We recently connected with Charles Pruitt and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Charles thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

RISK, you say? The story of my life. Every minute, every hour, everyday. From the moment I wake up until the closing of my eyes I am always taking risk. That is how I thrive. Living life in the “grey” as one of my mentors will call it. Risk became evident in my life the moment I decided to get a college education. Never showing anyone just how nervous I actually am or the triggers in my past that has put the fire under my feet to be the person I am today.

The biggest risk I have ever taken was leaving my main source of income as a certified educator to pursue my dreams of traveling the world using my talents. Entrepreneurship is what I like to call it. From regional Broadway shows, singing/dancing gigs, teaching in multiple states under the CHARLES P Productions brand to performing on Carnival Cruise lines and doing national tours, Risk has been the gut feeling of it all. Never knowing what is next is really a scary feeling. But having faith the size of a mustard seed surpasses all fear in my life.

I have never seen any risk I have ever taken not successfully implemented to my life. I love taking risk. It drives me and my testimony. It gives me a story to tell. I live to tell stories with my talents and gifts!

Charles, 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?

My name is Charles Pruitt, and I am an educator, performer, director, Production Assistant, and community-minded leader whose life and career have been built around the power of storytelling, human connection, and service to others. Whether I am teaching in a classroom, performing on stage, directing a production, mentoring young people, or supporting large-scale events, my goal is always the same: to inspire, uplift, and create meaningful experiences that leave a lasting impact.

My journey began through a deep love for the performing arts. From an early age, I was drawn to theatre, music, dance, and performance because of their ability to bring people together and tell stories that resonate across cultures and generations. That passion led me to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts from Alabama State University and ultimately build a career that combines education, leadership, and the arts.

Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of performing in numerous regional theatre and Broadway-style productions, experiences that helped shape me both professionally and personally. Working in professional theatre taught me discipline, collaboration, adaptability, and the importance of excellence. It also gave me a deep appreciation for the countless individuals working behind the scenes to create unforgettable experiences for audiences. Those lessons continue to influence every aspect of my work today.

In education, I have spent more than seven years helping students discover their confidence, creativity, and potential. As a Musical Theatre Teacher, Dance and Theatre Teacher, Theatre Director, and coach, I have had the opportunity to lead productions, mentor students, develop programs, and create learning environments where young people feel valued, challenged, and empowered. I believe education is about much more than academics—it is about helping individuals discover who they are and who they can become.

What sets me apart is my ability to connect with people from all walks of life. My experiences as a performer, educator, mentor, and leader have taught me how to communicate effectively, build relationships, and inspire others to believe in themselves. I bring energy, authenticity, professionalism, and a genuine passion for helping others succeed. Whether I am working with students, colleagues, audiences, or community members, I strive to create environments where people feel encouraged, supported, and motivated to reach their goals.

Outside of my professional life, family is at the center of everything I do. My family has been my foundation, my source of strength, and my greatest support system throughout every stage of my journey. They have taught me the values of hard work, perseverance, faith, humility, and service. The love I have for my family influences how I approach my work, how I build relationships, and how I treat others. It reminds me daily that success is not measured solely by accomplishments, but by the positive impact we have on the people around us.

The most important thing I want people to know about me and my work is that I am passionate about making a difference. Whether through education, performance, leadership, mentorship, or community engagement, I believe in using my gifts and experiences to help others grow, dream bigger, and realize their full potential. My brand is rooted in authenticity, excellence, creativity, service, and the belief that every person deserves the opportunity to be seen, heard, and empowered to succeed.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the most important lessons I have had to unlearn is having things done on MY time. As they say “Patience is key!” This statement is so true! Being impatient will get you nowhere. For a long time, I approached life with the mindset that if I worked hard enough, planned carefully, and stayed committed, things would happen exactly when I wanted them to. When opportunities, goals, or milestones didn’t unfold according to my schedule, I would become frustrated and sometimes question whether I was doing enough. I learned that growth is not always immediate and that success is not measured by how quickly something happens. Sometimes we need additional experiences, preparation, and perspective before we are truly ready for the opportunities we are pursuing. Looking back, there were moments I thought I was ready for something, only to later realize that the delay was actually preparing me for something greater.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

To be honest, I never set out to become a social media personality or build an audience. It just happened naturally.

My social media journey started while I was teaching. I would create and share videos of myself and my students, highlighting the fun, creative, and memorable moments that took place in my classroom. As a theatre educator, my classroom was always full of energy, music, laughter, and personality. People seemed to connect with that authenticity. I wasn’t trying to go viral or build a brand—I was simply sharing what I loved and the experiences I was having with my students.

Over time, people became interested not only in what I was doing as a teacher but also in who I was as a person. They connected with my talents, my passion for the arts, and, most importantly, my goofy personality. I’ve always believed in being myself, and I think people appreciated seeing someone who was genuine, entertaining, and unafraid to have fun.

One of the biggest turning points came when I posted a video of myself singing “You’ll Be Back” from Hamilton in my classroom. At the time, I was preparing to leave the teaching profession, and I had no idea that video would resonate with so many people. The response was overwhelming. The video gained significant attention, reached a large audience, and introduced my content to people all over the country. From that point forward, my following grew rapidly as more people discovered my love for performance, education, and storytelling.

What I learned from that experience is that people are drawn to authenticity. They don’t just follow talent—they follow people they can relate to. In a world where so much content feels manufactured, being yourself can be your greatest advantage.

My advice for anyone just starting to build a social media presence is simple: don’t focus on going viral. Focus on being consistent, providing value, and showing up as your authentic self. Share what you’re passionate about, tell your story, and don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. The audience that is meant for you will find you.

Many people spend so much time trying to create content they think others want to see that they forget to show people who they really are. The content that changed my life wasn’t carefully planned or strategically created—it was simply me being myself. Looking back, that’s what made all the difference.

If there’s one thing I want people to take away from my journey, it’s that your uniqueness is your superpower. The things that make you different are often the very things that will help you stand out. Stay authentic, stay consistent, and trust that the right people will connect with your story.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamcharlespruitt?igsh=ajA3MHpqNjY4b3Bl&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18o6Xua2in/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Linkedin: Charles Pruitt
• Youtube: Charles Pruitt