Today we’d like to introduce you to Diany Rodriguez.
Diany, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve been doing theatre professionally since graduating from college. Before that, I’d wanted to be an attorney… It makes sense, then, that my career and specific place as a professional in Atlanta has grown into more of an artist/activist. The older I get, the more important it is for me to do work I care about: Work that makes people think, or engenders empathy, or if I’m lucky, creates a lasting (positive?) impression in someone’s life. I find also that it has become important for me to do my part to help create an Atlanta with more mobilized artists. I never thought I’d be one of the people that other artists (emerging or otherwise) look to for guidance on anything from social issues to monetary compensation. I accidentally fell into that role, but I do it gladly, and with a strong sense of responsibility to the community. I want to help. I want to help, in the same way I have been, and continue to be helped.
Today, just as much as I’m looking up audition notices, I’m gathering audience demographics for a “do better” letter, or finding new and untapped talent on behalf of casting authorities, or gathering groups of artists to attend marches and rallies… All those things have made my career more full than I ever thought it would be, and more fulfilling than I could ever have imagined.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Ahahaha. No. Not “always” or even “often” easy…My career has been a series of happy accidents, (UN?) earned accolades, and burned bridges. I find it gross and off-putting to tell people that I accidentally became a member of the acting union, but I did. It’s equally disturbing to admit that my agents found me when they came to see me in a show. It’s gross. I had never even done film or tv. I only say that, because I also remember the solid two years after I became Equity, in which I did not book one union gig. Not one. I signed with my agency, then spent three years languishing in the land of “WILL THEY DROP ME BECAUSE I HAVEN’T BOOKED ANYTHING AND I DON’T REALLY GET AUDITIONS AND I DON’TREALLYKNOWWHATI’MDOINGCANTHEYTELL?!?!?!?!” In fact, in my first year with People Store, I remember calling them up and asking for an “advance” because I could not pay my rent. AN ADVANCE?! On WHAT?!?! Work I wasn’t getting?!?!?! By the way, that’s not a thing. Don’t do that.
I have so many examples like that. Throughout my career, there have been many times I had no idea what I was doing or where I was going. There are so many examples, in fact, that around once a year, I do a Facebook entry entitled “Diany the suuuuuuuuuuper human” in which I, in excruciating detail, outline the many foibles and ridiculosities that have made up my last year. It makes me feel better, and, I hope, helps others laugh at me and themselves. Our struggles are hard. They also make us who we are. You need struggles? I got em’.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
In general, I’m proud of the human I’ve become through my career path. I’ve gleefully made playing pretend a way to reach people, challenge people, and keep myself in check. I’ve been able to learn about parts of humanity I never would have otherwise, and I like to think, I’ve allowed that to inform the kind of human I want to be. Taking pride in one’s job is important. I take pride in the fact that my “job” has become so much more than collecting health insurance weeks. It has become so much more than learning how to do my performer taxes. It has become so much more than booking roles. My job has become striving for equity. My job has become opening up opportunities. My job has become listening to and learning from people who know more than me and then passing that information along to the next humans. My job has become doing what I can to make THIS JOB better and more accessible for the people who come after. I’m proud of that. I’d like to think that in the tiny little world I’ve carved out, people have begun to know and recognize that in me.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Luck will impact anything, you know? I will say, however, that showing up, being kind, and setting boundaries has impacted my career more than good or bad luck ever has.
Image Credit:
Casey Gardner, BreeAnne Clowdus, Chris Bartelski
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