Art & Life with Amanda Thompson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Thompson.

Amanda, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
My family would tell you I was born a performer. I grew up singing and dancing around the living room to “Hey, Good Lookin’ “and always had a knack for impressions. But despite all of this, I never really thought of myself as a performer until around middle school when I landed a lead role in a church production as this zany, off the wall character I based off of my great-grandmother. I remember the show ending and sitting in my Mom’s closet crying because I couldn’t bear the thought of taking off the costume. In an effort to stop the onslaught of tears my mother offered up, “Well, if you love it this much, maybe you should be an actress when you grow up”. I’m sure she has regretted that many times over the years, but it stuck and I set my mind to the fact I wanted to be onstage the rest of my life.

I joined the children’s theatre program at our local playhouse and was blessed to be introduced to the man who would change my life, Mark Tennis wood. He taught me how to project, act, sing, entertain, but more than that he taught me how to live for my art. He was so much more than just a teacher, he was a soul mate for my heart. Not in any romantic, trivialized sense of that word, but a true meeting of souls. When I first met him, I couldn’t even raise my hand to ask to read a scene, but he pulled and pulled until he had me. He taught me how to teach, he gave me my first paid gig in his melodrama company, and most importantly to always create. He passed away in February of 2016 and through the numerous tributes I came across a quote from him that has stayed with me every day since, “Wherever I am, I do theatre.” He lived it every day and inspired me to as well.

Through high school I continued to study and went on to pursue theatre in college. I remember several of my professors trying to steer me towards musical theatre, but I had no interest in it at the time. I didn’t feel I was a strong enough singer. It wasn’t until I auditioned for grad school and my dream school told me flat out they wouldn’t accept me because I needed to be doing musical theatre that I finally started to listen.

After that I began working in the metroplex at Repertory Company Theatre and even did some work at Casa Manana before my husband and I discovered I was pregnant with twins. After that, I took a break from performing for a while to focus on family, but like my mentor, I couldn’t be still. He had taught me the blessings of theatre and I decided since I wasn’t able to travel and do it myself for the time being I would bring it to my hometown.

Shining Star Productions was born on a wink and a prayer. We produced our first production in 2009 with a mere seven students. We didn’t even have enough to cast the show, so I had to drag my husband onstage to fill out the cast. But over time we grew and now we average over fifty students in our productions and produce community wide musicals and cabarets as well. It’s a blessing and still overwhelming to think of. Our motto is Matthew 5:16 and our goal is to let the talents God has given us “shine” brightly and bring honor and glory to
Him. I am constantly amazed at the talents we have and the people that cross our paths to grow our organization. It’s a very special thing we have going on. I’m so blessed to be a part of it.

Now that my boys are older, my life is a balancing act. My love for performing is nurtured at my metroplex theatre home, Repertory Company Theatre and my directorial and creative side are hard at work at Shining Star Productions.

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
Performing is something that has always given me life. Offstage I’m definitely an introvert, but what I love about performing is the ability to become anyone I want to be. My husband says I’m a walking, talking, singing Muppet. I never feel quite as alive as when I am onstage. I love to connect with a character and bring them to life.

Music is something that has always been an emotional release for me and I am so glad I finally found enough confidence to redirect myself into that genre. Having a background that was focused more on acting, I feel like that makes me a performer that strives to find the emotional connection to a song. I want the audience to feel what I feel when I hear a melody. It’s always been a magical thing for me when I get to experience a true artist who can use their gifts to make you go on a journey with them. That is always my goal. I want to keep learning and growing and take the audience on a journey with me.

But as much as I love performing, when the spotlight goes off, I really don’t like attention. My friends will tell you I hate curtain calls and receiving lines. It’s the introvert in me. I love attention on the characters I play, but “Amanda” is never comfortable with attention. That’s why I enjoy the flip side to my art.

With directing and running Shining Star Productions, I get to take off the actor cap and do all the behind the scenes work. I love teaching students and have always loved children. They are like sponges and are so open and free when it comes to creativity. And there is no limit to what they can do. Each year my expectations grow higher and higher and they are always met. Getting to instill that love that I was given is so rewarding.

And getting to create a whole picture and not just one piece (like with acting). It’s not an easy thing and it brings a new appreciation for the art of theatre. My favorite is on opening day, when I hide in the booth and there are no eyes on me, but just on my work and my students and actors (who are amazing). To watch from that different vantage point is a blessing. It’s a very moving thing to see your art onstage and to watch it come to life with an audience. It is such a joy to behold.

What would you recommend to an artist new to the city, or to art, in terms of meeting and connecting with other artists and creatives?
I think as an introvert, networking has always been the hardest thing for me as a performer and as a director. My biggest advice would be to lean on others. Find those people who are where you want to be and learn from them. Always keep learning. And find those people who can make up your team. Whether that is as a performer, a director, or even as a human.

I am blessed to work with some absolutely AMAZING performers that push me to grow and become a stronger artist. So many times, I think to myself, how is it that I get to “play” with such amazing artists. They keep me on my toes so that I am never comfortable but always growing.

As a director, I’ve been blessed with a phenomenal team of people who handle sets, fundraising, and administrative tasks. I am always a hands-on person and it was hard at first for me to let go of the reins on some of those areas, but lean on your people. Letting go and giving up control helps you to grow. I am now at the point I can’t imagine the old days when I had to do everything. I am blessed indeed.

And find your people. Those who are your kind of crazy. I am so blessed to have not only a supportive family, but an amazing network of friends who get what I do and the balance of living my passion and also balancing my Mom hat. Find your people and hold onto them like crazy, because when life gets rough (and it will) they will carry you through to the other side.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
Performance wise, you are most likely to catch me onstage at Repertory Company Theatre in Richardson. I don’t have any upcoming shows on the books because of projects going on at home, but check them out! They have an amazing season line-up and they are top-notch performers.

From the directorial standpoint, if you venture east of Dallas to Sulphur Springs, you will find Shining Star Productions. If you see the giant cows, you are in the right place. Classes start for our summer production in September and will culminate in our huge musical in the summer with several other productions throughout the year. We would love to see you there and for you to follow us on Facebook! If you want to get involved with our organization in any way, reach out to us and we will get in contact with you. We love what we do and we know you will too!

Contact Info:

• Email: hello_dolly_levi@yahoo.com
• Instagram: @hellodollylevi77
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=96400853
• Other: https://facebook.com/ShiningStarProductions/

Image Credit:
Mandy Fiock
Deedra Scherm

Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.