How to Succeed as a Multi-Hyphenate Artist with Tasi Alabastro

This week’s episode features multi-hyphenate artist Tasi Alabastro. Tasi is an actor, designer, photographer, gamer, and all around creator of cool things. In this episode, we discuss how to JUST START, how to network, how to live that multi-hyphenate life, and feeling like a late bloomer. I’m inspired by his approach to work/life balance, his ability to trust in the process and HIS process, and to see the kindness in others. 

Find Tasi!
on IG @tasialabastro
https://www.tasialabastro.com/

Theme music written by Rachel Dean and orchestrated by Katie Coleman

Audio engineer Mike Rukstad

Special thanks to the following folks from the SIX Boleyn Company for lending their voices to the intro:

Mike Rukstad
Dylan Dineen
Sarah Ortiz
Jane Cardona
Kaitlin Ciccarelli
Kami Lujan
Jillian Bartels

Find us!
on IG @howtosucceedintheater
https://howtosucceedintheater.buzzsprout.com

Transcript

Hello and welcome to How to Succeed in Theatre by Sacrificing Everything. I'm your host, Katie Coleman. All sacrifices discussed in this podcast were fully consensual and 100 percent worth it. Because we love what we do. Right, guys? Right!

Hi there! This week's episode is a fun one, featuring multi hyphenate artist Tasi Alabastro. Tasi is an actor, designer, photographer, gamer, and all around creator of cool things. I'm inspired by his approach to work life balance, his ability to trust in the process and his process, and his ability to see he kindness in others. Here's Tasi!

Yay! Two claps!

Okay. Wait, what were we just saying before we started recording? We were talking about, Oh, I was saying that my goal with this podcast is just to get something out every week because that alone is hard enough. And I've had perfectionist friends be like, wait, but like your audio is not perfect or you have to get your music perfect.

And I'm like, I know, I know. Yeah. And. I just will not do it if I get paralysis, paralysis, that's a real thing. It Oh, a hundred percent. That's a real thing. Yeah. I think, you know, Davi and I were talking about that yesterday, about like how 80 percent of projects don't ever get finished because they never get started.

Yeah. To begin with, because we're always like, well, you know, gotta have like column A said, column B said, and really it's just like start. And then, and then sometimes you discover that in the process, like, Oh, I did actually, I didn't need column B or that's incorrect together, or that's not as efficient.

Yeah. I find that I'm much better at like. Editing things, then coming up with things too. So if I just have something out there or like, if, if I'm like orchestrating a show or something, like I try to get the composer to be like, here, I'm just going to put down what first comes to mind and tell me what you hate, you know, and it's much easier to that way.

It's like, just start. Yeah. Yeah, yeah. Definitely. I think we're doers learn as we do. I used to do a lot of vlogs and I used to do a lot of filmmaking sort of related. But some of the workflow that I had from filmmaking did not translate well. So I like, I would like pre plan this, pre plan that. And really sometimes vlogs are like, you find a story in the edit.

Ah, yeah. Yeah. You allow the moment to kind of just take you while you're recording. So you're not having a, Oh, I got to adjust this or I got to, then, then you're like manufacturing the story on the spot, which then you're not present for anything, right? Yeah. That's not the goal. The goal is like. honesty and realistic conversation.

Yeah. 

Remember, okay. So we did not know each other or we did not, we had never spoken to each other. We just knew of each other. And you said hello in whole foods. And I love that so much because that is something that I never do. Like I'll see people, I'll see people that I've. I know, but like, it's been a few years or whatever.

And I'm like, I don't know if I should say, but this was stupid. Cause every time someone says hi to me, I'm like, Oh my God, thank you so much for saying hi. I always remember them. And you were one of those people that did that, I really appreciate that. I'm really touched. I, and I appreciate you sharing that because yeah, that's a, it takes a little effort, but like the effects I, case in point.

You know, we're here having a conversation about it. So yeah, I was literally thinking about that today. 

Yeah. What's the worst that could happen? Someone's like. Oh, I don't remember you. But usually they'd be like, Oh, hi. Like, they're still nice. 

And I don't know, like in those moments, I try to also find the person halfway.

