Jessica Lynn Johnson, Author at NoHo Arts District - Theatre, Food, Bars, Shopping and a buzzing community.

Creating Boundaries as a Solo Artist

Jessica Lynn Johnson — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 14:31:59 +0000

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – In this month’s Soaring Solo blog, Jessica Lynn Johnson talks about “Creating Boundaries as a Solo Artist.”

“Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves even when we risk disappointing others.” – Brene Brown

Solo artists are a special breed.

Unlike most of humanity, we willingly choose to courageously share our highs, lows, loves, and losses in front of friends, family, and even total strangers.

This act of bravery can cause the misconception that we are open books and that the door is always open to our inner and outer world.

While being an artist does have a great deal of responsibility attached to it, it does not mean that we are giving away our right to privacy and boundaries simply because we boldly chose to write and perform an autobiographical one-person play.

In this month’s blog, I’ll suggest three ways of creating boundaries as a solo artist so that you maintain a strong sense of self and safety throughout your solo journey.

Let’s dive in!

Do NOT share it all.

As a truth teller, you might feel pressure internally or externally to “tell all” in order to have a really inspiring and entertaining solo show.

Yes, it is so powerful and freeing to speak our truth from stage. Bravely expressing ourselves honestly and authentically can be riveting and transformative for ourselves and for the viewer.

However, the fact is, the stories we tell in our solo art can have an impact on our reputation, relationships, livelihood and many other areas of our lives.

For example, if we are venting about the dysfunctional dynamics in our current work environment, that could possibly negatively impact our job. If we reveal a private disagreement we had with a friend, lover or family member, that loved one may feel betrayed and the relationship could suffer. If we talk about a traumatizing incident we survived, but are not healed from yet, we may later feel emotionally dysregulated and overexposed.

All of that said, it is up to you alone to determine what you are ready to share in your show. You do not owe the audience your deepest secrets, your hardest traumas, or your most embarrassing and regrettable moments. After you have assessed the possible outcomes of sharing particular content, you alone are equipped to make the judgment call as to where to draw the line between oversharing and healthy self expression.

Do NOT let the audience overstep

Once we share our stories from stage, the audience can make assumptions about what you are willing to talk about off stage.

For instance, you might be chatting with people post-show and an audience member might want you to expand upon a certain story that you told in your performance. They may have intrusive questions to ask or declarations to make about you and your life. Never feel pressured to answer, expand, or engage if you do not feel at peace about it. Simply because they bought a ticket and spent an hour of their lives supporting your art, that does not entitle them to an all-access pass to your inner world. Politely thank them for supporting your work while enforcing a boundary.

You may even realize that after leaving your blood, sweat, tears and truth upon the stage, you don’t have anything else to give after the curtain goes down. In fact, you might need to switch gears entirely and talk about anything other than the subject matter in your show. It is perfectly fine to say that you need time to recuperate and cannot engage deeply after your show.

You could also experience audience members who want to trauma-dump all over you because they related to aspects of your story. While it can sometimes be very meaningful to bond with someone after your show, it may also be too much for you to take on unless you happen to be a professional therapist. Even then, you are not obligated to do an impromptu therapy session in the theatre lobby.

Taking all of this into consideration, you might include a trigger warning in your promotional materials to responsibly forewarn your audience about any sensitive subject matter so that they are not blindsided or retraumatized. You can also list resources in your program for further healing, counseling and education about the content in your show if it is of a traumatic nature. This way, if you are confronted by a very emotional audience member, you can gently refer them to the program resources and lovingly wish them well while maintaining your personal boundaries.

Do NOT take in all feedback.

Everyone loves to tell you how your solo show can be improved. Humorously, the most unwarranted advice tends to come from people with zero experience in solo theatre, acting or writing.

Other times, we may have highly talented and informed members of our audience who actually do know the genre of solo theatre and therefore feel it’s their duty to give you notes after the show.

Regardless of one’s level of knowledge of solo theatre, no one has the right to spew their opinions on you if you don’t wish to receive them.

Be mindful of who you invite into your creative collaboration. Not everyone has your best interest at heart, nor the professionalism to be of service to you and your project.

If someone launches into “constructive criticism” after your show, and you do not want their input, you have the right to draw a boundary. For example, you could say, “Thank you so much for coming to support the show. I am really not in the headspace to receive feedback right now, but if I change my mind, I will reach out.” It might feel awkward for you to be this direct, however your wellness as a solo artist, and a human being, is worth it.

Of course, there are many other boundaries that can be created as solo artists, but I think this is enough to chew on for today.

I hope this month’s blog on creating boundaries as a solo artist helps you to assess your own comfort levels as a solo artist so that you can feel safe on and off stage.

Please continue to persist along on your solo journey. It may not be easy, but it is so worth it!

Jessica Lynn Johnson
Founder & CEO of Soaring Solo LLC
SoaringSoloArtist@gmail.com
www.SoaringSoloStudios.com

Enjoy these Solo Theatre Resources to Further Guide You on Your Solo Journey!

Tune in and support the Soaring Solo Community as we share our stories from stage!

Award-winning director and developer Jessica Lynn Johnson hosts a slew of powerful solo show script readings and full staged productions addressing various impactful and inspiring topics.

This enticing lineup can be found by CLICKING HERE FOR MORE INFO.

Start Writing Your Own Solo Show One Freewrite at a Time With “FREEWrite Friday”!

Join BEST NATIONAL SOLO ARTIST WINNER Jessica Lynn Johnson for FREEWrite Friday!

Utilizing thought-provoking writing prompts, Jessica will lead you in writing exercises that are sure to assist you in the development of your solo show.

A one-person play is not typically written in one fell swoop. Rather, the Soaring Solo Methodology teaches that the creation of solo art is much like that of creating a Mosaic…one beautiful piece at a time.

All that is required to attend this inspiring event is a willingness to explore, having a pen, paper, or some other means of capturing your thoughts, the ability to access Zoom, and signing up on this page as your official RSVP.

We look forward to having you join the Soaring Solo Community in this event because your story matters!

CLICK HERE TO RSVP and obtain the Zoom link and password.

Attend the Soaring Solo FREE One-Person Play Development Class ONLINE!

No matter where you are in the creation of your solo show, idea phase, curiosity phase, full draft written, touring the festival and college market, BEST NATIONAL SOLO ARTIST and founder of Soaring Solo, Jessica Lynn Johnson, will meet you where you are at and take you to the next level! All that is required to attend is a willingness to explore, a pen, and some paper. No previous writing or performance experience necessary, and no need to have written anything to bring to class. Each week Jessica will guide you in exercises to help generate and stage NEW material! So come and meet other creatives in a supportive space for expression and exploration! The class is ongoing and so you may pop in and out as you please as long as you RSVP BY CLICKING HERE for this FREE ONE-PERSON PLAY CLASS.

Schedule an Online Coaching Consultation

Schedule an Online Coaching Consultation with Jessica Lynn Johnson to discuss the possibilities for your solo show!

Jessica brings her 15+ years of solo theatre expertise to work privately with solo artists from all over the world on an as needed basis.

A 1 on 1 Consultation is for you if…

-You are curious about creating a solo show, but you need writing prompts to help you generate material.

– You are tossing around ideas for your solo show, but you need some accountability and encouragement to commit those ideas to the page.

-You have already written some material, but you need expert feedback on editing, story structure and play formatting.

-You have a great first draft, but need guidance on how to utilize multimedia and solo theatre technique in order to make your show a dynamic piece of solo theatre.

-You already premiered your solo show and now you want some tips on how to tour colleges and festivals, and garner accolades and great reviews!

-You have heard great things about Jessica’s work and you’re curious about hiring her as a Director & Developer for your solo show, but first, you want to feel her out and see if she is the right fit for you and your project.

Wherever you may find yourself on your solo journey, Jessica will help you overcome whatever immediate obstacle stands between you and your solo success.

If you resonate with many of the things on this list, then take the next step by emailing SoaringSoloArtist@gmail.com for more information.

The post Creating Boundaries as a Solo Artist appeared first on NoHo Arts District - Theatre, Food, Bars, Shopping and a buzzing community..

Spring Cleaning for Your Solo Show

Jessica Lynn Johnson — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 23:17:42 +0000

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – In this month’s Soaring Solo blog, Jessica Lynn Johnson talks about “Spring Cleaning for Your Solo Show.”

“Spring is far more than just a changing of seasons; it’s a rebirth of the spirit.” – Toni Sorenson

This time of year, flowers begin to bloom, trees regain their leaves, and people everywhere whip out the Windex to kickoff their spring cleaning!

I love the fresh start that this season offers, and I really enjoy decluttering my space to make room for new things to come in.

Spring cleaning can also be an effective activity for solo artists to do in order to refresh their creative lives. It provides an opportunity to evaluate the clutter that stands between us and our s show goals.

In this month’s blog, I’ll suggest four spring cleaning tools for your solo show that you can utilize to be a powerful and productive solo artist.

Declutter Your Mind

One of the worst enemies of the creative process is a cluttered mind. This spring, I want you to start paying attention to the voices in your head that are causing clutter, confusion and chaos.

Do you hear fear pointing out all of the things that could go wrong along your solo journey? Is unworthiness whispering to you that you don’t have a story worth telling? Maybe your inner critic is convincing you that you don’t have the talent or work ethic to pull off a powerful solo show.

Whatever the inner voices are telling you, one thing is for sure, they are loud and taking up precious square footage. Most importantly, they are standing in the way of you being able to hear the voices of your creative intuition, your muses, your passions and your purpose.

So, how do you learn to disempower and quiet these damaging voices?

First, try meditating. I personally enjoy guided meditations to really help focus my mind in a more positive direction. However, silent meditation can be very impactful as well. Meditation enables you to be still enough to hear the harmful broken record playing in your head every day. Identifying the lies these voices are saying will empower you to discredit them.

Next, try journaling. Freewriting can be an awesome way to purge on the page. Sometimes all we need to do is dump the bad thoughts onto a piece of paper. Then we can proceed with more openness to our creative flow.

Lastly, play with personification. By this, I mean turn the voices into characters and write a monologue or a scene from their perspective. Let it rip! Not only is this exercise going to render great content for your solo show, but it will also allow you to delineate these toxic voices from your inner truth.

Let Go of Narratives That No Longer Serve You

Have you ever heard yourself telling someone a story about your life and midway through telling them, you realize how bored you are by your own story? Perhaps this is a story you’ve told over and over again for years and it no longer has that same spark.

Or maybe you have been researching and sharing about a particular topic for many years and suddenly you become aware that you are no longer passionate about the subject matter.

Whether you are bored or have simply outgrown certain narratives and topics, it’s important to remember that YOU are the writer and performer of your solo show. Therefore, you get to decide when you edit out certain content, add new, more enticing storylines or simply retire one show and embark on another.

Don’t let your solo art become stale. Stay curious and take risks. Creativity is messy and it’s infinite. So, don’t hang on to something that no longer serves you because you are afraid that is the best you’ve got. I promise you, your creative well runs deep.

Sometimes a little experimentation is in order to shake things up and keep things interesting. Let yourself fall on your face. You’ll be able to get back up and keep going until you find your way.

Release Resentments

When we store unforgiveness, bitterness and resentment inside, we block our creative flow, energetically speaking.

Sometimes that looks like portraying a character in your solo show with so much judgment that the character feels like a one-dimensional villain. Other times it looks like expelling so much negative energy toward a person or a situation that we simply don’t have the bandwidth to be creative, let alone write and perform a solo show.

So, do your forgiveness work. Let things go that are taking up space within you and make room for all of the creative downloads that are waiting to come in.

Clear Your Calendar

Your solo show isn’t going to magically write and perform itself. You must make time for it. This spring, take a look at your to-do list, reflect upon your other commitments, examine your schedule closely and see what you can clear out in order to make time for your creative expression. Being creative is part of your overall health and wellbeing as a human, so don’t keep letting everything else take priority over it. You and your story are worthy of dates and times on your calendar that are claimed, protected and utilized.

I hope today’s “Spring Cleaning for Your Solo Show” blog helps you to dive into some serious “cleaning” as a solo artist so that your solo show goals can truly blossom.

Please continue to persist along on your solo journey. It may not be easy, but it is so worth it!

Jessica Lynn Johnson
Founder & CEO of Soaring Solo LLC
SoaringSoloArtist@gmail.com
www.SoaringSoloStudios.com

Enjoy these Solo Theatre Resources to Further Guide You on Your Solo Journey!

Tune in and support the Soaring Solo Community as we share our stories from stage!

Award-winning director and developer Jessica Lynn Johnson hosts a slew of powerful solo show script readings and full staged productions addressing various impactful and inspiring topics.

This enticing lineup can be found by CLICKING HERE FOR MORE INFO.

Start Writing Your Own Solo Show One Freewrite at a Time With “FREEWrite Friday”!

Join BEST NATIONAL SOLO ARTIST WINNER Jessica Lynn Johnson for FREEWrite Friday!

Utilizing thought-provoking writing prompts, Jessica will lead you in writing exercises that are sure to assist you in the development of your solo show.

We look forward to having you join the Soaring Solo Community in this event because your story matters!

CLICK HERE TO RSVP and obtain the Zoom link and password.

Attend the Soaring Solo FREE One-Person Play Development Class ONLINE!

Schedule an Onlinbe Coaching Consultation

Schedule an Online Coaching Consultation with Jessica Lynn Johnson to discuss the possibilities for your solo show!

Jessica brings her 15+ years of solo theatre expertise to work privately with solo artists from all over the world on an as needed basis.

A 1 on 1 Consultation is for you if…

-You are curious about creating a solo show, but you need writing prompts to help you generate material.

– You are tossing around ideas for your solo show, but you need some accountability and encouragement to commit those ideas to the page.

-You have already written some material, but you need expert feedback on editing, story structure and play formatting.

-You have a great first draft, but need guidance on how to utilize multimedia and solo theatre technique in order to make your show a dynamic piece of solo theatre.

-You already premiered your solo show and now you want some tips on how to tour colleges and festivals, and garner accolades and great reviews!

Wherever you may find yourself on your solo journey, Jessica will help you overcome whatever immediate obstacle stands between you and your solo success.

If you resonate with many of the things on this list, then take the next step by emailing SoaringSoloArtist@gmail.com for more information.

The post Spring Cleaning for Your Solo Show appeared first on NoHo Arts District - Theatre, Food, Bars, Shopping and a buzzing community..

Branding Yourself as a Solo Artist

Jessica Lynn Johnson — Sun, 23 Feb 2025 19:08:33 +0000

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – This month’s Soaring Solo blog talks about “Branding Yourself as a Solo Artist.”

“Your business is the body. Your brand is the soul.” -Ashley Chymiy

As a solo artist, you likely see yourself as an actor and a writer, but do you also see yourself as a business person?

Well, unless you are solely performing your solo show as a form of creative expression with no concern about the financial or career-building aspects of producing art, then yes, you are a business person. And every business person must give thought to their brand.

Having to consider your brand as a solo artist, might make you throw up a little in your mouth. The notion of selling art can feel like selling your soul. Yet, in today’s blog I invite you to reframe the idea of branding yourself as a solo artist and learn to find your authenticity in the business side of show business.

Let’s dive in with four tools you will need in successfully branding yourself as a solo artist.

Create Promotional Materials

There are many things that fall under the umbrella of promotional materials, and these items are a very important aspect of branding yourself as a solo artist. After all, things like your merchandise, postcards, flyers, graphics and posters represent you and your show to the world even when you are not physically in the room. What do these items say about you? Do your materials reflect your show’s overall vibe?

The last thing you want is for someone to pick up your postcard, be enticed to go see your show, and then walk out of the theatre feeling like it was false advertising. You want to deliver what your brand promises.

So, how do you do this?

First, you want to get in touch with your own creative intuition which holds priceless insights and ideas. To tap into that space within, I suggest that you really slow down, and get into a quiet and meditative state.

Ask yourself what the personality of your show is? Is it a quirky comedy or a dark comedy? Is it a drama? Is it a family show or is it sexy and provocative? Is it a social justice piece or a coming-of-age story? Is it a real tearjerker or a piece of historic edutainment?

Next, ask yourself what colors come to mind when you think of the world of your show. Is it light and airy or dark and sinister? What images do you envision that encapsulate the world of your show? Do you see bold neon shapes or natural outdoor elements? Do you see yourself? If so, what are you wearing? What are you doing?

Another great exercise is to create a vision board of sorts for your solo show. You can do this on sites like Pinterest or you can go the old school route grabbing a bunch of magazines, a posterboard, some scissors and glue and start cutting out anything you see that speaks to you.

The point is to be uniquely you with every piece of promotional materials. Don’t try to please others and certainly don’t pretend to be something you are not. Authenticity is key.

Here are some show graphics illustrating a myriad of unique styles that other solo artists have chosen to represent their brand.

Build a Website

I often get asked if a solo artist should make a website for themselves or for the show or both. I look at it like this, your solo show is just one aspect of you as a creative person and as an artist.

It is likely that you have other skill sets in addition to your solo show. For example, you might also be a creative coach of some sort. Maybe you have other forms of entertainment you partake in such as television, film, web series or ensemble theatre. You might even have multiple solo shows.

All of that said, I think it is best to create a website for you as a creative person that captures the wholeness and totality of your offerings. While these things might be quite different from one another, the common denominator is you. As long as you are staying true to the essence of you, your website will feel cohesive.

Here are some of my clients’ websites below to give you some examples of how they have chosen to brand themselves through their websites.

https://www.kamakshihart.com

https://tanyathomas.com

https://www.thecyrusdeboo.com

Have a Strong Social Media Presence

Some people love scrolling on their phones and posting religiously, others detest it.

If you fall into the latter category, I strongly advise you to build a following online even if it pushes you outside of your comfort zone or you strongly dislike it. Think about it this way, memorizing lines or signing contracts with theatres isn’t usually something solo artists enjoy doing, but it is the business side of things that must happen regardless if you want this to be more than just a hobby. The reality is, if you want to tour, if you want butts in seats, you must build your audience online so that you have an audience in real life.

To make it a little less painful, think of engaging on social media as sharing more of who you are and inviting others to do the same. A lot of my posts are, of course, for the solo shows that I am directing, but I also sprinkle in posts with my romantic partner being my plus one, or a picture of a post-show dinner that was super yummy. Mix it up. Try to enjoy yourself.

Besides, social media content should not just be posting your show graphic over and over again when you have a performance coming up. That will be boring and redundant for both you and your audience. Instead, be vulnerable, be playful, think outside of the box and most importantly, be yourself.

Post quotes that inspire you and even better if the quote can somehow trace back to themes of your show. Take a video of yourself touring a potential theatre you might perform your show in. Put up a collage of action shots taken from your most recent rehearsal or performance. Go see other solo shows and post a positive review and tag the person.

It’s also crucial that you be consistent with your online interaction.

Don’t just post once every few weeks and think anyone is going to notice. Weave social media into your regular routine. I would suggest posting multiple times a week. And don’t forget to engage on other people’s social media pages as well. You are building a community online and that means being interactive and reciprocal.

Here are a few handles to check out and see how these solo artists show up on social media.

https://www.instagram.com/thecyrusdeboo

https://www.instagram.com/amyveltmania

https://www.instagram.com/bexmcglex

Be Mindful of Your Reputation

Your brand is also what people say about you when you are not in the room. It’s how you make people feel when they interact with you or what message they take away from coming to see your show. The theatre world is small and people talk, so be mindful of how you come across.

The last thing you want while branding yourself as a solo artist is to be known as is difficult to work with, a diva, a jerk, etc.

You want the people on your creative team to feel seen and valued for their contributions to your solo show. You want your audience to feel appreciated for giving you an hour or more of their time to hear your story. You want the crew at every venue to feel respected and treated well by you. You want your fellow solo artists to see you as a team player who doesn’t just promote yourself and beg them to come see your show but also comes to support them on their big night. And, most importantly, ask yourself what the gift is that your story offers the audience and then unapologetically give that gift over and over again.

Share resources. Connect people to one another. Be grateful and generous. Act like a professional. Have an abundance mindset rather than one of scarcity and your reputation will attract the right people to you and your work as a solo artist.

Well, folks, I could go on and on with a multitude of other things to consider when branding yourself as a solo artist and your solo show. However, this should be more than enough to chew on for today.

I hope today’s blog helps you to see yourself as not only a talented solo artist but also see yourself as a savvy business person with a powerful brand.

Please continue to persist along on your solo journey. It may not be easy, but it is so worth it!

Jessica Lynn Johnson
Founder & CEO of Soaring Solo LLC
SoaringSoloArtist@gmail.com
www.SoaringSoloStudios.com

Enjoy these Solo Theatre Resources to further guide you on branding yourself as a solo artist but also on your solo journey!

Tune in and support the Soaring Solo Community as we share our stories from stage!

Award-winning director and developer Jessica Lynn Johnson hosts a slew of powerful solo show script readings and full staged productions addressing various impactful and inspiring topics.

