We’re looking forward to introducing you to Grace Pitts. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Grace, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
Honestly, I think a lot of people misunderstand just how real the entertainment industry is. From the outside, it can look like a fun hobby—people performing, creating, rehearsing—but behind all of that is a full business with budgets, deadlines, operations, marketing, and an entire ecosystem that has to run smoothly for anything to happen onstage or onscreen.
I started as a dancer/actor and even got my BFA in Acting, and people love to joke about that degree or treat it like it’s not serious. But that training has been one of the most useful tools I have. It taught me how to promote myself, how to communicate clearly, how to adapt quickly, and how to work with all types of people under pressure. And now that I’m working on the operational side of a theatre, I see even more clearly how valuable that background is.
What people really misunderstand is that entertainment isn’t just ‘play.’ There’s real strategy, planning, and business work happening every day. Shows don’t magically appear—there are teams handling logistics, fundraising, budgeting, scheduling, outreach, and problem-solving constantly. And my acting background actually helps me be better at all of that, because I understand both sides: the creative and the administrative.
So when people think the industry is just fun or silly, I always want to say, ‘You have no idea how much work and business goes into creating the thing you enjoy.’ It’s a real career and a real industry, and it takes serious skills to keep it running.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Absolutely! My name is Grace, and I’ve spent most of my life in the entertainment world. I ended up going to college for that passion and for a long time I really saw myself under that one umbrella—‘performer.’ That was my identity. But over time, especially as I started working behind the scenes in film & theatre , I realized that my interests and my abilities stretch way beyond performance.
Right now, I’m leaning more into the creative and operational sides of the industry—the parts I’ve always found fascinating but never really gave myself permission to explore. I’m learning that I’m capable of a lot more than I used to think. Whether it’s helping run a season announcement, supporting the behind-the-scenes planning, promoting projects, or coordinating the many moving pieces it takes to keep a theatre running, I’ve discovered I really thrive in these spaces.
What makes my story unique, I think, is that I’ve lived on both sides of the industry. I know what it feels like to be the performer giving everything on stage or on screen, and now I also understand the enormous amount of work it takes offstage to make that moment possible. That perspective helps me connect people, communicate clearly, and approach problems with creativity and empathy.
I’m still early in this next chapter, but I’m excited. I’m exploring, learning, and building a career that blends the creative heart I’ve always had with the operational side of entertainment that I’m finally letting myself step into. And honestly, that mix is what makes this journey feel really special.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
I can’t really point to just one person who taught me the most about work. I feel like every single person I’ve encountered in this industry has taught me something. That’s one of my favorite parts about working in entertainment—everyone brings something different to the table.
When you work with creatives, you never stop learning. One person teaches you how to communicate better, another shows you how to stay calm under pressure, someone else inspires you with the way they approach a problem or a story. It’s like the industry constantly hands you these little lessons without you even realizing it.
So instead of having one ‘teacher,’ I’ve just had this long, ongoing collection of people who’ve shaped me—coworkers, directors, actors, designers, stage managers, even interns. Everyone has something unique to offer if you pay attention. And that’s honestly what I love most about this work.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
All the time. In this industry, you really have to build a thick skin because rejection is just part of the job. There were definitely moments where I thought, ‘Why am I doing this? Is this even worth it?’ But every time I got knocked down, something in me refused to stay there.
What I’ve learned is that rejection isn’t the end—it’s a redirect. It pushes you to get better, to try something new, or to walk into a room you never would’ve walked into otherwise. And it’s usually after those really hard moments, the ones where you almost tap out, that something even more amazing ends up happening.
I don’t think anyone finds success by giving up. You just keep going, even when it’s frustrating or discouraging, and suddenly you look back and realize how far you’ve come. That’s what’s kept me moving.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
No—not completely. And honestly, I don’t think anyone’s public version is the full ‘real’ them. Everyone has things they struggle with privately that the world never sees. Most of what people show publicly is a highlight reel—the best moments, the confident parts, the things that feel polished.
But I will say that I’m pretty authentic. I try to keep it straight up and be myself in whatever space I’m in. I’m not great at pretending to be something I’m not. So while the public version of me isn’t the whole me, it’s definitely a true piece of me. I just think there are layers to all of us that don’t always make it onto the surface.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
Yes, absolutely. I feel like I’m someone who’s always trying to outdo myself. I’ll work really hard for something, finally get it, and it feels amazing in the moment—but then almost immediately I’m thinking, ‘Okay… what’s next? How do I go bigger?’ It’s not that I’m ungrateful, it’s just that I’m constantly chasing growth.
Sometimes that drive can make it feel like what I accomplished isn’t enough, even though it absolutely is. I’m learning to appreciate the wins without immediately putting pressure on myself to top them. But yeah, there have definitely been times where I got exactly what I wanted, and instead of feeling satisfied, it just made me hungrier for the next thing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gracejpitts.com
- Instagram: @gracejpitts & @gracepittscreative
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracejpitts
