At Work with Denise Manning: Actor, Comic and Musician.
My first memory of Denise Manning is from when I was around 15 years old. We were headed on a road trip to Dallas for a school trip with about ten other folks and she was standing up in the van commanding attention with her stories and making everyone laugh. I remembered having seen her around before and wondering in that instance how I never knew that she was so funny. I don’t think I had ever seen a more captivating personality in the flesh- and, come to think of it, no one’s topped that charisma since. She had this command of classrooms, auditoriums and even buses that was natural, disarming and unreasonably hilarious. I was glad to find her on social media a couple years back because she’s only gotten sharper since then.
Inspired by watching her daily pursuits in her career as a performer- a path that will no doubt end in her being one of the new EGOTs of this century- I’ve started a series here on Nuance titled “A Week at Work” where we’ll talk to people with fascinating careers to see what goes on both behind the scenes and within themselves. Our partner for this first profile is Cleanly, an on-demand dry cleaning service that saves you time on chores, so you can spend time on the things that matter.
Photo by Lauren Miller
A Week at Work wtih Denise manning
What's a typical morning for you?
Whoaaaa honestly no “one” day is the same, so “typical” is hard to answer. But everyday I start with prayer, meditation and Meg Thee Stallion, that way all my bases are covered. Yesterday my day was an audition at 10 am, and another at 11:45. Then I spoke at Juilliard University and I rounded out the day with rehearsal from 5:30-9:30pm in Brooklyn. So my typical day is chill.
How does your schedule change on weeks when you have a run of shows versus when you're between bookings?
Ooooo it changes by 4-6 episodes of whatever Netflix show I’m binge-ing- currently it’s “Cheer” and honestly I sob every episode. #jerryforpresident.
But truly I’m always working on new audition material, jokes or music. So I always have something to “work on”. I think it’s one of the things I love about my field- you can’t be perfect at it. No matter how “talented” you are you will forever be a student to the arts.
What is your schedule like for this Wednesday?
Wednesday? I have a scoping with my ENT at 8:45am (to make sure my vocal chords are in good form) an audition at 10am, 11:15 and 12pm. I’m gonna try to get “off-book” for a show I’m mounting in Brooklyn...aka memorize lines.
Maybe I’ll get a nap on the train (train sleep is the BEST sleep. IDC, I said what I said). Then I have a voice over gig, thennnnn rehearsal from 5:30-6:30pm.
I’ll probably eat, and FaceTime my nephews somewhere in there lol .
What does self-promotion look like for you?
Honesty, authenticity, real-ness!!! I post a lot of everyday regular-schmegular stuff on my social media accounts, ‘cause I think it’s important to remember that we are PEOPLE before we are “products” ”events” and “brands.” So simple, but it’s hella effective. So self-promotion for me looks like me being my most-authentic self.
You use your body for commuting, performing and looking good for a living. How do you care for it during the week?
I stretch daily, and schedule “self-care” dates with my self OFTEN. If I can’t get a whole day to recharge, I’ll block off hours and disappear for a bit. In the last year or so I’ve become really hooked on mani-pedi’s. I do it bi-weekly. I have a favorite nail-artist. I bring in nail inspiration and then relax for 2 hours or so, while she creates art on my hands/feet. Also I believe in SLEEP! The bedtime function on my iPhone is my very best friend.
You've been a performer for over a decade. Have you developed any rituals around your work?
Whoaaaaa I have been. That’s wild! I’m super grateful that I get to live my dreams and it’s sustained me for more than a decade. Rituals… if I told you, would they still be sacred ? Okay I’ll give you one! Cheese fries after every closing! I usually don’t eat dairy when I’m on contract ( especially singing contracts) but BAYBEE after that closing night... cheese FRIES!!
What do you do with the time you save doing laundry with Cleanly?
I’m going to go to the Alamo drafthouse in Brooklyn! A classic movie self date! It’s one of my favorite places in NYC because it reminds me of my hometown, Austin Texas. Also that Parmesan -truffle popcorn is the antidote to any and everything!
What do you love about your work?
The people! And the fact that you can’t be perfect at it (the arts). FORREAL Stevie wonder still takes piano lessons...that’s iconic. A forever student? Forever evolving and expanding? Sign me up! And the people? Wow. To the people I work with, get to become, and the one’s I effect. Thank you for teaching me everyday that compassion for self is the only way to have compassion for others.
