Meet Monica Spencer

Today we’d like to introduce you to Monica Spencer. 

Hi Monica, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
For as long as I can remember I have always been drawn to the arts. 

As a kid growing up in the ‘90s, I remember going to the library, renting musical theater soundtracks, and sitting in my bedroom with my eyes closed imagining what was happening as I played the rented CD on my alarm clock/radio/cd player. 

I always knew I wanted to entertain people. I also think that quickly became my role within the family unit growing up. Anytime there was conflict or tension of any sort I would quickly do whatever I could to diffuse the situation with song, dance, or humor. 

I was lucky to grow up with a great deal of opportunities in theater. I was always involved in musicals, plays, choir, dance lessons… 

That foundation lead me to my time with The Young Americans out in California. 

While out there I ended up getting really sick and experienced some major vocal setbacks. So much so, that I didn’t think I could pursue anything further in musical theater, so I went to school for art and design. While a full-time student I started working at a dinner theater where I learned all aspects of that world. 

Eventually, that led me to running my own dinner theater in northern Michigan for three years. Some vocal abilities returned, and I even decided to attend the New York film Academy’s musical theater program in lower Manhattan. But as a young 20 some, I wanted to travel… and more specifically I really wanted to work on a cruise line. So, I put myself out there and landed a contract with Carnival Cruise lines. 

That was quite the whirlwind experience. 

Shortly after my time at sea, I moved to the Ann Arbor area. It wasn’t long until I realized that there was an abundance of opportunities in the professional theater world right here in Southeast Michigan. 

While here, I have spent time working as an artist in residence for matrix Theatre Company in Detroit teaching young people the joy of theater. 

I worked as Spinning Dot Theater company’s Company manager and was a member of their repertory cast and taught several camps and classes. 

And then I started performing for many professional theaters in the area: 

Timeless Tales Theatre Company 

Encore Musical Theatre Company 

Royal Princess Parties 

The Dio Dining and Entertainment 

Penny Seats Theatre Company 

Open Book Theatre Company 

Theatre NOVA 

Between performance gigs, I started exploring scenic design and set building. 

My first opportunity was given to me by Theatre NOVA. And I worked as their resident set builder, designer, and painter. 

From there I kept getting calls from other theater companies and that work really took off for me. 

Michigan Opera Theatre/ Detroit Opera House (also have worked here with the children’s Chorus – as choreographer and have come in to hold workshops on set design) 

Flint Repertory Theatre 

Black and Brown Theater Company 

Tipping Point Theatre Company 

Oakland Community College 

The Encore Musical Theatre Company 

I even spent a few months of last year working as a scenic painter and carpenter for Northern Stage in Vermont. 

It’s certainly been a wild ride but an adventure I wouldn’t trade for the world. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has certainly been a far from smooth road. This work puts you in the spotlight in more ways than one. With every gig you book there are MANY others you didn’t. So that can be very taxing on your self-worth as a performer. This field also has critics who come out to review your productions. That’s always fascinating to receive feedback in that way. 

The biggest hurdle was pursuing musical theater in California and having the major setback of not being able to perform. Being physically unable to do what I thought I was supposed to do with my life was brutal. I was very depressed and felt lost. But ultimately that setback led me to meeting my best friend and to opportunities to hone skills I would use later in the fine arts. 

Specifically to me, I have struggled a lot with where am I supposed to be and what the next gig is, that I often have a hard time enjoying the current role or opportunity I have in front of me. The grind of booking the next thing to stay alive can often pull me away from experiencing joy in the moment. So, overcoming that was really huge for me, and it’s something that still creeps up here and there. 

I think I’ve also struggled with being an advocate for myself as a performer. I think there’s a switch in the theater community happening right now. Where we are really taking a closer look at the industry as a whole and how it can do it and be better. So, looking at a lot of my past experiences, I realized I was taught to behave a certain way and just accept the way things are, and now I am working hard on doing my best to communicate effectively when I feel like something isn’t right. It certainly isn’t easy. And it has led me to struggle further beyond the initial conflict, but overall, I think it’s led me to who I am and where I am now. And that’s the most important thing, learning, growing, and moving forward to continually be better versions of ourselves. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a visual artist who designs, builds, and paints theater sets. This is a male-dominated industry, so being a female-identifying person often sets me apart. Unfortunately, I often experience a lot of sexism, but I am hopeful we’re moving in a better direction with each younger generation. 

I am also 5 foot three, so I’m a little human who carries very large heavy things for a living… 

I am also a performing artist (singer, dancer, actress), educator, and storyteller. I am really proud of projects that make people think differently. Anything I can do to create opportunities for connection or growth for an audience member… it’s really what it’s all about. There’s nothing more satisfying. 

I think I’m known for my creative problem-solving abilities. Or my ability to turn trash into something beautiful and give old things new life 

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success is finding happiness while doing what you love and being able to share it. 

There are many times that I have been performing, creating, and doing what I love, but I still wasn’t happy. But if there are ways to find happiness within yourself while also being able to do what you love, that is the ultimate success. 

Contact Info:

• Website:http://monicaspencer.weebly.com/ 

Image Credits
Sean Carter Photography
Michele Anliker Photography
Michael Bessom Photography
Jeri Jonise Photography