We had the good fortune of connecting with Hannah Lake and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hannah, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
When I was a senior in college at Western Carolina University in 2013, I was assigned an essay on theatre and opera director Anne Bogart, and found this quote of hers: “Allow me to propose a few suggestions about how to handle the natural resistances that your circumstances might offer. Do not assume that you have to have some prescribed conditions to do your best work. Do not wait. Do not wait for enough time or money to accomplish what you think you have in mind. Do not wait for what you assume is the appropriate, stress-free environment. Do not wait for maturity, insight, or wisdom. Do not wait until you are sure what you are doing. Do not wait until you have enough technique. What you do now will determine the quality and scope of your future endeavors.” The first time I read those words, I felt like I’d been punched in the chest. It felt like she was speaking directly to me. She was saying, “Hey, you. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have the experience or training of your peers; it doesn’t matter if you don’t have enough money or support or a flawless plan. You don’t have to wait to be prepared. Make your own work. Produce your own art. Audition for everything. Be the woman you want to be. Just start now.” For months, it was the first thing I thought of when I woke up, and it helped me through that infamous “what am I doing with my life?” first year out of school, through a painful breakup, and through finding myself afterwards. For my birthday in 2014, I got “Start Now” tattooed down my left wrist, and seeing it every morning still helps me to this day when I struggle with the thoughts of “I don’t have…” or “I don’t know…” I just say, “All I can do is Start Now.”  

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
This is a tough question to answer because I have so many artistic outlets! As a Photographer, what sets me apart is that I try to make every shoot different and personal. As I’ve gotten more into branding and lifestyle shoots for both artists and small business owners, I’ve developed a good eye for showing people’s personality and conveying their message through my photos. As a Teaching Artist, what sets me apart is that I’m not afraid to look silly! I’ll do almost anything to make sure my kids stay focused and have a great time. What made me weird in middle school makes me cool Ms. Hannah to my students! I’m always trying to bring the sunshine to both the teachers and students. As an actor and a theatre artist, what sets me apart is that I am always trying new things while trying to keep it coming from a place of honesty. I try to connect with every word I say, the character’s personality, and their circumstances in order to tell the most honest story I can. Looking at how I’ve gotten to where I am now, and the lessons I’ve learned along the way, the biggest hurdle is rejection. I’ve gotten told no so many times! I’ve been told I would never succeed in this job or that career path, that I wasn’t right for this role, that there just wasn’t a spot for me. But look, it happens! That’s the gig! What I’ve learned is that you’ve got to take your moment, do some self-care, be bummed out, but then let it go and just keep going. And don’t compare your path with anyone else’s! In terms of being excited about my acting career, I, just like many other artists across the world, am anxiously awaiting the safety to go back to sharing my art with the world. Once the COVID-19 pandemic is more under control, I have several projects waiting to happen that I am incredibly excited about! Our run of Singin’ In the Rain at the Springer Opera House was cancelled mid-March 2020, but will be remounted in 2021, where I will play the iconic role of Lina Lamont! I will also be joining the Ensemble of Chess: In Concert with the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre in summer 2021, along with another project I cannot yet announce. Keep an eye on my website (www.hannahlakechatham.com) for more information!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There are tons and tons of fun things to do in Atlanta, but my most fun weekend would look something like this: – Bottomless mimosa brunch on a midtown Atlanta patio – Afternoon picnic on a blanket in Piedmont Park – Sunset cocktails at The Sun Dial – A touring show at The Fox or an brand new musical at The Alliance – The monthly ‘90’s Dance Party at The Basement in EAV – Grab breakfast sandwiches from Hell Yeah Gluten Free – Tubing / Kayaking down the Chattahoochee – A long hike on any of the many trails around Atlanta – Shopping day in Little Five Points – Drive-in movies at Starlite Drive In – Dinner at one of the many amazing #foodie restaurants in the city

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The first person I’d love to Shout Out is my partner, Daniel. He is everything I could have wished for in a partner, and I am constantly overwhelmed with how we compliment each other in the most unexpected ways. Secondly, my friendships are truly on another level. I am a lucky person in that I have friends from childhood, friends from college, and friends from adulthood who are all active and regular parts of my life. I truly have couches to sleep on all over the country! I would be nothing without their love and support. After that, there are so many people who have helped me become the person I am in terms of my career. Steven Baur and Ian Sullivan, my high school music & theatre teachers, believed in me from the beginning and were the first people who told me a career in the arts was even possible. Marguerite Hannah, who ran my apprenticeship at Horizon Theatre, played a huge part in building my spirit back up after it had been obliterated by life. Charlie Miller, my “theatre plus one” and local director, gave me both my first job as a Stage Manager AND my biggest role in Atlanta to date. Shane Hall, director, choreographer, and a dear friend, has given me opportunity after opportunity to surpass my own expectations of what I can do. That’s just a short list of the people who I could say “thank you” to, but truly, at the end of the day, people are what we have, and I am beyond grateful for my community of people.

Website: www.hannahlakechatham.com
Instagram: @hannahlakee / @hannahlaketakesphotos
Linkedin: Hannah Lake
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/hannahlakee

Image Credits
Matthew Swindell/Matty Swindaddy Photography Jason Crawford Photography

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