Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Elayne LeTraunik. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Elayne, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?

Back in 1972 or thereabouts, a movie called “TR Baskin” starring Candice Bergman was shooting in Chicago. That was a rare event in those days. I was hired as an extra and in one scene you can see me in the background. I think I earned about $75. That was the first time I was ever paid for acting and I framed that check. Those were lean days for actors in Chicago. It was before the explosion of the storefront theaters so in order to be accepted as a professional actor, you had to be from New York. I stayed in Chicago and became part of the theater/film/commercial scene.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I was very shy as a child but when I was about 15, I announced to my parents that I wanted to be an actress. They couldn’t believe I would actually do it, but I felt when on stage that it was not me but a character whose mask enabled me to hide. I continued to act through college and after I was married. (I met my husband working on a play). I studied theater at the University of Illinois at Chicago and then at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London, England. After my son was born I slowed down a bit but much to my amazement, my son, at the age of 7, announced that he wanted to be an actor too. He was far more successful than I was and acted professionally for many years. He is a member of all the unions but decided to become a university professor. After he grew up, I went back to pursuing acting but mainly in the film and commercial realm. I was with Gray Talent in Chicago for 8 years but now I am represented by Big Mouth Talent in Chicago. I found that acting on stage was becoming too exhausting for me and turned my efforts to producing and directing which I have been doing for the past many years. Currently, I am the Director of the Arts Judaica project at Open Space Arts in Chicago.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Working in theater and/or film I have found that the camaraderie and the support from other creatives is very uplifting and fulfilling. It is a good feeling to be rewarded for hard work and ability and to feel you are part of a creative community.

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

It is unfortunate that funding for the arts is always down at the bottom of organizations to be supported, especially govt. funding. In England, where I studied, the support for the arts and the ability for artists to find employment is much more evident than here. When programs need to be slashed, it is always the arts that goes first.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.elayneletraunik.weebly.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eletraunik/about
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elayneletraunik/