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

Alright, Cara thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Parents play a huge role in our development as youngsters and sometimes that impact follows us into adulthood and into our lives and careers. Looking back, what’s something you think you parents did right?

My parents are my rock. They are always there for me, and remind me of what’s really important. They remind me that after I fall and cry, I have to get back up. My mom has instilled in me faith, grit, and kindness. My dad encouraged individuality, resilience, and generosity. Together, they show me how be grateful for everything I have, and realize all my blessings. I will never be able to thank them enough for being as weird and amazing as they are. I truly don’t deserve them.

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?

At 15 I decided to abandon self doubt, and dream big. I had always been a scholastic kid, and loved learning, but part of me was always wanting something bigger. After playing the role of Hodel in Fiddler On The Roof, I realized I actually could carry a note, and started focusing all my time and energy into being a performer. I gained the confidence to take on more leading roles like Belle in Beauty and The Beast, Ariel in The Little Mermaid, and Chris Hargensen in Carrie. Despite people telling me I was crazy (and others telling me I wasn’t talented), I knew that I had to follow my heart to NYC. It was there I attended The Institute for American Musical Theatre (IAMT) and trained under Broadway professionals. They encouraged me to go after it all, and that’s when I really started to be brave. I put out a Christmas album that features my first original song, “Smells Like Snow” and made a music video to accompany it. Then, I put on a Christmas Benefit Concert for a local arts school (SMART) where some of my students performed with me!! I finished filming two films, Precognito as Stefanie, and Gemini playing Josi Andollini! Additionally, I was accepted to compete in the Miss Ohio USA pageant as Miss Canfield. Currently, I am organizing and will be performing in the “Through the Eras – A Tribute to Taylor Swift” with Castle On A Clouds band, “The Miss Americanas”. Our first show is Saturday, September 2nd at The Robbins Theatre! Finally, I am recording new music, and my next single, “nice guy” will be out this fall. I am living proof a career in the arts is possible. You just have to put in some hard work, and believe in all the things that others think are delusional

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

I graduated from The Institute for American Musical Theatre in the spring of 2022… The height of covid (yikes). I really had to humble myself, and move back home to Ohio. Even, though I did move back to NYC for about 6 months, I quickly realized that all I needed to make my dreams come true was right in my own backyard. That’s what lead me to create my business, CED Artistry LLC. The idea behind it is that I have to go after what I want, and create my own opportunities. This business allows me to own my art, and take charge.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

In high school, I had a guidance counselor actually say to me, “Cara I know you work harder than anyone else, but you are like the special needs student who works really hard to get an A and never can, versus someone like (another girl) who is naturally gifted.” I was completely stunned and devastated. How could someone say that to anyone, let alone a 16 year old girl? Did I really suck that bad?

Well, with the help of an amazing voice teacher, I dusted myself off and auditioned for the very theatre that my guidance counselor told me I should go to for lessons. Out of 200 people, I got the role of Belle in Beauty and The Beast. I stopped paying any mind to what unkind people thought of me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.caradechurch.com
• Instagram: @caradechurch
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cara.dechurch?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cara-dechurch-b84858230
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@CaraDeChurch
• IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12365847/
• Backstage: https://www.backstage.com/u/cara-dechurch/
• Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/cara-dechurch/1634708948
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5KHcPfM7St73kaL5NYsUKI?si=mI2OA3FwSYSMqH3CALr06Q