The New York art scene is ever-expanding and continuing to inspire new artists and art enthusiasts alike. It is incredible to see how art has changed over the course of a few years and especially how it has been informed and influenced by the emergence of the COVID-19 virus. Without a doubt, everyone’s lives have been affected by the virus in one way or another since the pandemic. And the quarantining days were a big chunk of those affected days.
People became more aware of how important art’s role was in their lives, but it wasn’t as accessible as it used to be when closures began in different venues such as theaters and concerts. It was a very dark time for art enthusiasts and theater lovers and moviegoers. People also found refuge in streaming platforms such as YouTube where they could find videos, songs, and other pieces that fueled their creativity. And we have continued to rely on these platforms as well as other venues that have been open. One artist that has been creating videos of singing songs and connecting to his viewers is with us today and New York art life is excited to speak to him. His name is Clark Mantilla, and he is an actor and musician based in New York City.
NY Art Life: Thank you so much for sitting with us we are so excited to talk about you about your accomplishments!
Clark Mantilla: Thank you, I’m equally excited to speak to you!
NY Life Art: You have had quite a journey as an actor and musician/artist. You’ve been very active on stage and off stage while being on the screen and being present in different workshops. That is very impressive and very crucial to the career of an artist and an actor like yourself. You have also proved how great the training has influenced your work when it comes to performing a role too. We’re so excited about the upcoming shows you’ll be performing in such as your role as Lou in Holy Rollers: A Musical Comedy Concert which was performed at The Green Room 42. Also played a soloist in 54 Below and sings Starkid at 54 Below. Both performed in our beloved New York City! Tell us about how that feels for you.
Clark Mantilla: It’s definitely an exquisite experience in that I’m able to work in the city that I love with people that I look up to and see as an inspiration. And I think that is one of the greatest things to experience as an artist and as an actor. I think the greatest thing I’ve taken away from these performances and experiences is being able to get off the stage and experiencing an amazing energy that is unmatched.
NY Art Life: That is amazing, thank you for sharing that with us. You’ve also been part of short films such as Unspoken Rules: “I Love You, Ma,” Bakit Ka Nag-Stay? – “Laging Nandiyan” and The Love Theory, all of which were part of Adober studios productions on YouTube and you’ve been in a Stealing Mona Lisa workshop. Expand on that experience for us please, how did it influence your acting?
Clark Mantilla: I can confidently say that they positively informed my work and made me see myself as a more versatile person with more capabilities than I first imagined. One thing I definitely appreciate about workshops is how it changes your perception about yourself as an actor and opens your mind to new opportunities and different things that you definitely know you can accomplish and different ranges that you haven’t put yourself through yet.
NY Life Art: What amazing experiences, that is great. You also do such amazing work on YouTube where you share your love of music with others. From my understanding, you own two YouTube channels – Clark in the Studio and Clark on Stage. You post on different days, but you also change the content a little bit by sharing musicals and theatrical songs on Clark on stage whereas you post videos where you sing along to modern songs in Clark In studio. How has that been for you and how do you think streaming platforms such as YouTube can enhance your abilities as an artist?
Clark Mantilla: I’m definitely appreciative of the opportunity because it has opened doors for me to connect with other artists and people that I can collaborate with as well as an audience that is always upbeat. I think that streaming platforms such as YouTube and others are really responsible these days for connecting us to the artists that we love and it’s mainly where we find the creative pieces that we were looking for especially since the pandemic since theater and movies weren’t as accessible as they used to be. I also think that sometimes the challenge of sharing your art through the Internet can open your creativity and see how other ways can help you present your work which is always a great thing.
NY Art Life: That is amazing, thank you so much for giving us your input. I’m sure there are so many people that look up to you as you are very inspiring. What is your advice to those who wish to start their own YouTube channel?
Clark Mantilla: I would advise people to keep going no matter what and to find the content that they know will resonate between them and their audience. And once you believe in it, it will find its intended audience, but you need to keep going to find that out. The quality of the content is always important as well if you pay attention and care about it then your content will get better.
NY Art Life: That’s great advice, thank you so much for sharing that! May we end on this note?
Clark Mantilla: Yes, thank you.