This enticing lineup can be found by CLICKING HERE FOR MORE INFO.

Start writing your own solo show one freewrite at a time with “FREEWrite Friday”!

Join BEST NATIONAL SOLO ARTIST WINNER Jessica Lynn Johnson for FREEWrite Friday!

Utilizing thought-provoking writing prompts, Jessica will lead you in writing exercises that are sure to assist you in the development of your solo show.

We look forward to having you join the Soaring Solo Community in this event because your story matters!

CLICK HERE TO RSVP and obtain the Zoom link and password.

Attend the Soaring Solo FREE One-Person Play Development class ONLINE!

Schedule an Online Coaching Consultation

Schedule an Online Coaching Consultation with Jessica Lynn Johnson to discuss the possibilities for your solo show!

Jessica brings her 15+ years of solo theatre expertise to work privately with solo artists from all over the world on an as needed basis.

A one-on-one consultation is for you if…

-You are curious about creating a solo show, but you need writing prompts to help you generate material.

– You are tossing around ideas for your solo show, but you need some accountability and encouragement to commit those ideas to the page.

-You have already written some material, but you need expert feedback on editing, story structure and play formatting.

-You have a great first draft, but need guidance on how to utilize multimedia and solo theatre technique in order to make your show a dynamic piece of solo theatre.

-You already premiered your solo show and now you want some tips on how to tour colleges and festivals, and garner accolades and great reviews!

Wherever you may find yourself on your solo journey, Jessica will help you overcome whatever immediate obstacle stands between you and your solo success.

If you resonate with many of the things on this list, then take the next step by emailing SoaringSoloArtist@gmail.com for more information.

The post Branding Yourself as a Solo Artist appeared first on NoHo Arts District - Theatre, Food, Bars, Shopping and a buzzing community..

They Say the Show Must Go on … But Must It?

Jessica Lynn Johnson — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 19:39:36 +0000

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – This month’s Soaring Solo blog talks about “They say the show must go on … but must it?” especially during the recent L.A. fires.

“Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” – Viktor Frankl

They say the show must go on… But must it?

A handful of my clients were given Encore Awards after having phenomenal performances of their one-person plays in the Soaring Solo Studios SOLO STARS Series at Zephyr Theatre in December 2024. Their encore performances were scheduled to hit the stage January 16-19, 2025. Those of you living in California, or simply tuning into the international news, know that there were raging wildfires hitting Los Angeles during that time.

West Hollywood, where the shows were slated to perform, was not directly hit by the fires, yet the entire City of Angels was certainly feeling all of the fear, turmoil and grief that permeated the atmosphere.

The question then became, do we reschedule these shows or do we continue as planned since many parts of LA were still business as usual in most respects? For some, the answer might be an obvious “hell yes! Cancel the shows! There’s a crisis brewing! How can you even think of sitting or performing in a theatre at a time like this!”

Yet, for others, the question of should the show go on or not? was not quite so simple.

One of the solo artists posted her show flyer on social media and was immediately met with, “that’s really tone deaf of you” by one of her friends. She felt shame and embarrassment and came to me with this feedback inquiring what was the right thing to do in the circumstances.

In that moment, my mind reflected back on the Covid-19 pandemic and how theatres were shutting down, canceling shows, and going out of business left and right. It was a terrifying time for people in performance art who made their living on stage, yet wanted to ensure the safety of everyone, including themselves.

It was through a stroke of serendipity that a theatre I had been directing at for many years prior to Covid already had been in the practice of livestreaming their performances long before that crisis hit. I met with the theatre owner virtually and we found a safe way to keep the theatre afloat and provide a great creative offering to the community, by livestreaming solo shows. Afterall, it was just one person on stage performing, the technician was safe in the booth, and the audience was safe at home.

During that time, I was often told by actors and audiences alike, how absolutely lifesaving this theatrical offering was to them. Whether it was being able to tune out the horror going on in the world by escaping into another reality, or offering the gift of inspiring stories to people sitting alone on their couches who desperately needed a great big dose of hope, we were bringing value to our community in the way that we were uniquely positioned to do as solo artists.

Now in 2025, as my client sat waiting for my response on what she should do, another critical moment where art was displayed ran through my mind. I recalled the famous story of the musicians who continued to play as the Titanic sank. I am sure there were people screaming at them to throw their instruments overboard and try to help in some other way. However, that was their way to help, to cope, to serve in their unique capacity. And I trust that there were souls on the deck of that ship that night who took solace in the musician’s choice to play on as the water rose.

Taking all of that into account, I had to really ask myself what is the true value of art? Why do we share our stories from stage on a typical Friday night, let alone during natural disasters?

And is it tone deaf to do so?

There is not one right answer in my opinion. This is not a black-and-white issue. When we are dealing with trauma, catastrophe, loss and grief, there is not a one-size-fits-all all solution to deal with such calamaties. We must suspend our judgment, be of service to others in whatever ways we can, and take care of ourselves in the best way we know how.

So, how did I answer my client?

I told her everything I just expressed in this blog and she decided to proceed.

Did the the Encore shows go on?

Well, two out of the six performers decided it was too challenging and harmful to think of performing when the city was burning around them. I understood this decision and supported them in postponing. Yet, the other four solo artists opted to carry forward and give their proceeds to various organizations helping with wildfire relief.

None of the six solo artists were right, nor were any of them wrong. Each performer checked in with themselves and did what felt good to them, and I respected each of their decisions.

And what was truly awesome is that we had over a hundred people come to the theatre that weekend, and together as a creative community, we raised plentiful funds to help California recover from this tragic loss. Not only that, but the audiences throughout the weekend laughed, cried, thought critically, and received the invaluable gift of story.

So, must the show go on? Sometimes yes, and sometimes no. As with anything in life, ask yourself what your “why” is. If your “why” is compelling, inspiring and is of service to yourself and others, go forward in that direction, whether that’s on stage or off.

I hope today’s blog helps you remember the power and value that art has especially in times of crisis. Please continue to persist along on your solo journey. It may not be easy, but it is so worth it!

Jessica Lynn Johnson
Founder & CEO of Soaring Solo LLC
SoaringSoloArtist@gmail.com
www.SoaringSoloStudios.com

Enjoy these Solo Theatre Resources to further guide you on your solo journey!

Award-winning director and developer Jessica Lynn Johnson hosts a slew of powerful solo show script readings and full staged productions addressing various impactful and inspiring topics.

This enticing lineup can be found by CLICKING HERE FOR MORE INFO.

Start Writing Your Own Solo Show One Freewrite at a Time with “FREEWrite Friday!”

Join BEST NATIONAL SOLO ARTIST WINNER Jessica Lynn Johnson for FREEWrite Friday!

Utilizing thought-provoking writing prompts, Jessica will lead you in writing exercises that are sure to assist you in the development of your solo show.

We look forward to having you join the Soaring Solo Community in this event because your story matters!

CLICK HERE TO RSVP and obtain the Zoom link and password.

Attend the Soaring Solo FREE One-Person Play Development Class ONLINE!

Online Coaching Consultation

Schedule an Online Coaching Consultation with Jessica Lynn Johnson to discuss the possibilities for your solo show!

Jessica brings her 15+ years of solo theatre expertise to work privately with solo artists from all over the world on an as needed basis.

A 1 on 1 Consultation is for you if…

-You are curious about creating a solo show, but you need writing prompts to help you generate material.

– You are tossing around ideas for your solo show, but you need some accountability and encouragement to commit those ideas to the page.

-You have already written some material, but you need expert feedback on editing, story structure and play formatting.

-You have a great first draft, but need guidance on how to utilize multimedia and solo theatre technique in order to make your show a dynamic piece of solo theatre.

-You already premiered your solo show and now you want some tips on how to tour colleges and festivals, and garner accolades and great reviews!

-You have heard great things about Jessica’s work and you’re curious about hiring her as a Director & Developer for your solo show, but first you want to feel her out and see if she is the right fit for you and your project.

Wherever you may find yourself on your solo journey, Jessica will help you overcome whatever immediate obstacle stands between you and your solo success.

If you resonate with many of the things on this list, then take the next step by emailing SoaringSoloArtist@gmail.com for more information.

The post They Say the Show Must Go on … But Must It? appeared first on NoHo Arts District - Theatre, Food, Bars, Shopping and a buzzing community..

Balance vs Burnout as a Solo Artist

Jessica Lynn Johnson — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 19:39:58 +0000

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – This month’s Soaring Solo blog gives us some tips on “Balance vs Burnout as a Solo Artist.”

“Many of us have been running all of our lives. Practice stopping.” Thich Nhat Hanh

If you’re anything like me, you enjoy this time of year when it’s perfectly socially acceptable to stuff your face with holiday goodies, sleep in until the late morning, have no idea what day of the week it is, and spend hours lazing about on the couch watching movie classics with family.

Whatever your own personal holiday activities are, it is likely that some portion of the season is dedicated to rest and relaxation after all of the frenzy of present purchasing, cooking meals, and traveling to see loved ones has wound down.

I find the extreme nature of the holiday season to be quite symbolic of how many of us live our lives all year round as creative types. It’s go, go, go full speed ahead and then crash!

As solo artists, many of us can relate to the concept of giving 150% for months on end as we prepare for the performance of our solo shows, and then once we take our bow, we run off stage and right into bed, totally and completely depleted.

While finding “perfect balance” in life and in our craft isn’t a realistic goal to achieve, we can certainly strive to obtain more balance so that we are not living our creative lives in such extremes.

That said, in this month’s blog I’m going to offer some tips on cultivating more balance in order to prevent burnout as solo artists.

To begin, what exactly is burnout and how do you know you’re experiencing it?

Well, according to the APA Dictionary of Psychology, burnout is defined as “physical, emotional or mental exhaustion, accompanied by decreased motivation, lowered performance and negative attitudes towards oneself and others.”

Those attributes are definitely not what we want as solo artists when the work that we do requires wellness in all categories: mind, body and spirit.

It is imperative that we stay motivated and collaborative in order to handle the many responsibilities that fill our solo theatre plates, such as writing, memorizing, promoting, and performing.

I personally know that I’m heading toward burnout when the things that typically bring me joy and fulfillment start to feel like burdensome to-do list items. When those red flags start waving, I know it’s time to make some adjustments in my life.

Here are three aspects of maintaining more balance in your creative life that will help you avoid or remedy the ramifications of burnout.

1) Self Care

Self care looks different to each person. Yet, it’s well worth your time to explore and perfect what your own personal self-care regime looks like.

