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

Tyler , appreciate you joining us today. 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?

Over the past year and a half, I’ve had the opportunity to make a full-time living from my creative work. My journey to working in my career full time was me learning my worth. It took years of me doing free gigs though. Some of the significant steps and milestones were refusing to work for free which meant turning opportunities down and I feel like I could have sped up that process by learning how to say no earlier on in life.

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 back background and context?

I am a recent alumnus of The Aurora Theatre Acting Apprentice Company and I initially got into the industry as a dance teacher assistant; from there on I began to teach dance classes on my own at multiple dance studios and eventually taught privates. As someone who’s in the arts, I am my own business and my service was being a local choreographer; but now that I’ve also had a chance to do dance gigs as a performer, singing gigs, and acting gigs as well; I’d say that my product is now being a teaching artist and performer. My overall service is dance and theatre education. While I do believe in discipline, I also highly believe that there should be a balance of fun which is something I always bring into the environment when I’m working with clients. What sets me apart from others is my physical appearance. At first glance, you might think I play college football or might have a bit of an intimidating appearance, but if we were to have a conversation you’d see that I don’t bite, or if you were to see me onstage you might be surprised when you see me doing toe touches or singing at the top of my lungs.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

In my view, I feel that society can support artists and creatives by being interactive with what we share online. Meaning reposting, sharing, liking, and commenting or even streaming someone’s music. Buying tickets to shows helps, as well as buying merch, and following and subscribing to someone’s content.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Something I think non-creatives struggle to understand is why we simply must do what we do. The reason why I do what I do is because without entertainment, I wouldn’t have any other outlet to gain the confidence to be the full me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/btylerkidd/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookertyler.kidd
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/tmankidd
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcVUg4cchx7IKvK7nk3ky2A

Image Credits
The picture of me, on one hand, was taken by Madelyn Ducker. The Headshots were taken by Jillian Melko. The full body shot was taken by Jennifer Seven Meloy. The picture of me squatting was taken by Richard Brooks.