We recently connected with Liz Holtan and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Liz , thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Thanks for having me! I knew I was creative from a young age and that I wanted to pursue the arts. I come from a really musical family, which definitely helped foster and nurture my creativity–whether it was doing a sing along at our cabin or encouraging us to play out in the woods using our imaginations.

I think the path I took evolved over time, as most things do. First, I knew I loved singing. I took part in school and community productions, including summers with a musical touring group. In college, I learned how much I enjoyed theatre as well. While living and performing in NYC, I booked my first television audition. Turns out, I loved that too! Most recently, in addition to acting, I’ve enjoyed adding writing to my creative life. I’m currently working on my first novel. For me, creativity begets creativity. I’m constantly drawn to the stories in all of us and what we can learn about greater humanity and ourselves by exploring them.

Liz , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Sure! I’m an actor and have been lucky enough to work in television, film and theatre. I moved to NYC right after college and started working in musical theatre before getting introduced to television and film as well. I’ve gotten some incredible opportunities; some of my favorite television ones include: Law and Order SVU, NCIS, The Big C, Louie and The Good Wife. Whether it’s comedy or drama, theatre or television, I’m proud when I can delve into the complexities and emotions of a character. There’s so much more to people and situations than seen at first glance.

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

There are so many answers to this one! The two words that come to my mind immediately are empathy and encouragement. If we could better empathize with others regardless of their background, race, sex, religion, overall way of expressing themselves, it would provide a more nurturing enviroment where people felt comfortable sharing their stories and art. You might not understand someone’s art or their story– and that’s ok! In fact, I hope we don’t understand it all so that there’s room to grow. I think that if we begin by trying to empathize on a basic level and see someone as a human being capable of expressing themselves and producing art, it could shift a lot.

Encouragement comes in many shapes and sizes. I’ve seen it in writing groups, acting classes, mentoring, a phone call from a loved one saying that they are proud of you. It thrives in a society and world where we nurture artists and creatives in our schools and communities. I also believe it begins with yourself. Self love.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Good question. First, I want to say that I count myself extremely lucky to have such support from family, friends and the artistic world. That being said, there is one lesson I had to unlearn from society that I believe everyone has to face at some point. Without one specific example, rather countless images and words in social media and fictionalized standards stuffed down our throats, I think we are all subconsciously told that we are not enough. If only. If only we were younger, thinner, more famous, more qualified. If only we were xyz, then we’d be perfect.

I’ve learned that I’m enough. In fact, I’m more than enough! I mean, can I improve? Of course! Can I learn from others, be inspired, collaborate and try my best, expanding my ways of thinking and being? Absolutely! But, I’m enough. Just as I am. It’s freeing. There are stories to be told and art to be made. We’re all enough. Let’s go!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2949677
• Other: www.lizholtan.com

Image Credits
Ash V Photography Janna Giacoppo