Today we’d like to introduce you to Aleshia Price.
Hi Aleshia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, let’s briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I am an actor who initially took a break from my dream career to pursue safer and more traditional career paths. My love and passion for acting started at a young age. I took my first drama class, as an elective, in middle school. The experience of being in drama class and working on scripted materials ignited a passion for performing that continues to burn within me. Motivated by this newfound opportunity to perform, my first drama class sent me on a journey to continue studying the craft and focusing on the possibility of becoming a professional actor. In college, I studied theatre and business. I have been able to take the things I have learned in business and apply them to my career in the arts. Over the last few years, I have been able to work on stage in regional theatre productions and build my film career. Although I am still in the beginning of my professional acting journey, I am very hopeful for the future and look forward to the many opportunities on the horizon.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I commend anyone who takes on the challenges that come along with working in creative industries. In these fields, people face a lot of rejection on the hopeful road to their ‘big break’. As an actor, rejection often comes in the form of auditioning for projects and not booking the job. My journey has come with many ups and downs, and there have been moments when I have questioned if it would have been better for me to stay on that traditional career route. Luckily, I have grown to understand that rejection is a part of the business. It does not feel good to audition for a role and fall short of booking the job, but I have tried my best to come to terms with the notion that those moments are learning experiences that will help in preparing me for future opportunities. Over the last few years, I have been able to book lead, supporting, and series regular roles on independent projects. I am truly grateful for those experiences, as they have strengthened my confidence in the journey I have taken, despite any rejections I have faced. This outlook on ‘rejection’ has helped me to better safeguard my mental health. I am also a firm believer that what God has for me is for me, so as I continue to build my career, I remind myself that what is delayed is not denied.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Oftentimes, creatives are viewed as eccentric folks who operate well in environments that lack consistency but that notion does not align with the experiences I have had in my career. In fact, organization and preparedness play major parts in my personal creative process. My preparation process for auditions and performances is to analyze the materials, research the project, and develop my character as much as possible. I believe if I can get a grasp of the world in which my character lives and their history, I can build grounded and believable interactions from the words on the page. Roughly speaking, ninety percent of communication is non-verbal, so I recognize the importance of not only looking at the words that have been provided by the screenwriter or playwright, but building around those words to create a fully realized character. If I base my preparation on the dialogue alone, I know I am only capturing ten percent of what the story could be in a scene/body of work.
Throughout my studies, I have been introduced to a myriad of acting techniques. I have gotten to a point where I have a solid toolkit that works for me. In regard to auditioning, most auditions require a quick turnaround, so prep time can be limited, but I try to manage my time well enough so I can put my best foot forward. Whether at the stage of auditioning or performing a booked job, preparation is very important to me because when I know I am prepared, I am confident in the choices I have made and can be more open to being fully present with my scene partner(s) and in-the-moment during a performance.
As an actor, I prefer working on projects that explore depths of realism and the complexities of human connectedness. As a storyteller, I find those types of projects to be the most intriguing and fulfilling. In my career, I want to be intentional about the projects I work on and the messages they send. Especially with issues of representation for communities that are often overlooked, underserved, or mainly portrayed in a negative light. I spend a great deal of time observing and studying human behavior which has aided in my work as an actor. Overall, I gravitate towards contemporary dramas but I also find value in the storytelling of comedy, romance, action, and fantasy genres.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I cannot think of a singular favorite childhood memory, but when I reflect on my childhood, I have fond memories of my ‘World of Play’. Growing up, I gravitated towards imaginative methods of entertaining myself and creating worlds where I could go on adventures and take on different characters without having to go farther than the safety of my backyard. I found it to be a great escape that did not require the influence of a crowd or large group of friends. When I was not creating my own worlds and characters, I found solace in the storytelling of family-friendly sitcoms. I intently watched my favorite shows and found myself wanting to join the stories and characters I saw on television. Those early experiences inspired me not to lose a spirit of creativity that often becomes extinguished as we grow more jaded by life’s ever-growing challenges. I believe my early propensity to create these worlds heavily influenced my life-long passion for performance and storytelling. It has evolved and taken on many forms over the years, but I am so glad that my ‘World of Play’ has not been extinguished.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: instagram.com/leshiap/
- Other: https://linktr.ee/AleshiaPrice
Image Credits
Michael Dambrosia, Aaron Kasey, Marquand Ragland, John Armstrong
