We were lucky to catch up with Manon Halliburton recently and have shared our conversation below.

Manon, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us 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?

I have been a performer for over 20 years and have primarily worked in theatre as well as photography – specifically actor headshots. I majored in acting in both undergrad and grad school and lived in New York City for several years before returning to my home roots in Kansas City Missouri. The milestones along the way were primarily patience and fortitude. To be in the acting game, you must be a long distance runner as there are times you will not be working on a show so you have to stay creative to keep your tools sharp. I found that photography was a way for me to keep my foot in a creative field I was also passionate about as well as shooting what I know and live. Actors. I have an actor headshot buisness that keeps me in the arena and feeds my creative drive when not in a show myself. Between the two carees I have managed to make a living. Being a performer is alot of auditioning, making new contacts, nurturing relationships already made and feeding your soul with other creative projects. I have found that the more you treat acting as your own buisness the easier it is to navigate when work is hard to come by. Actors will not always get the job and it’s how you handle the rejection that comes with the business of acting. If you can find other creative outlets that feed you; one can always move forward until the next contract presents itself. Ultimately at the end of the day, if your talented, have a good head on your shoulders and are easy to work with you will be a working actor.

Manon, 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?

My love for acting began as a child even though at the time I didn’t fully realize what I was doing was “acting” I would always create characters and experiment with stories out loud even when no one was watching. I would often imitate people and try to get it just right…just for fun. It wasn’t till I was an adult that acting came to me. I was dared to audition for a play in college and the rest is history.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When I lived in New York I met with several different talent agencies and managers for representation. Some were good experiences and some not so much. I found myself trying to say what I thought they wanted to hear or be what I imagined they were looking for. This didn’t work and ultimately I was never really satisfied with whomever I was working with. I didn’t stand up for my own artistic integrity and was often dissapointed with the kinds of auditions I was being submitted for. After several years of not taking more control of my own career, I found my voice and started to work “with” my representation instead of “for” them. I found an agent who partnered with me and truly saw what I was right for in regards to roles. I started auditioning for projects that were right for me which helped my overall confidence as a performer. I learned that you have to have a voice in the direction of your career because it is yours and you have control.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

When I left New York and moved back to Kansas City I had to make new contacts and audition for theatres that didn’t know my work. IT takes time to build trust in a new community of already established artists. I pivoted to teaching acting for several years and enjoyed it immensely. It forced me to practice what I knew as a performer and helped me connect with a whole new generation of young actors.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.manonhalliburtonphotography.com
• Instagram: @manonhalliburtonphotography