Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dave Maulbeck. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Dave, thanks for joining us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?
I’m happy as an artist — I really do enjoy my life. Of course, there are challenges. The biggest one is the uncertainty. You never fully know what’s coming next, even when you have steady gigs, like how I teach improv regularly. The landscape is always shifting. But I actually think that’s a gift — it mirrors life itself: mysterious, unpredictable, always unfolding. I believe part of being an artist is embracing that mystery and letting the story reveal itself.
Do I ever wonder about having a different kind of job? Sure. Especially something with more traditional stability. I’ve worked retail before — I was at the Apple Store for a while — and it was a completely different world. But the truth is, because of my dyslexia and who I am at my core, office jobs have always felt a little foreign to me. Ultimately, I feel incredibly lucky to live the creative life I have. I wouldn’t trade it.
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.
I got started back in middle school — acting in plays — and just kept chasing that love of storytelling from there. One thing you learn quickly in entertainment is that if a door doesn’t open for you, you often have to build your own door. That’s been a defining principle for me.
I’m more than just an actor: I’m a writer, director, producer, and teacher. I teach improv, create original content, and collaborate with clients across different mediums. Being a jack-of-all-trades in this business isn’t just about survival — it’s about deepening your love and understanding of the craft.
Even if you just want to act, you need to understand the full ecosystem: what the DP is doing with the camera, why the set is designed the way it is, what the lighting designer is shaping. Entertainment is one giant, collaborative art form. The more you understand the people you’re working with, the better your work — and their work — becomes.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I had to unlearn the idea that I needed to be “picked” to be great — that validation only came from someone else choosing me.
The most meaningful work I’ve done has been the work I picked “myself” to do — the projects I created, the stories I told because I had to tell them. And ironically, it’s those moments of self-selection that often lead to getting picked for other opportunities later. But the root is always the same: bet on yourself first.
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.
The biggest thing non-creatives struggle to grasp is how *nonlinear* the creative path is. There’s no “entry-level job → promotion → corner office” kind of road map. It just doesn’t work that way.
You might do a student film with a director who, five years later, is producing major movies. Or you might be on an improv team with someone who goes on to create a TV show. You might run props for a play and meet a collaborator who changes your life. It’s all unpredictable, and every journey is unique.
Also, success in the creative world looks really different. It’s often less about money or status and more about connection — about telling stories that matter, with people who care. There’s a joy in seeing an audience laugh, cry, or stand up and cheer for something you helped bring to life. That feeling is something few other professions can offer. It’s rare, and it’s why we do it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.davemaulbeck.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davemaulbeck/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dave.maulbeck/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Memzicon
- Other: https://www.vividstage.org/dave-maulbeck
Image Credits
Headshot by Michael Kushner