We had the good fortune of connecting with Paula Jane Newman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Paula Jane, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I pursued an artistic/creative career not only because I showed promise in those areas but because I had so many challenges with academics at school.

I either wanted to be an attorney or a performer. I realized there  were going to be so many exams to become a lawyer and I experienced test anxiety to the point of having panic attacks so I chose the arts. At that time my school was 100% test driven and there were never any assessments that were based on projects or presentations. It was a highly academic environment.

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.
From a young age, I was always told that I think differently. However, this was never considered a positive attribute. I can honestly say that this is what makes my work stand out from others. I was often given small parts that became noticeable because of my viewpoint . Directors often cast me in projects because I brought something different due to my unique point of view.

It wasn’t easy though. The run-of-the-mill normal viewpoint when reading a script for example can baffle me. I’ve had to overcome being ridiculed and thought of almost as intellectually challenged because I don’t come from that same normal place.

The greatest gift I’ve learned is to roll with the punches as they say. Not everyone will like you, not everyone will understand you, however, when one has a deeper understanding of themselves, none of that matters.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Martin Luther King Historical Site is a must go to! This is phenomenal experience of inspirational speeches, learning about his connection to GHANDI and close to downtown for some food.

The Punchline Comedy Club on the weekends with National comedians entertaining with a nice sit down environment. Most shows prefer clean comedy.

The Atlanta Botanical Gardens- for a nice walk around or the Aquarium if peeps like water Vs plants.

There are endless Breweries but many have great food and often a comedy show as well! From the Earth in Rosewell is very nice.

Laughing Skulls Comedy Club is open on the weekends and has 5pm shows. This is great before having dinner in the evening.

Ponce City Market is a tourist wear them out spot. It’ll keep the steps up with loads to do!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate this specific article to my long-term friend, Lucy Padilla. We have known one another since middle school. She always supported me doing the arts. Recently, I was in Atlanta, and she advocated for me to perform on as many stages as possible as she wanted to see me perform comedy before she died. She had been struggling with cancer for over 10 years. She passed on August 21st, 2023. She leaves behind 3 children and her husband.

She has since been placed in hospice, and may no longer be alive when this is printed.

Website: https://www.PaulaJaneNewman.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulajanenewman

Youtube: https://www.YouTube.com/c/PaulaJaneNewman

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