Over time and after much trial and error, I realized that, on a daily basis, I personally need journal writing, prayer, meditation, walks with my dog, yoga, 3 satiating meals, quality time with my partner, couch potato time at the end of the day to enjoy some mindless shows and a good night sleep.

On a weekly basis, I need to pepper in phone calls with loved ones, attend my spiritual center on Sunday mornings, and at least one day of doing absolutely nothing but laying by the pool.

Everything that I just described above is my optimal level of self care and surprisingly, I’m able to maintain this routine most of the time these days.

Yet, there are certain seasons, especially during theatre festivals, when many of those needs fall by the wayside and my wellness begins to plummet.

I can usually spot this decline because I have less patience with people, I start to feel depressed and deeply exhausted, and sometimes I will also become physically unwell. These are just a handful of the many indicators that I am out of balance.

Once those warning signs begin to happen, I start implementing whatever aforementioned self care items I am able to realistically partake in at the time. While I cannot always do all of them, engaging in some of them is better than nothing.

Considering what I shared above about my own personal self care needs, please take a moment now to ask yourself what items should be on your self care list. Are you putting these things into action? What are the consequences if you do not? And what are the signs that your wellness is suffering?

2) Support Systems

Delegation, safe spaces and sources of encouragement are all aspects of having a solid support system.

Let’s begin with delegating responsibilities. Do not try to walk the solo theatre path alone. Whether you are hiring people, or asking friends and family for help, be sure not to take everything on by yourself. You only have so many hours in a day, so many ounces of energy to give, and so many areas of expertise. Let people help you reach your solo show goals.

It’s also very important to have safe spaces to vent your feelings and process all that you will encounter as a solo artist. It takes a lot of bravery to vulnerably share our stories from stage. This vulnerability can bring up old wounds that are still in need of healing. Performing in this very challenging genre might bring up feelings of unworthiness, fear, jealousy, and many other disturbing emotions.

Knowing that these mental and emotional struggles might be a part of your creative path, I encourage you to seek support in therapy, a 12-step meeting, a trusted mentor or anyone else who can provide a safe space to express yourself and feel heard and seen.

Let’s also note that as performers, we deeply need encouragement. Unlike other people who choose to live more private lives, we choose to tell our story from stage in front of an audience. Therefore, we want to be witnessed. This level of sharing often requires a large amount of positive feedback and encouragement. So, surround yourself with people who will cheer you on, tell you what you are doing well and right, and who will commit to sharing criticism in constructive ways with your very best interest in mind.

3) Saying No

To conclude this three-point list, I’d like to articulate the importance of saying no. All along your creative path, you’ll get many opportunities, invitations and offerings that you can choose to accept or decline.

Saying yes to everything is a surefire way to reach burnout.

Be sure to be discerning with what you give your time, talent and resources to. For example, if you’re invited to perform in a festival, ask yourself if the finances make sense for your budget. Question if the organization will help promote you and provide various operational needs such as technical support, rehearsal time at the theater and a box office staff.

If your friends invite you to a party the week of your show, ask yourself if being around people would drain you or fill your cup. Maybe it would be a great opportunity to get your mind off of your show and let loose a little bit. On the other hand, socializing at that level might run you into the ground when what you truly need is sleep and focus. Only you can make these judgment calls for yourself.

Most importantly, before you give a yes or a no to anything, pause and ask yourself if you are making a decision from a place of love and peace, or from a place of fear and scarcity. Yes, as solo theatre artists, fear is often present in the creative process, but there is healthy fear and then there is unhealthy fear. Allow yourself to refrain from making decisions until you have ascertained the motivation behind your answer.

Of course, there are many other ways to obtain and maintain balance in one’s creative life, but I hope these three items have helped you take a closer look at your own circumstances to determine if you are burning out or burning bright.

I hope today’s blog helps you find the balance your deserve as you reach for your solo show goals. Please continue to persist along on your solo journey. It may not be easy, but it is so worth it!

Jessica Lynn Johnson

Founder & CEO of Soaring Solo LLC

SoaringSoloArtist@gmail.com

www.SoaringSoloStudios.com

Enjoy these Solo Theatre Resources to further guide you on your solo journey!

Tune in and support the Soaring Solo Community as we share our stories from stage!

Award-winning Director and Developer Jessica Lynn Johnson hosts a slew of powerful solo show script readings and full staged productions addressing various impactful and inspiring topics.

This enticing lineup can be found by CLICKING HERE FOR MORE INFO.

Start writing your own solo show one Freewrite at a time with “FREEWrite Friday”!

Join BEST NATIONAL SOLO ARTIST WINNER Jessica Lynn Johnson for FREEWrite Friday!

Utilizing thought-provoking writing prompts, Jessica will lead you in writing exercises that are sure to assist you in the development of your solo show.

We look forward to having you join the Soaring Solo Community in this event because your story matters!

CLICK HERE TO RSVP and obtain the Zoom link and password.

Attend the Soaring Solo FREE One-Person Play Development class ONLINE!

Schedule an Online Coaching Consultation with Jessica Lynn Johnson to discuss the possibilities for your solo show!

Jessica brings her 15+ years of solo theatre expertise to work privately with solo artists from all over the world on an as needed basis.

A 1 on 1 Consultation is for you if…

-You are curious about creating a solo show, but you need writing prompts to help you generate material.

– You are tossing around ideas for your solo show, but you need some accountability and encouragement to commit those ideas to the page.

-You have already written some material, but you need expert feedback on editing, story structure and play formatting.

-You have a great first draft, but need guidance on how to utilize multimedia and solo theatre technique in order to make your show a dynamic piece of solo theatre.

-You already premiered your solo show and now you want some tips on how to tour colleges and festivals, and garner accolades and great reviews!

Wherever you may find yourself on your solo journey, Jessica will help you overcome whatever immediate obstacle stands between you and your solo success.

If you resonate with many of the things on this list, then take the next step by scheduling your consultation or emailing SoaringSoloArtist@gmail.com for more information.

The post Balance vs Burnout as a Solo Artist appeared first on NoHo Arts District - Theatre, Food, Bars, Shopping and a buzzing community..

How to Select a Venue for Your Solo Show

Jessica Lynn Johnson — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 18:10:39 +0000

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – This month’s Soaring Solo blog gives us five tips on “How to Select a Venue for Your Solo Show.”

“A diva without a venue is a maniac.” – Toni Basil

Venue selection is such an important part of the journey of a solo artist. Afterall, the venue will become the home of your show for an evening or maybe even for an extended run.

There are so many theatres and untraditional spaces that you will have to choose from as you shop for the right place to share your story.

In this month’s blog, I am going to offer you some insights to keep in mind as you scope out the right spot for your show.

Let’s jump in!

1) Location

When you assess who you would like to attend your solo show, you will want to think of the convenience of the location of your venue for your audience. Convenience may mean how far your audience will have to travel from their homes to the venue. It may also mean considering how easy it is for them to find parking once they have arrived at the venue. You may also consider the surrounding area and if it has restaurants, bars and cafes that your audience can gather in before or after your show, or where you might want to host a post-show celebration. Another thing to keep in mind, especially if you want the entertainment industry and press to attend your show: does this venue location have a good reputation when it comes to theatre? For example, when we hear that a show is on Broadway, we will automatically give it more credence than we will if we hear a show is in some tiny hole in the wall in the middle of nowhere. I am certainly not saying that you can’t find fabulous venues Off-Broadway, I am just punctuating the fact that the reputation of a particular location can both help or hinder the attendance of your solo show.

2) Technical Capabilities

Another important factor to consider is what the technical needs of your solo show are. Maybe your show is simply lights up, lights down, so to speak, and you are keeping things very basic. However, if you have multimedia, sound design, and intricate lighting concepts, you will want to find out what the venue offers where technical capabilities are concerned. What looks does their lighting grid provide? Do they have Qlab (or comparable program) to run your projections and sound? Do they have a good sound system? Is there a projection screen or wall to project images and videos onto? These are some, but not all, of the items you will want to review as you peruse the space.

3) Staff

The team you will be working with is very important. When you reach out to the venue staff, pay attention to if they promptly get back to you. Evaluate if they are kind, professional and knowledgeable in their responses. Does it seem like they have a well-oiled machine or is it unclear who does what and the responsibilities of staff feel unclear? Not only that but what sort of staffing does the venue provide for your production? Do they offer box office staff? Do they provide someone to help market and promote your show on their social media and other forms of promotion? Are they providing a stage manager, lighting designer, and technical director? These are just some of the things you will want to ask as you inquire about a venue. Certainly, you can always bring in your own team, but do you want to add that to your plate? Or perhaps, you actually desire staffing the production with all of your own team members and you want your venue to be more hands off. Who you are working with is very important for a multitude of reasons, so do this investigation and make sure you are comfortable with the venue’s staff arrangement.

4) Cost

Finances are also a big part of the decision-making process when it comes to selecting the right venue. Ask yourself what your parameters are around money. For instance, are you needing to make a profit or just looking to break even? Are you ok to lose money because this is more of an investment for you? As you deduce what your financial needs are, you will want to get clear answers from the venue about total costs and what your investment includes. You will want to know if you keep all, a portion, or none of your ticket sales. You will want to know what hours at the venue are included in your payment and what staffing would be provided. Make sure you have a very clear understanding of what your money will be going toward and discern if it is in alignment with your budget.

5) Seating

Typically a solo show thrives in a more intimate setting. I suggest seeking a venue that seats no more than 100 patrons, but of course, you may have different aspirations when it comes to audience turnout. Not only do you want to consider how many seats the venue has, but you will also want to know what the configuration of the seats will be. Are the seats placed around a thrust stage, facing a proscenium or circled in a theatre in the round formation? Are the patrons seated at dinner tables creating more of a dinner theatre vibe or laying down on rugs and pillows in an unconventional setup? Does the venue have wheelchair accessibility for disabled patrons? Knowing where your audience will be seated and how many seats can be made available is very important for a number of reasons. If you are doing a run of your show, you will want to assess if you can fill that many seats over and over again. If you are doing a one-off performance, you will want to make sure the venue can hold as many patrons as you anticipate coming to see your single performance. Knowing how many seats are available to sell also factors into your ability to make a profit or cover your costs. Ponder all of these variables with regard to seating as you choose your venue.

