Meet Taylor Renee Henderson | Actor, Singer, Performance Artist, Bartender and D&D Player

We had the good fortune of connecting with Taylor Renee Henderson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Taylor Renee, what do you attribute your success to?
Success is a very interesting and… dual sided word. It’s hard to quantify, and hard to measure; but there are also times that you can feel and see it around you in undeniable ways. Looking at my ‘success’ (that feels so strange to say) the most important factor that’s gotten me where I am today is hands down my perspective on navigating the creative spaces that I enter. The obvious ways- getting a callback, booking a show… but the minor successes that get you there? Prepping your material, practicing your songs and sides… getting enough sleep! drinking water! saying NO to the things that don’t serve you to get you to the place where you CAN achieve those tangible rewards. Success is a built process. It’s never just one thing that you do that gets you what you want. It’s layered and not dependent on what anyone else does… I come back to the phrase “comparison is theft’ over and over and over again. My success isn’t diminished by someone else succeeding. Seeing people succeed that I’ve worked alongside with over the years inspires me to continue on and I hope that the success I garner in my own regard propels someone else in what they want to accomplish.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’d say mostly everyone knows my actor/singer/artist side, but what I’ve been doing just as long as performing is working in the service industry! Growing up in Las Vegas it’s almost a given that you’ve worked in hospitality or nightlife at some point. Survival jobs are a must for most people in entertainment. My first restaurant job was in 2009 and since then I’ve been a host, cashier, server, fry cook, trainer, manager and bartender… I’ve opened new restaurants in multiple states, worked in high volume commercial sports bars, upscale fusion concepts under award-winning Top Chefs and everything in-between. Walking into my bar everyday there’s never a dull moment and though I may do the same thing every day it always feels new each time I do it. I meet people from all walks of life, I get to hear stories, tell stories, crack jokes and give advice all in the span of a lunch break sometimes. Not to mention I love talking about food, and drinks! Breaking bread is a shared experience and even more than that (which lends itself back to being an artist/performer) at the end of the day my goal is always to create an experience that leaves you different from when you walked in or first met me. That’s not always when I’m onstage… sometimes that shows itself when I make you a cocktail and make sure you have good food in your belly. Having a background in F&B (food and beverage) is unlike any other and I’m a FIRM believer that everyone should work in a restaurant at least once in their life. It humbles you, it teaches you a new type of patience, its creative problem solving under pressure and it really shows you how to treat people. The bonds I’ve made with people I’ve worked with in bars and restaurants are second to none and have proved themselves to be lifelong. It challenges me to show up and be present in every single moment I interact with someone and I use that when I enter my performance spaces as well.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Usually when I’m asked about where to go or hang out in the city (I get asked this easily 3x a week) my response is always dependent on what kind of vibe people are looking for! But when it comes to me and what I like- here’s the skinny: keep it local. I have that sensibility for both being here in San Diego and in my hometown of Las Vegas. I’m also lucky enough that a few of these places are a stones throw from my house! These are personal favorites in my neighborhood of North Park:

Borderline hole-in-the-wall restaurant- Kin Len Thai Street Eats; they have a sous-vide chicken and rice that is made SO simply but it is SO good. When you want to get your hands on a no-frills, order at the counter, outside benches and table burger- go to The Friendly! I get an OG Dirty Flat Top, fries and a Tecate every. single. time.
When I want a cocktail my local watering holes are consistently Seven Grand, Redwing, and as of late, Dolly’s! Seven Grand speaks to me as a whiskey girl, they make the best penicillins! Redwing has karaoke 6 nights a week and the most vibrant group of people there to meet and watch onstage. I’m there just about every Sunday night, come say hi! Finally, Dolly’s is back for the summer season and on a gorgeous warm night you can’t beat an intimate rooftop spot; Cheers!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The love and support I feel from the San Diego performing community has sincerely been the biggest boon to where I find myself today. I’ve seen the landscape change over the last 10 years since I moved here and the fact that I can feel at ease and empowered to do my best at any given moment is such a gift. I don’t take it for granted in the slightest. The list of names could go on forever if i were to go into detail but the network and support system I have here is second to none. I’m honored to say that my mentors, friends, colleagues and chosen family all overlap in bolstering my story day in and day out.

Instagram: @tay.renee.onstage

Facebook: Taylor Henderson

Other: Article from SD-UT fall 2022: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/theater/story/2022-09-11/fall-arts-preview-2022-multifaceted-performer-taylor-henderson-is-finally-coming-into-her-own Featured on Twitch with @DungeonMastersDiary

Image Credits
bar photos: Hogiemonster™️ Jose Zuniga white background headshot: Julie Licari purple/black cabaret photo: Kevin Phan Photography mythical creature with microphone: Amazon Prime Video all other photos by me