Next Up

Name: Grace Rehorn

Hometown: Kansas City, Kansas

Current Location: Los Angeles, California

TrunkSpace: When did you know that you wanted to act for a living?
Rehorn: As a kid, my best friend and I spent hours in my upstairs bedroom playing a game called “imagination.” We created an entire world of fictional characters and acted out their lives with different plots and relationships. It was basically a very long, weirdly well-developed improv. Looking back, I think this game of imagination is where it began. However, I decided to pursue acting as a career after completing an acting for film workshop in Los Angeles. I fell in love with acting for the camera and the subtly and honesty it requires.

TrunkSpace: Was there a particular performance or actor/actress from your childhood that you remember being drawn to and inspired by?
Rehorn: The first actress that comes to mind in Sandra Bullock. I remember watching her films over and over until I knew every line. She is hilarious and beautiful, but so relatable! She has the ability to make you laugh and cry in the same moment. That unique balance of comedy and vulnerability is something I strive for as an actress!

TrunkSpace: How did you decide to approach your career as an actor? Did you formulate a plan of how you wanted to attack what is known for being a hard industry to crack?
Rehorn: I moved to Los Angeles with little experience outside a few drama classes and one triumphant run as Liesl in “The Sound of Music” in the ninth grade. I had a lot of catching up to do. I quickly got into the best classes possible for me and worked on developing my craft. I also focused on gaining experience by acting in small projects and working as a production assistant to help me understand how things work on set. I think this strong foundation will help me feel confident and prepared as I take the next steps in my career.

TrunkSpace: When did you decide to move away from your home and pursue acting as a career? How old were you at the time?
Rehorn: I decided to move to Los Angeles after I graduated from college at age 21. I was considering going to graduate school to become a lawyer or a psychologist. If it was not for the overwhelming support I received from my family and friends, I would have never had the courage to move to LA and pursue acting.

TrunkSpace: Was that move an easy transition for you initially? How long did it take you to feel at home and find a good support group of friends and peers?
Rehorn: I expected the move to LA to be an easy transition for me. I have traveled a lot in my life and I felt confident. I hate to admit it, but nothing could have prepared me for a move from Kansas to Los Angeles. I used to cry every time I got in my car because driving in Hollywood was so stressful! I have been here six months now, and I am starting to feel at home. I am lucky to have two amazing roommates and a wonderful, supportive acting class. I am now an excellent city driver.

TrunkSpace: What has been your biggest break in terms of a particular role or project thus far?
Rehorn: I just finished an episode of a crime recreation show on Investigation Discovery. It will be my first appearance on TV. I got to spend a week running around covered in fake blood! It was a great experience.

TrunkSpace: Is there a specific type of role you’d like to take on or a specific genre that you feel more at home in?
Rehorn: That is a tough question because I love so many genres! I have always dreamed of being in a teen horror flick or an awesome action movie. However, I feel most at home in comedy. I would love to do something comedic, but with great honesty and heart!

TrunkSpace: What would you say is the greatest strength an actor/actress can have outside of acting ability itself?
Rehorn: Openness! It is so important to be open and present in your everyday life and have the ability to connect with people. I have always been a bit guarded, so I am currently working on being vulnerable enough to truly live in the moment. This helps you bring truthfulness and real emotion to your work.

TrunkSpace: What is your ultimate dream when it comes to your acting career? Where would you like your path to lead?
Rehorn: Believe it or not, I don’t want to become rich and famous. I chose acting as a career. My dream is to be able to support myself doing the thing I love most in the world. If I can do that, and be involved in some projects I am passionate about along the way, that would be a success in my book!

TrunkSpace: What advice would you give another young aspiring actor/actress who is considering moving away from home to pursue their dream?
Rehorn: It takes a lot of courage to move away from home to pursue a dream that feels so unattainable. However, in my experience, there will always people saying, “You can’t do it,” no matter what you decide to do with your life! When you experience overwhelming self-doubt (and you will experience overwhelming self-doubt), just remember that you bring something unique and special to the table. Have confidence in the fact that you are the only person in the world who can be you! Combine that confidence with a LOT of hard work and, in my humble opinion, you will be just fine.

TrunkSpace: Where can people (and casting directors) learn more about you?
Rehorn: You can learn all you need to know by visiting my website: www.gracerehorn.com. To get a glimpse of my day-to-day, follow me on Instagram (@gracerehorn)!

Name: Megan Duquette

Hometown: Moline, Illinois

Current Location: Los Angeles, CA

TrunkSpace: When did you know that you wanted to act for a living?
Duquette: There’s definitely a big difference between when I knew I wanted to act (as soon as I first started being aware of my own thoughts!) and when I knew I wanted to go after acting for a living. I have been doing school plays and community theater since I was a kid. I would also force my friends and/or siblings into putting on productions together in our backyards and then have our parents video tape it. (On a camcorder that would then become a VHS, thank you very much!)

I knew I wanted to act for a living in 2015 when I was doing a musical. It was my first time onstage in 4 years. I had set my dream aside and pursued a corporate career, which was completely draining for me, and being back onstage was when I realized it was something I needed to give my all to.

TrunkSpace: Was there a particular performance or actor/actress from your childhood that you remember being drawn to and inspired by?
Duquette: I wish I could cite some critically-acclaimed and profoundly inspiring piece of cinema, but truthfully, romantic comedies first piqued my love of acting. It was Meg Ryan, Julia Roberts and especially Robin Wright in “The Princess Bride” whom I idolized. “The Princess Bride” is a film that I revere as one of the greatest films ever made, and I can recite it front title to credits. (“Anybody want a peanut?” EPIC!) And, of course, I grew up during the Golden Age of Disney animated films, so I was also inspired by Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Mulan, Pocahontas and Megara. (Megara is vastly underrated but she had a kick-ass solo, and her name was the closest to mine.) It’s a dream of mine to voice a Disney princess some day!

TrunkSpace: How did you decide to approach your career as an actor? Did you formulate a plan of how you wanted to attack what is known for being a hard industry to crack?
Duquette: As I was starting my career as an actor while ending my career in Human Resources, I did what any good corporate person would do: I made a PowerPoint presentation where I outlined my goals and timelines. Just as any up and coming actors would do this, it was also an important aspect to consider when working in human resources too. By staying on top of all the jobs that I was required to do, which included using something similar to this Maryland background check service to guarantee the realness of resumes, having goals and timelines helped me to stay on track. So, when I decided to switch careers, taking this idea with me was going to be super helpful. I did as much research as I could-online forums and in-person informational interviews with every friend-of-a-friend actor on how they got started, where they took classes, how they got an agent, etc. I based my plan on that information. After six months, I reviewed and revised the plan. After three iterations of the PowerPoint, I have almost entirely abandoned it, and I’m just winging it now! This is definitely a career where you have to constantly reassess your strategy and your goals. I started out thinking that I was going to be a comedic actress and that I wanted to book a lot of commercials. Now I want to do small indie dramas. You grow and change as an actor and as a person through all that you learn and experience in classes, in life, etc. It has been incredibly interesting to see how things have shifted for me over time, and I have no idea where my ambitions and interests will wander next.