6) Venue Type

Oftentimes when we think of performing a solo show, we assume the venue will need to be a traditional theatre. While that may be the case much of the time, it is certainly not always true. Sometimes you will see solo artists performing their solo shows in comedy clubs, cabaret stages, on outdoor stages, classrooms and auditoriums, even in their own living rooms or backyards! When you think about the world you are creating in your solo show, ask yourself what sort of venue offers an environment best suited to bring your story to life. For instance, if you don’t have many technical needs, you could consider very non-traditional venues such as a home environment or a park. Yet, if you have technical needs, then a traditional theatre is going to be your best bet without having to rent equipment. Does your show have a contemporary feeling or is it more of a period piece? Some theatres feel more modern than others, so ask yourself which venue feels most appropriate to the timeframe of your show. If you are pursuing a traditional theatrical setup, do you want a small blackbox theatre or do you prefer a slightly larger venue? Sometimes just visiting the venue and picturing yourself performing there will give you a gut feeling and help you conclude if the energy of that space is right for your show or not. The important thing to remember is that a solo show can work in a variety of venues.

I hope today’s blog helps you find the perfect place to perform your solo show. Please continue to persist along on your solo journey. It may not be easy, but it is so worth it!

Jessica Lynn Johnson
Founder & CEO of Soaring Solo LLC
SoaringSoloArtist@gmail.com
www.SoaringSoloStudios.com

Enjoy these Solo Theatre Resources to further guide you on your solo journey!

Tune in and support the Soaring Solo Community as we share our stories from stage!

Award-winning Director and Developer Jessica Lynn Johnson hosts a slew of powerful solo show script readings and full staged productions addressing various impactful and inspiring topics.

This enticing lineup can be found by CLICKING HERE FOR MORE INFO.

Start writing your own solo show one Freewrite at a time with “FREEWrite Friday”!

Join BEST NATIONAL SOLO ARTIST WINNER Jessica Lynn Johnson for FREEWrite Friday!

Utilizing thought-provoking writing prompts, Jessica will lead you in writing exercises that are sure to assist you in the development of your solo show.

We look forward to having you join the Soaring Solo Community in this event because your story matters!

CLICK HERE TO RSVP and obtain the Zoom link and password.

Attend the Soaring Solo FREE One-Person Play Development Cass ONLINE!

Schedule an Online Coaching Consultation with Jessica Lynn Johnson to discuss the possibilities for your solo show!

Jessica brings her 15+ years of solo theatre expertise to work privately with solo artists from all over the world on an as needed basis.

A 1 on 1 Consultation is for you if…

-You are curious about creating a solo show, but you need writing prompts to help you generate material.

– You are tossing around ideas for your solo show, but you need some accountability and encouragement to commit those ideas to the page.

-You have already written some material, but you need expert feedback on editing, story structure and play formatting.

-You have a great first draft, but need guidance on how to utilize multimedia and solo theatre technique in order to make your show a dynamic piece of solo theatre.

-You already premiered your solo show and now you want some tips on how to tour colleges and festivals, and garner accolades and great reviews!

Wherever you may find yourself on your solo journey, Jessica will help you overcome whatever immediate obstacle stands between you and your solo success.

If you resonate with many of the things on this list, then take the next step by emailing SoaringSoloArtist@gmail.com for more information.

The post How to Select a Venue for Your Solo Show appeared first on NoHo Arts District - Theatre, Food, Bars, Shopping and a buzzing community..

5 Tips to Turn Your Solo Show Dreams into Reality

Jessica Lynn Johnson — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 19:33:32 +0000

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – This month’s Soaring Solo blog gives “5 Tips to Turn Your Solo Show Dreams into Reality.”

“The key to turning dreams into reality is action.” – Jim Rohn

I cannot tell you how often I have sat down with a new solo theatre client and had them tell me that they have been deeply desiring to write a solo show for many years, yet for one reason or another, they have not manifested this goal. In one case, my client had been sitting on her idea for a one-woman Show for nearly two decades!

Believe me, I can relate to this type of procrastination intimately. I let the concept for my second solo show “Ze” percolate in my mind for about nine years before it finally hit the stage. So, whether it’s reflecting upon my own reasons for stalling the process or witnessing the justifications my clients give, I have used these observations to put together a list of tips that will help you not make the same mistakes.

So, what can you do to ensure that your dreams of starring in your own one-person play don’t just stay safely in your head, but instead step into the spotlight?

In this month’s blog, I am going to guide you through five tips to turn your solo show dreams into a reality.

Let’s jump in!

Schedule Solo Dates

Take out your calendar and start scheduling dedicated time to focus on your solo show. Calendar in time to research festivals and venues, to write excerpts and ideas for your solo show, or attend other solo shows to learn more about the genre and get inspired. It doesn’t matter if it’s 15 minutes or a weekend away, just get dedicated time on your calendar and do not allow anything else to steal it away from you. Your creative time is very important.

Check out the blog that goes over upcoming festivals>>

Cultivate Creative Community

While listening to your own creative intuition is very important in the journey of your solo show development, it is so important to not try to go it alone. We will need the inspiration of seeing other’s solo shows, the encouragement from other solo artists when you are doubting your story and your talent, and the constructive feedback from your supporters who want your show to be the best it can be. Yes, it is a one-person play, but it takes a village to bring it to fruition.

3) Put a Meaningful Stake in the Ground

Without a specific meaningful goal that you are working toward, your solo show dreams will stay a nebulous entity that never truly takes shape. Once you sign up for a festival, or put a deposit down on a theatre, you will show up for yourself in ways that you never would if there were no stakes involved. So, look ahead and put a stake in the ground that will light a fire under you and help enforce deadlines you must meet.

4) Hire a Coach

Even if you are a great writer and skilled performer, everyone has blindspots and weaknesses. Not to mention the fact that solo theatre is a very unique genre with its own technique and writing and performance style. That said, seek out a coach who understands this genre and invest in coaching with them. These sessions can also serve as your solo dates and as a stake in the ground. When you invest your time and finances into your solo show, you are far less likely to not show up for yourself.

5) Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway

Every solo artist I have ever had the pleasure of working with is afraid of something they encounter on the path of solo performance. Some are afraid they will lose friends and offend their family with the truths they tell from stage. Others are scared they will make a fool of themselves and not be able to pull off a successful polished show. Some worry about money, audience turnout, critics and reviews, and the list goes on. Fear is a natural part of the journey. Know that you will feel fear and many other unpleasant feelings. These negative emotions are not going anywhere, but this is not a sign to stop. It is simply a sign that you are creating art and speaking your truth and that is always scary. Just keep in mind that the greatest things in your life and in your art are on the other side of fear.

I hope today’s blog gave you some tangible steps you can take toward the completion of your solo show. Please continue to persist along on your solo journey. It may not be easy, but it is so worth it!

Jessica Lynn Johnson

Founder & CEO of Soaring Solo LLC

SoaringSoloArtist@gmail.com

www.SoaringSoloStudios.com

Enjoy these Solo Theatre Resources to further guide you on your solo journey!

Tune in and support the Soaring Solo Community as we share our stories from stage!

Award winning Director and Developer Jessica Lynn Johnson hosts a slew of powerful solo show script readings and full staged productions addressing various impactful and inspiring topics.

This enticing lineup can be found by CLICKING HERE FOR MORE INFO.

Start writing your own solo show one Freewrite at a time with “FREEWrite Friday”!

Join BEST NATIONAL SOLO ARTIST WINNER Jessica Lynn Johnson for FREEWrite Friday!

Utilizing thought-provoking writing prompts, Jessica will lead you in writing exercises that are sure to assist you in the development of your solo show.

We look forward to having you join the Soaring Solo Community in this event because your story matters!

CLICK HERE TO RSVP and obtain the Zoom link and password.

Attend the Soaring Solo FREE One-Person Play Development Class ONLINE!

Schedule an Online Coaching Consultation with Jessica Lynn Johnson to discuss the possibilities for your solo show!

Jessica brings her 15+ years of solo theatre expertise to work privately with solo artists from all over the world on an as-needed basis.

A 1 on 1 Consultation is for you if…

-You are curious about creating a solo show, but you need writing prompts to help you generate material.

– You are tossing around ideas for your solo show, but you need some accountability and encouragement to commit those ideas to the page.

-You have already written some material, but you need expert feedback on editing, story structure and play formatting.

-You have a great first draft, but need guidance on how to utilize multimedia and solo theatre technique in order to make your show a dynamic piece of solo theatre.

-You already premiered your solo show and now you want some tips on how to tour colleges and festivals, and garner accolades and great reviews!

Wherever you may find yourself on your solo journey, Jessica will help you overcome whatever immediate obstacle stands between you and your solo success.

Schedule an Online Coaching Consultation

If you resonate with many of the things on this list, then take the next step by emailing SoaringSoloArtist@gmail.com for more information.

The post 5 Tips to Turn Your Solo Show Dreams into Reality appeared first on NoHo Arts District - Theatre, Food, Bars, Shopping and a buzzing community..

From Festival to Festival

Jessica Lynn Johnson — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 22:02:50 +0000

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – This month’s Soaring Solo blog: “From Festival to Festival” – a look at the various festivals around the US.

Writing, rehearsing, producing and performing your one-person show takes a tremendous amount of work. Therefore, as a solo artist, you want to be able to share your story with as many audiences as possible for all of that investment to have been worth it.

I toured with my own solo shows for over 13 years and many of my clients have taken their shows on the road for several years as well. Touring the festival circuit is a fantastic way to garner reviews, nominations, awards and spread your message far and wide.

With that in mind, I am dedicating today’s blog to exploring a handful of festivals that you might consider bringing your show to.

So, let’s dive right in!

First up, we have the Rogue Festival in Fresno, California. This is a six-day event full of theater, music, dance, comedy, magic, poetry, performance art, fun and complete fringe performance madness. Rogue takes applications from September 15th to October 18th and the festival runs from February 28th to March 8th 2025.

Next, over on the East Coast, we have the Frigid New York Festival. Their productions include plays, storytelling, stand-up, improv, sketch, variety shows, burlesque, film screenings, open mics, readings, workshops, clowning, dance, performance art, drag, music, cabaret, dramas, comedies, experimental works, multi-media pieces, and so much more–and in several different languages. They’ve hosted just about everything: live radio dramas, full-blown musicals, barely-staged readings, satirical poetry, multi-lingual epics, stand-up sets, true stories, big lies, and things you can’t even begin to categorize. Frigid is taking applications from Labor Day through Halloween, and the festival runs from April 2nd to 20th.

Now let’s check out the Southeast where the Orlando International Fringe Festival resides. For 33 years, they have hosted their annual international theatre festival. For two weeks each May, they offer loads of live entertainment, unique theatre experiences, visual art displays, kid-friendly shows and activities, and free outdoor concerts. It’s a full celebration of independent artists. It is the oldest Fringe Festival in the US and, with its lottery-based selection, offers a variety of experiences you won’t find anywhere else. Applications opened on September 1st, so hurry up and apply!

