Today we’d like to introduce you to Katherine Barber.
Katherine, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I grew up in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio in a very artistic household. My father is a concert pianist so the love of arts was instilled in me at a very early age. I started taking ballet at the age of four and it quickly became my life. Some of my earliest memories are of my sister and I dancing around the house to my father playing Tchaikovsky and Bach. In high school, I got involved in the theater department which felt very second nature to me.
I went to Indiana University on a ballet scholarship, but after a few injuries I knew my dancing days were over. That’s when acting became my number one. After graduation, I moved to Los Angeles to pursue my dreams. About five years ago, I started hearing about the booming film industry in Atlanta and thought I would give it a chance. I moved here 2 1/2 years ago and it was one of the best decisions I ever made.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The life of an artist is never the easy or safe path to take. It takes guts and an unrequited faith in yourself. I’ve heard “no” more times than I’ve heard “yes”. Questioning yourself and feeling discouraged is normal – it is just the nature of this business. You will have struggles, but you need to look at them not as setbacks but as life experiences that allow you grow as a person and an artist.
I believe my struggles were and are preparing me for something amazing. This industry can eat you up so you have to be bold in your quest for it. Be proud of what you’re doing. I used to care so much about what other people thought. When I changed my mentality, I started growing. An acting teacher of mine in LA used to tell us “dare to suck”. I love this because it basically means dare to not give a f#&k what other people think of you. Dare to be unapologetically you.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
My credits include The Resident, The Haves and the Have Nots, and you can catch me as Christie on Tyler Perry’s new show BRUH on BET. Atlanta has been such a breath of fresh air. The acting community here is thriving and growing each day. I love driving around town and seeing all of the yellow production signs! It reminds me that I’m exactly where I should be. I love calling Atlanta home and I can’t wait to see what this next year brings.
What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
Being a working actor is not going to happen overnight. Be prepared to work. You have to constantly be working on your craft. Take advantage of the amazing acting schools and coaches here in Atlanta. Get to know other artists. Surround yourself with creative people. Whether photographers, editors, artists or actors, I’m always inspired by another creative’s passions. Refuel yourself from others and continue learning. I’ve always loved photography and started helping other actors with their headshots and auditions.
Being able to express myself not only as an actor is rewarding and gives me a much-needed break from just focusing on auditions. There are so many other creative outlets, just look and you will find what fits your personality and interests. Get involved in your community. Volunteer. I started volunteering at the Atlanta Humane Society shortly after I moved here. Feed your soul with positive things so you can be the best version of yourself, and when that big opportunity comes along, you will be ready personally and professionally. This business isn’t all about luck. It’s about when opportunity meets preparation.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.katherinebarberphoto.com
- Email: katherinebarber27@gmail.com
- Instagram: @katherinebarber_, @katherinebarberphoto
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katherine.barber.9
- Other: www.imdb.me/Katherine.Barber
Image Credit:
Kim Robbins, Maxx Yin, Kai Yau, Gregory Philips, Jacqueline Carlton
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