Brianna Rae Quinn shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Brianna Rae, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
I always call myself the queen of the side hustle, so every day truly does feel a little different.
By day, though, I am an 8th grade English teacher in the Cleveland, Ohio area.
I wake up at 5:30am every morning, grab a coffee and get ready for my day reading books, building critical thinking skills, and supporting the youth of America as they build the skills they need to mov out into the real world. I work until 3pm, and I’ll usually come home and take a quick break before heading off to make more art in the world.
Lately, that have been once or twice a week heading to a rehearsal for various princess balls as a professional character performer. We run songs, dances, and try on costumes. Another two or three days a week, I head to an Arts Center were I am a director for children’s productions. This alternates between music, blocking, and choreography for children around age 10.
On my days off, I like to wake up closer to 7am or 8am and write first thing in the morning. In the same way that people like to work out first thing in the morning to feel a sense of accomplishment, I like to knock out a chapter or vignette for whatever book I’m currently working on. Right now, that is a memoir. Then I’ll take the remainder of the day and commit to making something— maybe that’s a new digital item for my Etsy shop, or a video for my YouTube channel. I like the ride the high of my accomplishment as long as I can!
I love that my days are always changing and never “normal” with a hint of routine from my “9-5” to keep myself focused and grounded. It allows me the flexibility I need to create otherwise.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a full-time English teacher by day, and a part-time “everything else” by night. I do not have a specific niche, but I love to create. I have a YouTube channel, BrieIY, where I highlight my experiences creating all the things from crochet, to paint, to engravings, to processes for my books, and making props and costumes for my plays!
I am an author of six published books, three novels, and three poetry collections, and I’m currently writing my memoir.
I am also a performer— I’m a character actress, stage actress, singer/dancer, and children’s director in the local theatre community. I just love to make and create art, and I will always find a way to do it!
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
This is a special question that I’ve been exploring a lot as I’ve begun writing my memoir. Before the felt the expectations of the world, I felt a strong sense of self-assurance before anything else. I valued not just intelligence, but a genuine love of learning that I was lucky enough to be able to get back to after years off feeling a sense of failure and mediocrity. I always considered myself creative, before anything else, I loved to write and read. Words held so much meaning to me.
I began changing myself for the world around me when I found lessening space for a girl with confidence and high expectations. I was the girl who was called “bossy”, and I dealt with that by steering too hard into the skid and becoming a bit of a bully. I tried to speak my will into the world to continue to feel “special”.
I’m proud to say I’ve undone a lot of that work in myself and focus more now on being the type of person I’d want to be friends with, and restoring my confidence through those same words that held meaning to me. I use my words to communicate love, power, empathy and honesty, and I hold fast to the notion of never saying anything without intention. I believe and manifest through everything I say, taking both pride and accountability in my words.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Self-awareness, above all else.
As a teacher coach for a few years, I learned a lot about adults and the way their perceptions of themselves can be warped.
The philosophy of coaching is that everyone needs a coach because you cannot watch yourself perform, or otherwise exist.
Feeling somewhat isolated from the world at times after a series of rejections forced me into a situation of self-coaching. This often requires objective measures and means to watch yourself perform, like videos and audio recording.
I find immense value in trying multiple methods to achieve results, recording, and comparing those results to have the desired effect of impact. If I always had access to resources like professional coaches, or supportive networks of friends, I’m not sure I would have learned how to be comfortable self-assessing and constantly improving, even when there is no one watching.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
Contrary to the optimist in me, I do believe there are some dreams that just don’t come true. In the performance industry, there are absolutely limitations on what can and cannot be done. If I cannot hit the notes to perform a certain role, I most certainly will not be cast in that role. While there are some opportunities for “miscasts” or even key-changes, many companies aren’t willing to take that risks in a time where live performance is not as popular or valued.
On the flip side of this, I think success often comes from finding a niche. That does not mean there will never be times to expand outside of that, but becoming known for excellence in one area is absolutely a stepping stone into greater success.
Maybe I’ll never be able to belt as high as some performers, but that does not take away from my abilities in other areas, and it does not stop me from improving, even if certain wants are a bit unrealistic. Success is still success, even if it’s not surreal.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
Probably that finances do not equate success. Many of my artistic choices and projects have not yielded a large profit, but they have filled my cup so high. I’m overflowing with a sense of pride and accomplishment in knowing what I’ve achieved and in spite of a variety of obstacles, or conflicting priorities.
Even working full time, I’ve been able to live the life of a performer, an author, and a creator, all in tandem. Being able to indulge in all the things I love, even just a little, is so incredibly worth the exhaustion. And the money I do make can subsidize my ability to continue creating, even if its not a living on its own, and that’s really all I wanted or needed.
Contact Info:
- Website: Http://briannaraequinn.com
- Instagram: @missbriannaquinn
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Brianna-Rae-Quinn-Author-100084625066716/
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/brieiy
