Actor and Comedian Heidi Gardner Shares Advice on Creativity and Humor at St. Paul’s

Creativity is a core life skill we focus on developing in our students—and who better to bring that skill to life than actor, comedian, and writer Heidi Gardner. She stopped by our Middle School chapel to share tips on how to be creative and find humor in everyday life.

A former St. Paul’s student herself, Heidi reflected on her earliest years here in preschool through first grade on the playground and with friends. She reminded students that middle school is a uniquely formative time:

“Middle school is the sweet spot in life when you start to decide what you think about things, and you can use those opinions in your work.”

She encouraged students to pay attention to the music, movies, friendships, and cultural moments they love now, because those early likes will likely stay with them into adulthood and fuel their creativity.

Heidi spoke about creativity not as something that happens only when we sit down and “lock in,” but as a natural consequence of living fully and noticing the world around you:

“To be creative, sometimes we think we have to sit down, think hard, lock in, but really, it’s about having fun and living life. Let those positive experiences absorb into you and they will be reflected in your work.”

She reminded students that even life’s challenges can spark creativity:

“Your life is funny—even the sticky, hard parts of life are funny. During the rocky parts, that’s when the funniest stuff will happen.”

From pets that help calm us so we can return to creative work, to noticing that “your parents are basically 12 and 13 year olds too, dealing with the same emotions you’re feeling now,” Heidi helped students see that inspiration is everywhere.

She shared plenty of helpful and practical advice:

• Ask for help. She encouraged students to bounce ideas off other people, ask for feedback, and to let others help during difficult moments. We don’t have to do everything on our own to prove ourselves.
• Be patient. She shared that nothing really happens on the timeline we want it to. Whether it’s getting the part in the show, winning the big game, etc. - even if opportunities don’t come when we expect, it often works out for the best in the long run.
• Follow your flow. Creativity feels different when it’s working—trust yourself to recognize what feels right and let that guide your work.

Heidi closed with a reminder that being “cool” isn’t the goal when it comes to being creative or funny:

“Nothing cool is funny. Odd and different moments, quirks, people—that’s what’s funny.”

We are so grateful to Heidi Gardner for taking time to inspire our middle school students and remind them to embrace their quirks, trust their instincts, and find creativity in both the joyful and the challenging moments of life.

Many thanks to Stella Frisby, our Middle School Counselor, for arranging such a cool experience for our students and community!