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

Hannah, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

For the last four years I’ve been fully freelance, meaning I earn a living from a combination of acting, writing and teaching. The process was gradual; I had a “normal job” when I first moved here working in aftercare at a school. From there I just started taking on as much outside work as I could in my free time. And I’m talking ANY work; washing ambulances, kids birthday parties, Bat mitzvahs, donating plasmas…you get it. There was about a year where my week and weekend days were packed with gigs and in the evening I would perform and pursue creative endeavors. And once those freelance gigs started to outweigh the benefits of a full time job I made the leap. I wish I could say it was more exciting or daring, but it was fairly calculated. That’s not to say it wasn’t scary as shit, because it was. There were months where I was running on empty both financially and emotionally. But I believed in myself and knew that I could make it work. Did I mention I donated plasma? That helped too. There have been a lot of cool milestones in my life, but the one I would say was most rewarding was the first time I said no to a gig because the compensation wasn’t worth my time. That may sound arrogant and ungrateful, but frankly it was quite the opposite. I prioritized me and the years I put into building my brand and I knew my worth. And it was incredibly empowering to be at a place where I could look at something and have an internal dialogue about choosing work over needing work. I think that mindset, especially for women, is hard to attain because we’re naturally groomed to be agreeable and cooperative. So conquering that no, and being comfortable executing it, felt f*ck*ng amazing.

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

I’m an Atlanta based actor, writer and comedian and I’ve spent almost eight years pursuing those endeavors. I got into this industry via improv comedy. I was really unhappy in a job (for Marlboro…pop off cig life) back in Minnesota and one weekend I took an improv class and that was kinda it. I quit my job the following week, moved back in my parents (very cool), and started pursuing improv and acting around the city. That lasted about two years before I got the itch to venture onward and drove my lil Chevy Cruze down to Atlanta. Been here ever since…bombarding your Instagram with promos for my shows. I think the thing I’m most proud of in all of it is the fact that I stayed. This industry is a f*ck*ng doozy. It runs on rejection and vapid relationships. I don’t think you’ll meet a performer who hasn’t been dogged or dragged by this career at least once in their life. But it’s also quite wonderful. Like really really really wonderful sometimes. You just have to have the wherewithal to relish the fleeting glorious moments in order to survive the rampant awful ones.
Oh and for my fans: stay hot and stop giving a f*ck about what people think about you. I care way too much and it’s gotten me no where good. Live for you. Live for your shit. It’s your life. Let me worry enough for the both of us.
And if you’re looking to laugh come check out Mom & Dad improv every Saturday night at Dynamic El Dorado theater. How’s that for a shameless plug?

: Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

To be a universal name in what I do. I want to be the best. Which is kinda impossible, right? Because art is subjective and all that. Which, I assume, means I’ll be at this awhile. What’s fun about this career is that is has endless possibilities for growth. Bigger stages, bigger productions, bigger moments. I am constantly driven by the desire to conquer those bigger things.
Also – and this may sound odd – I’m always trying to see how good I can be. If I’m good now, can I be better? And if I’m not good now, how do I get good so I can get better? Failure is the best teacher and you won’t learn if you don’t fail and you won’t fail if you don’t put yourself out there, dummy. Ps, I’m not calling you dumb…these are just some of the things I say to myself. Dummy.

Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?

I hope they take over the music industry and put all the power back into the hands of artists. NFTs are changing the game. I have no idea how they work or how to get one but from what I read they’re reinventing the wheel for creators and that’s fucking dope. The world is changing…we can’t all have Razor phones and Hit clips forever, guys. So, pop off NFTs.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.hannahaslesen.com
• Instagram: Hey_hannah_Rae, Momanddadimprov
• Facebook: Hannah Aslesen
• Linkedin: Never had one…..oops
• Twitter: No thank you
• Youtube: Mom and Dad Improv
• Other: Tiktok: @hey_hannah_rae

Image Credits
Atalie Ann Photo, Chelsea Patricia