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Greenlight Guru is an interview series that highlights artists across disciplines who have created projects and businesses around their art. This month I welcome humorist, writer and storyteller Dawn J. Fraser of Barbershop Stories!
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"Instead of thinking of your project as 'ready, aim, fire'
think of it as 'ready, fire, aim!'" ~ Dawn J. Fraser
GY: What
is your current passion project and how did it come about?
DJF: I
have two passion projects, one which is more “fun” and one which is more
“business”, but both support my interest in building a platform as a
writer and performer. The first is Barbershop Stories, a storytelling show that I host and produce that features poets, musicians and performers
sharing true tales in New York City salons. Then I chop off their hair!
My
second project is a series of speeches, workshops and educational programs. My academic background is in public policy and
leadership, and as a storytelling instructor, I started seeing the ways in
which a well told story could be inspiring and engaging. I’ve since made it my
goal to not only entertain when I speak, but to also leave audiences with
practical life skills and a memorable message.
What
was your reason for starting Barbershop Stories and your speaking series?
I
was at a storytelling show one night, and after the show I met a professor in
the audience. He mentioned that he taught a communications course at a business
school, and how he wished that he could show his class how to apply some of the
techniques of storytelling to his group of rigid, unengaged presenters. I told him I would develop a workshop for his class, free of charge, in exchange for
them video taping the event.
I put together a workshop that got students working on their feet. The professor was so pleased
that he agreed to bring me back for another session and to find some funds so I could get paid. I went back a few months later, did a great job with the workshop, and that led to two
more booked workshops. That's when I really started to take notice that there
could be a way to use my expertise as a performer and a storyteller to make some side money or possibly even a career.
What
has been the best thing about your experience?
It
may sound crazy, but I love the unexpected twists, turns and lessons that
come when bringing a creative idea to life. Although I started Barbershop
Stories as a fun way to showcase some of the city's best performers, it allowed me to explore a creative skill where I didn’t have as much experience:
as an MC and host. I’ve since grown to love the art of hosting and might
even look into ways to promote myself in this way after I’ve successfully
completed my current passion projects. For storytelling and speaking, the best
part has been realizing that I can do something that I love and truly make a
living!