Let’s zip back to the West Coast and check out the San Diego International Fringe. At the San Diego International Fringe Festival, they focus on fringe artists and creating community, as they encourage the development of San Diego as a destination for innovative artistic expression. There is NO censorship. Artists are free to perform what they want. If this sounds good to you, then mark your calendars for May 15th to 25th, 2025 when the festival takes place. But, be sure to submit your application by October 31st.

Travel with me to the South where the Atlanta Fringe Festival is making some incredible theatrical art. The Atlanta Fringe Festival is dedicated to connecting adventurous artists with appreciative audiences for the betterment of the Atlanta arts community and has been a labor of love for a small group of enthusiastic arts and Atlanta lovers. Since the summer of 2010, they’ve been envisioning, constructing, and selling the Fringe from the ground up. This grassroots approach has lent the festival its own unique energy. June is typically when the festival runs and submissions usually begin in December. So keep your eyes and ears open for updates.

And next, we fly over to “Tinsel Town” where the Hollywood Fringe Festival is held every summer during the month of June. The Hollywood Fringe Festival is an annual, open-access, community-derived event celebrating freedom of expression and collaboration in the performing arts community. Each June during the Hollywood Fringe, the arts infiltrate the Hollywood neighborhood: fully equipped theaters, parks, clubs, churches, restaurants and other unexpected places host hundreds of productions by local, national, and international arts companies and independent performers. Participation in the Hollywood Fringe is completely open and uncensored. Registration typically takes place from February 1st until April 15th.

Then you can hit the stage in Colorado as part of the Denver Fringe in June. The Denver Fringe Festival is an open-application festival that supports bold, progressive arts and diverse voices in all genres of performance arts. Their primary goal is to support independent artists and promote original theatre, comedy, improv, cabaret, dance, and immersive theatre – at an affordable price. They will take applications for the 2025 Denver Fringe Festival from December 15th, 2024 through February 15th, 2025.

Last but not least, you can impress audiences in the Minnesota Fringe Festival. The Minnesota Fringe connects adventurous artists with adventurous audiences by creating open, supportive forums for free and diverse artistic expression. Through their summer festival and dynamic year-round programming, Minnesota Fringe is an artistic disruptor for local and national artists — to take bold risks, develop new ideas, and hoist themselves to the next rung of their artistic ladder. This annual Festival event fills tens of thousands of seats with audiences viewing dozens of works at hundreds of performances by more than 1,000 artists on a variety of stages in late summer. They receive applications from December 1st, 2024 to February 15th, 2025.

Well, I could go on and on as there are hundreds of fringe festivals all around the world, but I hope this will get you excited to continue your research on festivals that might be the right fit for your solo show. Please continue to persist along on your solo journey. It may not be easy, but it is so worth it!

Jessica Lynn Johnson

Founder & CEO of Soaring Solo LLC

SoaringSoloArtist@gmail.com

www.SoaringSoloStudios.com

Enjoy these solo theatre resources to further guide you on your solo journey!

Award-winning director and developer Jessica Lynn Johnson hosts a slew of powerful solo show script readings and full staged productions addressing various impactful and inspiring topics.

This enticing lineup can be found by CLICKING HERE FOR MORE INFO.

Start writing your own solo show one Freewrite at a time with “FREEWrite Friday”!

Join BEST NATIONAL SOLO ARTIST WINNER Jessica Lynn Johnson for FREEWrite Friday!

Utilizing thought-provoking writing prompts, Jessica will lead you in writing exercises that are sure to assist you in the development of your solo show.

We look forward to having you join the Soaring Solo Community in this event because your story matters!

CLICK HERE TO RSVP and obtain the Zoom link and password.

Attend the Soaring Solo FREE One-Person Play Development class ONLINE!

Online Coaching

Schedule an Online Coaching Consultation with Jessica Lynn Johnson to discuss the possibilities for your solo show!

Jessica brings her 15+ years of solo theatre expertise to work privately with solo artists from all over the world on an as needed basis.

A 1 on 1 Consultation is for you if…

-You are curious about creating a solo show, but you need writing prompts to help you generate material.

– You are tossing around ideas for your solo show, but you need some accountability and encouragement to commit those ideas to the page.

-You have already written some material, but you need expert feedback on editing, story structure and play formatting.

-You have a great first draft, but need guidance on how to utilize multimedia and solo theatre technique in order to make your show a dynamic piece of solo theatre.

-You already premiered your solo show and now you want some tips on how to tour colleges and festivals, and garner accolades and great reviews!

-You have heard great things about Jessica’s work and you’re curious about hiring her as a director and developer for your solo show, but first, you want to feel her out and see if she is the right fit for you and your project.

Wherever you may find yourself on your solo journey, Jessica will help you overcome whatever immediate obstacle stands between you and your solo success.

If you resonate with many of the things on this list, then take the next step by emailing SoaringSoloArtist@gmail.com for more information.

The post From Festival to Festival appeared first on NoHo Arts District - Theatre, Food, Bars, Shopping and a buzzing community..

Touring Tips from a Dynamic Duo

Jessica Lynn Johnson — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 19:22:22 +0000

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – This month’s Soaring Solo blog: “Touring Tips from a Dynamic Duo.”

As an international solo theatre industry professional, I have the pleasure of consistently meeting so many inspiring people all over the globe, and I always love picking the brain of the brilliant people I meet.

Recently, I was fortunate to cross paths with a Jack of many theatre trades, Mike Marinaccio, who is also a board member of the Orlando Fringe Festival. If you don’t know much about the Orlando Fringe Festival, thank goodness you are reading this blog! It is an amazing theatre event that many of my clients in the Soaring Solo Community have performed their solo shows in.

Since 1992, Orlando Fringe has provided a space and opportunity for artists to emerge and showcase their talents and craft. The Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival is the longest-running Fringe in the United States, and it strives to be unjuried, uncensored, accessible for artists and audiences alike, with 100% of ticket sales given back to the artists.

Michael’s strong affiliation with this flourishing festival is just the beginning of his theatrical accomplishments. He also works alongside his extraordinarily talented wife Tymisha Harris as the co-creator, director and producer of Josephine, a burlesque cabaret dream play that combines cabaret, theatre and dance to tell the story of the iconic Josephine Baker, the first African-American international superstar and one of the most remarkable figures of the 20th century. As Michael opened up about this important piece of solo theatre and shared what a Solo Star his partner is, it was clear this was a very special collaboration.

Being that I am an advisory board member of the LA Women’s Theatre Festival, an organization that champions women who are illuminating historic and powerful women’s stories, the content of this solo show immediately piqued my interest.

Together, this powerhouse pair has toured the festival market extensively and has garnered many accolades.

Hearing about their story, I was so inspired by their accomplishments, adventures and the wealth of knowledge they have obtained from touring the world as theatre artists. I knew they would have invaluable pearls of wisdom to share with the NoHo Arts and Soaring Solo Studios community, and generously, they agreed to drop some knowledge.

So, without further ado, let’s dive into my interview with this creative couple!

JESSICA: Thank you both so much for joining me today to take this deep dive into touring festivals with a solo show. Can you please start out by telling the Noho Arts readers a little bit more about yourselves and your involvement in the solo theatre genre.

TYMISHA: I am a dancer, singer, actor, costume designer and choreographer. My first professional job was as the assistant choreographer for N’Sync. Since then I have been in films, Broadway touring shows, and hundreds of productions. It wasn’t until Mike and I started dating in 2015 when we decided to create a solo show for me. That show was “Josephine,” and I have primarily been a solo artist ever since.

MIKE: I am a theatre producer, creator and artist who has over 30 years of professional experience in making original work. I spent nearly a decade of that time as the festival producer of the Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival. During that time, I saw hundreds of solo performances, and learned what made successful solo show, and what pitfalls solo Artists fell into in creating and performing solo work. That prepared me to create Josephine with Tymisha, which has been one of the greatest successes of both of our careers.

Photo by Daniel Axler.

TYMISHA: Oh gosh, where do we begin? We have taken Josephine all over the world!

We started in California at the San Diego Fringe. Since we are from Florida, we wanted to take it somewhere that no one knew us, so we could get honest, unfiltered feedback. At that Fest, we won Best Production and Outstanding Solo Performance.

MIKE: Since then, we have been across the US and Canadian Fringe circuit, to the Edinburgh Fringe, the Adelaide Fringe in Australia, played the show off-Broadway, and toured performing arts centers and universities across North America.

TYMISHA: And we learned that touring a solo show is a lot easier (but still hard) when you have a partner with you. I don’t think I could do this alone! I have a lot of respect for performers that do, though.

JESSICA: Wow! That is a lot of touring and congrats on those outstanding achievements. Considering all of that, what tips do you have for solo theater artists from the wisdom you’ve gained from all the experience you’ve had in this genre and touring the world?

MIKE: I would say first, have something to say. What is your story and why should an audience pay you to hear or see it? Then, come up with a good marketing hook. A title, image and elevator pitch that make people want to see your show. Finally, make it entertaining! Just because telling this story is cathartic for you, that doesn’t necessarily mean an audience will be interested. Don’t forget the reason we go on stage, the audience.

TYMISHA: If you’re just starting out, see lots of shows! Go to a festival with lots of solo work. See what shows are selling well and find out why. And talk to Artists who have been doing this for a while and have been successful. That wisdom is priceless.

MIKE: I would say to any artist, new or veteran, who wants to tour a new show, plan your first couple of years wisely. Start with small festivals where you have a better chance of standing out, getting reviewed and winning awards. Allow your show to be in workshop form for at least the first year. Find out what works and what doesn’t and edit accordingly. Then, once the show is ready go to larger festivals and perhaps some booking conferences. From there, if you’ve been successful, you can start booking professional gigs in theaters/schools/PACs where you can make more money and won’t have to do everything yourself.

JESSICA: Thank you so much Tymisha and Mike! I know you are on the road right now, so my readers and I really appreciate you slowing down for a moment to give us these priceless tips. You are both such an inspiration.

And as for you solo artists reading this incredible interview, I hope you have received all of this rich information and that it assists you on your own trajectory. Please continue to persist along on your solo journey. It may not be easy, but it is so worth it!

Jessica Lynn Johnson

Founder & CEO of Soaring Solo LLC

SoaringSoloArtist@gmail.com

www.SoaringSoloStudios.com

Enjoy these Solo Theatre Resources to further guide you on your solo journey!

