Getting into acting hasn’t exactly been a walk in the park for Gabrielle Alexis Bentley, but she’s committed to making it work. Here’s how.
She embraced her dark side.
“Elite Zoom Theatre cast me as the Wicked Witch of the West [in ‘The Wizard of Oz,’] and I was blown away. The challenge of playing a villain was one I’d wanted to do for a long time, and to see it come to fruition was amazing. [It was] a dream come true.”
Change can be a good (or great!) thing.
“My audition was through a self-tape, and honestly, I prefer this way more than in-person. It’s a very convenient way to audition in this unpredictable time and still get work!”
Finding a community is possible wherever you are.
“I live in North Carolina, which is not a hot spot for actors. I try to do as much local stuff as possible. I submit myself to all sorts of projects all the time. I mainly create relationships by being open and communicative.”
Keep your materials up to date.
“My reel is on my profile. I also have other short clips on there, and I upload new videos all the time to keep my profile fresh. I organize my reel footage by what I think I’ve performed best in.”
It’s OK to include nonprofessional footage on your reel.
“A reel does not have to [consist of] professional footage. Create a reel of some monologues or short scenes you’ve shot yourself. As long as creatives and casting directors can see your talent, it works.”
This story originally appeared in the Jan. 20 issue of Backstage Magazine. Subscribe here.
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