So if, if I'm saying hello to someone and I can see in their eyes or their body language that, Oh, maybe they're not placing me. Yeah. I usually have like this. little bit of tidbits, like, Oh, we met here or we had this, so and so was involved in this thing, you know, just, just some, some context, I guess. Um, otherwise I just reintroduce myself and, and say, you know, see you later.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I think of you as like one of the most. Well rounded true artists that I know of on your website, use the word multi multi hyphenate, which I've seen being used more and more. And I, I'm so glad that that exists because I think early in my career as an artist, I thought that I was only allowed to have like one passion or one direction.

And maybe that was comparing myself to people that I had grown up with who were like. You know, going to be a therapist their whole life and just study that and knew what they wanted to do. And I was like, well, I really like to do this and then sometimes I do this and I'm going to start this business.

And, and, but now it's like a thing. So can you just describe what multi hyphenate means and what it means in your case? 

Uh, I love that question because I think for a while on my website, I, I, uh, well, I was going between like, multidisciplinary to Multihyphenate and, you know, the more I thought about it and I, I kind of like researched it.

I was like, okay, multidisciplinary is like, let's say I'm, you know, I'm doing theater, but I also do voice acting and I also do that. Like, I feel that's kind of multidisciplinary. Yeah. You know, I do musical theater or I do photography on the side, but multi hyphenate, I think encompasses, like you said, feels more well rounded as a person.

Yeah. Like I do live streaming. That's not at all related to performing arts in, in, you know, the same sense, right? Right, right. Or I collect recipes. Yes, yes, exactly. Yeah, I collect recipes and I'll try them out and then I'll like feed it to people, you know, like. That's not an unusual thing. And when I was like, I am multi hyphenate and I wanted to find the right type of permission for myself to be able to put that on my website, to be able to share the other things I'm interested in, not just what I'm like, you know, kind of like the bread and butter.

Yeah, I firmly believe like you can be your whole person on your website. Yeah, without just saying like, these are my rates. This is what I do. Like, I genuinely believe that if someone's interested in like you casting you or have you as a collaborator, we're going to take like an extra two minutes to look, you know, pick her out, especially if you're like constructing it in a way that's warm inviting and like Full of mystery, I guess, in some ways.

Right. 

That's really interesting to think about it from. In terms of your website, because I probably own like five URLs and like manage like five Instagram accounts, but it doesn't have to be like that. And my website is like music directing and playing piano. It doesn't have to be like that. And, and I think I also have a very stubborn personality in, in, in that, yeah, in that.

I feel that it took me so long to figure out what I wanted to do. I mean, that was kind of the gateway into, it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. I think people find ourselves there in different ways, but for me, it was really like a lot of reflection about the curiosities of what, you know, the arts world and, and then realizing like, Oh, I'm so lucky to be able to pursue that and identifying that I'm not motivated by like money, for instance. So like, wow, that's, that's freeing to some degree. And it's just that finding that permission of like, okay, this website is really just going to be all the stuff I'm interested in. I am that person. Both of these things, right?

And so, yeah, a few years ago, I thought to myself, you know, if television shows can evolve over time and have seasons, I'm going to adopt that and see what that feels like as a permission, right? You know what? If people go on my Instagram and they see like photography, Oh, Tassie must be in his photography phase, right?

Oh, he's in his theater season. Yes. 

I love that. I love the word permission and I love the season idea. That's really fantastic. How do you deal with work life balance? The reason why I ask this is because when you have multiple things that you're working on and multiple passions and things, I feel like it's impossible to not work at all times.

Yeah. I, this is kind of a new thing. And by new, I mean like in the last 10 years I've. I've changed my mindset about what leisure and rest is that I think of it like I need to schedule that. I have found that when I'm really stressed out, I tend to be a uh, a napper. I'm a anxiety napper. Okay, that's helpful.

Yeah, so I guess the two help out and then like I'll wake up. I'll have fresher ideas. And so it's not an excuse to like escape responsibility. It really is my way of Yeah. And with projects, I, I've, I've really enjoyed saying no, I think that's it. And, and I've, yeah, I just say no, here's the thing. Here's my, I don't say, I don't just say no, I say no, but here are some people that could fulfill these roles.

