We recently connected with Evan Joelle and have shared our conversation below.
Evan, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
To be quite Frank, I didn’t know I was capable of earning a living as a performer until a year or two into my first professional gig. I immersed myself into the theater world wholeheartedly, without any regrets. I took any and all opportunity to develop my skills, which landed me in rooms I only dreamed of being in.
As productive as my career was initially, I probably could have intensified my learning experience by enrolling in a few acting courses. Though at the time I found it much more beneficial to gain on-hand experience as the gigs kept rolling in and I did not want to miss any opportunity.
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
My name is Evan-Joelle. I am an American actor, dancer, and vocalist born in East Palo Alto, California. I began my acting career, as lead (Kenny Kahn) in Richard Torrence’s touring gospel stage play, “Lord, Why Can’t I Do Right?” (2014); performing with “Sunday’s Best” Ashford Sanders, “Friday’s” Don “DC” Curry and the “Godfather of Urban Theater” Shelly Garrett.
With a background in musical theater my talents allowed me to venture into film, landing my first lead role as “Darnell/Shaka” in The Oakland Film Company’s “The Broken Rose” (2018). I can also be seen as Malachi in Creede Media’s “The Night it Rained” (2021), and “Broken Seeds” (2023) now streaming on UrbanFlixTv.com
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Viewing the final cut of whatever production I’d been in always warms my heart. As I watch the footage for the first time, I’m instantly transported to day one of the creative process. I often find myself saying “I remember auditioning for this…” or simply recollecting the hardships we might’ve experienced on set that pushed our story further. For me it’s like seeing my hard work in physical form.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
To be quite honest, until recently I was completely unemployed. I had just finished a contract with an entertainment company in December and was unable to secure my next gig in time. I was auditioning left, right, up, and down but landed no roles. My small world seemed to shrink as my aspirations of success crumbled in my hands. Even more so with my 30th birthday having just past. I almost allowed my circumstance to pull me into the deepest depression imaginable. Then one day, I decided to focus on what was in front of me instead of beating myself up for what I didn’t have. Presently, I am back in the 9 to 5 workforce and STILL prioritizing performing. What’s even better, the prequel series I starred in last year is now available for streaming on UrbanFlixTv.com. If you liked “The Broken Rose” then you’ll love “Broken Seeds”.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.evanjoelle.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evanjoelle_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EvanJoelle
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@EvanJoelle
Image Credits
David Chatman Julian Crespo