TrunkSpace: When did you decide to move away from your home and pursue acting as a career? How old were you at the time?
Duquette: I decided to move away from home when my car did a nice 360-degree spin on a layer of ice and snow in Iowa. I had this epiphany that snow is optional and that I could choose to live somewhere without it. At the time, I was working as an editor at the local news station in my hometown with a shift from 2 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. I realized that I was not in the epicenter of the entertainment industry and that I should relocate to somewhere with more opportunities-and less snow. Had I had a home to sell, I would have definitely looked to someone like these local area San Antonio real estate investors to quickly buy my home so I could get going while the idea was still fresh in my mind!I was 22 years old when I loaded up my car and drove across the country in the tiny Ford Focus I still drive today (and sincerely hope will continue functioning for a few more years). When I arrived in LA, however, I sort of chickened out of the actual acting pursuit, and was here for a solid three years before I even started auditioning for community theater! But I stayed! That is the most important thing-I never left LA once I got here. I just needed some time before I was ready to start my acting career. Moving to a new area was scary, but I knew I had to do it. One of my friends had previously relocated to a new area to try and advance her career as a physician. She was able to purchase a house by using one of the best physician loan lenders. They helped her to find the money to get a mortgage in a new area. She seems a lot happier, so that’s what I reminded myself as I began my relocation.

TrunkSpace: Was that move an easy transition for you initially? How long did it take you to feel at home and find a good support group of friends and peers?
Duquette: I am so proud of and impressed by the young actors who move here at 18, 20, 23, etc. and just jump right in. I have seen it many times in classes I have taken, and I am always shocked at how bold and brave that is-to not only be going after such an incredibly scary and volatile career, but also to be taking on such a crazy city all while going through the madness that is your early twenties! Me? I got here and took my sweet time. I mentioned that I did not start auditioning for three years; well, I did not leave my corporate job for five years! I ended up in an entry-level position at a world-leading entertainment company-in HR-and then sort of just kept getting promoted around the company. It was incredible, and I have zero regrets about the time I spent getting to know myself, paying off my student loans, learning the city and getting settled. I met my soon-to-be husband and found a really solid group of friends. I honestly think there is no way I would have been brave enough or prepared enough to take the risk of launching an acting career without having so much stability in my personal life. Your early 20s are tumultuous enough without throwing in an acting career-but I guess those in their early 20s also have more energy than those of us in the next decade-so there are advantages and disadvantages to both!

TrunkSpace: What has been your biggest break in terms of a particular role or project thus far?
Duquette: I was a small spec in the corner for about three seconds in “Kong: Skull Island.” Does that count?! I would have to say my biggest break and one of my early victories was getting to be featured in a scene with Rosie O’Donnell in NBC’s production of “Hairspray Live!” My Midwestern family was so wonderful, and they all watched it and acted like I was so famous for being on TV. It was also really exciting because practically every online publication that recapped the broadcast used a photo of Rosie that included me standing next to her. Sure, no one in the UK knew who that random girl was, but people in the UK saw my picture! I was pretty tickled by that one. Another exciting break was booking an MLB commercial. Granted, I did not make the final edit, but hey-you celebrate the wins you get in this business. (Laughter) I tell people I am in the “Garage Phase” of my acting career-I have been happy to take on roles in student films and in unpaid theater productions. I have loved being in shows at the Hollywood Fringe Festival for the past two years. What I love the most about acting is the connections you make with the other actors, and there is not much more of a rush than doing that onstage in front of a live audience.

TrunkSpace: Is there a specific type of role you’d like to take on or a specific genre that you feel more at home in?
Duquette: I primarily get cast in comedies. I think it’s my face. I just look funny. In my heart, I am this Carey Mulligan-type: a soulful, dramatic indie actress, but the industry does not see that yet. So I definitely have a ways to go. I have done some Meisner training, and it has brought out such a different side of me. I have always been told that I am going to be a character actress and comedy will be my wheelhouse, so it is a pleasure when I get to take on dramatic scenes. I dream of someday doing small indie family dramas. I am really interested in stories about mental health and the complexities of our inner emotional lives, especially as it affects families. I have a degree in anthropology with a focus on socio-cultural anthropology-the study of people and behavior in cultures. That is what my favorite kind of storytelling these days explores: Why do we behave the way we behave? What past pain has carried into today and prevents us from living as a happy, peaceful society at the macro level or even as a couple or family unit on the micro level? And how can we be better?

TrunkSpace: What would you say is the greatest strength an actor/actress can have outside of acting ability itself?
Duquette: The importance of financial savvy cannot be ignored: managing your money well and knowing how to make money outside of acting are huge strengths for an actor. Money comes and goes when acting so there can be some months where you rake it in big and other months where you don’t earn anything at all. It can be quite frustrating but once you get the hang of it, it’s not so bad. I started taking a look into the trading app uk has to offer so that I can make money from anywhere. This means I could make money on my way to casting, on my way home from casting or even from the comfort of my own home. Plus, I don’t have to find temporary work in between acting gigs. Another area I am working on is my ability to not take it so personally when I face rejection, because my disappointment tends to carry over into my home life-and that is not fair to my partner. It is crucial to have the ability to separate your work life from your personal life. You need to have a happy, full life that does not depend on your acting career, because it will frequently not make you happy. I was literally wallowing in self-pity for a dramatic theater role I did not get when my phone dinged with the request to do this interview profile. Your mood could change on a second-to-second basis if you choose to let your acting career highs and lows dictate your mood. Resist that urge! Also, on a practical note: To my fellow glasses-wearers, please punch out your lenses and wear contacts under the frames. You might be asked to take off your glasses for an entire audition, and if you are blind without them (like me) and they were your real glasses on which you depended for vision (like me,) you may end up doing an audition blind (like me). Needless to say, I bombed.

TrunkSpace: What is your ultimate dream when it comes to your acting career? Where would you like your path to lead?
Duquette: I have a dog. He is amazing. He is this fluffy ball of love and joy that we rescued at the end of last year, and he wakes up every day so full of optimism that today will be a day of nothing but chasing after his tennis ball. My ultimate dream when it comes to my acting career is to work consistently enough that I can support my dog. My goal is to get him a house with a yard, so that there can be epic-ball-throwing and running around to his pure heart’s content. I am also not far from the stage in life where I may have human children, as well. My ultimate dream would be doing what I love and still supporting my family. Oh, and an Oscar would be nice, too.

TrunkSpace: What advice would you give another young aspiring actor/actress who is considering moving away from home to pursue their dream?
Duquette: Oh man. I have 10,000 clichés on the tip of my tongue trying to respond to this, but, the truth is, none of it will resonate or make sense until the person has been through the experience themselves and has the hindsight to understand how good the advice was. That is 100 percent what happened to me. People gave me great advice that I proceeded to ignore, and then months or years later, I realized what they were talking about. I guess the advice I would give them is to breathe. Sometimes I feel like everything around me is racing at 1,000 miles per hour, and then you go weeks without an audition. Breathe and pace yourself and know that you are running a marathon, not a sprint. Also, know that sometimes (frequently, in fact) you will be the only person who believes that you can do this. Keep believing, and keep focused on your goals. Celebrate the small wins, because for a long time, the wins will be small. But progress is progress, even if it is just an inch. And that is something to be proud of.

TrunkSpace: Where can people (and casting directors) learn more about you?
Duquette: My website is www.meganduquette.com. I am on IMDB, Megan Duquette (II) IMDB, as well. If you want to see pictures of the dog for whom I dream of a yard, you can follow me (him, really) on Instagram: I am simply “meganduquette.” I do not really use the Snappy Chatty thing that the kids are on these days, and I think I tweeted twice before promptly forgetting my password. If anyone else knows it, kindly inform me and I will happily add dog photos to Twitter as well.

Name: Christine Celozzi

Hometown: Boston, MA

Current Location: Los Angeles, CA

TrunkSpace: When did you know that you wanted to act for a living?
Celozzi: I have glimpses of memories from before I was five years old when family members or friends of the family would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, and I would always eagerly and confidently respond with, “An actress or a professional soccer player.” I can’t recall a time in my life when I didn’t know I wanted to be an actress, but there were many times where I found myself attempting to do something else, something more “stable”, which ironically made me feel less and less sane the further I pursued. Eventually I gave up on stability and started focusing more on sanity, which was when I made the determining factor that there was absolutely nothing else I could see myself doing happily. Acting was the “thing”.