If you're right. Like, and when I say roles, I don't mean like just theater, like photography, whatever skill set. I think. Some people reach out to me for different skill sets and are surprised like, Oh, you're an actor? Yeah, I'm emceeing a local arts Fundraising thing. Oh, that's great. And I know a lot of these folks that know me as an actor They know me as just someone around enjoying art in town 

So that works out Yeah, yeah, you're gonna be an awesome emcee and they'll be like wow For just a, for just a fan, you're really great.

You're like, yeah. Yeah. And, and, and those moments, I just kind of laugh it off and I'll just like, you know, well, that's nice. That's nice to hear. On, on a more kind of like tangible way of how I deal with like projects, I've gotten better about delegating certain things. And by that, I just mean like I have my personal system in place about like, you know what, maybe I can ask like a friend to do this and pay them that.

Or, you know, with my partner, I tell her like, Hey, I think I learn lines better if I'm like pacing around a room. Uh huh. Uh, can I have space around this time of the day? Yeah. And just kind of knowing, like, I learned better by doing, so I need to be moving around. Okay, well, you know, I wouldn't want working in the same room and I'm just like a tornado, you know, that's like, you know, yeah, it's just, I think being cognizant of like your, your, your strengths and of your weaknesses, mostly.

Yeah. Self awareness. Go a long way. Self awareness. Thank you. Yeah. Another thing that I definitely wanted to talk to you about is Patreon and crowdfunding just because I think that that's a new thing that a lot of people don't know that they can use as a tool. Um, so yeah, can you tell us a little bit about how that works for you?

I like how you phrased that. Like, I wonder what percentage of artists in general know about Patreon versus like most of the musicians kind of know about it because that's kind of where it started. Yeah. 

That's a good point. Cause I know about it because of musicians, but then, but because of musicians who kind of crossed over a songwriter friend of mine was writing a musical and basically Patreon funded that musical, but.

She started Patreon because of her songwriting, so I, maybe it's more a question of if it even makes sense for people in theater Or like how's the best way to engage that platform? Yeah. Tricky question. Yeah, maybe there's no answer, maybe it's not. Yeah, I, you know, it's one of those things like 

How do you use it to, I guess?

Very passively at the moment when I'm when I'm in my video game review season, I try to make adjustments for that.

Like, I'm, I'm not big balling, you know, high spender on Patreon, but like, at least like you said, we had a conversation earlier about starting. I've started, I started years ago, left, came back and I was like, Ooh, I gotta, I have to clean up my mess. So I kind of revamped everything. I simplify things. I, I mentally made these processes of like, when do I engage on there?

When do I share? What do I share? I'm trying to make it as personal as possible without encroaching on like my private, private life. I like to have it as a platform where I can maybe inspire someone to try a different art, you know, it doesn't mean you're betraying what you love to do. It just means like you're learning other things and like that's valuable as a human being, not just as an artist, right?

So yeah, that's the theme of the day. 

I think yeah. Yeah. Adaptation and learning stuff. Exactly. I agree. I agree. For Patreon, you know, like I said earlier. Outside looking in, people think, um, you know, I gotta have a service or I have to have like a tangible thing I need to give in return. Yeah. But I'm realizing as I'm on it and I'm doing research that you will have people who want to support you regardless of what they get back.

Like seeing you fulfill your dreams, seeing you reach a milestones, you know, being a part of that in some way is special to other people. And it's really challenging to adopt that mindset that you have. You know, strangers, perhaps championing you and what you want to do, but yeah, but it is a lot of pressure and you feel like you need to give back in some way, like, Oh my God, let me write you a tune or, you know, let me pose for, for a picture or something, but honestly, I think that those can be, those can be a treat for you as well.

Yeah. And if you include other people in that, for, for example, like. You're a musician, multi talented, you're like, Oh, you know what? I, I'm in a rut, but this tune, I really like it. Like, and you can, you can just make that little like thing, record yourself talking about it and saying like. I was watching this movie, inspire this and like take us through that journey.

