Check Out Akayla Breale Crawford’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Akayla Breale Crawford.

Hi Akayla Breale, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I got started in musical theater in high school, where I was raised in Huber Heights, Ohio. Performing quickly became something I knew I wanted to pursue, so after graduating, I moved to Atlanta to chase that dream. I booked a couple of theme park shows and was feeling like I was on my way, but life had other plans, and I eventually found myself stepping into corporate America and building a career in property management.
Over the next decade in the workforce, I moved around the country and had an incredible time experiencing different places, growing professionally, and meeting so many great people. But through all of it, that passion and pull to perform never really went away.

After seven years away, I ultimately relocated back to Atlanta with the intention of pursuing performing full-time. Then, after losing my job when the company dissolved, I decided to look at it as an opportunity rather than a setback. I figured if there was ever a time to bet on myself, this was it.

For the past year, I’ve been pursuing dance and musical theater professionally, balancing auditions with training and continuing to grow as an artist. At the beginning of the year, I had the opportunity to be part of a concert reading for a new musical, The Flirt Bar, and now I’m closing out my professional musical theater debut as part of Annie at the Aurora Theatre.

I’m also excited to jump into my next contract after Annie—a new musical called Erased the Musical, where I’ll be playing Pearl. I’m looking forward to continuing to audition, train, grow, and see where this next chapter—and taking that leap and betting on myself—will take me.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges has been learning how to balance pursuing this career with the financial realities that come with it. When I was working in corporate America, I had a comfortable salary and a lot more financial security. Now, I’ve had to take flexible jobs that may not pay nearly as well, but give me the freedom to audition, train, rehearse, and accept contracts when opportunities come up.
There have absolutely been moments when I’ve questioned whether I was making the right decision. There’s always that temptation to go back to the comfort of a corporate salary, but I know that kind of stability can come at the cost of the flexibility I need to pursue performing. I’ve had to remind myself that I didn’t leave that career because I couldn’t do it—I left because there was something else I needed to pursue.
Financially, there have been some really humbling moments. In the early days of this tea I did DoorDash to make ends meet, and there were days when money was so tight that I ate Chick-fil-A fries for the entire day while trying to get enough deliveries to cover my expenses. Those moments definitely tested me.

And then there’s the emotional side of it. Auditioning means putting yourself out there constantly and hearing “no” far more often than you hear “yes.” You can walk out of an audition feeling great and still not get the job, and after enough rejection, it’s easy to start questioning yourself. I’ve dealt with a lot of imposter syndrome—wondering if I’m talented enough, if I belong in these rooms, or if I’m really capable of making this career work.
During those moments, my faith in God has been a huge part of what keeps me grounded. I’ve had to learn to trust that His timing and plan for me may not always look the way I expect, and that a rejection doesn’t necessarily mean I’m on the wrong path. Sometimes it’s just a reminder to keep going, keep growing, and trust the process.
I’m also incredibly grateful for the support of my partner. Having someone in my corner who believes in me, especially on the days when I’m struggling to believe in myself, has made such a difference. There have been plenty of moments when I’ve needed that reminder that one “no” doesn’t define me or my future.
Ultimately, these struggles have made me more resilient. Every rejection, every difficult financial month, every DoorDash or retail shift, and every moment of self-doubt has forced me to get a little stronger and trust myself a little more. I’m learning that betting on yourself doesn’t mean you’re never scared or uncertain—it means you keep going even when you are.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m an actor, singer, dancer, and choreographer, with a passion for telling stories through multiple forms of performance. I’ve always loved being able to combine those different disciplines, and I think what sets me apart is that I’m a true triple threat. Also, I’m not just passionate about performing—I genuinely love the process of bringing a piece of art to life from the very beginning.

One of the things I’ve really enjoyed exploring is choreography and putting together creative concepts. I love thinking about the bigger picture: how movement, music, storytelling, visuals, and emotion can all come together to create something that connects with an audience. There’s something really fulfilling about not only being in front of the audience, but also helping shape what they experience from behind the scenes.

I’m especially excited for the future because I eventually would love to explore choreography and creative direction. I’ve dabbled in the past but I see that as a natural next step in my growth as an artist. I want to continue developing as a performer while also creating opportunities to be the person behind the vision.

What I’m most proud of is that I’ve given myself permission to pursue all of those parts of my artistry. I don’t feel like I have to put myself into just one box. Whether I’m acting, singing, dancing, choreographing, or developing a creative concept, I’m happiest when I’m creating and telling a story. I’m excited to see how I can continue expanding that and what I can build next.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
My view on risk is that if you want to pursue a dream, especially in an industry like this, you have to become comfortable with taking risks. There’s so much uncertainty in this career that waiting until you feel completely safe or secure can sometimes mean never taking the leap at all.

One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was choosing not to immediately find another traditional 9-to-5 after losing my corporate job. Instead, I completely changed direction. I started doing gig work and delivery apps, and eventually found a retail job that gave me the flexibility I needed to audition and train. It wasn’t necessarily the most conventional or secure path, but it allowed me to prioritize what I really wanted to pursue while still supporting myself.

A friend once said something to me that really changed the way I think about risk: “Worst case scenario, you’re in the same predicament. Best case scenario, it all works out.” That idea has stuck with me. I’ve realized that sometimes the bigger risk is staying in a situation simply because it feels safe, even when you know it isn’t where you want to be.

I don’t think taking risks means being reckless. To me, it means being willing to make a decision without knowing exactly how it will turn out, trusting yourself to adapt along the way. I believe that any decision is better than no decision, and that I can come back from anything. That mindset and my faith have given me the courage to keep moving toward the life and career I want, even when the path hasn’t been predictable.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @akaylabreale
• Other: Tik Tok: @akaylabreale