We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Chessa Metz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Chessa, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’ve love to hear an interesting investment story – what was one of the best or worst investments you’ve made? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)

When I was in final callbacks for Suffs on Broadway, I made myself a promise that I would do one thing if I got it: Get a cat.

As a child, I had two kitties and I loved them endlessly. As an adult, I never really considered getting one. I’m an actor in New York City–my life seemed too transient for a commitment like that. Out-of-town jobs, moving apartments constantly, long restaurant shifts–it just didn’t seem practical. Even after years of living alone in a nice apartment, I was afraid. What if I booked a tour? There was always a reason not to get a cat.

Then I got Suffs. My biggest dream come true. It wasn’t like anything really changed about the nature of my life–the show could have opened and closed in three months. I was going to be gone long hours almost every day. I could still get a tour down the line. But still–something about this big career step made me feel like I should take other big steps. I’d always wanted my own cat, and here I was almost 30, what was I waiting for? The nature of my life wasn’t going to change, but I wanted this one small happiness. I’d just have to figure the rest out. Leap and the catsitter will appear.

So I started googling. And damn, getting a cat in New York City is a whole to-do. I felt like I was applying for colleges all over again. Something about these lengthy application processes was making me afraid again–honestly, that’s probably part of the logic. Weed out anyone who isn’t ready for the commitment. Every time I started a form, I’d chicken out. Maybe I was making a mistake.

What I really wanted was to go meet some kitties in person. I wanted a kitten, but how young was too young? Would it be okay during my rehearsals? Most adoption places wouldn’t even let you get a kitten unless you got two. They had good reasons, and I had good reservations.

You couldn’t see the adoption kitties without first applying to adopt them, one by one. Time was ticking and I knew if I was gonna do this, I had to act fast. Rehearsals were a couple weeks away, and with 7 tracks to learn (swing nation!), I wouldn’t have time to speed-date kitties from all 5 boroughs.

So I did another google and found the only place in New York City where you could go meet kittens in person. Let’s call it what it is–a store. And if the “Adopt Don’t Shop” crowd wants to cancel me, they have every right. I have nothing to say for myself. He trotted out, flat-faced and bug-eyed, and there was nothing I could do.

What began as a research mission to see what the different ages were like, maybe hold a few and get it out of my system–well, you can guess what happened. I fell in love. According to the owner, he was “the cheapest cat there.” I signed a paper saying I understood he did not have pedigree and couldn’t compete in shows (devastating), and put down my credit card. Two thousand American dollars (plus tax) later, I had an exotic shorthair/persian mix (what?) and a free feather-toy (how sweet). I named him Bubba Earl, and I regret nothing.

I realized how many small happinesses I had sacrificed on my journey to making this one dream come true. Now that I’d done it, I was ready to stop talking myself out of the rest. These small happinesses, well, they’re all we really have, right? Add ’em up and that’s your life. My life with Bubba was worth every sacrifice, every wait, and every penny.

Chessa, 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 Chessa Metz.

I am an actor and singer-songwriter.

I am in the last few months of my twenties.

My partner is my best friend, and our cat is my greatest source of joy.

I am from Concord, North Carolina and have lived in New York City since I graduated from UNCSA in 2017.

I have performed in regional theatres all around the country, in the middle of the ocean, *briefly* on television, and most recently on Broadway as an understudy and swing in the 2x Tony-Award-Winning musical “Suffs.”

I am most proud my latest performance, playing Jenna in Sara Bareilles’ “Waitress” at the John W. Engeman Theater in Long Island.

What I hope sets me apart is my authenticity. I am who I say I am, and I do what I say I’ll do. I really value the combination of directness and kindness, and that governs most of my decisions, personally and artistically.

I made a lot of dreams come true these last few years–the next is to release a full-length album of my original music. Stay tuned for that!

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted two things. To be on Broadway, and to do everything right.

I didn’t get the first until I started confronting the second. Therapy works, y’all.

I tend to be long-winded and I know we’ve all got attention span problems these days, so I’ll try to keep this brief.

Suffs was my first audition for Broadway. After 7 years of being a represented actor in New York City. I went to a great school, I prepped well for auditions, *I did everything right.* And I didn’t work for many many years. It took the time it took, and it was perfect. Not easy, god no. But right.

When it comes to being an actor, as they say, what is yours is yours. Prepare best you can, and keep showing up. Don’t forget that the rest of life is yours too–and you’ve got a lot more control over that. Figure out how to be happy–the career will do what it does.

When I was that little girl (see: above), I lost my dad. He struggled with substance abuse. He didn’t know how to be happy. And maybe that’s just the simplest way to put it and not quite right. What I mean, is that he didn’t know how to just be. To ride the waves of life. Enjoy the ups, breathe through the downs, be at peace with the enduring in-betweens.

When I became an adult, I started struggling with the same thing. I’ll save the details for another day, but I hit rock bottom big time. The best decision I ever made was to break the cycle and get help. Therapy. It took the time it took, and it saved my life.

So if there is a mission driving my creative journey–it is somewhere in all of that. Figure out how to be. Happy, unhappy, in-between. I hope when I perform, people see someone who is standing in her fullest potential. Embracing all of it. And I hope to help other people do the same. Right before I got the Broadway call, I was researching grad schools for social work. I imagine my life will lead me back there when I’m ready. Until then, I’m less focused on doing everything right, and more interested in just doing the next right thing.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Getting to meet young women who aspire to do what I’m doing now. Learning about them, encouraging them–championing them in their pursuits. They remind me of why I wanted to do this in the first place, and of how far I’ve come. They give me hope for the future, and ground me in everything I value. To inspire the next generation, what a great honor and responsibility. I know what it would have meant to me as a child to be seen and validated by someone in my position. It costs me almost nothing, and the rewards are endless. Big love to Isla, Evelyn, and Blair.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.chessametz.com
• Instagram: @chessametz
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ChessaMetz
• Other: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/chessa-metz/1630505841

  https://open.spotify.com/artist/4qlxBlO6TYzPm9oitDNbr9

Image Credits

Jenny Anderson Photo
Tracey Spero Portraits
Ruvan Wijesoorya
Zahra Ghoncheh
Avalin Li