TrunkSpace: Was there a particular performance or actor/actress from your childhood that you remember being drawn to and inspired by?
Celozzi: Truthfully, no judgment, I wanted so badly to meet and be one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as a kid. I felt like if I worked hard enough to watch every single one of their cartoon episodes, memorized every line word for word, and diligently sat in front of the television repeating it, then some sort of magical laser would send out the red alert that the next April was ready. I know it’s not your typical inspiration, but that was mine. I thought I was a prodigy. You can imagine my disappointment when they never showed. It wasn’t all bad though. It did begin this wonderful ability to speed memorize lines, and I have a different kind of appreciation for TMNT in my adult years.

TrunkSpace: How did you decide to approach your career as an actor? Did you formulate a plan of how you wanted to attack what is known for being a hard industry to crack?
Celozzi: My approach/plan as an actor is to be an asset, not only in the realm of acting but also in the filmmaking community as a whole. I enjoy storytelling. I was born to be a storyteller. Whether I’m in front of the camera, behind the camera, or at home, every single day I make it a point to learn something new about the filmmaking process. Outside of acting I am also a writer and recently started venturing into directing and producing. The way I would like to be described is as a collaborator. I feel like when you’re following a passion through curiosity, through the eagerness to learn, you’re going to continue to meet the right people, you’re going to find places to apply your knowledge, you’re going to find people who want to work with you. Everything is a learning experience, so as long as I’m learning, I’ll consider my acting and film career successful.

TrunkSpace: When did you decide to move away from your home and pursue acting as a career? How old were you at the time?
Celozzi: I decided to move away from home and pursue acting as a career last August. I was 28 at the time, and I was ready to fully give myself to the process.

TrunkSpace: Was that move an easy transition for you initially? How long did it take you to feel at home and find a good support group of friends and peers?
Celozzi: It was surprisingly an easy transition. I knew immediately as it was happening that I was making the right decision. I put a lot of trust into the unknown and believed that everything would happen as it was supposed to. The physical transition was quite a wonderful one. I knew I wanted to gain more life experience while venturing out here, so my boyfriend, who is also an actor, and I traveled across the southern half of the United States for 93 days from Boston to LA. Those 93 days consisted of a planned itinerary with around 300 items, including zip-lining over alligator pits in St. Augustine, riding in a hot air balloon in NM, and visiting my favorite place on earth, the Grand Canyon. Upon landing out here, I began taking classes immediately, completing a Meisner class with Anthony Montes, a former student of Sandy Meisner, the 8-Week Audition Masterclass with Risa Bramon Garcia, and Improv 1 & 2 with The Second City within 3 months of getting into the groove of acting again. Through classes it was really easy to quickly build an expanding support group with friends and peers and create a new home out here in California.

TrunkSpace: What has been been your biggest break in terms of a particular role or project thus far?
Celozzi: I think my biggest break thus far is something I can’t talk about just yet!

TrunkSpace: Is there a specific type of role you’d like to take on or a specific genre that you feel more at home in?
Celozzi: The specific types of projects I feel most at home in are character pieces, whether comedy or drama. I experience something amazing when given a character whose layers I have to sort through, when bringing them to life is an art form.

TrunkSpace: What would you say is the greatest strength an actor/actress can have outside of acting ability itself?
Celozzi: The ability to learn. The ability to see something for what it is. The ability to laugh at yourself. The ability to place your ego on the sidelines and lead with your soul. The ability to understand human beings, not only as a means to bring a character to life, but also in order to communicate with the people you are working with.

TrunkSpace: What is your ultimate dream when it comes to your acting career? Where would you like your path to lead?
Celozzi: My ultimate dream is to be able to take my acting career to the furthest point I can and continue learning and moving people along the way. Again, if I am allowed the ability to continue to learn, that’s the most that I could ask for from any career.

TrunkSpace: What advice would you give another young aspiring actor/actress who is considering moving away from home to pursue their dream?
Celozzi: If there is nothing else you want more than to act, then do it. Do it to your fullest potential, do it without fear, but be aware that it’s not something that will come and find you. It’s something you must be willing to seek, and it takes a lot of hard work.

TrunkSpace: Where can people (and casting directors) learn more about you?
Celozzi: I have a website: www.presskit.to/christinecelozzi, and my IG (@christinecelozzi).

Name: Penny Middleton

Hometown: Lansdale, PA

Current Location: New York

TrunkSpace: When did you know that you wanted to act for a living?
Middleton: I’ve always been a storyteller. As a kid, I was constantly finding ways to tell stories. In elementary I convinced my friends to play “Saved by the Bell” at lunch (casting myself as Lisa Turtle). Why they agreed to do it I’ll never know! At home, I created routines for “Star Search” and wrote characters for myself to play in shows like “Punky Brewster.” In high school I auditioned for my first play. I got a “callback” and thought I had been cast! I remember telling my friend who had theater experience, “I’m in the play!” She looked at me puzzled. She informed me that I didn’t have the part, not just yet. In the moment my heart sank. I never wanted to have that feeling again; it was like mourning a death. That’s a bit dramatic, but this was high school… everything was high stakes! I realized that what I had so causally chalked up to be a quirk, my constant need to tell stories, was much more. The energy around creating became precious. I was (thankfully) cast in the show and I haven’t stopped acting since.

TrunkSpace: Was there a particular performance or actor/actress from your childhood that you remember being drawn to and inspired by?
Middleton: As mentioned, I just really loved creating stories as a kid but the idea that I was acting never dawned on me. All that changed when I was 7. I finally connected the dots. This “thing” I did had a name. Acting. “The Witches,” a children’s fantasy novel by the British writer Roald Dahl was adapted into a film starring Anjelica Huston. There is a particular scene in the film where Huston’s character, the “Grand High Witch,” addresses her fellow witches in a ballroom. I remember watching Huston and thinking, “What ever that is… I want to do it.” Huston was so magical to me. The way she spoke, her physicality, her eyes – all of it. My little 7-year-old self was here for all of it.

TrunkSpace: How did you decide to approach your career as an actor? Did you formulate a plan of how you wanted to attack what is known for being a hard industry to crack?
Middleton: I didn’t start with a plan; I just tried to make space for acting. That was important for me. I was really lucky because my introduction to acting occurred in a space that practiced blind casting. In other words, I didn’t know that I couldn’t play any part. That was my mentality when I decided to pursue acting professionally. As a woman of color, expectations did not match reality. I realized that I did have to have a plan…and that plan involved a lot of hard work. That plan meant becoming a writer and a producer. Creating my own work is what keeps me in the industry. More than half of the work I do as an actor is self-produced, a fact that I resented for a long time. Now, I embrace being a writer and producer. I also embrace the reality of this business but I reject the box in which it wants to place me in. I audition when I can and continue to carve out a nook for myself with my own self-produced work.

TrunkSpace: When did you decide to move away from your home and pursue acting as a career? How old were you at the time?
Middleton: After paying for college out of pocket I (finally) graduated cum laude from the University of Central Florida in 2010. I started working in advertising. A few years passed and I was still acting when I could, but really I was just trying to keep my head above water. I was barely making enough money to get by. I got a promotion and with it I asked for a raise. I was told that would not be happening. When I initially had the conversation with my boss, I didn’t plan on quitting, but when I was told that I wasn’t going to receive a raise my gut instinct was to utter, “Okay, then I have to put in my two weeks notice.” I went to my car and cried! I had no idea what I was going to do. Then, I realized that I had always wanted to move to New York to pursue acting. A month later, I packed up my car and drove up. I maybe had $1000.00 in my account, no job lined up, but all the passion in the world.

