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

Clement, appreciate you joining 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.

The biggest risk I’ve taken would probably be my decision to move to New York City and study Musical Theatre. I always knew deep down that I wanted to be an actor and that a traditional desk job wouldn’t make me happy. I’ve tried throughout my teenage years to find non-artistic jobs to have a more steady and “normal” life but embraced my true vocation in my final year of high school and decided to apply to musical theatre programs in the USA and the UK. After a hectic final high school year cumulating my French high school diploma, and online American high school diploma and college applications and auditions, I got accepted in multiple schools and chose to commit to the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in the heart of the musical theatre, New York. I moved there in 2022, a few days after turning eighteen and without knowing anyone.
It was really hard, but I’m so happy I made this decision and proud of myself for graduating and now enjoying my third year.

Clement, 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?

I was born in Paris, France. That’s where I grew up and lived until I moved to New York straight after high school to study musical theater. I graduated from the integrated program at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in 2024. There, I was able to gain proficiency in multiple dance styles such as tap, jazz and ballet. I At AMDA was trained in acting techniques and was taught by many current industry professionals and surrounded by Broadway actors.

Before my time at AMDA, I studied at the prestigious French acting school of the Cours Florent in Paris for 7 years. I also took singing lessons with famous French singer Manon Landowski and was taught how to play the piano and the guitar.
I’m a multilingual performer, fluent in English and French and advanced in Spanish. I’m trained in multiple circus disciplines allowing me to be able to ride the unicycle and have basic knowledge of the tightrope, aerial silk, and the trapeze.

I’m also passionate about songwriting and composition and currently self-producing my first album.

Since graduating, I have performed at multiple occasions, such as the Broadway Abroad Cabaret at the Green Room 42, the Flourish Performance concert at the United Palace Theatre or even the prestigious French restaurant “Chez Jospehine”. I also entered the Tv and Film worlds by starring in foreign vertical series and by being an extra on many big production tv shows and commercials.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Professional artists, in my opinion, differ only in their individual aspirations and projections compared to non-creative people.

As a fairly new and young artist, I have a lot of amazing projects, side jobs and gigs, but my daily life is never the same and to be frank is different from what I had in mind and is very quickly changing and evolving.

I always prioritize my craft even though I am aware that my lifestyle is not as stable as my friends in more traditional fields. And occasionally, I am not in a position to devote all of my time to it but in a way I’m devoting myself to succeeding and have to make difficult choices along the way. We must sometimes make concessions where others would not, and in my opinion, doing so is an investment in myself rather than a sacrifice.

An artistic job is always very rewarding and witnessing the impact you and your art can have on others is a magical feeling.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

To best support artists and a thriving creative ecosystem, society must invest in sustainable funding, affordable spaces, and accessible arts education. Artists’ labor should be fairly valued and compensated, with inclusive cultural policies that uplift diverse voices. Mental health support, greater visibility, and respect for creative work are essential, alongside digital and physical platforms that empower rather than exploit. Ultimately, integrating artists into broader decision-making processes can enrich not just culture, but society as a whole.
Absolutely! Here’s the same idea, grounded in an example from the performing arts scene in New York:

For example, in New York, supporting a thriving performing arts community means more than celebrating the “big Broadway”. It requires investing in off-Broadway and grassroots spaces where experimentation happens. Affordable rehearsal studios, artist housing, and accessible grants for emerging theatre-makers are essential. Fair pay for performers, designers, and crew also helps sustain the ecosystem. Prioritizing diversity in casting and storytelling, ensuring mental health care for gig workers, and amplifying voices from all around the world can make the performing arts scene not just iconic, but truly equitable and alive.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://clementmaxime.com
• Instagram: Clement_maxime_
• Other: Casting Networks : https://app.castingnetworks.com/talent/public-profile/74919770-8779-11ef-a96d-27bafcdd3215

  Backstage : https://www.backstage.com/u/clement-maxime/

Image Credits

Mike Petrie Jr.
Marion Stenfort
AMDA
Flourish Performing Arts