TAVEN BLANKE

Tell me about your arts education growing up. What did it look like?

I grew up playing baseball. I was always fascinated with the art of theater and entertainment, but I didn't actually start my arts education until I was about eight years old. I started at my local Boys and Girls Club and joined the theater program there, called Clubhouse Academy. After falling in love with performing, I started taking as many dance classes and vocal lessons as possible, and would always imitate my favorite characters and accents from movies and TV shows which in the long run really helped me develop a sense of character and emotional maturity. For me, it was never about finding the most intense training or something that felt like a challenge, but rather finding something that I was truly invested in and using that passion to help propel and motivate me to not only improve and grow creatively but also become the best version of myself. 

How has arts education shaped who you are today?

Art education has helped shape me into who I am today in a lot of different ways. For example, I have really found a sense of community through performing. The entertainment industry is a very intense and difficult career path, but when you are constantly surrounded by people who share experiences similar to yours and can relate to you in some capacity, it makes you feel more seen and understood. I feel like I've also gotten the opportunity to discover more about myself through portraying such a diverse range of characters.  Building off of that, theater has really helped me jump out of my comfort zone and be spontaneous by allowing me to experience things that I have never experienced before and might have been too scared to try if I had never been brave enough to take that risk. 

What skills or qualities did you gain through the arts that you still use today?

A few skills/ qualities that I have developed through arts education that I still use today are collaboration skills, leadership, and emotional maturity. Performing truly takes a village. From the actors to the stage managers, to tech crew to customers, each department plays a crucial part in making the magic of theater come to life. Through performing on stage and having to constantly rely on the different departments to do their part, I have really developed a sense of trust and respect from working so closely with other people. These same skills translate to my participation in school, extracurricular activities, and in life in general. I've also developed strong leadership skills through performing, which have really helped me gain a sense of independence, confidence, and integrity. Lastly, I have also gained a sense of emotional maturity through performing because as an actor, it is crucial that you are in tune with your emotions and the characters' emotions that you are conveying. So, having these skills has helped me understand and identify with other people in the real world.

Did you ever face barriers to participating in the arts?

I face barriers participating in the arts every day of my life. Nothing is black and white in the entertainment industry, and although that can be a difficult concept to accept, it is important that everyone is aware of the hardships and consequences of performing. A major part of performing is rejection. Sometimes it is difficult to comprehend when you are not the right fit for something, but it is crucial to not let the rejection of one specific project or the input of others dictate your own self worth. In order to persevere through all of the struggles and challenges you endure, you must develop a strong sense of confidence, security, and resilience. 

Do you think every child has the same access to quality arts education? Why or why not?

I do not think every child has the same access to quality arts education, although I do believe every child should have the opportunity to receive the resources to quality arts education. Although everybody has different financial and living conditions, I do not think this should stop individuals from pursuing what they are truly passionate about. As I mentioned, I started at my local Boys and Girls Club, and the amount of support and encouragement that I received from this program truly set me up for success. Not everybody needs the highest quality of arts education to be successful; as long as you are consistent and dedicated to your craft, you will succeed despite the amount of resources you are exposed to.