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

Hi Hanna, why did you pursue a creative career?
I’ve followed a creative career path because I’m not sure I could be happy doing anything else. Life is filled with only so many 40 hour work weeks and if I can enjoy most of them by making people laugh and storytelling, that’s what I’d love to do. As every actor knows, it can be so much more complex than, “I’ll be dirt poor mom and dad as long as I have my art I’ll be fine!!”; there are car payments and student loans and zoom classes to scrounge up money for. Although, I’ve found that my education in theater and acting has helped me get through the door for almost all my day jobs.

Being creative is something everyone has a knack for and honing those muscles are a very spiritual and special practice. I’ve learned and processed so much about my life and ambitions through art, I really feel like it’s the key to staying alive. I’ve actually been struggling with intense and deep depression this past year. And may I just say: it’s not fun! People don’t say that enough! And people say that a lot! On days where I feel so lost, remembering I get to dedicate my life to whatever I choose makes me think of artistic careers in a profound way. Here we are, in this dark age of humanity and we get to perform our most human tasks: creativity. They say art pre-dates tools in some ancient societies, meaning we found a deeper need to express ourselves than agriculture I guess??? Which gives new meaning to “starving artist”, we will always choose expression no matter the circumstances.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am deeply passionate about theater for young audiences and improv! I was a TYA/USA 2019 porter fellow, where I got to shadow some of the most brilliant minds in theater for young people. I’ve also taught and co-created The Playground in college, an organization where we worked on mutual aid and events for young people in the community. I have also been studying improv for years, and went to the Del Close Marathon in 2017, where we did improv for 36 hours. I loooove to process whatever i’m going through with silliness and play, I try to bring it to everything I do. During the pandemic I’ve been making short films with Haley Dorrance and Peyton Flemming and putting them on tiktok. It’s been so fun to put together stories about gay women in the 1800s and revengeful 1950s housewifes. Tiktok is an underestimated platform! Beyond mainstream videos, I’ve seen people post hundreds of characters and short historical films! It’s been an amazing community to get through the pandemic with. I’ve also been getting back into sewing! Currently I’m working on a pattern for a gown by Angela Clayton with this gorgeous brown silk with embroidered branches and velvet leaves. I’ve also been thrift flipping streetwear pieces out of materials I get at thrift stores and selling them on my depop! I’m very excited to see where it leads and have other people wear my work.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite spot right now is Squaresville vintage in Los Feliz, they have fairly priced and unique vintage pieces, and the whole wall has amazing vnitage paintings.

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?
I want to shoutout some of my closest friends and the most creative people I know, Gracie- the circus czar, TJ- the best clown in all the land and Haley- the coolest person in the room at all times.

Website: https://hannavendlawilliam.wixsite.com/hello

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nanawillaby

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHT4SHqSIWlTteYhJtTv4AQ

Other: Tiktok: @pollypocket.mp3 Depop: @pollypocketmp3

Image Credits
First one: David Grapes, Second: Parrish Salyers

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.