Missy Wise is a talented singer/musician, voice teacher and Centenary College graduate who has toured as an independent songwriter and recording artist since 2010. Her album, “Issues,” released in February of 2012 and topped out at No. 12 on the iTunes singer/songwriter charts. She co-founded and serves as president of the board of directors for Stage Center, Inc. and has performed in several local Stage Center productions – most notably as “Eva Peron” in the hit musical “EVITA,” a role that won her last season’s SC Audience Choice Award for Favorite Leading Actress. Having recently relocated to Chicago, Ill., where she works as a vocal instructor with prominent vocal studio Davin Youngs Voice, Wise is singing her way to the top.
Q: Have you always wanted to be in show business? Wise: Yes. I have always been an entertainer. I come from a musical family and we’ve been belting out songs for as long as I can remember. I love to make people laugh, to see them light up when the music sounds just right, to witness their emotions as they see a piece of theater unfold.
Q: What inspires you daily? Wise: I’m inspired by the talented friends and family I’m surrounded by. I’ve been blessed to happen upon what seems to be the most passionate and gifted people in the world. It’s nice to have folks around who not only encourage you, but who challenge you as well to be a better artist, a better business owner, and most importantly a better person.
Q: Tell me more about “Ragtime” and your role there. Wise: ‘Ragtime’ is an upcoming performance show that I have been dreaming about taking part in for some time. The story, the music, the meaning – it’s all so important. I’m thrilled to be playing the role of “Mother,” who is a woman at the dawn of the 20th century whose life dramatically changes after opening her eyes to the world around her. She finds that she can make choices and live a life that is her own. Her default is kindness and she has a lovely way of opening up to the world. I have so much to learn from how Mother sees people and situations. I am challenged and deeply moved by this character.
Q: What does a typical day look like for you? Wise: A typical day for me is spent teaching, organizing, practicing, researching and being with friends. I usually am organizing or booking my own events, tours, performances so I spend a lot of time emailing and hustling. I sing every day in some capacity because I believe that you can only truly sing well when you know your instrument. The rest of the time, I’m searching for auditions and sending out resumes. On really good days, like these leading up to ‘Ragtime,’ I spend my evenings in rehearsals or performances. Those are the best days!
Q: What would you tell other women about pursuing their dreams? Wise: In show business, you’ll probably be poor and disappointed a lot. For me, it took realizing that I was willing to be poor and disappointed for me to fully understand what my dreams are. That’s how I know that every day that I spend counting pennies or lining up for an audition is absolutely worth it, because I’m going for the thing that I can’t imagine my life without.
Q: What is your advice to other women in the working industry today? Wise: Be the only choice for the job, as if no one except you in the whole world could possibly do it better than you—because they can’t. You’re the one!
Q: What is your favorite part of your job? Wise: My favorite part of my job is the fact that I get to hear music all day, every day. I hear my students sing, I write songs for new albums, I rehearse with bands, I listen to new musicals, I practice exciting voice literature. It pours in from everywhere.
Q: What is a current personal goal you have now? What is a current career goal you have now? Wise: Personally, I hope that I continue to grow in my gifts. I’m working on an album that is new and different than what I’ve written before. I’m taking the time to get to know my voice, which is always changing and always has more to explore. My career goal for this year is to book several shows in the Chicago area and release another album.
Q: What is one lesson learned over the years of being a working woman? Wise: No one is going to do it for you. If you want the promotion, if you want to be taken seriously, if you want to be noticed, you have to demand it for yourself. You can’t wait on someone to give you permission to be successful. Do the work, practice longer, show up, show out and make it happen!
