Today we’d like to introduce you to Norman Dawson.
Hi Norman, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been collecting sneakers since 1992 but they’ve always been a part of my life growing up. They were the first thing I had identified as cool. Growing up struggling with self-acceptance, insecurities, and depression, I found solace in shoes. I was short, red-haired with an awkwardly high voice. I wasn’t like everyone else and I was uncomfortable in my skin. Then I got my first pair of shoes and immediately noticed how they not only affected the way people saw me, but also the confidence they gave me. In some ways all these years later, I’m still that kid. I studied Theater in High School and eventually went on to study it at the University of the Incarnate Word. I had this idea to share the story of my struggles with others the only way I knew how- on a stage. I believe there aren’t enough fathers or adult males out there that are speaking up about their struggles with mental health. I feel I have an obligation to my sons as well as others to share what I’ve been through and how my love of shoes got me here. I feel like I’m doing my part to erase that stigma that exists about Mental Health.
All These Shoes: A Love Letter To Sneakers is a one-man stage production that tells the story of my journey and all the shoes I wore along the way.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
So the biggest struggle has been pinpointing what I wanted to say. I am an open book but I don’t think I was ready for the vulnerability that it took to write and express some of these stories. I also speak about my mom a great deal in the show. I lost her in 2012 and every time I perform it I feel her presence. It’s very cathartic. Also, even though I’ve been a performer on my different types of stages, I never had the training of writing a screenplay so I took the only approach I knew how and that’s rooted in my DIY Punk Rock roots. No rules. Just do it on my own terms. I want to perform it anywhere. Big stages, intimate spaces, classrooms, basements! And that’s part of the story in itself. Showing kids and young creatives that you can do these things and create art any way you want.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’ve been involved with the Sneaker community since 2007. I helped found and organize San Antonio’s first Sneaker Show called Sneaks Up. We did Sneaks up for 12 years and watched it grow by leaps and bounds. In regards to the Sneaker community, that’s what I’m most proud of. We started out in a gym on the Westside and now there are a number of shows that go on that were inspired by that movement we created. I currently partner with the San Antonio Spurs to organize and host their annual Spurs Sneaker Jam as well as Davies Entertainment to put on a progressive sneaker experience called COLLAB. Prior to that ( in a former life) I was in the band Pitbull Daycare as a stage performer for 5 years. I was also in other local bands such as Stalefish and Protein Shake. Performing for people has always been second nature to me.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
You have to take risks. Stepping out of your comfort zone is vital to the creative process. Shifting perspective is key. There’s a point in my story where I talk about my first experience with depression at 14 years old. I was very reluctant to keep that in the story but I learned that living in those spaces of vulnerability is essential not only for individual growth but also to reach your audience. It speaks to that part inside of people that can relate. That is the biggest risk. That and working around those closed doors and those that have told you NO. Fuck that. There are no NOs. Make it happen.
Contact Info:
- Email: Alltheseshoeslive@
gmail.com - Instagram: @n2tha0
- Twitter: @n2tha0
Image Credits
Blue Hernandez (Photo 1)
Matt Knight (Photo 2)
