Today we’d like to introduce you to T’Shauna Henry.
Hi T’Shauna, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Dance is my motivation. It’s been the foundation to everything that I’ve done and continue to do.
It’s hard to explain to anyone what I really do for a living because I do many things, and I love doing nearly everything. Nothing can be just straightforward or singular or linear for me, it all has to intersect because I have passions in different paths and crafts.
Dance, however, is always going to be present and prevalent in the work that I do for film, theatre and photography. It’s opened doors and gave me so many opportunities. And everyday, I’m thankful for it.
I’ve been thankful for it this year especially because it’s really allowed me to tap into my Debbie Allen and truly get more professional gigs, in which I feel like I’ve been seen and granted more of now in the midst of the pandemic than prior to it.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I know there’s some times when I wasn’t getting bookings or landing roles or gigs was because I wasn’t prepared enough for them. And now also realizing that I may not be the best fit even if my friends who are my readers for some of these auditions object and protest otherwise, and just the overall understanding that some things are not aligned for me.
I’ve already understood rejection and how to not take things personally in such a professional and competitive space. It’s a constant reminder everyday. However, I do say that those feelings of being overlooked or not taken seriously hurt. Even if I did get the part or am visible onscreen, onstage, wherever that still feeling like my presence, let alone my performance, had no impact, isn’t of importance or that nobody noticed, it stings when no one knows or even cares to learn or see who you are and what you bring to the stage or the table or even to the plate.
Everyone wants to be noticed, I don’t think anyone wants to draw so much attention to themselves, I’m 50/50 when it comes to it. I don’t mind it, but I know I’m not invisible unless I intend myself to be. So I think being able to finally step into those spaces where I can get more exposure and recognition, I still create spaces for me to step out and shine out and take up entirely.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
CreativiTEA MeTea EnterTEAment is a platform, company, and business I recreated as a way and means to showcase my artwork separately from myself individually. Most will know it as my photography page or business, but it’s more than that.
It’s live media production service, whereas dance is my foundation and motivation, I document dance photography, live music and theater performances, behind-the-scenes and promotional photography for film, and stylized or professional headshot portraits.
It’s a mouthful, but as I’ve stated I’m multi-hyphenated. I can’t help it that my interests are more than just one thing or field.
Recently, I’ve celebrated my business with its first anniversary as a licensed business as well as the 5th anniversary of its creation. And I’m proud that this platform has become something more than I’ve dreamed of, especially in a professional matter.
The mission is to continue to create that space for myself but also others who are looking for a creative way to express their creative visions. I’d like to help myself in my creative endeavors and others as well.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
I’m not going to lie, I enjoyed the rest. I loved that though it was unfortunate Thanos-like circumstances that everyone got to slow down and truly rest like they needed.
There’s also a growing intolerance to troubling work environments and behaviors that has sparked up, so I admire that everyone and myself included that grown to know that there’s some things we are above that we do not need to risk our energy and deal with.
I realized that there’s energies in work environments and relationships whether personal or professional that I have the power to decide moving forward how I want to engage with them.
That’s not to say work has to be easy, but it needs to be at some higher degree enjoyable whether if it’s for the passion, the people, or worth the profit.
Pricing:
- $25 BIRTHDAY (February) MONTH SINGLE LOOK SALE
- $125 Regular ONE LOOK Individual Portrait Session
- $150 Regular TWO LOOKS Individual Portrait Session
- $175 Regular THREE LOOKS Individual Portrait Session
- $75 SENIOR SESSION for Graduating Seniors
Contact Info:
- Email: tshauna@creativittea.com
- Website: www.creativittea.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/creativittea
- Facebook: Facebook.com/creativittea
- Twitter: Twitter.com/tshaymae
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCvAHZH54GXoVLVVrNoIv3dA
- Other: https://calendly.com/creativittea
Image Credits
Deanna G Media, Ariana Photography, Jeff Watkins, Chris Ponds, Arieanne Evans, Cayla Lamar.
