What brings you to life? *Part 2* The Thespian

The second of my passion-focused Q&A series from my blog post titled What brings you to life?

KRISSY JESUDASON 
Founder & Artistic Director of Phenix Arts 

My best friend since 9th grade, we know each other like the backs of our hands. We've been in love with Channing Tatum since "She's the Man" and comforted each other through bad break ups. We laugh hysterically at things no one else understands and pretty much even have our own language. She is a strong-willed, tough, and beautiful woman through and through. The blood, sweat, and tears that she's shed for her craft are truly astounding. Read more about Krissy and her upcoming projects on www.phenixarts.com and Facebook. 

What brings you to life? 

I think the easy answer here would be theatre and Shakespeare, but actually I think it’s actually more complicated than that because other things bring me to life too. For example, my other jobs in Food & Beverage, a good book, and kite surfing. I think what really brings me to life is self discovery and making connections with other human beings, and theatre and Shakespeare are how I pursue it. 

What do you love most about theatre/Shakespeare? 
Well the reason I love theatre, acting, and Shakespeare is because it’s the easiest way I make a connection with others. Through the stories I get to tell, dealing with other actors very intimately, and also knowing that the audience that is watching me is also trying to connect with the same story.

How long have you been into theatre/Shakespeare and how did you get into it?
Honestly, all my life. I think it took me a while to realize it though. When I did, I ran from it, denied it, and quit. But in the end I just kept coming back. 

What advice would you give someone who is starting out or thinking of getting into theatre? 
DON’T DO IT. I’m kind of kidding and kind of not. Having a career in theatre is HARD. You have to realise that as you grow up everyone else will be hitting certain milestones in their lives except you. While others are buying cars, houses, and raising children, you will probably still be looking for the next paycheck. You won’t be able to afford certain things like a balanced diet, a membership to the gym, and maybe even rent. So if you can do anything else…DO THAT INSTEAD.

If that little schpeel doesn’t deter you (as it didn’t me when I first heard it right after theatre school), my advice is to grow a thick skin. Be resourceful and think of yourself as an entrepreneur who is running a start-up. You are your business. What is your product? What is its value to others? How do you monetise it? What's your marketing strategy? Think outside the box and create your own mark. Learn a side craft and marketable skill to do on the side so you’re not waiting by the phone for your agent to call. Get out there and get busy. CREATE. 

How do you keep your passion for theatre/Shakespeare alive? Do you have any dull moments? If so, how do you get back on track and find it again? 
I surround myself with like-minded people. People from the theatre and acting as well as other industries, who are as ambitious and driven as I want to be. I run my own theatre company and most of the time it’s an uphill battle. A lot of the times I question why I’m doing this - Why theatre? Why acting? Why Shakespeare? Can’t I just give up? And then I remember that I’ve given up before, I’ve failed and quit before. And when I came back to theatre I found that my previous experiences and failures are now serving me very well because of what I’ve learned from them. Every failure only brings me knowledge, wisdom, and practical experience. The more experience I have the more qualified I am, regardless of my perception of failure or success. So I just keep climbing that mountain and if I succeed, great. If I fail, that’s good too because it means that I get to learn and apply it next time.

At this specific point in time, where in the world would you want to be and with whom? 
That’s a hard question because I know that to fantasize like that takes me away from where I am right now. For example, 5 years ago I would fantasize that I was a working actor doing plays, producing and teaching, and maybe even have a TV show. Low and behold, 5 years later I’m doing exactly that, which is great, but my life is not any easier than it was then. I’m just handling it better.

Sometimes I fantasize that I’m rehearsing Macbeth with the Royal Shakespeare Company but then I’ll think, "wait, how would that make me any happier than I am now?" I mean, yes it’s a wonderful opportunity and I would kill for it but…what I’m doing right now is pretty awesome too and I don’t want to miss out on that. If I start to fantasize about being somewhere else with someone else then it takes me away from everything I can accomplish right here right now. 

Watch Krissy on stage with fellow actor Zachary Ibrahim at Phenix Arts' first production BASH: Latterday Plays by Neil Labute showing 20-22 Aug 2015 at Orchard Central in Singapore. Buy your tickets now from TicketMash.

*All photos provided by Krissy Jesudason.