We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Leah Dowdy. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Leah below.

Leah, 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?

My first paycheck as a creative came from working as a background actor in the movie “Sorority Row” during college! I was studying film at the University of Pittsburgh at the time, and I sent my headshot to casting as soon as I heard they would be shooting on campus. I ditched class and spent the entire day on set swooning over the lights, cameras and cranes. I think every actor remembers the first time they stepped onto a set and fell in love with the crazy process that is filmmaking. It’s a rite of passage. Nothing beats getting paid to play make-believe.

Leah, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I have sat in many seats throughout my career, but these days I would say that I am an actress and dancer who recently added singer/songwriter to the mix. I booked a lot of wonderful television shows and commercials during the first leg of my journey, and I rediscovered my love of songwriting when everything came to a halt during the pandemic. I taught myself how to use Logic Pro while quarantined with my parents in Pennsylvania, and I released my first single “The Fool” in the spring of 2020. In a crazy twist of fate, this somehow led me to performing live on the TODAY Show with Hoda and Jenna.

This summer, I released my very first EP, <i>What Almost Was</i>. I spent about nine months writing and recording with my producer, Allen Tate, and I am so proud of the stories I chose to tell. I also hired an all-female production crew to shoot the visual elements, which was my favorite part of the entire experience. Nothing beats hanging with the girlies and creating something beautiful. I hope to write for other artists in the future and specifically for film and TV if the fates allow. I think it would be nice to come full circle.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Yes, therapy! Everyone should go. Life can be lifey, and it’s okay to not be okay.

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

The most rewarding part of being an artist is helping others feel seen and heard. Whether that’s through my lyrics, pushing for systemic change across the industry or shining a spotlight on those who are often overlooked. Music reminds us that we are not alone in our loneliness, confusion, joy or pain. It is an honor to contribute to that legacy of understanding in whatever way that I can.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.leahdowdy.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leebee3168/
• Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/27vaa1RLJOy65rcPixoXFr
  IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3811868/?ref_=nv_sr_1?ref_=nv_sr_1

Image Credits
Photos by: Kelsey Campbell- www.kcampbellphoto.com Alicia Recupero-Slough- www.aliciaslough.com Denise Reed- www.instagram.com/actor.bestie