Meet Darian Dauchan | Actor/Writer/Musician/Yogi

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

Hi Darian, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Balance is everything. There is no balance without a solid foundation. I just got my Yoga Instructor certification so balance has been one of the major themes for me in the last 6 months. I think the way it’s changed for me is I now have a deeper understanding that all of our actions are connected. I understand the importance of recreation how it informs the work and vice versa, and you need both. You need breaks, rest, and time to recharge, and time for play. In the past I would push through that and overwork myself, but now I’m a lot more mindful of listening to my body and my subconscious.

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’m an actor, writer, and musician, born and raised in San Francisco, California. I tell stories of the past, present, and future in an attempt to expand perceptions, through various mediums that include theatre, music, and digital media. My stories are often humorous, high energy, high concept, with progressive undertones of social justice primarily in the genre of Science Fiction or Speculative Fiction. My worlds are witty, imaginative, empowering, and uplifting, following characters who are often wrestling with consciousness and control. Whether that’s fighting against a controlling society or government, becoming the controller of your destiny, or letting go of being a control freak, the journeys tend to be about transformation and awakening. Nothing about this path is easy, but I’m learning to make peace with impermanence, the highs and lows, ebb and flow of this roller coaster. Yoga helps! I found out a few years back that my first name Darian means Upholder of Good. So, you know…no pressure. But what I’ve found is that I’m at my best when I’m telling stories of upliftment and empowerment . And I do honestly believe that meaningful stories can make us a more enlightened society.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m in Koreatown, so there’s a spot called R Bar I like for drinks. Iki Ramen would be good for dinner. For breakfast House of Pies is great. For lunch you can get a good burger at Cassell’s. The Alamo Drafthouse downtown is great for catching a movie. The Last Bookstore, also downtown, is one of the coolest book stores on the planet. A walk on Santa Monica pier is always refreshing. Yoga at Hot 8 Yoga, any of the studios in LA. And if someone dope is playing the Hollywood Bowl is pretty surreal and magical.

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?
Well, I gotta shout out my fam. My work is primarily shaped by the three biggest influences of my life, my dad, my mom, and my sister. My love of Science Fiction I got from my dad, Davy Dauchan. One of our favorite pastimes as father and son in the Bay Area was going to watch Sci Fi films at the movie theater. My love of Hip Hop I got from my big sister, Desha Dauchan, who exposed me to socially conscious MC’s during her time in college at Howard University. That’s where a lot of the Afrocentricity and social consciousness stems from. And my mom, Shirley Dauchan who’s a devout Christian brings it all home, in regards to ethics and the social gospel, which is why my stories generally have some underlying form of morality involved.

Website: http://dariandauchan.com/

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dariandauchan

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/africanroscius315

Other: https://www.brobotjohnson.com/

Image Credits
Desha Dauchan
Maria Baranova
Jonathan Weiskopf
Omorphy
Kayla Oaddams