TrunkSpace: Was that move an easy transition for you initially? How long did it take you to feel at home and find a good support group of friends and peers?
Middleton: On the drive up from Orlando, it was pouring. I was crying and just so terrified. I called my friend Angie who told me that I had to stop for the night and get some rest. She said, “You can’t drive into New York with this energy.” She was right. The next morning the sun was shining and I finally arrived in New York. I was excited… nervous, but excited. I was lucky because my college roommate’s mom (who is really like my mom) let me live with her until I got on my feet. I had been in New York for a few weeks and I got my first production assistant job with Staci Levine. I met Staci in Orlando so I reached out when I got to New York. At the time Staci was producing a show at the Barrymore Theatre called “An Evening with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin.” That was my first job in New York. I got to stand on the Barrymore stage and I got to see two Broadway legends perform (for free). I realized very quickly that this city is magic. Three months later I got an email from a friend, Joshua Conkel, asking if I wanted to be in a play his theater company was producing (“Your Boyfriend May Be Imaginary” by Larry Kunofsky). I could not have been more grateful for that production because I made so many friends. I immediately felt at home here. A lot of the jobs I get are based on referrals, something that I do not take for granted. It’s hard for people who don’t live here to understand this, but New York is incredibly intimate. It’s a really small bubble. It’s all love. I don’t know, it seems cheesy but everyone supports each other. It’s simple that way.

TrunkSpace: What has been been your biggest break in terms of a particular role or project thus far?
Middleton: This is a hard question! I always think that what I deem as success or a “big break” may look different to someone else. I’m proud of the work I’ve done in New York but I think I’ve just now entered a groove. I believe in manifesting and setting clear intentions for what you want. I also know that it never shows up exactly the way you want it to! I don’t want to block anything that may be coming my way… so let’s table this one and ask me again later!

TrunkSpace: Is there a specific type of role you’d like to take on or a specific genre that you feel more at home in?
Middleton: I love, LOVE dark comedy. It’s what I tend to focus on when I’m writing. I studied classical humanities and philosophy in undergrad so there’s always this part of me that wants to explore the social upheaval of humans, but in a funny way. Women of color don’t often get the chance to explore these types of roles. Which can be frustrating but that’s why I write!

TrunkSpace: What would you say is the greatest strength an actor/actress can have outside of acting ability itself?
Middleton: This is going to sound so “Afterschool Special” but just having a good sense of self is important. On the most basic level, I can’t expect to bring life to a character (make them tangible and fixed in the world) if I don’t fully know who “Penny” is. It also rings true to have a good sense of self-humor. That is to have the ability to laugh at yourself. I think it helps with taking direction because if you can laugh at yourself then you open yourself up to realization that you’re not perfect (perfection is boring!). There’s a great deal of evidence that suggests laughing improves both our mental and physical health! I love laughing even though I look like a Muppet when I do it.

TrunkSpace: What is your ultimate dream when it comes to your acting career? Where would you like your path to lead?
Middleton: I want to have a production company. When I moved to New York, I started freelancing in production. I wanted to know every aspect of what goes into creating a project. Obviously I want to be in front of the camera, but I also want to create a space for those on the margins. I believe in the beauty of our collective story, but I also know that representation matters. Having a production company would provide a space for voices/stories that would otherwise go unheard. I will call it Adventures in PennyLand and it will be paperless! Production uses a lot of paper.

TrunkSpace: What advice would you give another young aspiring actor/actress who is considering moving away from home to pursue their dream?
Middleton: If there is anything else you think you can do that will make you happy, do that. This is not easy. If acting is a part of you, the fiber of who you are then you have to honor that. Give it a fair shot, give yourself a fair shot… and remember, never allow anyone to place their limitations on you. Trust that if you are clear with your intentions and you put in the work, the universe will provide for you… in the meantime there are always credit cards! Kidding. Kind of.

TrunkSpace: Where can people (and casting directors) learn more about you?
Middleton: Please visit my website, pennymiddleton.com. You can also follow me on Instagram, Penny_Middleton & Twitter @Penny_Middleton. Also, my IMDB page is here.

Name: K.C. Shonk

Hometown: East China, Michigan

Current Location: Los Angeles, California

TrunkSpace: When did you know that you wanted to dance for a living?
Shonk: My parents always told me to do what I love and the money will follow. They instilled the value of happiness over monetary wealth at a young age. I love dance and it has made me happy my whole life so it only makes sense for me to want to pursue dancing professionally for a living.

TrunkSpace: Was there a particular performance or actor/actress from your childhood that you remember being drawn to and inspired by?
Shonk: I saw the contemporary company, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, perform when I was 12 years old and was blown away by their artistry, performance, athleticism and beauty. It was also the first time I had seen a professional dance performance and I put it together that if I could get good enough, I could make dance my profession.

TrunkSpace: How did you decide to approach your career as a dancer? Did you formulate a plan of how you wanted to attack what is known for being a hard industry to crack?
Shonk: I have always just focused on getting better, surrounding myself with the right people, making good connections and taking it one step at a time. In my training at Spotlight Dance Works in Chesterfield, MI in competitive dance, my university level training as well as what I am currently doing… taking all kinds of classes at the EDGE PAC and Millennium Dance Complex, I always try to watch the dancers I perceive to be the best in the room and I try to match or exceed their talent out of a healthy mental competition, which helps me get better. When I’m the only one in the room I push myself to be better than I was before and to achieve the level of ability I see in my role models and I’ve had some fantastic ones.

Breaking into the industry isn’t easy but this is where calling on the connections I’ve made along the way has become important. Recognizing that the teachers I’ve learned from, friends I’ve made and professionals I’ve brushed paths with in the industry, may be able to, or know other people in the industry who might be willing to help me, has become increasingly important. I have always known being nice to everyone was important in order to be a decent human, but that and continuously conducting myself in a professional manner, in other words building a good reputation as a student, friend and person in the dance world, has helped me immensely to build the network necessary to become a professional.

TrunkSpace: When did you decide to move away from your home and pursue dance as a career? How old were you at the time? 
Shonk: As a junior in high school I began to “audition” colleges. I wanted a good dance program that would put me in front of good people and I needed the academic environment to address that side of me. (Confession: I love math.) So I applied to approximately 12 schools, was accepted at 11 and received two offers for full scholarships out-of-state, but the University of Michigan was my match as well as my reach school. It is highly selective and I thought I would be very lucky to get in. I did and they offered me a scholarship. It was one of my happiest moments, receiving a call from the School of Music, Theater and Dance at the University of Michigan to offer me a scholarship. My first day of college was really my last at home. I have been home to visit a handful of times but my schedule rarely allows for me to sit still for long. I am currently (age 22) in the process of moving away from Michigan to pursue dance as a career. I recently graduated from the University with a degree in Dance, and an additional minor in Business Administration and was a Student-Athlete on the Michigan Dance Team. Right after graduation I started auditioning and narrowing down where I want to be in order to dance professionally. I spent a month in Los Angeles to get a feel for the dance scene there and to attend the Hubbard Street Dance Chicago Summer Intensive at University of Southern California. I loved my time in the dance scene in California because of the immense variety and abundance of dance styles and projects happening there. I have invested time in New York and Chicago while doing intensives and I am ready to make the move now and plan to be settled in Los Angeles by the end of August.

