In partnership with Marie Claire, 'She Pivots' challenges the typical definitions of success and explores the role our personal stories play in our professional journeys.
As the daughter of a pianist, and the granddaughter of an opera singer, Carla Stickler grew up surrounded by the arts. But after landing the role as Elphaba in Wicked in 2010, it was her time to shine. In an industry that is deeply competitive, being on Broadway made Stickler feel as if she had finally made it.
But the massive success also eventually made Stickler feel something else: burned out. Long rehearsals and nightly shows meant she no longer had time for her friends and family. She found herself feeling physically and emotionally exhausted after performing day in and day out. It felt like her self-worth was tangled up in the role. “[It was like] maybe if I give them every single thing in my body, this time, they'll see how much I care and how talented I am and how worthy I am for this role,” says Stickler on the latest She Pivots. “And it's just like this constant seeking validation from somebody else instead of finding validation within yourself.”