That's a journey, right? Like now I'm here. And let that just kind of be its own thing. That itself is a gift because you're allowing people to kind of come in and experience that world with you. The backstage, the back mind. Yeah, yeah, exactly. It's funny how, as especially like theater artists who are like literally Their jobs are to get up on stage and perform for people and they understand that, but then the second that like one of those people wants to like, give you something in return for that, you're like, Oh, well, I don't, I'm not deserving or I think that maybe people who aren't in the industry or who are just audience members might think that people on stage soak up that audience energy and are so like needy of attention. But I don't think it's really like that, especially the more like professional you get. It's actually more about like giving the gift of storytelling to the audience. And sharing that, you know, like giving the gift of storytelling.

Right. And of course we're like fed by applause and stuff, but I think it's more just the interaction. The fact that like, the emotions that you portrayed on stage or the story that you're trying to tell was received by the audience and not like, Oh, they love me. 

Right. Right. No. Yeah. I, I Uh, you know, knock on wood, I don't know, I've not worked with anyone who's like that.

Mm hmm. Exactly. Who, who's purposely out there just to kind of, you know, soak in the radiate, the applause. You know, usually it's, it's about like, oh man, I've been wanting to tell this story or I've been wanting to do this show because it inspired me, you know. Mm hmm. Yeah. We're all looking for expression, right?

Yeah. To some degree. So. 

Communication. Connection. What are you working on these days? 

Um, trying to lose some weight is one. 

Oh my gosh. How, how are you trying? 

I mean, I think about it a lot. Do you want to talk about it? Yeah. I think about it a lot. So, I've, I've noticed that I lose my, the most amount of weight when I'm in a show.

Yeah? I don't do a whole lot of musicals. It's not something that I Mm-Hmm. , uh, chase as far as like what I would like to do on stage. But I have found myself on musicals, like Yeah. 12th Night at SF Playhouse and Right. Uh, you know, I was upfront with them. I'm like, I'm not a strong singer, but I will move and groove and, you know, I can, I'll look.

Cool. Pitch. Yeah. I'll look Cool. I'm, I'll sell that show for you. Yes, totally . Uh, I could hit the back row like, no worries. Yeah. Yeah. And you know, I tell, I have some friends who are like, Oh, I don't know. I want to do a musical, but I didn't know where to start. I'm like, listen, I think as upfront as you can be with the musical director, like this is where I am.

Right. Right. Yes. Don't try to fake it. Yeah. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. But I remember losing a bunch of weight during that show. Interesting. There's, you know, theaters are built differently and, uh, this particular one had, has three tiers of stairs, steep, steep stairs. And so I just, you know, I got a, I got a good, um, workout.

So can you just incorporate. Stairs into your life? Or is it like, 

oh, I, yeah, I do actually. My, my, where I live has a ton of stairs, but my body's just like, this is not a challenge anymore, sir. Yeah. . 

Well, that's true. I think variety might be key. . Yeah. I certain need to start juggling while I'm going up the stairs.

yeah. I don't know when this is coming out, but, uh, I'm doing Christmas Carol again at ACT. Oh, great. Yeah, it's nice to be invited back, and uh, I believe it's the last year they're doing this version of the script. 

ACT has done A Christmas Carol every year for like, decades. It's time to let go of that one and, and usher something new.

Or something different, I guess. Yeah. And what role are you? On contract, it just says as cast and basically they'll try to figure it out. But last year I was Giles, the fiddler during Fezziwig's, um, uh, celebration. Ensemble, which was, you know, lovely. And, uh, and you've experienced this, I'm sure working on six and that.

Sometimes those nuts go, like, it's a blur, like suddenly you're done, right? Like everything just kind of, it's so quick. Oh, we're done? Is that the ringing of applause? 

You're like, wait, did we play that song? Like, I totally spaced out. I forget. 

You've got an autopilot to some degree. You're like, I was just.

Thinking about what I was having for dinner. I totally forgot. That's what happens when you play a long running 

show. Yeah, yeah, totally. Totally. But I will say, so what's interesting about this year is that I joined Equity on that show last year. Cool. And it's actually the, thank you, thank you, uh, it just felt like the right time, you know.

Funnily enough, it's the first show as an Equity this year, so it's like, I've had, yeah, I've had this like valley this year of no gigs, but it doesn't deter me because there's a lot of other fun work to do. Yeah, you seem to be always finding stuff to do. Are you wanting to do more theater, like as an Equity member now?

