Today, we’d like to introduce you to Laura Hodge.
Hi Laura, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Like many Artists, I am a multi-hyphenate, meaning that I do many different art-related jobs in the Performing, Creative, Visual, and Media Arts, as well as being a Teaching Artist in Dance, Theatre, and Visual Arts. I have many balls in the air at any given time.
I am grateful to have a family that exposed me to the arts from a very young age – performing, visual, and media arts. I have studied all of the above, and as soon as I graduated from high school, I started working professionally – performing in Dance and Theatre Companies, Singing in Bands, working with Photographers and Stylists, Acting in Short Films, Teaching, and Choreographing and was very into the Underground and Performance Arts Scene.
Currently, while working on launching my series of short videos and occasional voice-over work, I teach my studio students – San Diego Creative Arts Project (SDCAP), I teach Seniors for Grey Matters, I teach for AECSD -Arts Education Connection in schools all over San Diego County, and I am the Artistic/Educational Camp Director for Encore Creative Arts Camp, a Visual, Performing, and Media Arts Day Camp for Youth in Kearny Mesa.
Let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
It’s certainly tricky to earn a full-time living as an Artist. As an Artist – I am very creative.
A lot of people don’t realize that as a multi-hyphenate, I can go from teaching Dance & Theatre Classes at a School or Senior Center to going to a Recording Studio to record a Voiceover then do Choreography for a Film and video or Musical and so on… I must say, above all, that I am a performer and entertainer. I also enjoy teaching and sharing my knowledge and all of the passion and creativity inside of me through the arts.
Performing is a gift that you give to the audience.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As an Actor, I have worked in Film, TV, Stage, Musical Theatre, and Touring Companies, and I do Voiceover work.
As a Dancer, I have performed as a Principal Dance and Soloist with a number of Dance Companies.
As a Choreographer, I’ve worked on many Musicals, Dance Concerts, and Special Events, but I must say one of my fondest memories is Choreographing a scene for the Film, “Won’t Back Down,” for Actor Oscar Isaac.
As a teaching artist, I feel that teaching is a gift that gives back. I run a couple of businesses and work for others on contracts, so there’s never a dull moment. I always feel like there’s not enough time to do everything that I want to do. Creatively I have been trying to hone my video production skills, self taping, and creating a persona/aethstetic while using my acting, voiceover, and dance skills.
I currently create a few posts on social media each week. These include at least one Video of me out somewhere sharing self-affirming ideas, one movement/dance video with special effects, a photo collage of my travels/day and all the interesting things that I cross my path, and dressing up and redoing iconic actresses, photos, and music stars, and a lot more… at and have plans to launch my Youtube channel and Podcast very soon. Please find updates on my Instagram and Facebook accounts.
How would we have described you growing up if we knew you were growing up?
I have been very inventive, creative, and, some might say, tenacious all of my life. As far back as I can remember, I would listen to music and see colored stage lighting, choreography, and scenes… That is something that I still do every day out on my walk. Where I go, Creativity flows.
I think it might surprise people that actors/performers can sometimes be extroverted and introverted simultaneously. Hence, there is a need to break out and use the stage persona to express what is inside of us. I am never out of ideas…
At the age of 19, I had rented a mansion in Pittsburgh’s artsy Shadyside neighborhood. (Rents were cheaper then). It had three floors and many rooms. I named it Gallery X. I produced and performed in monthly events filled with different art/artists in each room, as well as live music, dance, and performance art.
Since then, I have created quite a few Dance & Theater companies, Art Galleries, Fashion Shows, Special Events, and Raves, and I have written scripts for my Plays.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.laurahodge.me/, encorecreativeartscamp.com, and ttps://www.creativeartsinternational.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thereallaurette
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laura.hodge
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-hodge-55748818?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thereallaurette
