info:
- Website: Etcplays.org
- Instagram: @sarahcandace
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/etcplays