Tune in and support the Soaring Solo Community as we share our stories from stage!

Award-winning director and developer Jessica Lynn Johnson hosts a slew of powerful solo show script readings and full staged productions addressing various impactful and inspiring topics.

This enticing lineup can be found by CLICKING HERE FOR MORE INFO.

Start writing your own solo show one Freewrite at a time with “FREEWrite Friday”!

Join BEST NATIONAL SOLO ARTIST WINNER Jessica Lynn Johnson for FREEWrite Friday!

Utilizing thought-provoking writing prompts, Jessica will lead you in writing exercises that are sure to assist you in the development of your solo show.

We look forward to having you join the Soaring Solo Community in this event because your story matters!

CLICK HERE TO RSVP and obtain the Zoom link and password.

Attend the Soaring Solo FREE One-Person Play Development class ONLINE!

Schedule an Online Coaching Consultation with Jessica Lynn Johnson to discuss the possibilities for your solo show!

Jessica brings her 15+ years of solo theatre expertise to work privately with solo artists from all over the world on an as needed basis.

A 1 on 1 Consultation is for you if…

-You are curious about creating a solo show, but you need writing prompts to help you generate material.

– You are tossing around ideas for your solo show, but you need some accountability and encouragement to commit those ideas to the page.

-You have already written some material, but you need expert feedback on editing, story structure and play formatting.

-You have a great first draft, but need guidance on how to utilize multimedia and solo theatre technique in order to make your show a dynamic piece of solo theatre.

-You already premiered your solo show and now you want some tips on how to tour colleges and festivals, and garner accolades and great reviews!

Wherever you may find yourself on your solo journey, Jessica will help you overcome whatever immediate obstacle stands between you and your solo success.

If you resonate with many of the things on this list, then take the next step by emailing SoaringSoloArtist@gmail.com for more information.

The post Touring Tips from a Dynamic Duo appeared first on NoHo Arts District - Theatre, Food, Bars, Shopping and a buzzing community..

And the Winner Is, Jon Gentry

Jessica Lynn Johnson — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 01:26:36 +0000

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – This month’s Soaring Solo blog is an interview with Jon Gentry the 2024 Soaring Solo Social Impact Award at the Hollywood Fringe Festival for his one-person show BLACK BASTARD.

This past June, the Soaring Solo Community celebrated tremendous solo theatre art being presented in the incredible Hollywood Fringe Festival. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this prestigious event, the Fringe basically takes over Hollywood every summer with hundreds of diverse theatrical performances.

Each year the Soaring Solo Award Committee sees multiple solo shows and we identify one very special solo artist who is making a social impact with their work while exemplifying excellent solo theatre technique.

BLACK BASTARD greatly impressed our committee and we were honored to give this award to him. Now that we are well into the month of July and the Hollywood Fringe Festival (HFF) is over, we are all able to catch our breath a little bit after the whirlwind of the festival is over. This moment to slow down enabled me to catch up with Jon and reflect upon his HFF experience, his inspiration for his show, his creative process and just get to know him a little bit better.

Let’s dive into my interview with this powerhouse playwright!

JESSICA: Congrats again Jon! So, tell our readers about your Solo Show BLACK BASTARD.

JON: Thank you Jessica! I’m grateful to have received this award. “Black Bastard” is my story of growing up without my biological father and always wanting to meet him, then finally meeting him when I was 15 and wishing I never had. It’s a story I thought I’d never tell but knew I needed to—a journey into the heart of identity that probes the questions “Who am I?” and “Where do I come from?” Set in my hometown of Houston, Texas, it’s a time capsule of the ’90s, complete with nostalgic nods to AOL and Blockbuster. There are several “Choose-Your-Own-Adventure” moments in the show when I invite audience participation because as much as the story is my own, there’s a universality to it. Along the way, I embody over 15 characters in a fully theatrical experience that invites audiences to reconnect with our collective upbringing. To that point, the soundtrack is rooted in nursery rhymes and I even attempt my hand at choreography, reconnecting with the unbridled joy of my inner child. This is more than a show—it’s a humorous, immersive journey that challenges people to reflect on their own path to selfhood. I used to think growing up without a father was hard, but growing up without a country was harder. At its core, “Black Bastard” explores the idea that we’re all wanderers in a land we can’t truly claim, collective bastards in a way. So why don’t we search together?

JESSICA: I find this to be very important work. Thank you for being so bold and so brave! So, tell us what inspired you to create this show and what was your process for creating and then staging it?

“Black Bastard” was born out of inspiration and frustration. For years, I’d been the vessel for others’ stories while my own narrative simmered beneath the surface, begging to be told. It wasn’t until GLAAD’s Inaugural Black Queer Creative Summit here in LA last September that I felt truly seen as an artist. That visibility, coupled with therapy (shout-out to mental health!), cracked open the floodgates of creativity.

The process? It was a journey of impulse and excavation. I started with a virtual journal where I could document ideas whenever they popped into my head. After a long-overdue conversation with my mother during Thanksgiving, I wrote out all the stories I knew I wanted to include in the show. I also dove into the literary influences that shaped my voice, from Virginia Hamilton’s folktales to Langston Hughes’ poetry. Each phase of the show mirrors a pivotal moment in my becoming, intertwined with the books that gave me language for my experiences. I spoke to writer friends who told me to outline, outline, outline. And whenever I found myself stuck, I read a book on creativity or hopped online to seek out resources, which is how I stumbled upon Soaring Solo Studios. Your online offerings, particularly the Free 1 Person Play Classes, were instrumental in jogging my memories and getting me into the physical act of writing. So thank you for maintaining your online presence and making your library of resources accessible to all.

And staging it? That’s where my director, Shinelle Azoroh, came in to take things to another level. From our first read-through via Zoom, she saw elements in the story that I was blind to and truly brought the words on the page to life. In May, we moved into a rehearsal studio (thank you Maura Vincent & Seydways Acting Studios) and walked and talked our way through the play. I wasn’t precious about any part of the show and if something didn’t work for either me or Shinelle, I changed it or cut it. After each rehearsal, I did rewrites and by the end of rehearsals, the script was about half of its original length. Establishing the atmosphere was key because I wanted the audience to feel the heat of a Houston summer, the weight of expectations, and the sweet release of self-discovery. Together, we created a jambalaya of memoir, character transformation, and socio-cultural commentary in which I didn’t overanalyze my creative impulses but simply said yes to them.

JESSICA: That is quite a journey! Why did you decide to do this show as part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival?

My Fringe journey began back in 2016 when a friend, Allison Youngberg, invited me to act in a 10-minute play as part of “The Gentrification Cycle.” Flipping through that year’s festival guide, I was struck by the sheer diversity of work. The idea that anyone, anywhere could bring their vision to life through Fringe? That stuck with me.

Fast forward to 2023, and I’m applying for a Fringe Scholarship, putting my solo show ideas on paper for the first time. I didn’t get it then, but I reapplied this year with a promise to myself: scholarship or not, “Black Bastard” was going to breathe in this year’s festival air.

We all know “Hollywood” can be an exclusive club, but Fringe stands as a beacon of inclusivity. It’s a space where voices like mine—Black, queer, Southern, nerdy—can carve out room to exist, to grow. The festival’s spirit of artistic freedom aligned perfectly with the raw, unfiltered truth I needed to tell.

Moreover, Fringe offers this unique blend of community and creativity. It’s a place where the literal black sheep can run with the herd. The energy—electric, unpredictable, deeply supportive—felt like the perfect incubator for a show all about becoming one’s true self.

Whew, I am still in the process of unpacking all that I learned as a first-time solo performer. What I can say is that stepping onto that stage each performance, I learned that vulnerability is a superpower. I’d known it intellectually, but feeling it? That was a whole different ball game. During my first performance, I was more nervous than I’ve ever been onstage. Am I really about to share my shame with all of these people? I wanted to quit three times during that show. However, each performance became an act of reclaiming my narrative, my identity, and my voice. I discovered that the very things I once thought made me an outsider were the bridges connecting me to my audience. And once I released the focus on self and remembered this story is now for others to receive, I found freedom in it. Giving myself permission to just be in the moment and breathe opened up more possibilities for the audience to engage in the work. I still get nervous, but I also find new ways to play.

Storytelling is more than art. It transforms personal pain into collective healing, individual experience into universal truth. The power of representation became tangible in the tears, the laughter, and the silent nods of recognition from audience members who saw themselves reflected on stage. Most profoundly, I learned that we’re all searching for something, somewhere, someone to call home. In sharing my story, I found a home in the community that rallied around this show, and ultimately, in myself.

“Solo show” is a bit of a misnomer. Every theatrical endeavor is stitched together by many hands, some seen, many unseen. The moment “Black Bastard” crystallized as a title in my mind, I knew exactly whose directorial voice I needed to bring it to life. Shinelle and I come from the same artistic lineage at the American Conservatory Theater, so I knew we shared a vocabulary that would serve as a strong foundation.

Now, as the Capricorn that I am (yes, astrology is part of this journey too), I decided to don as many hats as possible for my first solo rodeo. Partly out of necessity—I believe in paying artists, and my pockets weren’t exactly overflowing—and partly to preserve the purity of my vision. So there I was: writer, performer, lighting designer, sound engineer, wardrobe supervisor, prop wizard, make-up artist, choreographer, dialect coach, and dramaturg all rolled into one. Did I nail every role? Absolutely not. But I needed to give myself permission to fail and grow.

The one area where I knew my limits was graphic design. That is not my forte, but I had a vision in mind. My friend Gersson Romero heard my ideas and, after a few iterations, created a flyer that captured the very essence of the show. So ultimately, it all boils down to community. Who do you know that knows you? Whose artistic hands can you trust to hold your heart of a show? If you don’t have that community yet, go out and build it. Create the spaces you need. Because in the end, even a solo show is a communal act of creation.

JESSICA: I couldn’t agree more. It may be a one person play, but it absolutely takes a community to bring it to fruition! Having had so much success with this show in this year’s Fringe with various nominations and wins, what tips do you have for other aspiring solo artists?

You are enough. Even saying it now sounds trite because for the longest time, I had no idea what that meant. But it’s true. Don’t discount the natural gifts you wake up with each day. Write the story you think no one wants to hear—trust me, someone needs it. Write microscopically and dive deep into the details that make your experience uniquely yours.

Immerse yourself in art. See other solo shows—learn from them, be inspired by them, let them challenge you. Between my first and second performances, I saw a handful of solo shows as part of Fringe and picked up something from each one that I could incorporate into my own. From Rahvaunia Johnson, I learned that clarity and precision are vital storytelling ingredients. From Christopher Moncayo-Torres, I learned that perfection is an illusion; make your own order out of chaos.

