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

Hi Anna, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
One of the greatest things I can do and one of the most enjoyable aspects of being in a creative career is to be able to curate and give people the feelings of awe and wonderment in an experience. It’s that feeling of when you step into a new environment and are stunned by its beauty or excited by its potential, the feeling of the lights dimming before a concert or a movie. Being in a job where I can create a world where people have a visceral and excited response to a set, a video, an image, or a moment is electrifying, though sometimes incredibly challenging!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?                   

I’m currently in a new job as a creative director and designer for shows, concerts, and live entertainment at Possible in Los Angeles. A job that I never really knew existed when I was younger and yet somehow I have been unknowingly working my way towards it my whole life. When I tell people my background I say that I started out as a performer (acting and hip hop dance), I was in leadership roles throughout high school, I studied film and theatre at undergrad, competed internationally in hip hop dance competitions, directed theatre shows, designed sets, stages and projections, did an MFA in scenic design at UCSD, and loved graphic design and painting. It’s a basket filled to the brim with various creative and entertainment eggs. Just this year I took a step into creative direction and it feels like an amazing amalgamation of everything I have learnt, studied, and experienced through life even though I did all of these things without necessarily knowing that they were part of a bigger career equation.
I’d say I did all these different things because of passion, curiosity, and enjoyment, which is something I would push people to explore in their own life. You may feel like perhaps you’re lacking in purpose at times, or that “it’s not a viable career”, but its the commitment to learning and trying new things that will propel you forwards and take you to places you didn’t know explicitly existed but always knew were out there waiting for you.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m originally from New Zealand but have lived in California for 5 years, 2 of those being in LA and I LOVE when people come through LA to visit, or in transit while travelling, or here on work. They need to be exposed to Mexican food, I love Guisados as well as Guerilla Tacos. I like to take them to do touristy and slightly cliche things because some of those things are actually incredible and when you are from somewhere as small as NZ. Seeing the expanse of LA from up high in front of the Griffith Park observatory is always a standout, and seeing Hollywood Blvd (and its lack of glamour) is always quite interesting. One of my favourite places for food is Grand Central Market, in particular, the Yellow Chicken Curry from Sticky Rice (sidenote, pineapple in a yellow curry is a match made in heaven).

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?
My shoutout goes to all the incredible wāhine (women in te reo Māori) who have surrounded me, supported me, and inspired me throughout every chapter of life. My mum has given me confidence, compassion, and the knowledge of how to be a boss in business and everyday life. My soul sisters from my dancing days who created a tribe of friendship, support and energy that I can always count on. The wāhine in my family for being feminists and entrepreneurs who celebrate and push for creativity, ideas, and curiosity. I would also like to thank Jack Reuler for believing in me as an artist, my father and brothers for being my backbone, and my boyfriend for reminding me that what I do is awesome and that I am worthy of standing out.

Website: www.annarobinson.design

Instagram: @annabobinson

Image Credits
Nick George (portrait shots), Ismael Zendejas and Anna Robinson (performance shots)

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