Meet Julie Craig | Actress + Singer

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

Hi Julie, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
“The dance is not over until you are completely soaked in sweat.” – my Dad I love this quote because it’s how I live my life. To me it means… If you’re going to do something, do it all the way. See things all the way through. Enjoy these moments you have on this earth with everything you’ve got. Live your life to the fullest and experience all that you can. Hold nothing back. Don’t care about what other people think, just really go for it with your whole being. It might take effort but sweat feels good, especially when you’re doing something you love (like dancing). Keep going until you’ve given everything you’ve got and then you can walk away from what you’ve created with satisfaction, feeling proud. Leave it all on the dance floor. That’s the way to be fulfilled in life and in a career as a creator. To me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Dance is for fun at this point in life (although who knows, maybe I’ll get to do it again for a role)! Professionally I am an actress and a singer. I mostly act in film and television these days, with my history being rooted in theatre in New York. I’m always interesting in being back on stage. Currently you can catch me on Season 2 of the Apple TV+ show “Truth Be Told” with Octavia Spencer and Kate Hudson. I sing classical music for private events and with symphonies. My first album “From Here” is available now on all the music streaming platforms. I sing classical crossover music (like Andrea Bocelli) with a 48-piece orchestra in Budapest.

I’d say what sets me apart is courage, grit, and professionalism. I have the courage to be vulnerable. A friend recently told me that I “wear my process like a golden dress and it’s arresting and human.” I’m proud of that. I am not afraid to be fully seen. I have the grit and perseverance to never give up on myself or this path I’ve chosen. It takes stamina. It requires letting go, and starting again. And while it’s not always easy, I have acquired those skills over time. I also show up as a professional every time: prepared, collaborative, with utmost respect for the process, resourceful, and never taking opportunities for granted.

I’ve learned over the years that I can count on myself. Through trial and error, I’ve found the tools that I need to take care of myself as an artist and a human – like meditation, a good bath, being physically active in nature, and quality time with people I love, among so many others. I’ve gained a realism. The glitz and sparkles have all worn off. The rose colored glasses have shattered. And I’m still here, loving it even more now because it’s real. And I’m meant to be here.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Here’s a perfect day filled with some of the things I’ve been doing lately! Of course we’d start the morning with a delicious latte or matcha from Alfred Coffee and a smoothie from Kreation. Then we’d go on one of many the gorgeous hikes at Griffith Park with amazing views of the city. We’d grab lunch at Joan’s on Third. Followed by some reading/relaxing at Will Rogers Beach. Put our feet in the ocean/sand. Then we’d do some shopping at Crossroads in weho before grabbing a martini at the iconic Musso & Frank Grill. Followed by dinner at one of my valley faves: Augustine (re-opening soon), Mirabelle (their sister restaurant), Casita, Kiwami by Katsu-ya, or Anajak Thai. And then dance the night away someplace like La Descarga with a live salsa band or a concert at The Greek.

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?
Speaking of sweating and dance, I want to shoutout my new dance community, led by Marissa Heart and her heels classes at Playground LA. It anchors me to my roots. The first time I stepped on a stage, I was three years old. It was my first dance recital. Falling in love with performing at that young of an age set me on a path that I am still on today, as an actress and singer in LA. I love this calling with all my heart, and I have been through a lot of ups and downs.

Recently I went through some personal loss, and I needed to find a way back to myself and my connection to my body. I hadn’t danced in 10 years. I took a Marissa Heart class with a friend and it has become my new weekly therapy. Not only is it helping me to stand in my power again, but it connects me back to my first outlet of self expression – dance. I can feel my inner child artist with a pure joyful heart again.

I have been sweating every Saturday and Monday night with Marissa for the last 6 months, and it has changed my whole life. I cannot say enough about the energy of the room that she creates and the dancers’ hype for each other. It’s supportive, powerful, accepting, loving, and uplifting. When I post videos of the class, I get so many messages from other women about how it inspires them, or from dad friends of mine saying that they want to empower their daughters like this. It’s unlike any space I’ve ever been in, unlike any dance class I’ve ever taken. It has healed my heart and my inner artist in ways I never could have expected. And I can’t wait to see where this newfound healing, self love, and inner power takes me.

Website: http://imdb.me/juliecraig

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliecraig_/

Other: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/juliecraig/from-here

Image Credits
Ericka Kreutz, Morgan Demeter, Transcendence Theatre Company, Brian Jenks, Shakespeare Theatre Company