Today we’d like to introduce you to Adelin Phelps.
Hi Adelin, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have always wanted to be an artist. Well, actually, that isn’t entirely true. When I was four, I wanted to be The Wicked Witch of the West. With my entire being. I had the opportunity to see a production of the Wizard of Oz with my school, and I truly lost my mind. My little body shook with delight and tremendous feeling. The witch was absolutely mesmerizing. Her incredible green face, and bewitching hands. Other kids near me, I remember they were frightened. The witch flew from one of the balcony boxes in that old theater to land on the stage. I swear there weren’t strings. I wasn’t frightened but completely exhilarated. That laugh! That beauty! that power! I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. I mean no offense, but Dorothy who? Oh, this witch! I wanted to know her more than anything. What did she eat? Where did she sleep as a witch? What scared her? Who was her mom? I was vibrating so intensely, I had to sit on my own mother’s lap. After the performance, our little class of wild, wiggly kiddos waited in the lobby to meet some of the cast. They came out one by one. The Scarecrow (who was also excellent), the Tinman, Auntie Em and Dorothy. Even Toto. They were dressed so differently,. When I met the Lion, he was a man, but I could see the Lion through his eyes. I held my breath, eyes glued to that stage door, waiting for my witch. I was leaning in, up on tippy-toes, wondering would that amazing green shimmer through her cheeks and eyes? I waited. And waited. But, she never came. When the realization hit, I lost it. Sobbed my heart out. Colossal tantrum. All these four and five-year-old eyes with the side-eye, “Would you relax, Phelps?” My beautiful mother explained the actor playing the witch probably needed to go home, or maybe was tired, or hungry. She honored my intense emotion, but also set a wonderful boundary that the witch owed me nothing. A very good lesson to learn. One of the many I would learn from Helene Phelps. My tears were welcome, but let us move this melting to the bus.
That witch changed my life. I felt magic that day. And I left with my molecules rearranged. I have never gotten to thank that beautiful beast who played her. I like to think maybe we have walked next to each other on a street in New York, or in Minneapolis, or have been on the same flight somewhere.
After that….well there were lots of little twists and turns to wind up here. I have wanted to be an actor my whole life. But, I kept it close to my chest for a lot of years. I got to be in my first play in second grade. I played the unicorn. Killer role. My dad helped make my horn and mane, with hundreds of different ribbons. I remember being so nervous before I went on, but feeling that magic once again fill my body. After that, acting felt much more intimidating. Less accessible. Who was I to be an actor? How could someone even do that? My big brother is four years older than me, and when I was in middle school, I would go to the high school plays and musicals and watch with astonishment. When I was in high school, I was starstruck by the theater department. Those students felt like movie stars to me. I watched from afar. I did public speaking in forensics for a few years and I was a dancer throughout middle school and high school, but didn’t really pursue acting until I was 17 or so. At that point, the fire got so big, so bright, so all consuming, I knew I had to pursue it. I went to college to study acting. To pursue a life in the theater. I had no idea if I would be good at it, but I remember my curiosity and hunger to learn were stronger than my fear at that point. Age 17 was a big year for my heart and direction of passion. And I was privileged to go to college to study, and I am incredibly lucky to have a family who supports my being an artist. My parents and my siblings. I have been acting ever since. There has been no plan b for me. Serving stories is my true love. It connects every part of my body, my brain, my psyche, my shadow, my soul, my emotional landscape, and the divine poetry that gets us closer to the mystery of it all. It is a way I express love to others.
So many things have happened to get me here today. Wonderful things, hard things, horrible things, and magical things. But, the beginning of my journey… how it all started…something was pure there. Something true.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It has not always been a smooth road. Parts of the walk have been easier. More scenic, easier terrain to muscle, loyal eagles and wolves, in the form of friends and a twin sister, walking with me along the way. But, other parts have been rough. Parts I have had to walk completely alone. And big patches of the dark forest. I think any road that is of any substantial length, any road that you wish to walk your whole life, I think if you are truly participating, it will be very hard at times.
