Today we’d like to introduce you to Shanae’a Moore.
Shanae’a , we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I have always been an adventurous person. My parents moved our family to Alaska at a very young age. There I was fortunate enough to be exposed to a rich culture and surrounded by innovative artists. I learned very early the great need for art in the world. When it came time for college, I fell in love with Sam Houston State University. I flew across a country with everything I owned (about three suitcases) and started life on my own. Here in Texas, I learned a new culture filled with wonderful big personalities and stimulating artists. I gathered my degree and moved to Houston. During Harvey, I watched people all throughout Houston becoming unlikely heroes. People who have never had to rely on anyone having to reach out to others. I saw humans loving and supporting each other like never before. That is truly when I fell in love with this city and found it as my home. We grew stronger together.
Becoming an Actress was a hard journey. I started as a ballerina. It was all I wanted from the time I could walk.
I found my expression, passion, and purpose through dance. Then I was injured beyond repair. But my passion and expression had to flow through something. So I tried Theatre. All it took was one show and I was hooked. I found depth in who I was, what the world could be, and the healing that can be provided through telling a story. I don’t breathe until I am onstage. I am fully who I am when I am doing what I was made to do, whether it be for one lonely person at a nursing home or in front of thousands. I love hearing audience members after shows tell me how much the story or my character’s journey meant to them. It is my job to be as honest and authentic with my character as possible. There is nothing worse than seeing a play, movie or TV show where you can tell the actors don’t mean what they say. It makes the words less important and the story less believable. I never stop digging deeper into my character and finding the truth of them to share with an audience. I have learned through physical, and emotional pain, how great the need is for healing. I found that healing in many forms of art. I just hope to be one of those tools that inspire healing, growth, and peace for the world.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I am an actress. I am a singer. And despite all, I am a dancer. My job is to tell stories. I take a play that I am fortunate enough to have been cast in, and I dive into my character’s mind. I learn and create all I can from them so that the beautiful black and white words become a full-bodied imperfect person. Then I give everything I have every night. A story is a wonderful way to convict without judgment. I want to challenge all and to inspire a better world. If I tell an honest story of a real person going through their own challenges, maybe a person in the audience finds the strength to continue traveling through their own trial. If I play real characters with flaws and intentions, maybe someone can find forgiveness for someone else. If I can inspire healing for deep wounds, banishment of fear, the need for hope, perseverance through trials, and maybe the creation of your own art, I have done my best work.
There have been many times in my life when a character in a book, movie, or stage has convicted me of my own wrong and inspired change in me. Sometimes they deliver hope and healing when I didn’t think it was possible. This is what I aim to do for the world. This time is so filled with pain and hatred and fear, even if all I do is make you laugh, it was worth every minute to me.
Take away whichever message you need. I am not here to impose my thoughts and feelings on you. But from a young age, we learn the magic of stories. The story comes alive and helps us each in our own way. When they are told honestly, they can change the world. I do my very best to be apart of that honesty. To simply tell the story.
Beyond all things, I just want every person to leave feeling like they are valued. Each person is loved and worth loving. I show my love by playing characters who have faults but strive to be better. Characters that push forward despite the impossible or unimaginable. Maybe their journey will inspire you to push through. The message of being worthy of love is timeless and I think the world is starving for it.
Have things improved for artists? What should cities do to empower artists?
Houston is rare in the way that all actors know each other. It is a small community. We see each other’s shows, audition with them, grow and support one another. We are lucky to have such a community. We need audiences we need people to agree that what we do is important for the world.
For me, I support my art by teaching others as well as acting. I teach others honesty and the integrity of theatre. I teach private singing, dancing, and acting lessons. I support them as they work however I can. I love to watch the desire and drive for the theatre dawn in someone’s eyes. Theatre saved my life and I love handing this beautiful art form to others.
But this way of life is hard. As an actor, we are jobless every two months. Secure for a while but then always looking to get more jobs. It is emotionally exhausting living the way we do. Not only for ourselves but also for our families. We keep trudging through because we see the value of what we do for others. We see the need for our art. If you want to help us thrive then come see our shows. It will inspire more art and more jobs for us. That is what is greatly needed.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
I have been fortunate enough to have worked in several places throughout Houston. I have worked at Main Street Theater, Stages Repertory Theatre, Unity Theatre, TUTS and many more venues.
If you want to support my art, go to the theatre. Any theatre. Houston is thriving with beautiful work being done every weekend. I understand not every show is for all people, but there are always a plethora of different genres to choose from. Houston is going through a small epidemic. We need audiences. Recently we have had a huge fall in numbers of people seeing shows. We need you. If you come, we have jobs. Our entire job is to entertain you, to inspire you, to give you something you didn’t have before. So the best ingredient you can add is simply yourself. Come sit in a seat and see a show. We are thankful for each and every one of you. If you support the theatre by buying a ticket to any show, it keeps our industry alive. That, in its own, supports me and even better it supports all those other working artists who have equal passion and drive. The Theatre is a magical place and it needs you.
If you want to support me personally, you can check my website. On the front page is a list of the shows I will be acting in and a link the website to buy tickets. There is also a way to contact me if you have questions. I love to work and I would love to share it with you.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shanaeamoore.com
- Email: nae.moore4@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shanaearae
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shanaea.moore
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/shanaearae
Image Credit:
Pin Lim, Brian Wallace, Scott Hill, Jeff McMorrough, Christian Brown
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
