Interviewing actress Alexandra LaBelle
Photo credits above: Tyler Nottingham 📸
1.-How was your childhood?
I had a great childhood! There were ups and downs but overall, it was wonderful. I spent the school year in North Carolina and every summer we would go to Massachusetts and New Hampshire to see family. Those were the best summers. In middle school I was in band, had braces, and wasn’t very socially outgoing but had a few great friends in the neighborhood where I grew up. It wasn't until high school that I found my true calling in the theater department and found a wonderful group of people that really inspired me to just be myself. Late adolescence I struggled a good bit with anxiety, depression, and I was self-medicating to try and regulate those feelings. For years I had struggled to get a lot of things in my life under control but finally I am in a great place in my life where I have more positive days than negative ones. I am truly grateful for this.
2.-From what age did you decide to be an actress and how did you know you had the skills to go on TV?
My love of theater and film probably started with my grandparents taking us to the Interlakes Summer Theatre in Meredith, NH. I loved the spectacle of the whole production. Discovering the shows during the season, checking in at the box office, and walking into a dimly lit theatre always made me feel so excited. They even had the cast line up at the end of the performance so you could meet and greet them. I was utterly in awe of it all. The whole thing. I fell in love, and I fell hard. I watched the performers and always thought to myself just maybe I could be that person on stage doing that someday. I auditioned for them one year and never heard back. I was disappointed but was determined to try again later down the road. It was when I was able to take theatre in high school, I finally found out firsthand how amazing it truly was to be on stage and create art. I auditioned for The Miracle Worker by William Gibson and got a small role as one of Annie Sullivan's students. I really connected with the character and the director noticed the work I had put into it and gave me a compliment during one of our rehearsals. I was hooked ever since. I worked my way up to getting bigger roles in high school and then made the decision to continue acting into my college years because it had brought me so much happiness. I received a performance scholarship for Western Carolina University and pursued my dream of studying acting. I don't know about "knowing you have the skills" but you learn as much as you can from every experience and use those experiences to help you in the future. I have periods of self doubt like any actor but that high of getting an audition, totally rocking it, and then getting cast helps with those low periods.
3.-Did your parents support you in the decision you made to be an actress?
My parents have always been so supportive of my acting. They were my number one cheerleaders along with my sisters. My dad and mom would help drive the cast and crew to our theatre competitions/one act play festivals in high school. My dad even helped build our sets on Saturdays. Throughout college they would attend my performances even though the drive was a few hours away. I probably would have given up a long time ago if they had not been so supportive. My mom is unfortunately not with us anymore and I wish she could see how far I have come the past couple of years, but I know she would have been proud.
4.-What was your first appearance on the screens?
My first official appearance on the screen (not a school project) would be during the Asheville 48 hour Film Project 2009 with our film "Nostalgia" directed by Mike Santoro. Our team Pandemonium won several awards for the short film, and I won best actress for my performance. My character was Nancy who had been in a diner "collecting" people for her strange menagerie. It was one of the best experiences I have ever had. It was exhausting creating a film in that short period of time, but it was so rewarding.
5.-What was the role you liked the most?
One of the roles that I enjoyed the most was Alice from Kristopher Love’s short film “Pressure”. Alice is that boss that we all hate and wish we could tell off and quit on the spot. It was fun working with such a talented cast and getting to really create that moment of magic. A role in the past that I enjoyed is Kattrin from Mother Courage and Her Children by Bertolt Brecht at Blue Ridge Community college. It was a role that relied greatly on physical acting, and it was one the most challenging roles I have ever had. The reason why I auditioned was because of a dear friend Kai Hamilton who told me to leave my comfort zone, audition, and see where it takes you.
6. What do you think led you to fame?
I think it is better to focus on your craft, be prepared for your bookings, and be easy and fun to work with rather than focusing on getting “famous”. The business of acting is difficult and there are so many people trying to book and be successful. If fame is your focus, you may drive yourself crazy in the pursuit of it all. I am just happy to be able to continue to get to work in the industry. I really just want to create art with other artists and experience all the beautiful different things: if people recognize my name in the industry for being professional and fun to work with, I am happy.
7.-What types of characters would you like to interpret?
Recently I have been auditioning and getting cast in roles I would never normally try and audition for. I am extremely grateful for these opportunities since they have helped me grow as a performer: to see what I am capable of and what I need to work on. I thrive in a good villain or comedic role. Those are my absolute favorites. I am in love with science fiction and horror genres so I would love the opportunity to be more involved in those types of projects.
8.-What actresses and actors do you feel comfortable working with?
I enjoy people that are fun and easy to work with, who show up prepared, and ready to work. I love those that pour themselves into the project and communicate openly about it. I enjoy the connection I get when I am working with another actor and we connect, talk about our characters, and see if our choices translate well on camera. Having a great scene partner(s) makes a huge difference.
9.- In what other genres of art would you like to participate? (works of theater, music, among others)
I used to paint quite a bit and for a period in my life I was a cake decorator. I played in the band when I was younger, loved creative writing, and did some amateur photography. I embrace having any aspect of art in my life. I think all art is beautiful and it is so important to humanity.
10.- Do you have any anecdotes that have marked you in your life and as a person?
Finding my place with the theater kids in high school was one of the most significant moments in my life. For so long I had struggled to find where I belonged, and I finally found my place with such a welcoming group of people. Everyone was different and that is what made it special. It was the match that set the fire in my heart to continue acting throughout my life. My high school theater teacher Ken Dyess planted the seed in my mind that I could continue to do this beyond high school if I wanted it badly enough. I am grateful for those people that believed in me when I had a ton of self-doubt and felt like giving up, and a greater appreciation for those who had to give me tough love in order to get healthy.
11.- What has been your greatest achievement?
My greatest achievement would be my sobriety. I would have never achieved the things I have without putting my sobriety first. Everything seemed to fall into place after I made that decision. Life has been significantly better, and I think about it every day.
12.- What projects will you make next and which ones do you have in mind?
I have directors that I absolutely LOVE working with, and always audition for them if they have a casting call. The more you work in the industry you get to know those people that fill their projects with passion, creativity, and talented storytellers that make you crave the opportunity to be a part of those projects.
13.- Would you like to make a movie in Spain?
It would be an absolute dream to make a movie in Spain. I have never been and have always wanted to go.
14.- Do you like Spanish cinema?
I do! A few of my favorites are El orfanato/The Orphanage directed by J.A. Bayona, Voces/Don't Listen directed by Angel Gomez Hernandez, and El laberinto del fauno/Pan's Labyrinth written and directed by Guillermo del Toro. I am a huge horror fan and love a night in with my dogs watching a good scary movie.
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