I would like to, my ideal world of, like, work life balance would be, like, three shows, maybe. Yeah. Doesn't have to be back to back, but I love, love, love my leisure time. Like, I really love it. Like, that's where I creatively flourish. Um, and, and I've thought about this, like, why is it that that's like the time for me?

And I think there, there is a scientific reasoning for it. But I, I like to think it's because I grew up on an island. And like, there's so much downtime. Like that, like, there is so much time to play, to learn through play, to like, experience different things, and I found that that was the case this year, like, I got back into a lot of, like, hobbies.

That's fantastic. Okay, wait, tell us about where you grew up and when you moved here. Oh, sure, yeah. Um, I grew up in American Samoa. Which is a territory of the U. S. Right in the middle of the South Pacific, actually. If you look at those old imperial globes, you can give it a good spin. It's like a little booger in the South Pacific.

It's like, oh, there it is! Um, and then I left at 16 after high school. I went to SF State. Yeah, well, because I'm an August baby. I'm an August baby too. I went to

SF state for two and a half years before dropping out and moving to Hawaii. Oh my God. Yeah. I have family there. And so, um, you know, I was doing a time of my life when I really didn't know what to do. And there was a lot of personal stuff happening and. Uh, at some point I was like, I'm going to take an acting class and I did.

I went to Leeward community college and a shout out leeward community college. And, um, you know, if you've never been there, there's where the theater department is, there's a balcony and you can see Pearl Harbor from there. That's where it's kind of situated like geographically. Oh my God. But, um, yeah, I took an acting class and, um.

The smell of that black box, you know, blood, sweat, tears. It was, I was hooked. Like it didn't, it didn't really matter what else was happening in my life. Like that just. Yeah. It was a strong desire to continue exploring that. 

Had you done any acting prior to that? 

I was a, I was dead Jesus in a, in a community.

I was Easter Jesus wrapped up in a community play. No, I'm, I'm, you know, I'll be honest with you. I'm a pretty shy person. Um, well, like my girlfriend, like you're, you're kind of like a social introvert. You recharge when you're at home, but like you have no problem having a conversation or saying hi to Katie at Whole Foods, you know?

Um, I think also I said hi to you because like, I was so Captivated by your guys performance during Hedwig. Hedwig. Uh, yes. Like I wrote, that was a rocking show and you, y'all, y'all brought so much energy. 

I loved playing that show. You know, that show, when I first started doing theater, I was like, Oh, I just want to be in the pit and I just want to like, or like, okay, I'll be on like, then, then they would put the band on stage and I'm like, fine.

But like in the background, I don't want, I don't want any. Spotlights on me. You know, I liked to be supporting the people and then more and more they're like on stage, but in costume or on stage in costume and you get a line to say happening more and more. Yeah. Hedwig was the, it's the Angry Inch is the name of the band.

So we're like goth, you know, goth, goth costumes and like. And I was like, I have to, the only way this is going to be fun for me and the people watching is if I fully commit to this, like if I look awkward or insecure, it will feel so weird to everyone. And you know, it was like the first preview when I realized that like the first time we had an audience, I was like, Oh my gosh, I have an audience.

And I'm like, I have like a Mohawk and like, yeah. 

They're right there, like, four feet away. 

And I'm like this, like, I'm not an angry person. Like, this isn't me. But then I was like, Oh, I can play this role and have so much fun. And like, I don't look like me. And so no one's going to think that I'm me. Like, it's okay.

And that's like when I realized what acting is. And why, like, when I watch actors, the committed ones are the ones who Get the roles and are the most captivating. It's like they just embody this and they don't have. An insecure, you know, bone in their body or so it looks. And yeah, that was really such an important experience for me.

And now, you know, like with six, we're on stage in costume and I love it. I love it so much. So I really, I'm glad to hear that. Yes. And I love that trajectory. Yeah. Cause I feel. Like everything leading up to that has, has prepped you to some degree, right? Like your, your DNA has slowly changed to like, I can wear this costume like, okay.

