Ray DeForest: Live Your Truth

If you aren't living your truth, then you aren't living the life you are meant to live.

Ray DeForest knows just how necessary it is to live your truth.

Performer, producer, activist, community leader, Ray DeForest, may also be known to some as his popular theatrical character, Doris Dear. 3-time winner of the MAC Award, actress and comedienne Doris Dear, has been featured in numerous movie and TV productions, performs in her own sold-out cabaret-style shows, and stars in her series "Doris Dear's Gurl Talk" on the BroadwayOnDemand streaming service. Ray created the series at the height of the Covid pandemic as a way to bring Doris to a new audience while live theater was on hold. Ray writes, directs and produces the series now currently filming season 3. The show was an immediate hit and won the prestigious Silver Telly Award for season one.

In addition to entertaining audiences and raising funds to support theatre development, Mr. DeForest is a member of the prestigious Dramatist Guild of America. It is through his lifelong love of theatre that Ray nurtured his storytelling and comedic talents, as well as his ability to connect with an audience and take them on an emotional journey. "Art requires reaction," he proclaims. Long before theatre life beckoned Mr. DeForest to Manhattan, he found himself growing up in 1950-1960s Staten Island, where idyllic "Americana" was a real-world version of Norman Rockwell's iconic paintings. But what is one to do when they don't fit the traditional mold? "Admitting who we are is never easy," states Mr. DeForest. But, this challenge of self-expression found a creative outlet through character development and performance and continues to be richly rewarded by audiences who react to the experience and find a safe space in his character's maternal presence. Bravo!

In this episode, Ray shares vital lessons from living his authentic life.

Listen to this episode and learn about:

• Ray giving credit and thanks to the people who closed the door on him (5:33)
• Why it takes time to share our emotions (16:23)
• Living our life authentically because we have no idea what's coming next (19:55)
• Gender as a social construct (25:23)
• Getting people to acknowledge that we have more in common than differences (32:36)
• The qualities that make a great leader (36:15)
• Gratitude inspiring creativity and innovation (40:51)
• Insights from Ray (43:42)

Links

• Connect with Ray on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/raydeforest/
• Doris Dear - https://www.dorisdear.com/home
• Ray's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hewearsheelsandhose/?hl=en
• Doris Dear Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dorisdearny/?hl=en
• Cosplay Ray Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cosplayrayde/?hl=en