We recently connected with Dawn Noel and have shared our conversation below.

Dawn, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I am extremely happy being an artist and I couldn’t imagine my life any different. I was not put on this earth to be a robot, work in a cubicle or do something I was not happy doing. Now don’t get me wrong, I have worked outside of being an artist for short periods of time to pay bills but I loved the people I was working with and it was for short periods of time.

From a child, I have always wanted to be a dancer and an actor. I’ve also always been a leader, which makes me a great producer. This was something my parents never pushed me to do or forced me to do. I’ve always felt a need to express myself and entertain. The arts are all I know, I’ve spent my whole life educating myself in many different areas of dance and theater.

God gave me a talent to share my gifts and that’s exactly what I’ve always done. There’s nothing wrong with having a regular job, maybe other people’s priorities are being the best wife, mother, or caretaker in any way, shape, or form that they can possibly be. So, obviously having a regular job is normal for them. The world is set up for us to work and pay bills, to work and pay bills, to work and pay bills. I just hope people with a so-called “regular job” make time for themselves to travel, and really experience this beautiful planet that we live on. Life is too short for any regrets.

I definitely don’t want to downplay regular jobs. We need doctors, teachers, grocery store workers, teachers, etc. we just all have a different calling. As long as you go to sleep at night feeling grateful for what you’ve given to your community and your service to others, I think your life is pretty successful.

By the way, being successful is all relative. Success is what you make of it, and how you feel about yourself. Being famous is not all that fancy and being rich comes with a high price to pay.

Artists sacrifice a lot to do what we love. There are countless hours of rehearsal, practice, and shedding your emotions to entertain others. Most of us have to have other jobs to sustain ourselves. So you better love what you do and not do it for the wrong reasons. There’s a lot of rejection that you can’t take personally but when you do get to shine… it’s all worth it.

So yes, I am happy being an artist. I try to live each moment and make decisions on what will make me and others happy at that particular moment.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Dawn Noel is a proud Television Academy member. She attended the prestigious High School for the Performing Arts and graduated with a BFA from the University of the Arts, in Philadelphia. Dawn subsequently made her mark on Broadway in acclaimed productions, “The Lion King,” “In The Heights” and “Fame.” As a featured dancer, she has toured globally with Madonna and Jennifer Lopez. Dawn’s acting resume includes numerous commercials, as well as lead roles in the indie films, “White People Money,” “Let Us Make Eve,” “Game Of Deceit,” “Life Is Too Short,” “Devatha,” “Salsa Lessons,” “To The New Girl,” “Grand Slammed,” and “My Normal.” On television, Dawn can be seen on “All Rise,” “All My Children,” “NCIS,” “NCIS-LA” and “Glee;” along with many award-winning short films and web series.

Dawn Noel is an award-winning actress and producer. She has produced the award-winning short film “Shattered Pitch” starring Chad Coleman (The Wire & The Walking Dead) and the award-winning short film “22 Years,” both having multiple distribution deals. Dawn is the recipient of The Imagen Awards (Golden Globes for Latinos), Manhattan Film Festival, LA Movie Awards (Best Actress), AM Egypt Film Festival, Philadelphia Independent Film Awards, International New York Film Festival (Best Actress), Charlotte Black Film Festival (Best Actress), Las Vegas Black Film Festival, Viva Latino Film Festival, Sutter Creek International Film Festival (Best Actress), The Women’s International Film Festival (Best Actress) and the San Diego Black Film Festival. Dawn is now working with Rocket Fuel Entertainment as a producer.

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

I think society can and should support “live” art more often. We need to support artists in person and in the present; whether it’s going to an art gallery, a play, a dance concert, hearing a band play, or an indie movie at a film festival. There’s always something artistic happening somewhere. I know we got used to being indoors from Covid or money might be tight but there are always websites for free or discount tickets.

When we don’t support local or cultural artists, especially in our community, then no one should complain when their own is not further along or being recognized. They need our support financially and artistically in order for art not to die.

Also, everyone knows the WGA and SAG-AFTRA were on strike. People can definitely join the picket lines or donate to the unions of their choice. Artists already have to have second and third jobs just to survive, so your support would definitely be appreciated.

We can all stand against AI… that’s a big one for me. Robots are already taking people’s jobs every day. When we make a call, it’s press one for this, press two for that. When we go to the grocery store, there’s one cashier and all self-checkout lines.
In order to save all of our jobs, we MUST stand against AI in order to continue to survive and thrive.

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

I find it very rewarding being an artist if someone walks away feeling something completely different from what they initially felt after watching a piece of art that I was a part of.

I love helping people to feel… We get so caught up in life “surviving” that we forget to just feel and be present. I love making people laugh, cry, or walk away having a conversation. It’s wonderful to see humans finding a different perspective on life, a situation, or about themselves; learning about others and themselves… growing.

Being able to “feel” comes easy for most artists, but for the nine-to-five working individuals, they need a break from their routine to just feel. So I find it healthy to give back.

I also find it rewarding for my own benefit. I get to express myself as an emotional release or discover parts about myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm2135436/overview
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawnnoelactor/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DawnNoelActor
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnnoelactor/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dawnnoel8850/videos