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

Sissa, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?

The first time I booked as a professional dancer I was the shadow of a trash can. Let me explain… In college, my dream company was Pilobolus, an innovative dance theatre company known for their strength and creative use of partnering. I had trained in summer programs with the company and auditioned for them shortly after moving to New York City. I was eventually cut from the audition and went on to continue my dance training at Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Center. Years later I was auditioning primarily in musical theatre and working a front desk job at a high end gym when a friend asked me if I was going to attend an open call for Pilobolus. I didn’t have anything going on after my shift so I said, “why not” and printed my resume out on the front desk printer. I showed up to the audition and ended up making it through every round over two days of callbacks. The company called a week later inviting me to shoot a commercial utilizing shadow projection movement for a heart implant device. The setting for the commercial was in a doctor’s office, and on my very first day I portrayed the shadow of a swing top trash can. It was the happiest moment of my young creative life. Often times, dancers have their ‘dream show’ or job or company. Mine came and went and then when I wasn’t looking came true. This experience supports the idea that what is meant for you will not pass you.

Sissa, 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?

I am a professional dancer and creator based in New York City where my day to day life includes auditioning, performing, educating, training, and sharing my pursuit of ‘the dream’ on social media. I am originally from Abita Springs, Louisiana, where I trained from a young age in many styles of dance, theatre, acrobatics, and circus arts. I was able to further my dance training at Indiana University and The Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Dance and Kinesiology.

My career in professional performance has afforded me the opportunity to travel the world! Some of my favorite credits include: In The Heights feature film, Amazon’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Disney’s The Little Mermaid at Syracuse Stage, Guys & Dolls at The Fireside Theatre, Elf the Musical at The Argyle Theatre, Pilobolus, Porsche Shanghai, MGM, RWS, Choice Hotels, Southwest Airlines, FX’s American Horror Story: Freakshow, AMC’s Roots, and HBO’s The Righteous Gemstones!

I am currently the Director of Operations for the Commercial Dance Intensive, on faculty at Broadway Dance Center teaching acro and heels technique, a 10 year + member of Dance Masters of America, a founding member of the Choreographers Guild, and a member of Actors’ Equity Association.

I am known in my community for posting audition recaps on social media and as the informal “mayor of the holding room” at New York City auditions.

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

Professional dancers oftentimes lead a freelance lifestyle auditioning day in and day out. We continually throw our hats into the ring after hearing ‘no’ %90 more often than ‘yes’. Imagine going in for a job interview that you nailed and never hearing back from the company. We do this 3-5 times a week during peak audition season and simply show up the following week for a new round of casting directors. I can openly say that I auditioned for 5 years without a single musical theatre booking, and now, 4 years and a few dream jobs later, I am a member of Actors Equity Association and am finding myself in rooms for Broadway callbacks. Auditioning IS the job and the contract is the reward earned through resilience.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Hands down the educational resource that has made my career a reality is the one and only Commercial Dance Intensive. This program was created by my mentor Casey Noblett in 2014 to expose dancers to everything they need outside of their talent in order to succeed in the professional industry. So much of my personal growth and achievement as a professional dancer is directly related to the experiences and information shared at CDI. At its core, this program exists to foster the artistic individual and, in turn, strengthen our industry as a whole.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sissastrain.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sissa.strain
• Youtube: https://vimeo.com/sissastrain1
• Other: https://www.commercialdanceintensive.com/

Image Credits
1: Antelmo Villarreal 2: VIBEXVISUALS 3: Antelmo Villarreal