We were lucky to catch up with Meghan Covington recently and have shared our conversation below.

Meghan , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I have had many different jobs over the years, and many of them were fun, rewarding, and helped me to grow as a human. None of them would be categorized as “regular”, but they did help me pay the bills! At this point in my life, I am so grateful to be able to make a living as a creative. Nothing compares to the deep sense of fulfillment that comes with making theatre, but I do recognize that my success as a theatre artist would not have been possible without my other “regular” career paths.

In early 30s I abruptly decided to put my creative career on hold in the pursuit for financial stability. My husband and I wanted to start a family, and I was unsure of how to provide for children while working as an actor. That’s when I started my own business in the fitness and yoga industry – Mind Body Fitness. 3 kids and almost 10 years later, I had built a successful business and learned useful skills (marketing, budgeting, management, and costumer service). While I wasn’t necessarily feeling creatively fulfilled, I was preparing myself for a more stable future as an artist!

As I approached my 40s I felt a familiar pull back to the theatre world. I missed the stage. I missed the collaborative nature of making theatre, I missed spending time with other theatre artists. So I decided to take the skills I learned as a small business owner and combine them with my theatre making skills. River’s Edge Theatre Company, my small nonprofit organization, was born in 2019, and has been growing steadily since then. Now I can flex my creative muscles while supporting my family, and I have never been happier.

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.

I am a NY based actor, producer, and playwright. I currently serve as Artistic Director and Co-Founder of River’s Edge Theatre Company (RETCo), a non-pofit organization based in Westchester NY with the mission to reflect the human experience, spark conversation, and inspire social change. You can learn more about RETCo’s productions and theatre education programming on the company’s website – https://www.riversedgetheatre.com/

I started working professionally as an actor almost 20 years ago while obtaining my BFA in Performance from Virginia Commonwealth University. My most notable stage work took place regionally on the stages of The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Co, The Shakespeare Theatre, Round House Theatre, Synetic Theatre, Olney Theatre in Washington DC, and Firehouse Theatre, Richmond Shakespeare Festival, and Theatre Lab in Richmond, VA. In NY I have performed at Theater for the New City, The Brick, and River’s Edge Theatre Company.

In addition to my creative endeavors as a theatre artist, I am also the owner of Mind Body Fitness NYC, serving clients in NYC and Westchester NY. I am an NSCA certified personal trainer, yoga instructor, and proud mommy to three beautiful children.

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

When creating my theatre company I wanted to go beyond creating entertaining programming. I wanted to make an impact in my community and beyond, so chose a mission that would help shape the kind of work we would do. River’s Edge strives to reflect the human experience, spark conversation, and inspire social change. Our shows usually tackle subject matter that is tough to tackle – climate change, gun violence, LBGTQ+ issues, gender equality, and mental health. We like to create work that is edgy and pushes boundaries (hence the name River’s EDGE). Not only to do dive into these topics to encourage conversations surrounding them, but we also give back to other non-profit organizations that are creating positive change in the world. Often we give 10% of ticket sales to a nonprofit that ties in to the theme or subject matter of the production. We have raised funds and awareness for the Innocence Project, Riverkeeper, Feeding Westchester, Family to Family, The LOFT LGBTQ+ Center… just to name a few. By starting conversations and providing concrete ways to make change, I take pride in my company’s mission and our impact. It expands far beyond what happens on stage.

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

Connection is the most rewarding aspect of being a theatre artist. Not only do I get to connect with other artists while collaborating on a show, but I get to connect to my community on a deeper level as well. Art stimulates community. It brings people together. It forges friendships. The connections I have made as an artist are invaluable and bring so much joy to my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.riversedgetheatre.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/i.am.meghancov/

Image Credits

Tiffany Hagler-Geard