TrunkSpace: Was that move an easy transition for you initially? How long did it take you to feel at home and find a good support group of friends and peers?
Shonk: The move thus far has had its fair share of challenges. It’s no secret that California is expensive and thankfully I have the world’s most supportive family helping me to afford the big move so that I can follow my dreams, but as a college student I learned to be smart about money and if I have to spend it, I make it count. Although I’ve only spent a month in LA so far, it’s already starting to feel like a second home. The dance world has a magical way of bringing the right people together and I’ve loved meeting LA-based dancers from all over the world. It is such a diverse community and there are lessons to be learned from everyone. We all bond over our similar goals and reasons for being there. No matter where I’ve traveled, I’ve found the best way for me to adapt is to get busy usually by dancing, taking class and meeting people. If I stop and have too much time sitting still I sometimes feel lonely or homesick, but getting busy right away helps me make friends and build a new normal wherever I am. It also helps that technology allows for us all to be so connected now. I love Facetiming my friends and family who are all so interested and supportive of me taking this big leap.

TrunkSpace: What has been your biggest break in terms of a particular opportunity thus far?
Shonk: I suppose one of my biggest breaks thus far has been making the Michigan Dance Team. It was a prestigious position but I consider it as one of my biggest breaks because it completely changed how I thought about dance. I used to look down on commercial dance somewhat or consider it a lower art form than concert dance as I think many other dancers are taught to do, however joining the dance team showed me that just because the movement is different that it’s still movement, it’s still dance, it’s an art form and a sport and it’s so much fun to do, especially for an audience of 109,901 screaming fans in Michigan Stadium because it’s relatable to almost all audiences and they truly enjoy watching it.

TrunkSpace: Is there a specific type of project you’d like to take on or a specific genre that you feel more at home in?
Shonk: I am a very versatile dancer and love doing most styles of dance. I gravitate towards contemporary dance first but I also enjoy hip-hop, ballet, heels, jazz, modern and ballroom.

TrunkSpace: What would you say is the greatest strength a dancer can have outside of dance ability itself?
Shonk: I’d say the greatest strength a dancer can have outside of dance ability itself is, beyond passion, really a combination of three seemingly non-related skills: great networking skills, a strong and unyielding work ethic, and self-advocacy. My passion for and to dance, and the combination of those three entities are the core of what propels me forward.

TrunkSpace: What is your ultimate dream when it comes to your dance career? Where would you like your path to lead?
Shonk: Two ultimate dance dreams for me would be to tour as a backup dancer for Beyoncé and to be a company member in Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. These dreams seem extremely different from each other because they fall completely opposite on the concert vs. commercial dance spectrum, but I’m in love with both. I want my path to lead to a place where I can combine my passions for dance and business to blend the worlds of concert and commercial dance… where both can be experienced and appreciated for what they are. Dance is so much more than an awesome art form. Dance is what makes my heart sing, and for me it is a trait. It is the quality and characteristic of how I define myself. I am always open to new experiences, but through dance I have learned to be tenacious; I have learned to persevere through pain, exhaustion, frustration and ultimately reap the reward of the “high” on the other side of that mountain—performance— the “it” of dance. It feeds my soul. There is always risk involved in trying something that seems too hard or too new, but the opportunity for success lies within that risk-taking and I love the challenge.

TrunkSpace: What advice would you give another young aspiring dancer who is considering moving away from home to pursue their dream?
Shonk: Build your support team. Make connections. Be good and kind to everyone. Be ready. Be prepared for failure, it will happen and do not let it break you. Let it fuel you. Work hard. Take educated risks (aka, think). And DANCE!

TrunkSpace: Where can people (and casting directors) learn more about you?
Shonk: Please feel free to check out my website, https://kcshonk.wordpress.com/ ,which has a few of my dance videos, photos, resumes and a contact section as well as on Instagram @k.c.shonk and Facebook.

Name: Mikki Hernandez

Hometown: Kingsburg, CA

Current Location: Los Angeles, CA

TrunkSpace: When did you know that you wanted to act for a living?
Hernandez: About two years ago. I’m a bit of a late bloomer and spent many years denying that I was designed to be an actor, mostly out of fear. I grew up as a dancer but I was also constantly in my own world, either making up my own stories or re-enacting what I saw on TV. Becoming an actor was always in the back of my mind, but when I moved to LA for college, I think I was overall intimidated by the lifestyle of an artist. I changed my major from dance to communications and sort of squashed any ideas of pursuing a dance or an acting career. When I graduated, I got a job at a movie studio and thought that working on the business side of entertainment would be enough to satisfy this lifelong obsession with film and Hollywood.

However, working at a 9-to-5 and sitting at a desk all day made me very unhappy. So I originally thought, “Oh I’ll just try to do commercials” to kind of break myself in and called Carolyne Barry and bless her for telling me that I needed real training in acting in order to do that! She had me audit a Meisner class. And I told my teacher, Don Bloomfield, “If I’m awful, let me know and I’ll do other things.” But, luckily he never told me to stop and I started to fall in love with the art form and storytelling and realized that if I combine my natural talents with my inner drive, that this is something I can really make into a fulfilling career. I’m incredibly grateful that I’ve reached this point and am now fully in it for the long haul.

TrunkSpace: Was there a particular performance or actor/actress from your childhood that you remember being drawn to and inspired by?
Hernandez: I’m a 90s kid so I have a special place in my heart for the Tim Burton “Batman” era. Michelle Pfeiffer as Selina Kyle/Catwoman was absolutely riveting to me. I remember watching her and even though I was a kid, I was so aware that she really threw herself into that role and there was a fearlessness to it that made you not want to look away. I aspire to reach a level of freedom in my acting that somewhat resembles that.

TrunkSpace: How did you decide to approach your career as an actor? Did you formulate a plan of how you wanted to attack what is known for being a hard industry to crack?
Hernandez: Absolutely. I knew a lot about how the industry works just from previous exposure… through speakers I had in my classes at UCLA and also from working at a studio for four years. So I think I’m able to approach my career with a solid business perspective. I know I need to present myself as a clear type and a look that’s marketable, which I’m finding to be interesting given how ambiguous I look. I try to keep up with the content that is out there and research who is getting cast as guest stars, who represents them, learning casting directors… really making sure I’m aware of the current landscape and the type of projects I’d best be suited for.

Also, I’m so grateful for my mentors and actor friends who have been doing this longer than I have who have graciously shared advice and resources when it comes to classes, headshot photos in Sydney, the audition process, etc.

So I’m at the place where I have been training for two and a half years and continue to mix it up with improv, voiceover, comedy, action/combat classes. My next goal is to find a theatrical agent and begin building relationships with casting directors while continuing to work on the craft. I am simultaneously pursuing voiceover and on-camera, so for me, it’s all about learning and strengthening my skills so I am prepared when opportunities come. I am also pushing myself to create content, since it’s becoming more and more necessary in getting yourself out there, so I’m writing and plan to begin shooting sketches and scenes with friends.

TrunkSpace: When did you decide to move away from your home and pursue acting as a career? How old were you at the time?
Hernandez: I moved to LA when I was 18 to study at UCLA. I decided I wanted to pursue acting as a career when I was 23.

TrunkSpace: Was that move an easy transition for you initially? How long did it take you to feel at home and find a good support group of friends and peers?
Hernandez: I think college was an easier transition because I was surrounded by people who were going through the same changes as me. I think making the transition to becoming a working actor has been challenging yet liberating. I have to shed any judgment I placed on myself when I quit dance and chose the corporate route and really see that as a time that I needed to grow up and learn what my true desires and purpose are.

I have wonderful friends who are both actors and non-actors who are extremely supportive and they make living here such a blessing and not as draining. I think for a lot of people who have known me for the past five years, they might have been surprised that I decided to pursue acting, but they ultimately saw me at my worst when I was at my office job and didn’t have a purpose and felt lost, so I like to think I’m a more pleasant person to be around now that I’m doing what I love.

