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

Hi Priya, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
My family is from India – my parents moved to America just before my brother and I were born. Growing up, they exposed us to everything they could from both the East and West – music, food, movies, ideas, holidays, languages, etc. It built a strong sense of perspective in us about the world at large, and gave us the freedom to find ourselves in the intersection of different customs, cultures, and countries. In our upbringing, my brother and I saw our parents valuing acceptance, empathy, generosity, ambition, resilience, and staying true to who you are. It’s the biggest impact on the person and artist I am today, and the greatest gift they’ve given me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

Personally and professionally, it’s scary to dig deep and ask ourselves the tough questions – who you are, what you stand for, and what you want out of life. Putting all of that into action and going after it is even scarier. I’ve always been a very ambitious person – I left a dream job and future career on the business side of the Entertainment Industry because I realized there was something else out there for me. It took a while to crystalize what I was looking for, and once I did, I never looked back. 

I’ve found that a big part of being able to stay in pursuit is knowing how to take care of yourself. We can’t pour from an empty cup. Period. I’ve learned over the past few years that there is so much to life – a career is a part of our identity, not the whole thing. The more fulfilled and happy we are as humans, the better artists we can be. It all adds up. The people we love, the places we travel to and learn about, the changes we seek to spark, and the legacy we want to leave behind are things worth finding the time and balance for.

Being in an industry where we have to carve and lay our own path is a 24/7, mental, physical, and emotional commitment. And it’s an industry where our skillset needs to be sharp and sustainable. I learned the idea of getting 1% better everyday from James Clear. It’s the perfect mix of ambition, growth, and patience. It changed everything for me. 1% is both realistic and makes an impact. Even 1% of 1% adds up, and helps me to continuously challenge myself to raise the bar of excellence that I try to hit.

The end goal for me is to build my microcosm of the world, rooted in compassion, contribution, and character. I want to be proud of the fulfilling life and commercially successful career I build. I hope to inspire others to follow their hearts and seek possibility. I want to explode the power that Theater has to change our world. I want to always stay in pursuit of my dreams, and let those dreams grow bigger and bigger. Through the ups and the downs, and when the pursuit of a career in the arts feels overwhelming, I can always put that in perspective, knowing that I’m building a life and career in a way that is true to who I am and in a way that I can be proud of.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

The most important factor that I have are the people and relationships in my life. In a challenging world and industry, it’s crucial to have people in your life who know you inside and out, know what you’re trying to build, hold you to the highest standard, and always have your back. Specifically for me, that’s my family, friends, teachers, and coaches. Their belief in my dreams and dedication helps make me a better artist and person. It’s something I never take for granted. It also reminds me to always practice gratitude, and to be that kind of person in return for everyone in my life.

Website: www.priyamahendra.com

Instagram: @priyamahendra

Image Credits
Corinne Louie, Wenonah Wildblood

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