The old one-dimensional female archetypes -- the soccer mom, the starving artist, the successful-but-lonely boss lady -- are dead. Women are creating new, multidimensional archetypes and defying stereotypes.
The most fulfilled women are constantly creating in multiple areas of their lives, whereas burnout often happens when we feel like the routine of our day job is all we have time for. The Archetypal Woman Series is a tribute to inspiring women who rearrange time and space to explore and excel in a range of activities. May their stories encourage you to expand into your own uniqueness for the benefit of you and everyone in your orbit.
Can you tell us a little bit about the work you do?
I am an actor, writer, director, and producer. I'm also deaf, so I bring a unique perspective to the work I do. I'm also a mother to three boys, and homeschool them!
We are in a time of rapid change! What encouraging trends are you seeing in your industry?
There's a wonderful increase in including much more diversity and people from marginalized groups. We still have a long way to go, especially in terms of writing and directing, but the world seems more ready to see us and hear from us.
It's also been beautiful to see how many artists are coming together to co-create online, immediately dissolving the barrier of distance. I was involved with an online ASL [American Sign Language] Broadway performance, and the cast was from all over the country, even Canada.
What are some practical tools you use to help manage your time and energy?
I make a schedule for myself, daily and weekly. It's okay if it changes, but I just check in with it often, and make adjustments. When I need to dive deeply into my creative work, I try to make that time and space feel almost like a party, making it feel comfortable and energizing, smell lovely, look peaceful. I also put my phone down, and I create these blocks of work time when I will not allow myself to be online or my phone. Social media diets, in general, have also helped me with managing my time and energy.
I have a daily yoga and meditation practice, which definitely helps me with maintaining energy and focus.
And of course, less productive or complete "break" days are important. The mind and body need that time to process or let inspiration in.
This is the Archetypal Woman Series, where we shine a spotlight on women who are bringing forth new, multidimensional ways of living and working. How would you describe the archetype you’re bringing onto the planet?
Visionary Artist + Mother + Creator (of art, business, children, and banana bread!)
Can you tell us about a woman who has had significant impact on the trajectory of your career? What lessons did she impart?
Beth Lincks is a playwright who I met at college when she was presenting to us theater majors. She introduced me to The Barrow Group theater in NYC and strongly encouraged me to study there. This school has been a major influence in helping me to hone my craft as a storyteller, especially as an actor. I also met so many talented people here, some who became co-collaborators (including my husband). I continue to use acting and directing tools that I learned at The Barrow Group.
I was so touched by her generosity of spirit in taking me under her wing and expressing her belief in my talent and work ethic. She imparted the importance of where and how you learn to do what you want to do....the importance of discernment in choosing teachers and masters and a community.
What's next for you? Do you have any projects in the pipeline you'd like us to know about? How can we support you and your work?
I am developing a radical and poetic film about Helen Keller and her visionary spirit, and several other film projects are in the script-writing phase. I welcome connections, and when the films come out, watch and share them, and I hope they bring a lot of pleasure and heart-and-mind-opening to you all!
What message do you want to share with the world?
Through my creative work, my stories, my films, I want to open hearts to be able to feel and know the truth that we are all connected, we are all one, even though there are so many beautiful differences amongst us. And when we know this, the act of honoring the differences, learning from them, healing the pain and separation, appreciating the different ways we're all experiencing and processing life, we can fill our lives, our relationships, the planet, with compassion.
I want to inspire people to live and act with compassion. And my work is inherently a form of activism, owning and celebrating stories of bodies with new stories to tell. I would love for my work to inspire a knowing that this deep love for each other and ourselves can thrive right here, heaven on earth.
You can follow Hillary on Instagram @hillarybaack or on LinkedIn.
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