Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Greene.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Chris. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was born in Mount Vernon and raised in Yonkers, NY. Like many creatives, I found himself between homes at a young age after my parents separated, so I decided to seek attention at school. My teachers would say i’m “a good student, but very talkative” and “loves to entertain the class”, so to help me use that energy in a more constructive way, my parents got me involved with music. I began performing as a drummer all the way through high school which earned me a musical scholarship to attend Winston Salem State University in Winston Salem, North Carolina (an HBCU). It was at WSSU’s neighboring college, The North Carolina School of the Arts, where I discovered acting.
With over 15 years of experience under my belt, I have appeared in commercials, feature films and television shows working opposite the likes of Aunjanue Ellis, Joel Edgerton, Colman Domingo, Bill Cobbs, Nick Offerman, Hugh Laurie, Alice Braga, Alimi Ballard, and many others! I have worked for award-nominated and winning Directors like John Lee Hancock, Carl Franklin, Donald Glover & Jeff Nichols. My career has taken me from NC to NY to FL to CA and of course to right here in the ATL!
I started Directing over seven years ago under my production company, Detour Entertainment, LLC., where I work to help create opportunities for new Actors and Filmmakers in the entertainment industry. I also coach actors on the importance of the craft and being educated in the business as well as having a positive lifestyle within the industry through my company The L.O.A.A., Life of an Actor organization! I am currently working towards opening an acting studio in Atlanta so that I can move from coaching Actors one on one to work with classes throughout the Southeast!
Aside from working in the biz, I spend as much time as I can with my daughter Zoé, who has also taken to acting.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Never a smooth road when you are pursuing a passion, creative or not. It takes hours of hard work, sacrifice and lots of self-evaluation! I still struggle with the thought of “if I am good enough“ to really survive this industry and the daily changes that it makes.
I would say the worst struggles, aside from financial of course, are really knowing your self-worth. In an industry that can legally discriminate against you for your physical appearance or your moral beliefs, one has to focus daily to surround themselves with positive affirmations. That takes a toll, least for me.
Please tell us about The Life of An Actor Organization – what should we know?
The L.O.A.A. stands for The Life Of An Actor! I started this company with the primary goal of educating creatives, both young and older, on what the LIFE of an Actor is all about. Through professional training, seminars, workshops, mentorship, and charitable events, The L.O.A.A. is meant to keep the Dramatic Arts alive and thriving in our local communities and schools which will allow our youth a safe, nurturing and positive space to express themselves while pursuing their passion.
What I am most proud of thus far is the sense of community amongst creatives that I have created in Central Florida, and am creating in Atlanta and it’s surrounding areas! This business is, of course, competitive by nature, but many don’t realize that creatives, though rarely understood, have a powerful influence on the many trends that take place in daily life.
Lots of acting schools can train actors to get work, but with L.O.A.A. we set out to develop a community and brand that can dictate a more positive change through our work so that we can bring balance back to this world that seems to be more and more out of balance as the days continue forward.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Work ethic… work ethic…WORK ETHIC! Without this, I would have nothing. Having a strong work ethic has allowed me to remain determined, focused and motivated. As they say, nothing in this world is worth having if it comes too easy.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lifeofanactor.org
- Phone: 404-590-3324
- Email: lifeofanactorinfo@gmail.com
- Instagram: @loaa365
- Twitter: @loaa_365
Image Credit:
Photographer is Michae E. Allen, Photos courtesy of The L.O.A.A.
Suggest a story: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
