Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Charli Arkle. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Charli, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

The earliest memories I can think of are of being in dance classes and performing on stage. My parents put me into dance lessons when I was about three years old, and I just never stopped! My first performance was a starring role in ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (I played a chicken on the farm in the opening scenes, and I pecked the ground, wearing nothing but a yellow leotard and some ballet shoes).

I vividly remember watching Wicked when I was eight years old and seeing myself in those characters, and knowing that I wanted to be on stage. What started as a hobby, turned into my entire personality. I continued taking dance, voice and acting classes my entire childhood, and eventually at the age of nineteen made the move from Australia to Los Angeles to study musical theatre in college.

Charli, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m deeply immersed in the world of musical theatre, and my journey into this industry has been super exciting. For me, my love for theatre started as a child when I began dance classes and learnt how to tell stories through song and dance, which eventually led me to musical theatre.

As I grew up, I began to take my hobbies more seriously and realised that I could turn my passion into a career. This extended past performing and led me to teaching and writing. Whilst pursuing my own career, I began teaching vocal lessons, and more recently found myself directing children’s theatre. It’s both rewarding and inspiring to watch young performers fall in love with theatre.

In addition to performing and teaching, I’ve delved into the world of creating my own material. Most recently I’ve written a short comedy series titled ‘Rock Your World’, as well as my own one woman show.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I moved to Los Angeles from Australia for college in February 2020 right before COVID hit. By the end of March it became clear that I would have to move back home to Australia. I took a “hiatus” from my degree, but as the end of the COVID era started to end, I wanted to go back. At the time, Los Angeles was still completely shut down, but my college was still offering classes online, so I decided to study from Australia. Five days a week I would wake up at 2:30am and do my classes from Australia in my garage. (in a full face of makeup and my pajama pants). Then, by 12:00pm I would be working one of my part time jobs. Through delusion and sheer determination, I somehow managed to live like this for 15 weeks. Though I’m not eager to repeat those early morning wake-up calls, I’m proud of what I achieved. It was a lesson in perseverance and a testament to the idea that with passion and determination, anything is possible.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

In today’s digital age, it’s so convenient to watch entertainment at the click of a button, whether it’s streaming a movie on Netflix or watching a bootlegged performance on YouTube. However, this convenience often comes at the expense of live theatre and entertainment.

While streaming has its place, there’s an unparalleled magic in experiencing a performance live. It’s an immersive, transformative experience that simply can’t be replicated on a screen. Despite concerns about ticket prices, there are so many accessible ways to engage with live performances without breaking the bank.

Researching local theatre companies and performers can uncover a wealth of “underground” events and hidden gems, particularly in artistic hubs like Los Angeles. Also, many theatres offer affordable options such as theatre lotteries or rush tickets, creating opportunities for everyone to experience live theatre.

Actively seeking out and attending live performances not only supports artists and creatives, but also contributes to the longevity of these experiences.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://charliarkle.wixsite.com/actor
• Instagram: @charliarkle
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4TA_4YgBlf9r1J93Jh47yQ

Image Credits
Caroline Rose Photography Francesco DiFlora Dana Pleasant