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

Courtney, 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?

I knew I wanted to pursue a career as an actor and writer when the ideas and dreams of what I wanted to do and become, wouldn’t leave me. No matter if I took weeks or months away from it, the desire would always come back to me. I felt like God was insistent on making sure I took heed to the seeds that had been planted in me. That this creativity, this passion is a greater part of my purpose. So, I started taking it seriously. In my spare time I would learn and practice. Then it became side hustle, that I could make a few extra dollars and gain experience. Then as the opportunities increased it was like I was living two different lives. It then came to a point where I saw no future in my life as a therapist and so I took the leap of faith to go all in as an actor and writer.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Throughout my life I’ve always had a love for storytelling. Growing up I was obsessed with film and television, I loved reading and I’ve been journaling since I was thirteen. I have piles of journals filled with my thoughts, stories and poems. I didn’t know then how those hobbies were actually gifts I was gradually sharpening over time.

However, I didn’t really think much of my creativity outside of a hobby or extracurricular. I went on to get my degree at the University of Maryland, College Park in Psychology. Whether I realized it or not storytelling was still my thing. But my focus changed to the people’s stories. Why do we feel the way we do? Why do we act the way we do? How can I help? How can we heal? So began my career in mental health field which lead to me becoming a licensed therapist. The people I have met and had the honor of working with and providing services to, have changed me just as much as I changed them. And it was in 2019, working as a therapist in a school in Washington, D.C. that lead me back to an unrealized dream. My office was across the hall from the theatre room. So everyday I would hear the kids doing their warm-ups, rehearsing and even talked to the theatre teacher about adult classes. I told her about my having tried an improv class and wanting to do more. From there she directed me towards McKinnon Acting Studio.

For years I honed my skills as an actor.
Taking classes, doing student films, workshops, background acting, working as a production assistant, voiceover, any and everything I could get my hands on. After the pandemic the industry saw major changes, and while have had some successes, we as artists had to be more and more creative and self-reliant when it came to the business aspect and creating our own opportunities in the market. That’s when the idea of creating our own was birthed with talking with my friend, Uzo Chijioke. We had both confided in each other for years about the highs and lows of the entertainment industry, writing and trying to break through. So we decided why not doing something together. In 2022 TwentyOne 21: A Black AF Scripted Audio Comedy was born. We brought on our friend Donnell Robinson for his experience with music and lyricism and went to work. Over a year of writing, auditioning, acting, production, post-production, marketing, and admits a writer and actors strike, we achieved what many only talk about doing.

Since our debut, TwentyOne 21 has been nominated for best podcast in a scripted series, and recently won two Webby Awards for Best Indie Podcast in a limited series for the 2024 season. And we are just getting started. Development of Season 2 is well under way, while still working towards our individual crafts and pursuits. This is only the beginning and I am proud that I took the risk in becoming who I wanted to be and not who I believed the world wanted/ needed me to be.

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

I believe that as a society we must do a better job at not only introducing the arts and creative endeavors as hobbies or coping mechanisms but, also as viable careers. Giving not only children/ adolescents but, all people access to the knowledge, resources, and guidance to sustain these creative endeavors as a business and not just the craft.

No one size fits all but all roads can lead to Rome respectively when given proper training and access. Also, recognizing that there are opportunities to be creative in other non- traditionally creative industries.
In my opinion professionals in healthcare, sciences, political sciences, even the military could benefit from exposure to the arts and being more holistic in their daily routines and services.

I feel as though once more transparency is given to the world of the art and creative spaces the more respect and consideration can be granted to the artist. Ensuring improved wages, security, better terms for negotiating contracts and opportunities beyond those given by the unions, if there is one. Allowing for the artist to network as an equal in competitive spaces for their work and not granted access only based on their respective clout and/ or popularity on social media is how I believe we can continue to maintain the integrity of creative industry and see it flourish even more over time.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Early on in life I understood that success wasn’t linear and that sometimes we meet challenges that we either had to push through or pivot to a new direction. However, one thing that I had to unlearn is that with effort comes reward. Growing up in the academic space I had become very accustomed to the belief that if I worked hard and completed the established tasks that success was guaranteed. That much like school there would be a time where I would take a test and that if I passed I would be in a much better position.

That is not the case with acting. Rejection is the only guarantee. And if rejection doesn’t send you running, screaming and throwing up then you’ve got an okay chance at making it into someone’s audition. If you get audition that is. Even still, there’s no payment or reward for auditions, call backs, pins or workshops unless you book the job. So until then, I had to learn that the auditions, callbacks, and classes, are the reward. That the gift of being an actor or an artist of any form is to be able to do what you love.

I don’t say this to be a downer on anyone’s dreams but, this is the reality of our pursuit. To be an actor is more gritty than others understand. It’s subjective to say the least and love alone doesn’t keep your belly full. So it’s understanding that I may have to work or have other means of provision to live, so I can do what I love. Then if someday I am able to sustain my life with only my art, my acting, and writing, then I can truly say I have “Made it”. Until such time, I keep working, keep hustling, reflection after rejection until I can make my way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://pod.link/1703633801
• Instagram: @courtneymarie_presents