We were lucky to catch up with Joshua D. Reed recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Joshua D. thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with 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?
Well, growing up I was privileged to have a mother who also had a love and passion for the fine arts. Her passion for it is what first sparked my interest as a child. Growing up I was always around it and always apart of some type of production while tagging along with her. She is also an educator and would always encourage me to follow and pursue a career as an artist, but to always “have a Plan B”. Along with the encouragement, she would also “keep it real”, and inform me the life of any artist can sometimes be very difficult, and something I would have to be prepared for.
With that being said, as I have grown older, I understand what she meant. Life can take many turns and sometimes take you in directions that can cause it to be really hard to stay on track with pursuing an artistic career. Bills, relationship status, school, children, changes in your health condition, living/housing circumstances, you name it. I feel that I’m really happy being an artist and that when things get tough, I can always depend on my opportunity to turn that pain or struggle into some form of art, which normally helps in any given situation. Rather that be poetry, putting that emotion and intonation into a role, or attempting to put it in paintings. There is an outlet. That outlet is how artists, like myself, digest and reflect to the world what may be our own reality and apart of the things happening to us individually or others around us.
I often think about how much I wish sometimes I was just okay with having a “normal job” and that alone. To have the opportunity of being able to focus on climbing the corporate ladder. Not having to worry about juggling both what I call my “passion career” & “survival career” or stressing about the ups and downs and uncertainty that comes with being an artist. Then I think about how unsatisfied and unfulfilled I would be by being stuck in that same cycle. Being an artist makes me very happy and makes me feel alive, it gives me a sense of purpose!
I just recently went through a shift in my corporate career where I made a change that would better benefit me as an artist. This is after already going through a financial shift during the pandemic. Before deciding to make that change, I was very unhappy with my day-to-day functions. I felt it started to drain the energy I had left at the end of each day, that should be going towards my creative career. The scheduling wasn’t the worst but not the best either, it had its pros and cons though, but definitely more cons. I often think, maybe I should be more appreciative of my role and contribution to a corporate setting, and the benefits it comes with. I felt like, maybe I would be happier if that was my only focus and goal being to move up in that career field.
Feeling like this every so often makes me sometimes want to let go of my creative career to strictly pursue having a “normal” one. Less worries, stable income, benefits, and having somewhat of a better safety net. Just seems like life would be much simpler. What I discovered and remembered is that my life is not meant to be simple, it’s complex, it’s eclectic, it’s sometimes random but joyful, it is full of surprises and excitement. The best thing about being an artist is being able to create something new and different every time the opportunity arises. Taking real life experiences and transforming it into performance art. The good, and the bad, the upside and downsides to life. The start of conversations that may not otherwise be had if art wasn’t available to spark these conversations and guide them to action and changes that need to be Jennifer Holiday made.
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 Joshua Reed I’m an actor, born and raised in Dallas, Tx. I’ve done some work in Radio Broadcasting and hosting of various shows in my early twenties. I was introduced to the industry of the fine arts at a really young age. I had parents that were heavily involved in church and that is where I was first able to have a dealing with the fine arts. Attending the church we did I had various opportunities to work in hospitality, host youth conferences, intern for radio stations, and participate in and learn dance techniques in conferences as well. I began to train at The Black Academy of Arts and Letters founded by Curtis King. This is when I started training with my acting coach and mentor Akin Babatunde and his Ebony Emeralds Classical Theatrical Company. I was also training and performing during the summer arts intensive program at The Black Academy, what we call TBAAL for short, that I participated in for over 5 plus years. I was able to further develop my craft doing professional shows throughout the season of the theatre as well. Working with artists and Legends like Erykah Badu, Jennifer Holiday, Ledisi, Chrisette Michele, Jazmine Guy and many others.
I competed at the state level in Theatre during high school, then shortly after graduating I began having more opportunities to work with students from The University of Texas Arlington on short films and thesis projects. One of the films that got nationwide exposure and recognition was titled “Unarmed”, I was able to travel across the country to California, Las Vegas, Waco, Oklahoma, and a few other places to numerous film festivals, some also here in Texas as well. I continued working on other projects affiliated with the University until I later booked my first supporting role in the feature film “Tazmanian Devil”. Written and directed by Solomon Onita Jr. and Produced by Birdman, Benny Boom and Tricia Woodgett. The summer of 2021 I was able to work on an amazing project called “Stage Mom” created by Jose “Hollywood” Ramos and directed by Bobby Yan in which we just recently completed.
