We were lucky to catch up with Molly Dakota recently and have shared our conversation below.
Molly, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
This year I’ve had the pleasure to work on multiple projects that truly warmed my heart as well as educated me.
The first of 2022 is celebrating my 3rd year on the cast of the Tampa Improv Troupe, “Living Mirror Playback Theater”. We volunteer to tell the story of anyone who’s in need of help. Social issues and empathy for all are our main specialties.
I then was extremely fortunate to work with an amazing woman and creative Fran Powers of Powerstories Theater. To portray 2 characters in the Irish play “Conspiracy of Silence: The Magdalene Laundries” by Anne McGravie. We were so valued as a cast that we worked with Ami Sallee our dialect coach along with Sarah Berland our stage combat coach. This was a strong ensemble of women and the lead actress’s real father portrayed her father in the play. It became my most meaningful project not only because we told the story of so many innocent girls that had been treated horribly and never allowed to get their justice, but because being a part of such a close-knit group of talented women both on the cast and production side really changed the way I have performed since.
Most recently, I’ve performed in 2 different one-act plays Directed by the fabulous creative Deb Kelley. Deb’s focus as a playwright and director is to pick pieces with meaning and true social issues. The first is at Powerstories “Voice’s of Women Festival” titled “My Body, My Voice” informing and questioning why women don’t have the choice to decide what they want for their bodies and Roe vs. Wade. The second being “Breast Advice” a collection of thought’s on breasts and the challenges of breast cancer. Deb’s big heart and amazing vision were so helpful in becoming the performer I am today.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My favorite projects and collaborators to work with have the focus of their art on connecting with people and relating. I believe everyone’s story deserves to be told! Whether it’s more your style to sit around the campfire telling stories to those you love or put them into your art or any other one of the many ways we can share our memories and emotions those stories need to be told. The more we know, the more we can understand how truly connected we all are. Everyone wants to be heard and feel love, I hope my art and performances evoke that.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I was always told to really cherish all of my work and make sure it’s as perfect as possible. Perfect to me really isn’t achievable. I had to change perfect to progress and I started to love my career again. Honestly, I started to love myself again. I started with Modeling because speaking on camera was nerve-racking when I didn’t even know how to move or even be in front of the camera. Once, I had my first 5 to 10 photoshoots at 18 I began to hate the way I looked. I would always ask to see all the pictures from every shoot and overanalyze each one wondering why I hated it. Little did I realize was totally unprofessional to ask, unnecessary altogether, and kind of crazy.
After, I learned how to be a professional on set as a model I began to get paid and published! I was so excited! My confidence and equally my talent started to grow. When I noticed I need to be relaxed and try my best not to focus only on perfection I took direction much better and actually enjoyed performing.
Seth Rogan said this best in an interview I heard this and it really clicked in my head “Don’t be too precious with your art.” He was talking about screenwriting and putting many ideas down instead of waiting for a perfect idea. I utilized this in my screenwriting, acting, music, videography/editing, modeling, and even auditioning it really helped me take away the fear and just perform. All you can give is your best not perfect!
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
As people, we need to maintain being happy over anything else. Especially, when we are working our dream jobs why take the fun out of it? This is something I’ve learned from listening to Joseph Pearlman’s idea’s on acting and building your dream career. He’s constantly stressing about having fun over everything else. Not ignoring that we need to work hard but that when you are working hard have fun doing it. I’ve spent the last 5 years instructing actors and models of all ages and I’ve noticed one thing over all good auditions and that was when someone is trying their best and having fun doing it because they are prepared.
When I was in school I would skip because my mom was causing problems for our family then the next day I would try to go in but I would feel guilty because I didn’t go the day before. Next thing I know it would be 4 days I hadn’t gone in and I would say I’ll go Monday then no one will remember. I was so worried about what others thought and what I hadn’t done thta I wouldn’t do what I wanted get educated. I learned after I dropped out junior year for 1 week then went to graduate early at a charter school close by. I am listed on my High School page as a success story now but I remember when I thought I wouldn’t even graduate. It’s never to late to love yourself and stop letting fear hold you back.
Nervous and excited feel so similar just decide to be excited. That’s also how I learned to love rollercoasters ;)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mollydakota.com
- Instagram: @mollydakotag
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mollydakota
- Twitter: Molly_Dakota
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-NmSW-1M7egCvwkHNMRwFA
- Other: IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10693369/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
Image Credits
Western Sky Productions