TALES FOM A TIME OF COVID19 – 13TH IN A SERIES: MAX CLAYTON, BROADWAY PERFORMER

ALL ABOUT THE ARTS

Max Clayton, Broadway performer

Covid19 has made a huge impact on me as a working artist. It has, of course, completely shut down my business as a Broadway performer, leaving thousands unemployed for what will be over an entire year.

Creatively I have been trying to make my own art, whether it’s collaborating with friends to do a fun photo shoot, or making short silly videos on platforms like Instagram and Tiktok to keep my creative juices flowing.

I have taken a large pivot and entered into the world of luxury Real Estate in Manhattan which has been eye opening. I really love it, and hope to continue playing this new “role” when Broadway returns. I have indeed considered changing what I do as a creative person. This time off has allowed me to sit back and reflect on what truly makes me happy as a performer.

Going forward I think I will only take jobs that make me fulfilled and satisfied, and push me to new heights. I want to continue to do work that may not have a massive budget or audience, but that makes a lasting impact on someone or something- the kind of art that so many have been able to create during this difficult time of reflection.

Published by ALL ABOUT THE ARTS

Rafael de Acha has enjoyed a distinguished career in the arts as a performer, stage director, producer, and educator. He was born and grew up in Cuba. At the age of 17 he moved to the United States to study Drama at the University of Minnesota, and later Languages at L.A. City College, Music at the Juilliard School of Music, at the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music, and at the New England Conservatory of Music, from which he received the Master's degree. He has taught courses on the History of Music at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music and at Florida International University, and contributed writings and reviews to Seen and Heard International (www.seenandheard-international.com ) and to this blog. He co-founded the award-winning New Theatre in Coral Gables, Florida, where he produced and staged twenty seasons of classical and contemporary theater, including fifty world premieres of plays that went on to have international and national productions on and off Broadway, including Ana in the Tropics by Nilo Cruz (Pulitzer Prize for Drama 2002 and Tony Nomination 2003.) In 2006 he was presented with a citation from The Dade County Cultural Affairs Council for “trailblazing contributions to the arts in South Florida.”