BWW Blog: Tara Folio - No Artist is an Island

John Donne once wrote, "No man is an island entire of itself"; this statement is something I always try to keep in the back of my mind, especially when working in the theatre. I don't know about you, but I'm the kind of person that thinks if I want something done right, I'll have to do it myself (better known as a control freak). Sometimes that kind of "can do" attitude is helpful, but other times it can end up causing confusion and frustration. Since coming to college, I've learned that the best final products are usually the ones fueled by collaboration. Working with a group of creative and passionate individuals is often easier said than done; everyone has their own ideas and processes, and finding ways to meld each idea into one uniform creation can be a difficult process. At times it can be difficult to accept outside ideas or constructive criticism, but more often than not, that bit of wisdom turns out to be exactly what you needed to hear. Allowing others to support you and give you guidance is something that can help you grow exponentially as an artist, and doing the same for others can only make the artistic community around you stronger. No one can get through this business alone; it's all about the company you keep. Don't let yourself become an island.