You know, we'll get there a little bit of a late bloomer in some way. Cause some people, you know, they know what they want to do from young age and that they like moved to New York when they're, you know, to go to college. And I was like, it took me a long time to. To figure all this out and and as you say like now when I look back on my path I'm like, oh my life was always kind of leading to this point, but I didn't really realize that.

Yeah. Yeah I have a book that um, you might enjoy maybe i'll send it to you. It's called leo the late bloomer And it resonated with me because I also feel like a late bloomer. Yeah to to a lot of things and um Yeah, so I totally get that. Maybe it's that, like, Leo, Leo ness of it. I'm actually a Virgo, but I'm on the crest.

Oh, are you? Oh, okay. Towards the end there. Well, there you go. Yes, August 31st, the last possible August day. I love it.

Okay, folks, I am taking a quick break to ask you to please support this podcast by hitting follow and or leaving us, well, me, a review. The goal of How to Succeed in Theatre by Sacrificing Everything is to bring you stories about theatre people and how they've found success in order to help you find success yourself.

I am also very eager to hear suggestions from you so I can bring you more of what you want to hear and questions that you might want answered on an episode. Please find me on Instagram and check the show notes for more information. Thank you! Okay, if you, if you meet someone who is looking to have success in theater, what advice would you give them?

Well, first I should say, go listen to Katie's podcast. Yeah, yeah. There was a great one I was listening to, one of the episodes with Michelle. Everything resonated. I was like, yep, that's exactly how I tackle what success means to me. Beautifully put. I would say that kindness is what amplifies your talent.

Um, and that when I reflect on like. Where I feel the most proud of are the moments when someone reaches out to me and says, Oh, I heard you're really fun to work with. Yeah. Things like, just little things, right? Like people approach me in a rehearsal hall or something. And, and they feel like they kind of know me and I, that doesn't like make me awkward or anything.

I'm really just like, come here. Let's bring it in. Like, I get you. Like that, that was brave of you to like, dude, take that first step. I get it. I've been there. I do it. I try. So that would probably be my initial advice is some of the advice you can give sometimes that doesn't land until certain. Oh, absolutely.

Right. Like, and then you go, Oh, that's what people are telling me. Now I can move forward with that. Right? Right. And, um, and I'm a huge, huge proponent for like, self reflection, which is pretty Another reason why I like my leisure time. It's like, I reflect a lot these days. I didn't get this thing. I'm totally cool with it.

Like, these things, you know. Not for me. Yeah. Not for me. Not for me. It's all right. It's all good. I'll go support. Cheer on. And something else will come down the line. And I think that kindness to myself, you know, is, is part of that. And it's too easy to beat yourself up about the thing that you didn't get or, um.

Yeah. Just these rejections. . Mm-Hmm. . That's a good one. Um, so you have a podcast? Yeah. Or you just started one? What? 

Tell me about that. Yeah. The podcast is called Art Time Job. Ooh. And it's kind of the play on part-time job. Yeah. So in some ways it's much like this in that, you know, David and I. I talk about, season one's really about getting to know each other with Dav and myself.

We've known each other, but there's still things that like, we've never worked together. Davide Morales, aka Active Poet, is a musician, a rapper, uh, an actor. Also kind of like multi hyphenate in some ways, right? So the podcast is, uh, two episodes away from finishing season one. Okay. 25 episodes. We're working on season two.

But with guests. Right. Is yours out already? No, no. We're doing a whole marketing thing for it. I keep telling them, oh, I can edit it. This is bless his heart. And you know, any friend that you have that does this, like, listen, you don't have to do it. We'll find some you can yeah, exactly. How about that? I love I love the compromise.

It's like how about this you edit episode one? Yeah, or one at one episode so that so that when we pass it to an editor They get a sense of like the energy and like we're looking for 

Okay Yeah. Okay. So where can people find you? Sure. At Tasi Alabastro on social media. That's T A S I A L A B as in boy, A S T R O.

And also I have a website, uh, same name, Tasi Alabastro. 

Well, I am such a fan of you. I think you're just awesome. And I love what you're doing. And I'm so glad we could connect. 

Me too. Thank you for reaching out. Thank you for having me. Yeah. Thank you. 

Bye.

Thank you so much for joining us today. And until next time, say hi to people.