We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shon Ruffin. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nahshon below.

Shon, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I went to college with the hopes of becoming a psychologist because I was fascinated with human behavior. I took a year off because I started to lose the desire to pursue that career. During that time off, I went to see a play in college and I remember crying because that was the study of human behavior that I loved. I said “I want to do that”. I wanted to create a space to escape and give justice to different people and their stories. I finally enrolled back in college as a Theater major and learned everything that I could to make it a career. I wasn’t sure what the path would look like but I knew as long as I had my passion and I was always willing to improve a career would shape itself.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Shon Ruffin from Kansas City. I have worked as a professional actor in this city for ten years. I have be a part of Actor’s Equity Association (actor’s union) for eight years. I am so proud that I live in such a supportive city that has given me opportunities to develop as a performer. Through college classes I began vocal lessons which peaked my interest to pursue a singing career along with Theater. I have done over 200 performances at this point and have sung for at least 100 weddings. After years of singing in Kansas City I found myself in three different bands. Most notably and recently being a part of The Freedom Affair band has been the most rewarding and fulfilling part of my career. This band has taught me so much about performing, touring, recording and the overall artistry. I get to share the stage with some of the most talented musicians in the area. One of my most proud accomplishments is finishing a 2 and a half month long run of Dreamgirls the musical and having the honor to play the iconic role of Effie White. Playing that character gave strength and confidence I didn’t know I needed. This was a dream come true and I put everything that I had into all 79 performances I had the privilege to do. Listen, eight shows a week is not for the faint of heart. I used that confidence to play Audrey II at KC Rep theater, playing a character most notably played by a male actor. That was a dream I didn’t know I had. After working in this city for 10 years I created a new dream- to start my own band. A band dedicated to celebrating the holiday season. I love the Christmas season so much and the opportunity to spread joy knowing it can be a difficult time for most. This year I created a business under my name and started The WinterWonder Band. I want to offer all the joy, laughter and musical entertainment as Mrs. Claus. I would have never guessed I would reach this point in my career to believe in my own dreams enough to pursue them. My late great grandmother used to call me her “working baby” because we didn’t come from money. I started working at the age of 16 to help family pay bills during hard times. Having 5 jobs over the college years and now being employed by 8 different jobs I work hard because I have to and I have a passion. I have been a shift manager at a sandwich shop, a student assistant, Walmart cashier, theater house manager, long time nanny, preschool teacher’s assistant, a server, a host, a receptionist, a Lyft driver, and many other jobs. These are jobs that I have done while also doing over 20 professional theater productions and other singing performances. I currently work full time as an administrative assistant at an accounting firm. I have an amazing employer that supports me as a performer. I will never give up and if I have to work a day job so I can pay for my performance needs I will. I’m happy that I have also had the opportunity to dabble in directing and currently an acting coach. My overall goal is to eventually have one job-as an entertainer and business owner. I want to take care of myself and friends or family in need. I keep working to make money and take it a day at a time because I know that whenever that happens I will look back and know that I earned it. I am using all of my resources and learning so many things creatively to improve my craft. I am so lucky to work and to also learn from other entertainers in the industry so that I can be the best I can be. I am very grateful to my family, this city and the people that have supported and provided these opportunities so I can fulfill my dreams and the dreams that I didn’t know I had.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding thing for me as an artist is knowing that my performance moved someone. I love when people have a sense of escape and can dive into a world that was created on stage. They can put away their phones for a few hours and take a ride. I love when people tell me about what they experience because of something they have seen me do. I love to see little black girls looking back at me from the audience and being validated and seen. I am able to take a piece of every character I have played and use every performance as a lesson to be better and to learn more about myself.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

When covid hit it was a hard time for so many people. But thankfully I started to enjoy a new craft and that was creating music videos. I did a few Broadway tunes and made videos that I released on my youtube. I learned how to create a story and to also have more fun. I bravely started making a larger presence on social media in a way I haven’t before.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shonruffin.com
• Instagram: Shon8diva
• Facebook: Shon Ruffin
• Linkedin: Shon Ruffin
• Youtube: Nahshon Ruffin
• Other: The Freedom Affair music can be streamed on all platforms (spotify, apple music.) New music videos out on Youtube.Nahshon Ruffin- you can find fun music videos that I started to create during covid.

Image Credits

The Freedom Affair photo by Dave Brick
Christmas Photo (with green fro) by Dave Brick
Brand Photos (pink dress and black dress) by Kimberlyeasterphotography (IG)

Performance photos was me as Effie White in Dreamgirls.

The photo of me in the plant as Audrey II from Little Shop of Horrors photo by KC Star