David Connolly: How To Infuse Advocacy And Activism Into your Creative Journey And Achieve Your Creative Goals

How do you want to impact the world as an artist?

You are making waves, whether you acknowledge it or not. You get to decide the nature of the waves you make. Sometimes we can underestimate our impact and power as artists to effect change, and that is one of the biggest opportunities we can potentially miss on our artistic journey.

This week, Director/ Teacher/ Advocate, David Connolly reminds us that change and awareness begin when we openly communicate and try to learn how others navigate through the world instead of forcing them into a mold. Conversations lead to understanding and that is where change begins.

Is the fear of failure stopping you from venturing into this new chapter in your life? Is your goal more important than the feeling of being embarrassed? Being afraid that things wouldn’t work out as planned is valid.

David reiterates that sometimes healthy fear is a good thing, but we shouldn’t let that stop us from pursuing something we are passionate about. Use your voice as an artist and bring your life experiences to create change!

In this episode:

Inspiring someone means being part of the army that allows people to remember that we are more the same than we are different.
Trauma is not what happened, it’s how you’re dealing with what happened.
How having a support system impacts your success as an artist.
The difference between diversity and inclusion is taking the time to break the mold and learn how others navigate the world.
Understanding how apprenticeship can serve as the bridge to achieve your creative goals.

david connolly: David Connolly: How To Infuse Advocacy And Activism Into Your Creative Journey And Achieve Your Creative Goals

by Chelsea Johnson | Cue to Cue

A little about David:

David Connolly is a recipient of The Premier of Ontario’s Award of Excellence in Applied Arts who holds an Honours Bachelor Degree in Musical Theatre Performance from Sheridan College. Immediately upon graduating, David made his Broadway debut and became the first and only amputee to ever perform there. Thirty years later, the double below-knee amputee remains an optimistic, highly creative idea generator of whose life Dance Magazine wrote, “demonstrates the quintessential balancing act between career and community service.”

In January, 2020, David curated and moderated the first-ever disability inclusion panel at BroadwayCon in New York City to help develop actionable steps to improve disabled representation in arts. He is also an Ambassador for the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, and the War Amps Child Amputee Program. For twelve-years, he served as Creative Producer for Fashion Cares in support of the AIDS Committee of Toronto, and has volunteered for the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon, Easter Seals, Project Angel Food and The Hincks-Dellcrest Centre for Children’s Mental Health.

As the Associate Artistic Director of Drayton Entertainment, he has led the creation and implementation of Drayton’s Youth Education Program, an Actor’s Fund of Canada Benefit Cabaret Series and helmed over thirty productions including the Canadian regional theatre premieres of Kinky Boots, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Mama Mia! and Newsies. For the screen, David has directed and choreographed several series for CBC Kids as well as projects for CBS, NBC, ABC, PBS and two feature films by director, Deepa Mehta. He has collaborated with artists including Katy Perry, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Elton John, Sarah Jessica Parker, kd lang, Patti LaBelle, Sarah Brightman and many others.

As an Educator, he has been an Adjunct Professor and Advisor to the Musical Theatre Performance Programs at Sheridan College, Randolph College, Fanshawe College, St Lawrence College and VanderCook College. He is a recipient of The Waterloo Region Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement, and proud member of The Directors Guild of Canada, ACTRA, Equity and The Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.

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