We were lucky to catch up with Rebecca Mansueto recently and have shared our conversation below.

Rebecca, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. 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?

Yes I have been able to earn a full time living from my creative work! It’s a very difficult endeavor in regards to following your purpose and for me that has always been entertainment. I made it happen by training very hard, particularly in dance when I was an adolescent and shortly after I began auditioning for jobs. My first major job was principle dancer and choreographer for the Locreado Dance Company in Sydney. An important step in earning a full time living from my creative work is diversifying yourself, that is I would work both as a performer and also a choreographer and teacher. Another major step was moving to Los Angeles to further pursue my career as a professional dancer. I believe this was pivotal as my sole purpose was to earn a full time living as a performer in the United States and when you whole heartedly pursue your dreams the results will show. It was here that I booked two shows for NYE in Vegas for EPLUS Productions, worked with world renowned choreographer Michael Rooney for a Sparkling Ice Water TVC and performed for Paula Abdul at the Professional Dancer’s Society Awards, worked as a dancer for Universal Studios Hollywood and entertainment company Karmagraphy among many other jobs. I don’t feel there is anything else I would have done to speed up the process as I applied myself and wasn’t afraid of rejection. Don’t be afraid of a no. If I’m being meticulous, perhaps steering away from perfection is advice I would have followed to speed up the process.

Rebecca, 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?

My name is Rebecca Mansueto and I am a multi disciplinary performer from Sydney, Australia. I got into the industry by first training at the prestigous school ‘Brent Street Performing Arts’ Sydney. Shortly after I started auditioning for performance work, more specifically dance in Sydney. I worked as a dancer and choreographer for The Locreado Dance Company and then as a dancer for then music sensation experience Pacha Sydney. To follow this I continued to pursue dance in the United States. I am a dancer however some of my work including my role as “Cha Cha” in the David Ian Production of GREASE the musical involved dance, acting and singing. This role is what I am most proud of as it allowed me to transcend my skills as a dancer into the platform of a musical that involves triple threat talent. It allowed me to express myself as a dancer through playing a character which was very rewarding. I feel that my versatility sets me apart from others as I have been fortunate enough to work as a performer in so many different areas including commercial, musical theater, company work, burlesque and arena sport. Some of my work that reflects this is dancer for the LA KISS arena Football team California, principle dancer for ‘The Eddies’ weekly burlesque show in Downtown Los Angeles and dancer for Synchronized swimming entertainment company Aqualillies.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

A story that illustrates my resilience includes my time spent in recovery after developing a chronic knee injury during my second contract as a dancer for Royal Caribbean. There were a few different physiotherapists who were telling me that I would never dance again. I was given the wrong guidance and I definitely feel that I started to fall into a dark place mentally. That was an unbelievably challenging time however, eventually with the right support and my tenacity I recovered and continued working as a performer again.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think non creatives will and have struggled to understand my journey as a creative in the sense of the dedication, time and investment of yourself that is involved in the performing arts. I may not spend the “9-5” hours working however the skills I have so deligently worked on and accrued my entire life have been necessary in order to perform a one and a half hour show and in some cases a just ten minute show! In my experience the job has been the easiest part, the hardest part is booking the job and that takes an enormous amount of drive and energy! This is what is misunderstood by non creatives.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.rebeccamansueto.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becca___marie/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaMarieMansueto/

Image Credits
Antony Raveenson Christian Whan