A few struggles along the way: A couple of toxic relationships, rejection, sexual harassment, sexual assault, coming to terms with and learning about being an HSP (diagnosed highly sensitive person), personal and collective tragedy and grief, the last two and a half years with the pandemic, and a difficult eating disorder. My eating disorder started in my mid-twenties. I am 35 now and a little over three years into my recovery. Developing the disorder was a perfect storm of a handful of things. The seeds had been planted growing up in this harmful culture. We are all exposed to it. In my mid-twenties, there was pressure from my industry and some artistic leadership at the time. There was influence from a big mentor in my life, and a few hard personal events that left me desperate for a coping mechanism. I reached for a log in the middle of rushing, deep water. If you had asked me at age 22 if I would ever become ill in this way, I would have said no. But, looking back, it was an incredibly vulnerable time. I don’t think any of us are completely immune to those cracks that life creates at times. I abandoned myself for a long time. I am grateful to be back with myself again. I am grateful I reached for help in time. And for those who were there on my shore to swim back to. An incredible therapist and doctor, my family, best friends and my art. My deepest parts, my intuition, my passion for food, my softest, truest wolf, even though dimmed and small, remained intact. And the wolf is getting stronger and stronger. Recovery will be a long, hard road, but it is a beautiful one. To anyone struggling with any thread of this disorder, or with other addiction, which so many human beings are, I see you. You are not alone.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I have been a professional actor and theater maker in the Twin Cities since 2009. I perform in plays regularly; I am a core and founding member of Transatlantic Love Affair, a physical theater company dedicated to devising new work, and a member of two other companies: New Dawn Theater and Yellow Tree Theatre. I love to do as much film work as I can and I work regularly in the voice-over world. I have fallen deeply in love with the Twin Cities, and over the next five years, I plan to expand to other cities and serve stories in other communities as well. Over the past 7 years, an imperative personal calling to help affect social change, to fight harder and more actively for other humans, has been rooted firmly. I believe in all the places where activism and art meet and connect. These intersections are powerful, and absolutely necessary. We are at a breaking point in our society. It is a very dark time. Certain systems must be dismantled, white supremacy must be dismantled. Our racist, sexist, ageist, ableist, patriarchal, capitalist prison must be torn down. We have so much to rebuild and not one more second to waste. I have so much to learn, so much to unlearn, but it is the most important work there is.
Since I was a small child, I have longed to hear people’s stories. As I have gotten older, I have realized this is true for other people too. We want to engage with others as they feel, love, navigate, and survive. We long to witness human journeys of all kinds. We want to be part of each other’s stories. It connects us. It serves an ancient need; an ancient work. I am dedicated to this work. But, in order to be together, in order to sync our heartbeats, in order for people to feel safe, to be valued, to continue on this journey together, we have to do better. I have to do better. We must center those who are most vulnerable, we must do more for our children, we must change the constitution, and countless laws. We must change health care, we must change the nucleus of our narratives. We must build something new. Our stories and lives cannot move forward with wishes and prayers. Those things are kind, but they are not enough. Not even close. We need daily action. We need ferocious stamina. We have already put so much on certain bodies. Those bodies deserve to rest. I want to be an artist, but, most of all, I want to fight for human beings, for love, for our planet. I want to work and live at the core of this intersection. To live and be where art and change touch.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Welcome fear to the party. It is going to be around. Feed love more often, but don’t beat yourself up for feeding fear sometimes. Fear is a complex animal. It is okay to know it.
Your anxiety, depression, disorders, limitations and struggles are nothing to be ashamed of. Your emotional, mental and physical needs are nothing to be ashamed of. It is okay to ask for help, it is okay to need extra support. We must know ourselves, and we must help ourselves. We are then able to help others.
Extinguish perfectionism. Release yourself from it. Set personal boundaries. Boundaries are love.
Embrace rejection. Easier said than done. But, there is a whole lot of it in this life. At this point in my life, I like to think of it as a shimmering ricochet. Bouncing off of an opportunity, only to be redirected to something else. Something else will scoop you up with open arms. Don’t chase the things that don’t see you for too long.
There are things I can think of that would have been nice to know back then. But, if I had known them then….well, that would have just been…different. And I wouldn’t have known other things. Ha! You will always not know things.
Thank your body. Nurture it every moment you can.
And never give up.
Contact Info:
- Website: adelinphelps.com
- Instagram: adelinphelps
Image Credits:
Image 1. Dani Werner
Image 2. Lauren B. Photography
Image 3. Dan Norman
Image 4. Petronella J. Ytsma
Image 5. Adelin Phelps
Image 6. Kevin Fanshaw
Image 7. Nick Schroepfer