TrunkSpace: What has been been your biggest break in terms of a particular role or project thus far?
Hernandez: I played the lead in a short film this past fall called “62 Million.” It was written and directed by Tyler Michael James, who I think is absolutely brilliant as both a writer/director. I am so happy I was able to be a part of the project and still have yet to see it, but I have full trust since it was such a well-written story that really came from a meaningful place in terms of where we are in society. It is about a celebrity scandal that should be exposed but social media and power get in the way. My character, Jessie, is a hactivist, who wants to do the right thing but gets some push back from various parties. It was very fun, I got to work with such a talented cast and crew and I can’t wait to see how it turns out.

TrunkSpace: Is there a specific type of role you‘d like to take on or a specific genre that you feel more at home in?
Hernandez: I love the vigilante or spy type. People who are fighting for something in an unconventional way. I definitely love action and have a background in not only dance, but also boxing and martial arts so I want to become an expert in combat fighting and stunt work.

TrunkSpace: What would you say is the greatest strength an actor/actress can have outside of acting ability itself?
Hernandez: I think the biggest strength is to be grounded in who you are and to know that your worth has to come from within. If you let outside factors dictate how you value yourself, then this industry can quickly suck the life out of you and you can lose sight of why you are an artist in the first place. I think also having hobbies that are strictly for enjoyment is totally necessary. Because our instrument is ourself, I think it’s important to do things to keep your body and mind sharp in a way that’s more fun as opposed to results-driven.

TrunkSpace: What is your ultimate dream when it comes to your acting career? Where would you like your path to lead?
Hernandez: My ultimate dream is to be on a show with incredible writing and eventually come on as an executive producer. I think some of my favorite performances like Claire Danes in “Homeland,” Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright in “House of Cards,” and Julia Louis-Dreyfus in “Veep,” result from them being top-notch talent but also because they are involved in the overall development and direction of the character and show and work closely with the writers. And I’m also discovering I might want to direct at some point.

I would also love to do film. I think I still have time to make it into the last “Fast & the Furious” movie! And playing Miss Moneypenny in a Bond film would be pure gold.

TrunkSpace: What advice would you give another young aspiring actor/actress who is considering moving away from home to pursue their dream?
Hernandez: I think you should make a solid timeline of how to move to LA or NYC in under six months and then do it. I’m not the type who would pack my bags and leave tomorrow… if you can do that, wonderful. But it might save a little time and money if you do some research at home before you come here in terms of lining up classes to audit, saving money to pay for those classes, becoming familiar with casting sites like Backstage, LA Casting, etc. and generally learning about the business.

And know that if there is something else you’re already doing, that job will probably be there forever. So why not go for your dream now? Be prepared to work hard, make some sacrifices, but also know that there are people in the industry that are good. If you are a solid human being, you’ll attract other solid human beings… so go for it!

TrunkSpace: Where can people (and casting directors) learn more about you?
Hernandez: I have a website www.mikkihernandez.com where I update what projects I’m on. Also, I try my best to somewhat curate my life on IG @momikki

Name: Cody Lyerly

Hometown: Orange County, CA

Current Location: Los Angeles, CA

TrunkSpace: When did you know that you wanted to act for a living?
Lyerly: It was during high school that I really knew I wanted to be an actor. Between my Junior and Senior years of high school I attended The National High School Institute – Theatre Arts Division (“The Cherubs Program”) and that really solidified it. It was great to just be around theater artists 24/7 for five weeks and that’s when I knew I would never be able to give up acting.

TrunkSpace: Was there a particular performance or actor/actress from your childhood that you remember being drawn to and inspired by?
Lyerly: I have always been drawn to Leonard DiCaprio. I remember seeing him in “Romeo + Juliet” and “Titanic” and thought, “THAT’S WHAT I WANT TO DO!” So when he FINALLY won his Oscar I was really excited for him.

TrunkSpace: How did you decide to approach your career as an actor? Did you formulate a plan of how you wanted to attack what is known for being a hard industry to crack?
Lyerly: I decided that I would focus on my technique first and really hone my craft before trying to figure how to “break in.” After I felt I had a good foundation, I just started networking and auditioning. But it always comes back to being grounded and being true to the character.

TrunkSpace: When did you decide to move away from your home and pursue acting as a career? How old were you at the time?
Lyerly: I left for Loyola University Chicago to study acting at 18. Stayed in Chicago throughout my college career and then moved back to California when I was 22.

TrunkSpace: Was that move an easy transition for you initially? How long did it take you to feel at home and find a good support group of friends and peers?
Lyerly: The hardest part about moving to Chicago was getting used to how cold it was during the winter… they have all this cold, white stuff on the ground! But, in all honesty, the transition to Chicago was really easy for me because the theater department at school was very welcoming and encouraged the freshman to get involved early on. So there was a supportive group of people there ready to cheer us on and help us along the way. And moving back to California was a breeze.

TrunkSpace: What has been been your biggest break in terms of a particular role or project thus far?
Lyerly: It’s a tie between two things. The first one being “The Mindy Project.” That was my first professional acting job. I couldn’t have asked for a better start either because everyone in the cast and crew were so welcoming, nice, and supportive. So big shout out to everyone involved with that show! The other was having a pilot (“Becca on Call”) I worked on, premier at the Dances with Films Festival this year at the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. Seeing myself on screen there was surreal.

TrunkSpace: Is there a specific type of role you’d like to take on or a specific genre that you feel more at home in?
Lyerly: I think one of the greatest gifts of being an actor is the ability to explore and live in all different types of characters. However, I have always loved Sci-Fi. I’ve been a huge “Star Wars” nerd since I can remember.

TrunkSpace: What would you say is the greatest strength an actor/actress can have outside of acting ability itself?
Lyerly: Confidence. Confidence in yourself and your abilities, but don’t let that morph into arrogance.

TrunkSpace: What is your ultimate dream when it comes to your acting career? Where would you like your path to lead?
Lyerly: My dream is to explore humanity and all our flaws, and if I make one or two people laugh along the way then all the better.

TrunkSpace: What advice would you give another young aspiring actor/actress who is considering moving away from home to pursue their dream?
Lyerly: I would say to have confidence in yourself and go for it. Go out, meet people, and create awesome art.

TrunkSpace: Where can people (and casting directors) learn more about you?
Lyerly: Since I’m a #millennial

Twitter: @CodyLyerly
Instagram: @CodyLyerly
IMDb: http://www.imdb.me/codylyerly

Name: Megan Magee

Hometown: Levittown, PA

Current Location: Astoria, Queens – NYC

TrunkSpace: When did you know that you wanted to act for a living?
Magee: I remember having dinner with my mother at Friendly’s when I was in 9th grade. I was talking about wanting to audition for colleges, which musical theater programs I wanted to apply to, etc… and she was reminding me that was very competitive and would be very, very hard. She wasn’t being discouraging, but she was firm with me in making it clear that it would be a lot of work, and there was no guarantee of success. She said that someday I might change my mind and want to do something else, and that would always be okay. I remember snapping back without thinking, and saying, “I know I will have success. Because of all the people who are trying to do it, some will get tired of it, some won’t like it, some will change their minds and quit… and I will never quit.” I sometimes still wish I had the strength in that belief that I had when I was a kid, but although it may waver at times, it still rings true. I will never quit. And I’ve always known that. So looking back, yeah, I think that was the moment when I knew this is what I was going to be doing for my career and for the rest of my life.

