Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexa Whitaker.
Alexa, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
As a young kid, I participated in sports and the performing arts, but over time, my love for the performing arts outgrew playing sports. I remember watching The Wiz with my dad and saying, “Oh, one day, that’s going to be me!” and my dad said, “I believe it!” My cousin enrolled me in acting classes at the Woodruff Arts Center downtown Atlanta – improv and stage acting. Man, that was so awesome and I met some talented actors/instructors! That was honestly the turning point in my life where I was like, “Ok, Alexa, this might be it. Like this is probably what God wants you to do.” So, I went off to college and at first, I was an English major, but then, I changed it to Dramatic Arts. Here’s the thing, when I started my freshmen year at Georgia Southwestern, I thought for sure I’d be preparing for Law School and just do theatre on the side… but when I worked backstage on a show, I just knew I had to be out there on that stage! I just remember going up to my theatre director and saying, “Hey, I want to change my major to Theatre, how do I do that?” And from that day forward, my life went in a direction I didn’t think it would go. I was happy, yes, but in the beginning, I was very critical of my self. I was comparing myself to other actors, not really putting in the work, just very hard on my self. I took a break from GSW and transferred to Florida Southern. Let me tell you how awesome my God is… transferring allowed me to grow, not just only as a person but as an actress! I was at Florida Southern for like a year and then I transferred back to GSW. I was a whole new person, a new actress! I studied. I was confident in myself. Dedicated. Focused. Determined. I came back and was ready to WORK! I must say, Georgia Southwestern theatre department and Sumter Players (Community Theatre) really helped mold me into the actress I am today and I just thank everyone involved for their part in my growth! After getting my degree, I moved back to Atlanta and got into doing background work – I figured it was a great way to learn about the film industry, network, and get noticed. I’ve worked on some incredible shows/movies and built relationships with a few directors, writers, producers, casting directors, and even other background workers. I definitely got noticed and after six months of moving back here, I got signed to BMG Model & Talent and now, I get to a role with the big dogs!!! I get down on my knees and thank God every day because without Him none of this would have been possible!!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It was fairly smooth, but let me tell you something, it was a test of my faith! Getting into an audition room without an agent is tough! Not knowing how to start or where to start, is tough! Just getting an audition for an agency is tough! Doing background for a while can mess with your head a little because you know you don’t want to get stuck in doing that for a long time if that’s not your end goal. You start doubting yourself as an actor/actress and think negatively. I remember talking to a friend of mine and telling him how in order for me to make it in this industry I have to be in tuned with who I am and be closer to God. That may not be a plan for everyone, but it was a plan for me. God is within in me so I knew if I learned who I am, I’ll learn who God is. My faith in God helped me get through a lot. I’d get booked as background for projects and just think, “Lord, I know your plans are bigger than mine.” I promise I am not trying to sound preachy nor am I trying to push God down people throats, but I want people to know that this path that I am on wasn’t easy and that if I didn’t have a belief in a higher power I would probably be off questioning myself or depressed. Looking back on it, I laugh, but at that time I was stressed and just really eager to start my career. I’m happy that things didn’t go the way I had planned them, though. It’s so surreal how things have taken place; like a domino effect. Over time, I have learned that obstacles may come my way, but as long as I am focused and determined, I will get through them!
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I’m an up-and-coming actress here in Atlanta, GA. I like to think of myself as a brand. Like one day, when people think of “A great actress” or “A great role model”, I want their first thought to be me. I use my social media as a tool to connect with an audience with like-minded or curious minds. I tend to have my posts centered around faith, inspiration, acting, and selfies with uplifting captions. I’m most proud of my accomplishments thus far – both with acting and my personal growth and I am eager to share my journey with anyone who is in need of some inspiration. I say this in the most humbling way- I feel like my personality, my drive, my eagerness to learn/teach is what sets me apart from others. I have grown, still growing, into the person I have always wanted to be… the actress I have always wanted to be. Stay tuned, because while blessings are raining down on me, I have some cool projects on the way!
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Dios mio! I so love questions like this. Ok, so I have always said that I wanted to be a successful actress, become a humanitarian, and be a role model. Those are my three long term goals, besides becoming a wife and a mom- haha! In order for me to become a successful actress I plan to continue taking on-camera acting classes, reading/studying my “Acting Bibles” – Uta Hagen ‘Respect for Acting’, Stella Adler ‘The Art of Acting’, Sanford Meisner ‘On Acting’, Constantin Stanislavski ‘An Actor Prepares’, Michael Chekhov ‘On the Technique of Acting’. I need to continue networking in the industry and by that, I mean surrounding myself with the right people who will have a positive impact on my career. And I really want to make it clear that acting is my passion, not something I decided to do for money, Even if there was no money involved I’d still be doing some type of acting, whether it be on stage, film, down a street, etc. So, by “successful”, I mean that I want to be able to keep performing until I get real old and real grey- haha! I’m already working on my humanitarian goal by volunteering with Save the Children charity, which by the way is a phenomenal charity helping kids around the world. I absolutely adore what they do with these kids and have no problem donating as much as I can because I know for sure my money is going to a great cause. Children are the future and if you’re interested in working with, volunteering, or just simply donating visit their website at www.savethechildren.org! Finally, I’m hoping I’m living the “role model” goal right now and hopefully over time. I really want to be someone the younger generation can look up to. Showing them that they can achieve anything they want to as long as they work hard, stay focused, and stay determined.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: msalexaw
- Facebook: Alexa Whitaker
- Other: imdb.me/alexawhitaker
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