Today we’d like to introduce you to Cassandre Charles.
Cassandre, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Somehow my life has been a big mixture of arts and technical planning. Even though I was an Org Communications major in college I took all my electives in theater. I stopped performing in college to tech, then after working in the stressful field marketing for years, and unfortunately being surrounded by negative energy in those workplaces I developed an autoimmune disease called Sarcoidosis. After deciding that giving up dancing was my biggest regret while healing for almost 2 years I started taking ballet and modern dance classes at the Dance Complex.
I stopped the marketing career in order to heal. I worked part time as a stage manager/film producer at a local community theater and volunteered at different theaters in Boston. At community theaters as a tech manager and became a work-study at the Dance Complex to pay for my classes. I met dancers from many genres and auditioned for Slutcracker per advice of the creator’s sister. 5 years later my burlesque alter ego Jolie Lavie has been professionally dancing on Boston’s burlesque scene. This summer I am producing my first burlesque show, United Colors of Burlesque, A Performers of Color Extravaganza. (July 22, 2018, Oberon, 2 Arrow St. Cambridge MA, Show 7:30pm)
I have also been lucky enough to dance with various dance companies/dance projects in the Boston and Cambridge area. Now really trying to combine my marketing background to grow Chasing Dreams Productions into a performing arts creation and management company. This year I really am going to focus on production development and branding as a DBA while continuing to train and do the business development journey.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Still is not smooth. Always a factor is funding and hoping you engage and entertain an audience. Sometimes it can be draining mentally and definitely spiritually. A well-known burlesque producer here called it production postpartum, I think with this new show coming up I am trying to prepare for when that hits me. That is when it is time for mandatory self-care, where you force yourself to realize the trip is over and the bumpy road did not kill you.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Chasing Dreams Productions story. Tell us more about the business.
The business is still in “how the heck to I explain to people what I do” phase. I have had the DBA for years and keep “rebranding” because I am teaching how I can be artist, manager, director and admin for myself. As an Account Executive I was responsible for someone else’s or another company’s world…easier to stay focused but I am learning!
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I do believe in good energy leading to good luck/good opportunities. A producer told me she liked working with me because I always bring positive supporting energy on and off stage. I am a fangirl so I push people’s shows and am always the “agent,” hoping to connect artists with business-heads who can help them grow, so I think I am getting back what I hope to put in? Definitely been very lucky getting to perform and now produce.
Contact Info:
- Email: cassandre.j.charles@gmail.com
Image Credit:
Me as Jolie LaVie in 50 Shades of Bey, Lipstick Criminals, member Boston burlesque troupe. Photo: Melissa Kemp/Poster Design Vanessa White
Me on chair- I take many classes and try to stay in shape in order to perform. I’m going to be 47 soon. I have to keep up! (selfie)
Me with Pat Bordenave, host of The Geekdown, and fill-in co-host and burlesque producer/performer Lilith Beast (selfie)
The poster for my first burlesque production United Colors of Burlesque, A Performer’s of Color Extravaganza – image owned by Reina Gold/Poster design by me. I am using my graphic design skills for this show.
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