Is your mind full of creative ideas for the performing arts but you don’t know how to make them become a reality? Have you ever dreamed of dancing on stage?
Well, you’re in luck with the launch of the Collaborative Entertainment Collective (CEC), a new creative networking business in Greeneville.
CEC is designed to provide opportunities for skill-building, participating, and creating new performing arts, tv and film, and new media projects, according to founder Sara Claiborne.
“It is a creative playground. What can be done with an open room and some creative brains? Anything we want,” she said.
“Why am I starting Collaborative Entertainment Collective? It is a spiritual-level calling,” Claiborne said. “I have to do it. I can’t explain why. I don’t even know myself, but it is one of the most exciting things I have ever done in my life.”
Claiborne explained the purpose of CEC is to bring creatives together to combine resources, knowledge and experience to help get creative projects from ideas to realities.
“CEC is unique because it is for you. It is for me — regular people who dedicate time to make things happen because we love to do it,” Claiborne said.
CEC mostly started with a conversation between Claiborne and her friend and creative mentor, Beth Schnura.
“I described a disconnect I was seeing between trained area talent and opportunities for participation, as well as paid work, particularly for those who were studying creative arts in college,” Claiborne said.
As frequent collaborators, Claiborne said she knew she and Schnura were equipped to provide opportunities and get people connected.
“Beth is multi-talented, and can bring any stage-type project to life. I, on the other hand, am gifted with networking and pitching ideas.
“The day after I voiced these thoughts out loud, I was compelled to start down a career path for professional entertainment,” Claiborne recalled.
‘GOD DID IT’
This move took her way outside her comfort zone, she said.
“But I couldn’t shake that it was where God wanted me to be. I joined a program called Shine Talent Success with Carey Lewis, and it brought me in contact with some wonderful industry coaches, teachers, and professionals. Doors started flying open. I cannot really describe it, other than to say things took off fairly quickly for me. And, wouldn’t you know it, it had more to do with networking and meeting people than anything else,” she noted.
It has been a year since Claiborne put together her submission package to find representation, and since that time, she got signed commercially, has been featured in television, film, and professional theater.
“I am constantly in contact with industry professionals. I have been sought out for taking programs with some pretty interesting people that led me into getting to perform for some very prestigious names in the behind-the-scenes of casting and representation side of entertainment. All within my first 12 months.
“All I can say about that is God did it. I have a very strong work-ethic. If I do something, I am going to do it all the way,” she said.
Collaborative Entertainment Collective came about when Claiborne took a month to “rest” from professional acting, she said.
“The constant scrutiny, auditioning, and self-promotion was getting pretty tiring. I took August ‘off’ so that I could simply rest for a bit. Then I got what I call the God-Download. My first day off, idea after idea and plan after plan started pouring into my brain. I was taking notes nonstop. 2 a.m. wake up calls and being up until midnight the next night. Writing in notebooks, typing things into my phone, researching, forming an entire 10-year business plan in weeks, not months. That can only be from God,” she said.
Claiborne also credits the support of her husband, Al.
“I have been so supported, even when only the smallest handful of people knew what I was up to. I am pretty private in general, so putting myself out there like this is very new to me,” she admitted. “This level of exposure is, to be frank, terrifying for me. But knowing that my circle of people is right alongside me helps me to keep going!”
She also mentioned the support of her parents, Sharon and Harrell Ward, and her in-laws, Cleva and Ed Claiborne.
THREE PHASES
Claiborne outlined a three-phase process for CEC, beginning with current specific services that include skills-based classes for those in the area who love the performing arts.
“We are not a dance studio; we are not offering lessons,” she noted. “What we are doing is providing space and opportunities for movement, practice, coaching, feedback, and more. East Tennessee is thriving in the performing arts, theatre in particular. But there is also quite a vast tv/film market, as well as those who are social media creators and YouTubers. These are our people. And we want to create a space to help make it happen. But this is just Phase One.”
Phase two will include going virtual, she said.
“The entertainment industry is a virtual space now. Proximity no longer matters. And if people want to learn how to participate, I am willing to help them. I have some great industry contacts who are industry coaches, leadership coaches, area directors, agents, managers, and more. And we all share a love of creating. That is the point. There is no reason we cannot participate in what we love.”
CEC also will offer audition coaching for theater, tv/film, and more.
“Listen, it is intimidating to go into an audition for every single person there. Even if they have been doing it a long time. But it is frustrating to not know how to get better. We want to help! We want to give feedback and help you gain skills,” she said. “A thriving arts community translates to a thriving community in general.”
Phase three will include CEC creating its own work.
“To say I have a lot I want to do is the understatement of the year,” she said. “I have been collecting and planning creative ideas for two decades. I have years and years of things to get out of my head and into the world. I cannot wait to see them happen!”
CEC also wants to work with the creative organizations already established in the area to elevate the talent and skill-level of those who participate.
“I have been a volunteer in the arts for my entire life. I believe in community theatre, I believe in the makers’ space, I believe in art galleries at The General Morgan, I believe in people getting together to create performances and shows and flash mobs. I believe in all of it. And so do so many others in our area. It is why we have so many theaters between Bristol and Knoxville. It is why we can go see a high-quality performance almost every weekend of the year. It is incredible,” she said.
The creative team of CEC includes Schnura, Margo Olmsted, Jordan Reed, and Allison Pruitt.
Every member of the creative team has a background in dance, acting and education, she noted.
“We all have worked with students for years, we all have taught performance skills in various ways, and we all have a real heart for making the arts accessible to all people in our community. It is a strong team,” she said.
Claiborne claims to be probably the least qualified of the team when it comes to bringing CEC to life.
“My background is working in childcare and with middle and high school students. I am also a licensed aesthetician. I have been a stage performer since I was four years old, but professional work has all been within the last year. However, years and years of volunteering on all sides of musical theatre has brought me quite a lot of experience. It is interesting because I really feel like I can figure out most things as a result. And if I can’t, I am confident that I know someone who can. That’s my gift, connecting people and putting people in the right seats.
“I know SO many talented people, and many of them are right here in Greeneville. And also many of them are interested in sharing their knowledge too. I am excited to provide a platform for them to do that. So many people have things to offer, and I am just here connecting the dots so that they can share with others.”
She also thanked Dylan Pruitt and Raymond Testi for helping bring the studio to life and Paige and Frank Mengel with Greeneville Theatre Guild for providing painting supplies.
The studio is located at 104 Village Drive, Suite 8.
MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE
CEC operates by appointment only, which provides close work with participants.
Cost is $10 per class, or participants can join for a month for $30 and can attend as many of the regular offerings as they would like. For those who want to continue learning, every consecutive month after is $25 per month.
“ALL are welcome in our space,” Claiborne said. “We are mostly for ages 16 and up, because there are already so many great youth programs in Greeneville. We try to specify any age restrictions per class.
“Members of The Collective (our membership program) also get to provide input on what we should offer. It is not a rotation of classes, and it is never set in stone. Each month will be different and new, with the option to provide more of the favorites. We welcome feedback and input.”
CEC can be found on instagram (@cec.circle) and Facebook (Collaborative Entertainment Collective). They will soon have YouTube and TikTok accounts.
“Ultimately, I want to elevate what already exists,” Claiborne said. “I want to bring people together having fun and spreading joy by doing what we love.”
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