We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tasha Cash a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Tasha thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I took a big risk by moving from my childhood home in North Chicago, IL to Atlanta Georgia. I was living with my Mom, working two jobs as a Pharmacy Technician and CNA, when I made a decision to move to Atlanta to pursue my dreams I never spoke out loud about. I fell in love with Atlanta during the summers I would visit my cousin. Before I graduated high school I knew that’s where I wanted to live. The same year I was thinking about moving to Georgia, my cousin was preparing to go to college four hours away from Atlanta. You would think that would have stopped me from moving but it didn’t.

I shared with my Mom how much I fell in love with Atlanta and that I would live in my car sleeping in a Walmart parking lot until I got a job and my own place. She thought I was bluffing until she realized I wasn’t. We have all heard those “I lived in my car before I made it” success stories and lucky for me that wasn’t my story…well, my Mom made sure of that LOL. I can only explain why I felt so strongly about moving to Atlanta was my faith in God. Mind you I was praying about moving to Atlanta and God gave me the green light to move years before my decision. I believed everything was going to work out in my favor. And it did.

I was able to stay with a close friend of my mom’s (no sleeping in my car Lol). I resigned from both my jobs, packed my belongings, and that same week my Mom and I drove 11 hours to Atlanta. Did I have a lot of money saved up? Of course not. I had about $300.00 in my savings and a Master Card with a $500 limit (whew chile LOL). I was confident in knowing I was going to find a job within a week or two. It sounded crazy to some of my friends but I had already received confirmation from God. That’s all I needed and why I didn’t worry. It was on a Tuesday that I moved in with my Mom’s friend and I had an interview on Thursday, hired on Friday, and working on Monday!!! I can’t make this up. It was the beginning of me taking risks.

To fast forward to my journey of becoming an artist; from the time I arrived I hit the ground running. In between jobs, I performed my spoken word at open mics and worked on movie sets as an extra, sometimes paid, sometimes not, or paid through meals. Yep, meals only. I was so passionate about acting I didn’t care. I would call my Mom excited, telling her about working on a movie set and she would say, “that’s wonderful, did you get paid” but she was always supportive.  I would tell her it wasnt always about being paid but the exposure and gaining experience.  I understood her uncertainty but she was always (and is still) supportive.

I also became a Mom to my two beautiful heartbeats and that still didn’t stop me from pursuing my dreams. Was it easy? No. Many times I prayed and asked God if He wanted me to stop pursuing my acting dreams and each time I prayed, I would get booked for a gig or audition. That was my confirmation.

I knew this journey wasn’t going to be easy but I wanted to make sure I was following God’s voice and not my own. He reassured me over and over that I was on the right path. They say if you can figure it all out on your own then the dream isn’t big enough. Life is all about taking risks and I risked moving away from what was familiar (family, friends, jobs, relationships…) to the unknown and now I’m here.  I’m in the process of writing a book about my life story so stay tuned.

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 background and context?

My first play was in fourth grade where I had a very small part. Once I delivered my lines and heard the applause from the school it was a feeling I can’t explain. I knew at that moment that was it. Performing was it. Now prior to this I would imitate the soap operas I would watch with my grandma LOL. Once I moved to Atlanta I went to acting classes, showcases, workshops, read books, and joined the drama ministry at my church. Whatever I could do to gain as much acting experience, I did it.

One thing I’m proud of is that I didn’t give up. When I look back at everything I sacrificed and gained, the younger me wouldn’t believe it. My son and daughter also see that with hard work, determination, and God, what’s for you is for you.

What sets me apart is that I am ME. No one can be me but me. I worked very hard to get where I am and I am still working hard. It’s all about the journey and not the destination.
There is so much more I haven’t experienced yet as an actress, one being in an action film . I can see myself playing the villain. I also would love to be in a period piece film.

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

Being an Actress isn’t for the weak. What I mean is you get a lot of no’s in this business. You have to remember your “why” for pursuing this crazy dream and encourage yourself daily. It took me years on top of years before I booked my first speaking role. I also went a long time without an Agent. Those who know me knew when I was asked who my agent was, I told them God. I trusted that what He had for me was for me. Mind you when I got an agent, one of the things they noticed in me was my determination. I booked my first lead role on a National TV show without a (drum roll please) agent. Nothing is impossible with God and I do mean that!

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I would say have more publications like this shining the light on up and coming artists. Also by donating to local acting classes, workshops, and supporting independent films. Being an artist is a constant grind and you can go months without a paycheck or working on your next project. Any support is a benefit.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @beingtashacash
• Facebook: @beingtashacash
• Twitter: @beingtashacash

Image Credits
Derek Blanks