TrunkSpace: Was there a particular performance or actor/actress from your childhood that you remember being drawn to and inspired by?
Magee: The first time I was deeply, deeply moved by a piece of theater was when my parents took my brother and I to see our babysitter and his high school musical! He was Enjolras in “Les Miserables” and I must have been about 10 or 11. My mom had informed me that the show was very sad, and had showed me some of the music so that I could follow the story. I cried so much, especially when Anthony, our babysitter, died during the battle scene. It was really powerful to see somebody that I knew quite well and looked up to giving such an amazing performance, and even though I knew of course it “wasn’t real,” it felt so real to me. I think that was the first time I fully grasped the magic of theater happening right in front of you, and making you feel as though you are truly living through the story with the actors. I “was Eponine” for weeks after that… I was totally obsessed and ran around the house singing all the songs. It’s still my favorite musical of all time, partly because it’s awesome, and partly because that was such a powerful memory for me.

TrunkSpace: How did you decide to approach your career as an actor? Did you formulate a plan of how you wanted to attack what is known for being a hard industry to crack?
Magee: I’m still figuring that out every day, honestly. Originally I wanted to do musicals. That was all I wanted to do. I loved singing more than anything, and I wanted to be on Broadway and all that. But as I’ve grown as an artist and an actor I’ve found such deep, meaningful work in the theater coming from straight plays, and those have become my favorite performances to go see and to be a part of. I think the best thing I ever did for my career was decide to enroll in a two year Meisner program at the William Esper Studio. The time spent there stripped me of a lot of terrible habits and empowered me as a human being as well as an actor. I’ve been blessed with a lot of theatrical opportunities since then, finally having my Off-Broadway debut in 2015, which was incredible. This year has also brought some theatrical projects, but has been more focused on the marketing, the branding, the business end. I’m in a fantastic film and TV class at the Terry Knickerbocker studio that is all about nailing your type, killing the audition, booking the job, and how to break into this business as an entrepreneur. So I feel like every day I’m learning a new way to reapproach my “attack” on this industry as a career. It really is changing every day. I’m just doing my best to keep up with the times, and still remember that feeding my soul as an artist is the most important thing.

TrunkSpace: When did you decide to move away from your home and pursue acting as a career? How old were you at the time?
Magee: I still can’t believe that I survived the city moving here at 18 years old. I was fresh out of high school, I was an absolute baby. But it’s shaped me in so many ways that I couldn’t be more grateful that I took on the challenge. Fortunately, coming from Pennsylvania I wasn’t too far away. I still have the opportunity to take the train home on weekends or for special family events, which is very important to me. My family is amazing. Being here for almost a decade now, it has been the best thing in the world to me that I’ve been able to get home and see my family more than once a year… for a lot of people I know that’s usually not the case. I got lucky. My family is my biggest support system.

TrunkSpace: Was that move an easy transition for you initially? How long did it take you to feel at home and find a good support group of friends and peers?
Magee: I’ve always been very adaptable, which my mother will back up for you. I adored living in this city, and I immediately found a wonderful group of friends at my school and dove headfirst into exploring the Big Apple. I think at times it was pushed. I think my stubbornness at being a “success” combined with my starry-eyed ignorance in a way meant that I thought I was happier than I was. But in any case, it got me through my first few years here while I was still growing my roots. Fake it ’til you make it is no joke!

TrunkSpace: What has been been your biggest break in terms of a particular role or project thus far
Magee: The summer of 2015 brought my Off-Broadway debut, which felt like a huge shift in momentum. The play was a hilarious comedy called “Women Are Crazy Because Men Are A**holes” and had transplanted itself from LA to the historic Cherry Lane Theatre here in NYC. Taking a bow in front of an audience that size was truly a dream.

TrunkSpace: Is there a specific type of role you’d like to take on or a specific genre that you feel more at home in?
Magee: Lately I’ve been craving comedy, comedy, comedy! This is a welcome shift, as in the past I’ve loved to suffer and have sunk my teeth into the most dramatic work I can get my hands on. My tendency is usually to be drawn to the darkest, saddest stories with the most twisted characters, and I will always have that in my heart. But lately my dream role is something like Amy Poehler’s character Leslie Knope in “Parks and Recreation”. Especially in film and television I have been finding such pleasure in comedies like “Community,” “Scrubs,” “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”… all these amazing shows where the actors are showing up and committing 1000 percent to these scenes that are just out of this world wacky, and I really, really admire that. I’ve also been kind of a goofball my whole life, so it’s been nice realizing I still want that too. This acting stuff has to be so serious all the time!

TrunkSpace: What would you say is the greatest strength an actor/actress can have outside of acting ability itself?
Magee: For better or for worse, I have boundless energy and I put 1000 percent of it into whatever I’m working on. If nothing else, I am proud of the level of commitment I am able to bring to my career, to my projects, to my auditions, etc. I’ve been able to learn through many mistakes to maintain a level of professionalism and to always show up rehearsed, prepared, and ready to work. That stubborn kid at Friendly’s is still in there, and she will never, ever quit.

TrunkSpace: What is your ultimate dream when it comes to your acting career? Where would you like your path to lead?
Magee: Artistically I feel like I’m already there! I am truly living the dream. I have found myself a part of the most beautiful community of actors, writers, directors, and producers in that I am always able to find something to work on or at least go see and appreciate. I’ve been able to direct full length theater, I’ve written my own work that I get to see produced… everything I could have imagined this life would be has to some extent already happened to me. Now that I’m committed to pursuing it forever, since I’m never quitting, as previously stated, my ultimate goal now is to get to that next tier where this work I’m doing can be my sole source of income. I want to be able to support myself fully off of my work in the creative arts, and make that my J-O-B. Right now for me, this means pursuing more commercial, film, and television work… targeting that work more often and booking more consistently. Hopefully eventually booking a long-lasting project that becomes a paycheck! Of course it’s not about he money, but when there are only so many hours in a day and this is what I want to be doing with my life, I feel I have to get to the point where I don’t need to expend any more extra energy busting my butt to support myself financially. And I’m sure once I get there, there will be another step on the ladder to climb. I know this work is never over. But for now, that is my primary focus.

TrunkSpace: What advice would you give another young aspiring actor/actress who is considering moving away from home to pursue their dream?
Magee: It is a long and winding road and there is not a map. It’s scary. It’s bewildering. It’s frustrating. It seems futile and fruitless. And you won’t always be happy. If you’re anything like me, it’ll be years of work and dozens of auditions before you book your first paying job. So be willing to have that kind of patience and persistence. Find a community and a place to do work consistently even when you’re not booking, and make that your definition of success. If you feel like you’ve “made it” because you are doing scene work with your former classmates once a week in someone’s apartment, than you have. You have made it. As long as you are always crafting, creating, and communicating, you’ve made it. Everything else is the bonus. If you are able to adapt yourself to a mindset along those lines, I believe it will make your journey so much easier. The joy has to be in the work… because you are in control of that. If you leave it up to the people who might hire you to determine your joy, you’re in for a bad time.

TrunkSpace: Where can people (and casting directors) learn more about you?
Magee: You can visit my website, www.meganmagee.com. You can also follow me on Twitter @MeganMageeActs, or follow me on my Instagram account @presentlaughter where you’ll find a more personal side of me somewhat split between acting projects and my fitness background. A lot of sweaty selfies after long runs or early morning workouts. Be warned.

Name: Skyler Thomas

Hometown: Oxford, Mississippi

Current Location: Los Angeles, California

TrunkSpace: When did you know that you wanted to act for a living?
Thomas: I get asked this question quite often, and most people are surprised to hear that I never had a “moment” that propelled me on this journey. It might sound silly to some, but I feel that I was born knowing I would pursue this career. It’s what I’ve known as long as I can remember, and there has never been a question in my mind.

TrunkSpace: Was there a particular performance or actor/actress from your childhood that you remember being drawn to and inspired by?
Thomas: I was a passionate Disney fan (and I still am). “Aladdin,” “Pocahontas,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Hercules,” “Mulan”… all of the stories and the characters inspired me to tenaciously follow my dreams and have courage in the face of adversity. As far as “live action,” I was a passionate “Harry Potter” fan (and I still am). I grew up with those actors and with each book/movie. The saga helped me cope with the changes that come with growing older, and it always reminded me of the importance of love and friendship in troubled times.

