Phoenix, AZ -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/14/2018 -- Holly Shaw, the host of the Performers & Creators Lab Podcast launched a campaign this month, encouraging listeners and followers all over the world to take their performances into public spaces this month in order to raise awareness around the need for more inclusion and diversity in entertainment and media and also as a way to get listeners to challenge themselves as performing artists. The Performance Challenge or #PACLchallenge will last the entire month of September and includes sharing a video of the performance on social media. The video with the most likes and shares will win a spot as the featured guest on the 2018 season finale episode of the Performers & Creators Lab Podcast.

More awards and information available at http://www.performersandcreatorslab.com.

Shaw encourages listeners, the majority of which are professional performing artists (musicians, dancers, actors, etc.) to take their "original tunes, hug, tunnel, improv troupe, eye gazing experiment. . . whatever you've got!" into public spaces by way of site-specific performances, street performances, or flash mobs. "Of course, keep it safe, peaceful and legal," she adds.

"There is a lot of fear happening in the world these days. Separation, racism, bigotry. And the thing is, Hollywood and the media are where people get most of their ideas of how to think about the world. . . " Shaw says, "So the fastest way to change people's minds is to change the stories and images that people see in T.V., film, the news. That's why inclusion of different types of people, people of color, people with disabilities, LGBTQ, people of all kinds of differences are so vitally important. We, as artists and content creators, have the power to change the narrative. And we must do it."

The Performance Challenge #PACLchallenge lasts the entire month of September, giving participants time to plan, perform, videotape their work and share it on social media. In addition to the grand prize winner for the most liked video, there are also awards for different categories like #MostInclusive, #BestAudienceParticipation and #BestSiteSpecific awarded to the piece that makes the best use of the space in which it is delivered.

Ready to award these prizes are a panel of judges that Shaw has marshalled together from the performing arts and entertainment industry including Eileen Grubba and Actor/Activist (Game of Silence); Raz Kennedy, dubbed the "vocal coach to rock royalty;" filmmaker, Tania Z (The Internship Games); Paul Ford, an actor/activist, and brand manager, Ron Roecker, who has worked with some of the biggest brands, artists and celebrities in the world including the GRAMMY Awards, MTV, Beyonce, Madonna and others.

Podcast Host, Holly Shaw has spent much of her life performing on stage and in film and T.V. first as a SAG actor in her younger years and then later a dancer/choreographer. She wanted to challenge her listeners to try street performing because she feels that no matter what type of artist you are, it can be very useful training to work for an audience that is "on the go."

Shaw says, "When I was 22-23 years old, I spent a year travelling and busking (street performing) and I can honestly say I learned more about how to captivate an audience and keep their attention during that time than any other one experience in my life. With your street audience, you're getting moment to moment feedback. Are they staying to watch? Or are they going?"

In addition to challenging listeners to do public performances, Shaw hopes that this challenge raises awareness and sends a message to the producers, networks, and so called "gatekeepers" of the entertainment industry. "We, as artists, are ready to see ourselves portrayed more inclusively in all of our differences. And we aren't waiting. We'll go out there and create that work ourselves if we have to."

The Host of the Performers & Creators Lab Podcast, Holly Shaw is also a Creativity Coach, Certified Hypnotherapist, and Amazon bestselling author of The Creative Formula. Shaw supports actors, musicians, composers, and dancers, some of whom are Emmy award winning and Grammy nominated artists, helping them with stage fright, anxiety, and creative blocks.

For more information, please visit http://www.performersandcreatorslab.com.

About Performers & Creators Lab Podcast
This show supports performing artists and creatives with their fears, blocks and managing their careers, through interviews with artists, spotlight coaching sessions, and Shaw's wisdom from her lifetime of performing as a former SAG actor, dancer, and choreographer. The show's mission: to overthrow the stereotype of the starving artist one episode at a time and inspire an army of artists on the leading edge. Produced and hosted by Holly Shaw and the VoiceAmerica Network.