Meet Jennica Hill

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennica Hill.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Jennica. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I first decided I would be an actor when I saw the movie Moulin Rouge. I was 11-years-old and absolutely enamored with Nicole Kidman. I thought, “I want to do THAT.” I watched that movie three times in a day during my 6th-grade spring break. I had taken ballet (but have horrible hip turnout) and went to an acting camp, but other than that, my outlet was watching TV and movies. I was on a nationally competitive jump rope team called the Summerwind Skippers for six years, then in high school decided to switch gears and really go for it. I joined the Image Factory, which was the advanced acting class at my high school and started rehearsing and performing plays. I LOVED it.

Somehow the idea that I would pursue acting for the rest of my life just became a fact. I applied to college and university acting and theatre programs and was accepted to the University of Southern California’s School of Theatre (now known as the School of Dramatic Arts). I loved school, had wonderful experiences, and learned so much about myself and the art of storytelling. I stayed in Los Angeles for a couple of years after college. During that time I taught reading for the Institute of Reading Development and had a blast (I would totally be a teacher if I wasn’t determined to be an actor) and worked multiple jobs–the Gap, front desk at a Crossfit Gym, freelance writing, etc.–and just tried to get my life going. Those first years out of college are rough, man! So many mind-numbing self-doubts, especially when American society doesn’t really reward artists for following their dreams.

I had been in a long-distance relationship with my now husband Adam since we graduated high school. (Yes, we’re high school sweethearts.) He was thinking about moving to LA, but after reading the book The Defining Decade by Meg Jay (definitely recommend!) I realized I did not want to be in LA anymore and needed to make a change. Adam had been telling me about the film industry in Atlanta and its growth, but I hadn’t believed him. After one of my visits to Atlanta and talking with some friends from college who had moved back, I made the decision to move to Atlanta and have been in love with this city ever since.

Atlanta gave me a new start, and I am so grateful for the amazing artistic community here. I’ve been here for five years as of June 4th, 2019, and I am so glad!!! Being in Atlanta has allowed me to gain opportunities as an actor I would not have had in LA for likely a long time, and I am now plugged into a community of actors, writers, producers, improvisers, and other creatives who are passionate about what they do and love to tell stories and connect with what makes humanity so beautiful, painful, wonderful, etc. As of now, I improvise at the Village Theatre at least three times a week, am writing a couple of different projects with writing partners (and one of my own), auditioning regularly through my agent Sol Talent, and spending time with people who are like-minded and also push me to be better every day. Oh, and I am married to the love of my life!

Has it been a smooth road?
Of course not. Is it ever? Honestly though, as a kid, my life was pretty smooth, and I have to say I have been insanely lucky throughout my life. Schoolwork came somewhat easily to me, though I also worked my butt off, and I was good at whatever I set my mind to do. I have always had great friends and a very supportive family. The word privilege definitely applies to me, and by the way, I’m not afraid to admit that.

At the same time, the life of an artist is never easy. I think that’s partly what drew me to acting. It’s a life of putting your heart right out there for people to see and then still getting rejected over and over. When I graduated from USC, I knew things wouldn’t be easy, but I had this idea that life would be like it had been up to that point: If I could follow some kind of formula and do the work, I would get where I wanted to go. But after graduation, I spent entire days just watching movies, trying to write scripts and submit as an actor for indie films, and wondering what was next as I simultaneously applied for retail and front desk jobs.

As a “Straight A” student throughout my life, I learned to work hard to please others. That model does not prepare us for life. My late 20s so far have been about figuring out how to make myself happy and proud, rather than always looking for outside validation.

Some days as an actor and storyteller are extremely beautiful and heart-filling. Some days I feel on top of the world. Other days are much harder. I have breakdowns and feel unsure of myself. Sometimes I really just don’t feel enough. But I have done the work to surround myself with people who help me recognize my worth and remind me to keep pushing. I am so grateful for my husband, family, friends, and for AMAW Atlanta–an acting studio here that’s part of Anthony Meindl’s Actor Workshop. Katelin Chesna who runs the studio totally changed my life by introducing me to a community of people that have each other’s backs, lead from the heart, and create an atmosphere of pure love rather than ego.

