Lisa Monde

I attribute my success to constant hard work and never giving up. In the field of entertainment, there is a lot of discouragement and rejection that happens on an everyday basis. You just have to keep going and not take rejection personally. You can't get discouraged - you have to believe in yourself, believe in your message and your work and your professionalism, and keep going. If one door doesn't open, another will.

You should be involved in the process of creating something you are truly interested in and invested in. If your emotions and feelings are genuine, the audience will be moved and truly involved in the story you are telling. It works the same way for everything - whether it's acting, directing, or writing. 

First of all, it's constant work - the work never stops. It's like a muscle you keep training, so you have to keep developing it. Whether you're an actor, singer, dancer, writer, or director, you have to keep learning new things. A lot of younger professionals think that once they graduate from school, they can just work, but no, you have to still keep training. Keep working on yourself and your craft. Go see shows and films, read books, because those are the best educators. You'll see things you love and can take as tools for yourself, or things you don't like, which is also learning. Keep developing and opening up your mind in that creative field. Follow your dreams, because you're the only one who can make them come true.

The field of entertainment is challenging overall, especially in New York City, where we have Broadway - it's a very competitive field, and it always has been. Whether I'm a performer running to auditions to get into somebody else's show, or a creator of Off-Broadway shows, it's challenging. It's challenging to get the shows up and running, and it's always a blessing when you find a good team. No matter what it is, whether it's the creation of a show on stage or of an audiobook with a cast, it's always teamwork. It is difficult because of the number of people who are in the industry, and everybody's trying to get there.

When it comes to opportunities in my field, the life of a performer and theatre creative is unpredictable, really. Life circumstances make their own adjustments to our plans. The COVID-19 pandemic had a huge impact on the theatre industry. We have bounced back, but it is "a whole new world" now.

The values most important to me in my chosen career are professionalism, responsibility, reliability, and respect. I believe in consistently showing up with discipline and dedication, holding myself to high ethical standards, and treating others with professionalism and consideration. These principles guide how I work, how I collaborate with others, and how I approach every opportunity and responsibility in my life.