Meet Brad Milison | Actor & Writer & Comedian

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brad Milison and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brad, why did you pursue a creative career?
I’ve loved entertaining since I was a kid. Starring in plays, learning magic tricks, and making my own movies were some outputs for my creativity. I enjoy acting because I can slip into someone else’s life. I value writing because I can create other worlds, stories, and characters that are wildly different from my own experiences, but somewhere you will find a morsel of myself hidden in there. I’m proud of my sense of humor and my outlook on the world. It’s something I want to share with people. The stories I want to write, but haven’t yet – I’m excited to share those, too. I know in some creative spheres it’s easy to label an artist as wanting attention or fame, but some days I’m able to strip it down to the fact that I want to make people laugh and I want to tell stories that haven’t been told before. If I don’t go for it, if I don’t try my hardest, others will, sure, but I’m the only one who is going to get out the stories I have in my head.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I don’t pretend to know what sets me apart from others. I like to think my writing and comedic chops work in my favor. I’m proud of my storytelling abilities. Whether it’s a one-minute video, a TV or film script, or performing in a monthly lip sync competition I love, I really do like to get in a sold beginning, middle, and end. Concepts have always been my strong suit and it wasn’t until the last few years that I was able to put my finger on that and build around it. Once I have a concept I love I am off to the races.

The biggest challenge I’ve faced to get to where I am today is my own anxiety. It’s really refreshing to see so many artists and so much art that showcases mental health struggles, though. It allows me to type this with ease, not really worried that it might be taboo to write, “I struggle with anxiety.” I know it’s vulnerable to put your art out there and of course I get insecure about what other people might think of me, so it’s a bit ironic and unfortunate to sometimes feel like you’re not even going to get to worrying about what others think because you have your own self-doubt that is telling you, “you aren’t good enough.” I’m happy to report I’ve *mostly* mastered silencing that voice, but of course it finds its way in, the little bugger that it is. It doesn’t define me, though. It makes me work harder.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Welp, given the state of the world it feels hard to remember the last time I had a visitor and planned an itinerary. I sadly can’t say for sure what’s still even open anymore. There is a lesson here that the pandemic taught us: don’t take for granted the moments you have – I’m mostly talking in-person – with your friends and loved ones. I live alone, but am a social butterfly sometimes, so it was hard to be without all the face-to-face interactions I was used to. I know I am not unique in that and that we ALL felt those effects, but when I can see my friends safely indoors somewhere, or when I travel to see a friend who lives elsewhere, I like to think I’m going to be more present than ever before. We’ve seen how fast the world can take that all away, and I mean that grimly, too, so I will appreciate so much just sitting in the same room with someone I care for deeply.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Where to start with my shoutouts? I wholeheartedly agree we walk around with other people inside us. Not in a creepy possessed sort of way, but more like the imprints of others’ encouragement and support that have helped shape us into the person we are today. My parents have been my #1 fans since childhood, always supporting me in whatever creative endeavor I pursued. They’ve remained unwavering supporters and have taught me the importance of a family unit founded on unconditional love and support. I am beyond grateful to have them. Equally important are the friends I have who have not only showed up to my shows, read my work, watched my videos, etc., but who also saw things in me before I did. They’ve always made me feel safe while pushing me even further. Having people like that in your life is such a blessing, so I make sure I’m also that person to my friends. It doesn’t sound difficult on paper to show up for your friends, but it can feel rare to find those who are there for you consistently.

Instagram: @bradmilison

Twitter: @bradmilison

Other: TikTok: @bradmilison

Image Credits
Jordan Ring, Paul Brickman, Jade Grace