We were lucky to catch up with Clinton Roane recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Clinton , thanks for joining us today. Looking back on your career, have you ever worked with a great leader or boss? We’d love to hear about the experience and what you think made them such a great leader.
Hands down, the best boss I’ve ever had the honor of working with was legendary director/choreographer Susan Stroman. She gave me my Broadway debut in a show called “The Scottsboro Boys”. It was also my very first job after graduating from Howard University. After the show closed on Broadway, she cast me in regional productions of the show, as well as the U.K. premier at the Young Vic Theatre. I’m forever grateful for the role she’s played in my professional life and I’ve learned so many valuable lessons that I’ve carried with me all these years. The main one: Do your best.
I remember being so nervous at first while in rehearsals with her. She’s a true legend in every sense of the word. I was extremely intimidated and nervous that my anxiety from being in the room with her and other theatre legends would hinder my work. However, Stro only had one requirement: Do your best. Yes, she loves amazing dance technique, heartfelt acting and for beautiful, soaring notes to be sung, but as long as you’re doing your best and your heart is in the right place, it’s okay if it’s not perfect…because no one’s perfect. So, from now on, I always make sure I give the best I can to any project I’m working on. And if it’s not “perfect”, that’s okay. Life is hard and I’m doing the best I can.
Thank you, Susan Stroman, for that valuable and important lesson.
Clinton , 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 a writer/actor/vocalist based in Los Angeles. After 8 years of being a theatre actor based out of NYC (but working all over the country and in London), I moved to L.A. in 2019. I threw myself head first into becoming a writer/creator – something I’d always dreamed of doing. A colleague and I created a short film that truly had meaning in regards to mental health and what it means to be a Black, gay man in this country/world. We were so excited about the future of this project. I was also working for Disney Parks creating magic for hundreds of families each day all while auditioning for television, film and commercial projects. Then COVID-19 hit. I was upset. I was finally finding my flow as an artist. However, as frustrating as that time was, it was very necessary. I had been working for 10 years without any kind of a break. I was rundown. During the shutdown, I was able to actually sleep. I was able to breathe. My mind (which is always working overtime) was able to rest. From that rest came more ideas for projects. I was able to create more worlds that spoke to me and the Black community. The shutdown was a time for me to be able to plant creative seeds that are just now beginning to blossom and I’m so thankful for it. I was able to create art that I wish little Clinton had seen growing up. My hopes are that the world will see these projects soon and be inspired and compelled to go out and create their own.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
One lesson I had to unlearn is that it’s okay to take care of me, too. Growing up, I was always taught to look out for other people. However, in my maturation, that turned into people pleasing. Sometimes, looking out for other people has led to my detriment mentally and emotionally. But recently, I’ve discovered that taking time for myself and creating self-care practices are highly important.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
I think something non-creatives should know is that the job of being a creative is indeed a job and it never ends. The hours aren’t just from 9 to 5. Yes, we take the time to relax outside of those hours, but it’s important to always be doing research. It’s important to always stay in the know of what’s happening in the world. It’s important to always be living a full life which then allows your art to fully reflect and impact the world that we live in today. Phylicia Rashad once taught a class while I was at Howard University and she stressed the importance of reading the newspaper. One, because you want to know what’s happening in the world, but two, you never know where you’ll find your inspiration from. It’s also important to keep training. Just because you have a degree in acting, singing, dancing or writing doesn’t mean you stop learning. It’s important to keep your tools sharp. Being a creative is indeed hard work.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.clintonroane.com
- Instagram: @IAmClintonian
- Twitter: @IAmClintonian
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vh8VwDHyIjU
Image Credits
1. Ashley Nguyen 2. The Emma Experience 3. Isaac Robinson-Smith 4. Dony Wright 5. The Emma Experience 6. Lauren E. Banks