Life also came full circle, where I am now a member of the Ex-Officio Millennial Board at The Black Academy of Arts and Letters, where we are striving to continue the legacy of the theatre while also preserving and sustaining the history of the arts and The Black Academy here in Dallas, Tx. We are creating a pathway to bridge the gap between our generation, the one before us and the one after us. This has been an amazing season so far at the theatre and next season will be even better. This is one of the things I’m most proud of in this season of my life!
Something I believe sets me apart from others, is that my actions are led by my heart. I have a genuine love for the arts, for people, and for being a part of things that are going to bring people together, not just entertain them. My goal throughout my career is to work on projects, rather it be television, film, work on the stage etc. that are going to leave a mark on those who are willing to be recipients of the message or knowledge given. Growing up I was reminded of being a natural born leader and how most leaders have a strong connection with people. That’s a connection I feel I’ve had for a while. Even to a fault sometimes, with having some signs of being an empath, so I want to continue to strengthen my ability to have that same connection across the screen allowing the audience or viewers to experience the emotion being presented to them. With hopes that it will leave them not only entertained but inspired, happy, motivated, excited, and wanting to take those emotions and apply them positively to their own lives.
Is there a mission driving your creative journey?
My goal as an artist is to present the most authentic piece of work, in performance arts, that will inspire, entertain, motivate, or educate the viewer and give them a takeaway when they go home. As an individual I want to encourage having strong faith, walking in your truth whatever that may be, being genuine and loving to those around you, and striving towards living out your purpose and destiny. A strength I believe I have is conflict resolution, being able to easily find solutions to big or small problems. What makes me happy is assisting others when I can find solutions to these conflicts. Finding new ways to either communicate or find solutions to an issue or problem someone else or even myself has. My mission is to be an example in showing people how to accomplish that through my artistry. I would also like to be an example of showing that even when it may seem easier to go with a backup plan, its more worth it not to give up on your passions and what makes you happy, no matter how long it takes you to get where you want to go. Working towards the things that bring fulfillment to your life. When the road isn’t always clear or when things may not always make a lot of sense. Stick with what you know in your heart you are supposed to be contributing to the world, while staying true to you!
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
I do believe that sometimes non creatives may not understand that every artist doesn’t need a college degree. I fully support education and growing and becoming more knowledgeable of things that you are interested in. Knowledge is power and understanding is key. However, when it comes to learning a trade, or pursuing a career in the arts that may not always be the cause for going to some university to get a degree. Also, the financial responsibility of an artist to fund their dream may not always be understood. Things like paying to keep current headshots, or an updated demo reel, or flying and driving out to places for bookings or auditions, creating websites and platforms and keeping them updated as well. All these things the artist is responsible for, and it is majority of the time coming out of pocket. So, there is a different meaning to “having multiple streams of income” when talking to an artist. We are our business, so in order to continue growing and developing ourselves as a business it requires major investments. For some, investment means a college degree, for some artists those investments may be classes and training specific to their art, investing in their brand and themselves. Breaking even and not really making a living right off back.
The path for artists can be so complex and different from your average person. One thing I’d love for others to understand is the support from family, friends, and the community around artists is so important. It is the way we are able to feed our families and make a living. Having respect for that and supporting any way you can is so valuable and appreciated. When your friend who is a singer has a show or concert coming up, go and support, go stream or purchase their album when it comes out. Share it with more of your family and friends. When your family member who is an actor tells you about a film of theirs that is coming out or a play they are doing at the local theatre, go and support, purchase a ticket to the show, buy the film when it is released to the public. Your best friend that has their art being showcased in a gallery and wants you to come and fill the space with love and support and maybe even being able to walk away with a piece of their art to warm your homes or whatever space you choose to place their work in. Make it a priority to find a way to support them. The creative arts are not only here for entertainment and enjoyment but to be the driving force and power to help create the changes we want to see in our world and society around us!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm7811867/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josuereed/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoshuaDReed21
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-reed-7911b2189/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/JosueReed
- Other: https://linktr.ee/Joshuadreed https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/Joshuadreed https://www.backstage.com/u/Joshua-D-Reed/
Image Credits
Merced Elizondo Aaron C. Carolina Ashley Doyle Byron Sneed Reuben Lael Jose Ramos Chris Greys