TrunkSpace: How did you decide to approach your career as an actor? Did you formulate a plan of how you wanted to attack what is known for being a hard industry to crack?
Thomas: I would definitely consider myself a planner, so it might come as a shock that I didn’t really have a plan when I moved to LA. I think you can have goals and ideas of how you want to achieve them, but to me, it is dangerous to have a rigid plan. There are thousands of ways to achieve success in this industry (not to mention, thousands of definitions of “success”), and there is not a clear-cut path. If you have that inflexible mindset, you close yourself off from opportunities that might be beneficial for you and your career. I like to think of it as a map. My goals are my destination, but there are a hundred different roads I can take to get there, and I am open to whichever road presents itself.

TrunkSpace: When did you decide to move away from your home and pursue acting as a career? How old were you at the time?
Thomas: I have known I wanted to live in Los Angeles since I was five years old and I saw the Warner Bros. animated film “Cats Don’t Dance” about a singing and dancing cat that moves to Hollywood to pursue his dreams. However, I actually decided to move shortly before my 23rd birthday. After spending my first year out of college moving around and not having much luck, I ended up back at home with my parents. One night, I was really struggling with the decision of where to move and what to do. Out of nowhere, my Disney snow globe started playing “When You Wish Upon A Star.” I hadn’t touched it in months. And I took it as a sign that I needed to follow my heart out to the West Coast.

TrunkSpace: Was that move an easy transition for you initially? How long did it take you to feel at home and find a good support group of friends and peers?
Thomas: The move was initially very difficult. I have always been close with my family, so not having them or my friends here and not really knowing anyone was discouraging and lonely. But around mid-January I was able to find a job that connected me with some of the most wonderful people I have ever met. I still miss my friends and family terribly, but now that I have formed an amazing support system here, LA is a pretty great home away from home.

TrunkSpace: What has been been your biggest break in terms of a particular role or project thus far?
Thomas: My biggest break so far was probably starring in the SAG-AFTRA New Media comedic short “Roommates” that I also wrote. It was an exciting and challenging acting experience, and it was also extremely gratifying to hear others laugh at lines that I had written.

TrunkSpace: Is there a specific type of role you’d like to take on or a specific genre that you feel more at home in?
Thomas: The best roles are the ones that combine comedy and drama. It would be great to play a character that is goofy and fun but also vulnerable and haunted. I would also love to have a role in an adventure/fantasy film like “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Jurassic Park,” “Indiana Jones,” etc. The score, the stories, the characters… everything about them appeal to me. Really, I just want to do it all.

TrunkSpace: What would you say is the greatest strength an actor/actress can have outside of acting ability itself?
Thomas: Remaining humble and grateful is certainly one of the best qualities an actor can possess. But to me, the greatest strength an actor can have comes in knowing how to have a life outside of acting. Don’t get me wrong, you absolutely need to be putting the time and effort into your training just like you would if you were an athlete training for the Olympics. But having experiences outside of acting… falling in love, traveling to a foreign country, getting involved philanthropic cause… are vital to the human experience. And having those experiences makes you a better actor because you have more to draw from. You shouldn’t be afraid to live your life because you think you have to be in “actor mode” constantly.

TrunkSpace: What is your ultimate dream when it comes to your acting career? Where would you like your path to lead?
Thomas: My ultimate goal is to be on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” because both of them are my heroes. But mainly, I want to surround myself with and work with creative, hilarious, and kind people, and yes, that does include certain famous actors that I look up to. I would also like to be in a prominent enough position to use my voice for positive change in the world, my main focus being on wildlife preservation, women’s/LGBT rights, and mental health and education in my home state of Mississippi.

TrunkSpace: What advice would you give another young aspiring actor/actress who is considering moving away from home to pursue their dream?
Thomas: Don’t wait for someone to give you validation or opportunities. Create your own. If you want something, go for it with everything you’ve got.

TrunkSpace: Where can people (and casting directors) learn more about you?
Thomas: Check out my website www.vskylerthomas.com or follow me on Twitter and Instagram (@vskylert). I hope you like random pictures of sloths, because I’m about to start regularly posting them.

Name: Viktoria Vinyarska

Hometown: Lviv, Ukraine

Current Location: Los Angeles

TrunkSpace: When did you know that you wanted to act for a living?
Vinyarska: From a very early age, my grandmother started taking me to plays in Ukraine. From the theater to the opera to the ballet, she had me experience it all. It was being surrounded by such energy, such poise, that inspired me to pursue a career in acting.

TrunkSpace: Was there a particular performance or actor/actress from your childhood that you remember being drawn to and inspired by?
Vinyarska: When I was about 10 years old, my grandmother took me to see “Swan Lake,” which became my biggest inspiration.

TrunkSpace: How did you decide to approach your career as an actor? Did you formulate a plan of how you wanted to attack what is known for being a hard industry to crack?
Vinyarska: When I was 17 I started taking acting classes at William Esper Studio in Manhattan. Following that, I started at UCONN where I studied Dramatic Arts and Psychology. Characters are what inspire me, and being an artist, I want my work to move people, so the study of the human brain and personality became my focus.

TrunkSpace: When did you decide to move away from your home and pursue acting as a career? How old were you at the time?
Vinyarska: I moved to Los Angeles when I turned 21. There wasn’t really a specific moment that triggered the move, it had just always been a dream of mine and I was tired of waiting around for that “right time.” I was ready for a change so I just took the dive.

TrunkSpace: Was that move an easy transition for you initially? How long did it take you to feel at home and find a good support group of friends and peers?Vinyarska: Well, truthfully, I didn’t have many friends in the town I grew up in. I spent most of my time alone, expressing myself through the classes that I’d take and the plays I would read. I’d get lost in their stories, the unique characters, and live vicariously through them. So, I think because of that, I wasn’t afraid of needing to make friends when I first moved here. I enrolled in classes and started auditioning so before I knew it, I was building a big circle of friends that shared similar passions and interests. That really helped to make LA immediately feel like home. This city has been a really great experience for me on a personal and professional level.

TrunkSpace: What has been been your biggest break in terms of a particular role or project thus far?
Vinyarska: A short film that I starred in, “Forever’s Gonna Start Tonight,” premiered at Sundance Film Festival, and was selected into the “Best of the Best” category.

TrunkSpace: Is there a specific type of role you’d like to take on or a specific genre that you feel more at home in?
Vinyarska: I love exploring all types of characters and working with a variety of different genres so there’s not really one in particular that I’d say I connect with more. I do, however, love the fantastical world that Tim Burton creates. It would be a dream to work with him.

TrunkSpace: What would you say is the greatest strength an actor/actress can have outside of acting ability itself?
Vinyarska: I personally believe that a good attitude and an open mind, or willingness, to tackle whatever obstacles come your way, is the greatest strength an actor can possess.

TrunkSpace: What is your ultimate dream when it comes to your acting career? Where would you like your path to lead?
Vinyarska: My ultimate dream is to be able to work on myself and by doing so, create art that hopefully inspires people.

TrunkSpace: What advice would you give another young aspiring actor/actress who is considering moving away from home to pursue their dream?
Vinyarska: My advice to an aspiring actor would be to just go for it. If this is your dream, your passion, then believe in that and never let yourself doubt what you can do.

TrunkSpace: Where can people (and casting directors) learn more about you?
Vinyarska:
I’m on social media @v_v_vici and you can check out my demo reel here:  https://vimeo.com/200233093
Or find me at IMDB at: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3941892/?ref_=nv_sr_1