Taking classes there also pushed me to start getting more vulnerable, which has always been hard for me. Losing friends and family members over the years, being in a 6-year long-distance relationship, and feeling the need to be perfect all the time built a wall around my heart that I work every day to break down. Being seen is no easy task, but it’s necessary if you want to be an artist. By being vulnerable, actors, writers, creatives of all kinds allow other people to let themselves feel and just be human. That’s hard to do in today’s world of social media and instant gratification.

But I am honestly so happy to be on this journey and know I will have a full life because of my decision to pursue my art, even if it’s not easy or someone else’s idea of success.

Please tell us more about what you do, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
Since I am an actor, I’ve had to learn to be an entrepreneur of my own business – still working on that actually. Most people probably know me most for my improvisation and comedy skills. I currently perform as a Main Cast member at the Village Theatre, usually on Fridays, as well as a member of teams like Big Poppa (Thursday nights right now at 9:30 pm) and Marcia Marcia Marcia (Sundays right now at 6 pm). I also regularly perform with the Improvised Vagina Monologues, which take place on the first Thursday of every month at 11 pm. I LOVE that show because I get to make bold choices and let out a lot of frustration about the world we live in today. Sara Breese created that show, and she is a goddess.

I have loved getting into the improv community here in Atlanta, learning more about the craft, and pushing myself to be bold and have fun onstage. Improv allows me to let go of my expectations and just see what happens in every moment. Because of improv, I’m actually really good at hosting. I’ve done a couple of live hosting gigs for the North Carolina Education Lottery that let me use my improv and theatre skills to the fullest.

As an actor for TV and film, I push into my quirky, “Superwoman With Taped Glasses” and “Oblivious, But In A Really Playful Way So Nobody Ever Calls Me On It” sides but also my “Let’s Just Tell It Like It Is And Get On With It” side. I love comedy, but I also push into a super sarcastic, straightforward self that lets me lean into grittier roles. In Atlanta, I’ve had the most success with playing characters who’ve been through it. I love it when I can audition without any makeup on and get real.

I’m also a writer. I’m working on a TV series with four other women right now and my own short film that I hope to produce. I write freelance as my survival job and am really good at pumping out a quick blog post, essay, or even research paper. I’m also a fabulous editor if I do say so myself. I am super-duper academic, which is why I do love performing in plays whenever I get the chance. I feel like plays give me a chance to really sink my teeth into a story and do a bunch of research since TV and film don’t usually give me as much time to nerd out like that.

What I love about acting is that it shows how every single person really is unique. People can say the exact same words and tell a totally different side of the story because they bring themselves to it. What I bring, only I can bring. How awesome is that?

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and the least?
I love SO MANY THINGS about Atlanta. I love that it sometimes feels like a small town because of how connected people are. I love that festival season brings so many people together to just sweat and walk around and look at art. I love that this city embraces art and artists and has so much city pride that people constantly buy hats and shirts that say ATL on them. I love that this city has so much rich history, especially regarding civil rights. I love that I can have tough conversations here about race and learn from so many people who are not like me. I love that every neighborhood has its own identity. I love all the grassroots organizing going on here and that so many people really do want to help each other.

I do not love that I see so many people living without homes and that the city government has a history of putting money and investment before the community. I do not love that neighborhoods are being gentrified without taking care of residents and that property taxes are rising at rates people cannot afford. I do not love that Atlanta has no rent control. These are things that are happening in most cities, but I do not love them. I do not love that Atlanta is part of Georgia, meaning part of a state that has chosen to take reproductive rights away from women.

Mostly, though, I love Atlanta. I love living here and will work to change the things I do not like by exercising my vote, writing and sharing stories, and continuing to help others whenever and however I can. In fact, anyone reading this please feel free to reach out to me for advice or a listening ear. I want to make sure my fellow humans feel seen and heard and have a community to lean on.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.jennicahill.com/
• Phone: Sol Talent – 843.882.7560
• Email: jennica.hill11@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennicahill/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/JenniquaHillio

Image Credit:
Darrell Snedeger (Collective Energy Photography), Robbie Glen Photography, Elizabeth Day, Summer Adhal

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