Meet: Fleur Alys Dobbins
FLEUR ALYS DOBBINS is an inspirational speaker and mentor, writer, composer and associate artist director of Storm Theatre Company. (www.fleuralysdobbins.com and @fleurydobbs on social media)
Catholic Artist Connection (CAC): What brought you to NYC, and where did you come from?
Fleur Alys Dobbins (FAD): Long story! I have left NYC twice and keep being pulled back. I am from Ft. Worth, Texas and have lived and worked regionally all over the states but primarily in NY and LA. The final time was to marry my husband Peter Dobbins (Artistic Director of Storm Theatre). My background was originally acting/singing/dancing and I pursued those for the first half of my life. Though I still act occasionally, I prefer mentoring and writing now.
CAC: Do you call yourself a Catholic artist? What do you see as your personal mission as a Catholic working in the arts?
FAD: I do not use the term “Catholic artist.” Though if someone were to ask, I would have no problem saying that I am Catholic. I am here to keep hope alive by mentoring those in need to express themselves without shame or secrecy learned mistakenly from their past. I wish for everyone (especially artists) to know their identity first and foremost in Christ and to be able to shamelessly live that regardless of what they do for a living. I think it is especially a challenge in the entertainment industry.
CAC: Where have you found support in the Church for your vocation as an artist?
FAD: I am a recent convert - about 4 years now. So truthfully, other than artists that I have met, I have not found this specifically in a group setting. That is part of my work and what I aim to change.
CAC: Where have you found support among your fellow artists for your Catholic faith?
FAD: In groups like this! And in knowing actors through our theatre company.
CAC: How can the Church be more welcoming to artists?
FAD: Give them space to create and a discount (or for free)! Cut the red tape.
CAC: How can the artistic world be more welcoming to artists of faith?
FAD: Great question. I don’t think that where you work needs to be church. And I don’t think you need to be talking about it all the time but to be an example of what you believe. There’s work to be done. And if, as an artist of faith, I have accepted a position in an environment that is primarily secular then that’s on me and I have to respect that. I do think that usually once people get to know each other there is more acceptance out there than the media lets on. We could all start by modeling acceptance and love. Christians especially need to remember there is a common enemy and not get flustered by the reactionary world and industry where we live and work.
CAC: Where in NYC do you regularly find spiritual fulfillment?
FAD: We attend a few different parishes. On the UWS we attend Holy Trinity and then we also love Old St. Patrick’s as well as St. Michael’s.
CAC: Are you a part of any theatre companies, artist collectives, writing groups, training programs, or similar professional communities you would recommend?
FAD: I don’t attend a lot right now. Am planning to create workshops. I am a big podcast listener. Word on Fire is a favorite.
CAC: How have you found or built community as a Catholic artist living in NYC?
FAD: Primarily through our Storm family. Though it is a mix of Catholic and non- and that’s ok.
CAC: What is your daily spiritual practice, and where do you like to go on retreats?
FAD: I aim to say the Rosary daily (I fail at this regularly but never stop trying). I am a journal writer. I love the retreats I have gone to at Villa Maria Guadalupe with the Sisters of Life.
CAC: What is your daily artistic practice?
FAD: Writing!
CAC: Describe a recent day in which you were most completely living out your vocation as an artist.
FAD: Recently on vacation I would get up, pray, journal, read the bible and then spend the day in filming for my new website as inspirational speaker. I am most happy about the messages on identity and finding our purpose.
CAC: You actually live in NYC? How!?
FAD: Well, now I am married, so I moved in with my husband, who has already lived in NYC for over 20 years. Before that as an actress, I would sublet and that came through avenues like Gypsy Housing on Facebook, family and friends.
CAC: Do you have a day job or do you make a full-time living from your art?
FAD: Over the years I did birthday parties, nannying, coaching actors and singers etc. Now daily I am a Certified Early Childhood Music Educator and a Director of Education for a school on the UWS. But that took several years of (low paid) training and part-time work that had to be combined with other part-time positions.
CAC: How much would you suggest artists moving to NYC budget for their first year?
FAD: Not sure. I am out of the loop on that. Plan to live beneath your means. Come without debt.
CAC: What are your top pieces of advice for Catholic artists moving to NYC?
FAD: Get to know your neighborhood and support the businesses, so they know your face. Make the city small by knowing your three block radius. Find spiritual support by attending socials and groups. Be a blessing to the City. It needs you.