Go for long walks, letting your mind wander and your creativity bubble up from unexpected places. I found the physical life for multiple characters in my show while hiking. As a daily practice, journal, meditate, stretch, and hydrate—nourish your body and soul, because they’re the instruments through which your art will flow.

And get out of your comfort zone! I’m actually saying that as a reminder to myself. That’s where the magic happens, where truth shines brightest (it has no other choice). Remember, your story is a gift. Share it boldly.

JESSICA: That is awesome advice. Thank you! I am sure the readers will be so gifted by what you have shared. So, what is next for your solo show?

“Black Bastard” is evolving, y’all. I’m in the thick of rewrites, adding fresh pages based on revelations from my Hollywood Fringe run. I’m specifically deepening the collective element to the show. Come early August, I’ll preview this new material at the Stephanie Feury Studio Theatre.

Then, we hit the road. First stop: San Francisco, August 16th-18th, for a three-show run at the PlayGround Free Play Festival. It’s a homecoming of sorts—the Bay Area is where I cut my teeth as an actor, so returning with my own show feels like completing a circle.

November 9th sees us at the Santa Monica Playhouse for the Binge Fringe Festival. And you best believe I’m working on bringing this show to my hometown, Houston. That Texas heat forged this story, and it’s time to bring it home.

But why stop there? My dream—and I’m putting this out into the universe—is to tour this show far and wide. From coast to coast, across oceans, and yes, all the way to the bright lights of Broadway. Because this story, this journey of becoming, deserves to be heard on the biggest stages.

This is just the beginning, folks. “Black Bastard” is ready to roam.

Thank you again for the honor. My hope is that everyone recognizes the “Social Impact” in the show. When I say “Embrace your multitudes,” I really mean it. Follow @theeblackbastard on Instagram for future developments.

Jessica Lynn Johnson

Founder & CEO of Soaring Solo LLC

SoaringSoloArtist@gmail.com

www.SoaringSoloStudios.com

Enjoy these Solo Theatre Resources to further guide you on your solo journey!

Award winning director and developer Jessica Lynn Johnson hosts a slew of powerful solo show script readings and full staged productions addressing various impactful and inspiring topics.

This enticing lineup can be found by CLICKING HERE FOR MORE INFO.

Start writing your own solo show one Freewrite at a time with “FREEWrite Friday”!

Join BEST NATIONAL SOLO ARTIST WINNER Jessica Lynn Johnson for FREEWrite Friday!

Utilizing thought-provoking writing prompts, Jessica will lead you in writing exercises that are sure to assist you in the development of your solo show.

We look forward to having you join the Soaring Solo Community in this event because your story matters!

CLICK HERE TO RSVP and obtain the Zoom link and password.

Attend the Soaring Solo FREE One Person Play Development class ONLINE!

Schedule an Online Coaching Consultation with Jessica Lynn Johnson to discuss the possibilities for your solo show!

Jessica brings her 15+ years of solo theatre expertise to work privately with solo artists from all over the world on an as needed basis.

A 1 on 1 Consultation is for you if…

-You are curious about creating a solo show, but you need writing prompts to help you generate material.

– You are tossing around ideas for your solo show, but you need some accountability and encouragement to commit those ideas to the page.

-You have already written some material, but you need expert feedback on editing, story structure and play formatting.

-You have a great first draft, but need guidance on how to utilize multimedia and solo theatre technique in order to make your show a dynamic piece of solo theatre.

-You already premiered your solo show and now you want some tips on how to tour colleges and festivals, and garner accolades and great reviews!

-You have heard great things about Jessica’s work and you’re curious about hiring her as a director and developer for your solo show, but first you want to feel her out and see if she is the right fit for you and your project.

Wherever you may find yourself on your solo journey, Jessica will help you overcome whatever immediate obstacle stands between you and your solo success.

If you resonate with many of the things on this list, then take the next step by emailing SoaringSoloArtist@gmail.com for more information.

The post And the Winner Is, Jon Gentry appeared first on NoHo Arts District - Theatre, Food, Bars, Shopping and a buzzing community..

Jessica Lynn Johnson, Author at NoHo Arts District - Theatre, Food, Bars, Shopping and a buzzing community.

Creating Boundaries as a Solo Artist

In this month’s blog, I’ll suggest three ways of creating boundaries as a solo artist so that you maintain a strong sense of self and safety throughout your solo journey.

Enjoy these Solo Theatre Resources to Further Guide You on Your Solo Journey!

Start Writing Your Own Solo Show One Freewrite at a Time With “FREEWrite Friday”!

Attend the Soaring Solo FREE One-Person Play Development Class ONLINE!

Schedule an Online Coaching Consultation

Spring Cleaning for Your Solo Show

In this month’s blog, I’ll suggest four spring cleaning tools for your solo show that you can utilize to be a powerful and productive solo artist.

Enjoy these Solo Theatre Resources to Further Guide You on Your Solo Journey!

Start Writing Your Own Solo Show One Freewrite at a Time With “FREEWrite Friday”!

Attend the Soaring Solo FREE One-Person Play Development Class ONLINE!

Schedule an Onlinbe Coaching Consultation

Branding Yourself as a Solo Artist

Let’s dive in with four tools you will need in successfully branding yourself as a solo artist.

Enjoy these Solo Theatre Resources to further guide you on branding yourself as a solo artist but also on your solo journey!

Start writing your own solo show one freewrite at a time with “FREEWrite Friday”!

Attend the Soaring Solo FREE One-Person Play Development class ONLINE!

Schedule an Online Coaching Consultation

They Say the Show Must Go on … But Must It?

“Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” – Viktor Frankl

Enjoy these Solo Theatre Resources to further guide you on your solo journey!

Tune in and Support the Soaring Solo Community as We Share Our Stories from Stage!

Start Writing Your Own Solo Show One Freewrite at a Time with “FREEWrite Friday!”

Attend the Soaring Solo FREE One-Person Play Development Class ONLINE!

Online Coaching Consultation

Balance vs Burnout as a Solo Artist

Here are three aspects of maintaining more balance in your creative life that will help you avoid or remedy the ramifications of burnout.

1) Self Care

2) Support Systems

3) Saying No

Enjoy these Solo Theatre Resources to further guide you on your solo journey!

Start writing your own solo show one Freewrite at a time with “FREEWrite Friday”!

Attend the Soaring Solo FREE One-Person Play Development class ONLINE!

Schedule an Online Coaching Consultation with Jessica Lynn Johnson to discuss the possibilities for your solo show!

How to Select a Venue for Your Solo Show

1) Location

2) Technical Capabilities

3) Staff

4) Cost

5) Seating

6) Venue Type

Enjoy these Solo Theatre Resources to further guide you on your solo journey!

Start writing your own solo show one Freewrite at a time with “FREEWrite Friday”!

Attend the Soaring Solo FREE One-Person Play Development Cass ONLINE!

5 Tips to Turn Your Solo Show Dreams into Reality

In this month’s blog, I am going to guide you through five tips to turn your solo show dreams into a reality.

Enjoy these Solo Theatre Resources to further guide you on your solo journey!

Start writing your own solo show one Freewrite at a time with “FREEWrite Friday”!

Attend the Soaring Solo FREE One-Person Play Development Class ONLINE!

Schedule an Online Coaching Consultation with Jessica Lynn Johnson to discuss the possibilities for your solo show!

Schedule an Online Coaching Consultation

From Festival to Festival

With that in mind, I am dedicating today’s blog to exploring a handful of festivals that you might consider bringing your show to.

Enjoy these solo theatre resources to further guide you on your solo journey!

Tune in and support the Soaring Solo Community as we share our stories from stage!

Start writing your own solo show one Freewrite at a time with “FREEWrite Friday”!

Attend the Soaring Solo FREE One-Person Play Development class ONLINE!

Online Coaching

Touring Tips from a Dynamic Duo

JESSICA: Thank you both so much for joining me today to take this deep dive into touring festivals with a solo show. Can you please start out by telling the Noho Arts readers a little bit more about yourselves and your involvement in the solo theatre genre.

JESSICA: Wow! That is a lot of touring and congrats on those outstanding achievements. Considering all of that, what tips do you have for solo theater artists from the wisdom you’ve gained from all the experience you’ve had in this genre and touring the world?

JESSICA: Awesome advice. What else would you like to share with the Noho Arts and Soaring Solo community for those that are at the beginning of their journey or have been touring for many years or have aspirations to tour with their current show?

JESSICA: Thank you so much Tymisha and Mike! I know you are on the road right now, so my readers and I really appreciate you slowing down for a moment to give us these priceless tips. You are both such an inspiration.

Enjoy these Solo Theatre Resources to further guide you on your solo journey!

Start writing your own solo show one Freewrite at a time with “FREEWrite Friday”!

Attend the Soaring Solo FREE One-Person Play Development class ONLINE!

Schedule an Online Coaching Consultation with Jessica Lynn Johnson to discuss the possibilities for your solo show!

And the Winner Is, Jon Gentry

For this month’s blog, I have the pleasure of interviewing the winner of the Soaring Solo Social Impact Award, Jon Gentry, for his outstanding work in his one-person show BLACK BASTARD.

JESSICA: Congrats again Jon! So, tell our readers about your Solo Show BLACK BASTARD.

JESSICA: I find this to be very important work. Thank you for being so bold and so brave! So, tell us what inspired you to create this show and what was your process for creating and then staging it?

JESSICA: That is quite a journey! Why did you decide to do this show as part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival?

JESSICA: Well, I am so grateful you had all of those purposeful stepping stones along the way to help you bring your solo show to life. What did you learn as a result of doing this solo show and sharing this story with an audience?

JESSICA: That’s beautiful. Thank you for eloquently speaking to the importance of sharing one’s story. Can you tell me more about how you put together your creative team and why you made the decision to not do your solo show alone?

JESSICA: I couldn’t agree more. It may be a one person play, but it absolutely takes a community to bring it to fruition! Having had so much success with this show in this year’s Fringe with various nominations and wins, what tips do you have for other aspiring solo artists?

JESSICA: That is awesome advice. Thank you! I am sure the readers will be so gifted by what you have shared. So, what is next for your solo show?

JESSICA: Did I miss anything? Please share anything that you feel is important to share with our readers.

JESSICA: Thank you so much Jon! You are such an inspiration and I really appreciate all of your time, talent, and insights to share with the NoHo Arts community and beyond.

Enjoy these Solo Theatre Resources to further guide you on your solo journey!