Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Taylor Windle. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Taylor, thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I have always considered myself wildly blessed to have always known what I was born to do and that is spend my life creating art that brings joy to others through both process and product. As a toddler, I could be found fully pressed up against the television dancing and singing along to movies like Anastasia and Quest for Camelot. As a child, I would spend my days creating musicals and plays with friends and family, operating as both director and performer. At 12, I got my first real gig as a choreographer and assistant director. I immediately was hooked. Seeing something that lives in your head come to life on stage is breathtaking. A fundamental belief that has carried me through life is that we are all created to create. In high school, I attended a competitive performing arts conservatory where I seized every opportunity to not only perform, but direct, write and choreograph. While it felt nice to win awards and be recognized for my talents, I quickly realized that there was no greater reward than the people I am leading feeling safe, joyful and able to truly tap into their artistic selves in under my direction. I began to develop a method of leading creatives in a way that feels good to all parties involved and offers a space to use the dramatic realm to heal from the stressful and sometimes traumatic experiences of teenhood. After surviving assault and an abusive relationship at 16, I choreographed a piece that represented the internal struggle of navigating the darkness of my experiences with the social pressure to fit in as an adolescent. The cast was full of dancers who had shared similar experiences and were invited to embody their story of survival in their movement. The results brought both the audiences and dancers to tears. This piece became the cornerstone of my professional life. I committed myself to a life of directing, teaching, choreographing and creating in a trauma informed, empowering way. To always work towards being the absolute best version of myself so I offer the best of me to all that trust me to lead them.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a director, choreographer, teacher, therapeutic theater practitioner, writer, LPCC candidate and drama therapist (almost). Above all, I am a storyteller, just like humans have been since the beginning of mankind, using the arts to build connections and transform lives! I have been performing since I was 6 years old and have 7 years of professional directing, choreography and teaching experience. I studied musical theater at CAP 21 Conservatory in NYC and graduated with a BA from CSULB in 2018. After graduation, I took on the role of Artistic Director for CMR and am enjoying being a part of their vibrant community. CMR is a non-profit that supports emerging artists with and without disAbilities and forges community connections through pop-up events and the arts. In the summer of 2022, I trained under the founders of a new form of drama therapy on its way to becoming the first evidence based practice of its kind: The CoActive Therapeutic Theater (CoATT) model. I am now a certified CoATT practitioner. Currently, I am in my final year at Lesley University working towards an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and drama therapy. In addition, I enjoy directing and choreographing musicals at Segerstrom, OCCT and more!
In my undergraduate studies, I was passionate about the transformative qualities of the arts and began working at and creating cutting-edge arts programs for diverse populations including recovering addicts, veterans, women survivors of intimate partner violence, and young adults with disAbilities. After graduating with my degree in theater arts, I started working with local non profits to bring the transformative and positive benefits of the arts to members of my community. My work with non profit organizations has allowed me to oversee a number of multidisciplinary teams in both in person and virtual settings. Being an artist during the pandemic taught me to remain open to new creative possibilities. I’ve mounted productions on zoom, in parking lots and small, local churches. The resilience gained during that challenging time carried me all the way through to our new normal. It led to the mounting of six bolder, brighter and bigger than ever productions I couldn’t be more proud of. During those productions, I created the Tailored Therapeutic Musical Theater model (TTMT) and I am currently writing my graduate thesis on this (stay tuned for publication in the Spring)!

Over the years, my time working at the Academy for the Performing Arts and Orange County Children’s Theater led me to develop a method of providing social, emotional and behavioral support to adolescents and young adults through therapeutic artistic interventions. By using a person centered approach to my work, I created learning environments where participants gained self confidence, developed intra/interpersonal skills, and felt seen as their authentic selves; all while putting on INCREDIBLE shows! Combining musical theater, mental health and wellness is my specialty.

I enjoy balancing life as a professional, an academic and a human. My passion for the arts is burning brighter than ever. I am committed to a lifelong pursuit of knowledge, social justice, and utilizing the arts to heal, connect, transform and inspire others.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

A mission of mine that drives my creative journey is to inspire other creatives to be cognisant of the incredible impact our work has on others and the self. The transformative quality of the arts means that the creative has a responsibility to wield these powers for the good of mankind. Sounds a tad dramatic but it’s true! Ask any creative, a common story you will hear is one where the arts figuratively and literally saved their life. They certainly saved mine. If the arts have the power to affect us on such a deep, positive level, they also contain the potential to cause harm. Approaching the work with intention and a commitment to do good means that we as an artistic community will hear less stories of people abandoning their creative pursuits due to traumatizing teachers and degrading experiences. We will hear more about the love of their artistic endeavors being nurtured and see more young creatives believing they, too can have a successful and fulfilling professional life as a creative.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

In March of 2023, I lost my father to suicide. I was in the middle of grad school, my first semester as a college instructor, teaching at Segerstrom and directing/ choreographing two productions. I had to make a choice. Do I let myself fall apart and give up on all the jobs that I find so fulfilling? Do I hide away from the world and isolate myself in my grief? OR do I chose to live. Do I continue to show up to my creative endeavors authentically and trust in my ability to be both human and creative? Do I trust in the arts and my community to both carry and walk alongside me in my darkness? I braved the ladder and was met with the most overwhelming amount of love. I have never felt such gratitude for the creative community my professional life has been blessed with. If I could give one piece of advice to an aspiring creative, it would be to show up to the work as you. There is no one that can do what you do because there is only one you. You, just as you are, is more than enough. No matter the darkness, the past or the pain, the arts are here for you. They will help show you the warmth, joy and light that exists in the world just as they constantly remind me. Resilience is a choice the arts allow you to make. They offer you a door that leads back to the best version of you. May you always remember that door is always there for you. The arts will forever be here to hold all the versions of you!

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hbtaytay15/
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-windle-36578021b