Today we’d like to introduce you to Cara Mantella.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Cara. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My parents always took us to see plays growing up. As a kid, I never imagined that those characters I saw on stage were just regular people off stage. I remember seeing “Cinderella” at a local community theatre in NJ when I was 10, and it clicked: those are real people on stage… I could be a person on stage.
After this shocking revelation, I asked my parents if I could audition for the next show at that theatre, “Alice in Wonderland”. Being a very shy, reserved child, I think they were surprised. But, they let me go for it. And I was cast. (Because everyone was cast).
I’d love to say that I blew the audience away with the important, yet non-speaking role of “flower” and “card”, but alas, I’m told I stared at my feet the whole (brief) time I was onstage.
But, something in me was forever changed.
A bunch of school musicals, community theatre productions, and years later, I headed to the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana to get my B.F.A in theatre.
After college, I decided to stop auditioning for musicals and just pursue straight plays and on-camera work. (Because, let’s face it, no one was going to pay me to sing.) So, I landed in Chicago, then Los Angeles, and finally Atlanta.
I’ve been in the Atlanta area for 13 years now. My reason for relocating here was to be closer to my family, who had moved here during my time in Chicago. But, I’ve also found a second family here. I’ve worked with so many wonderful, talented, kind, funny, giving human beings in this Atlanta community, I can’t think of a place I’d rather be. So, for those reasons, and many others, it’s become “home”.
Has it been a smooth road?
Please point me in the direction of the actor (or artist of any type) who says their professional journey has been a smooth road. I would love to meet them.
But, really, what’s the fun in a smooth road? In my opinion, it’s the twists and turns and bumps along the way that makes us stronger, give us perspective and pushes us to grow as artists. Maybe, I watched one too many underdog movies in my childhood, but I appreciate the hard work and (many) failures it’s taken to get me where I am.
In a business where rejections are just part of everyday life, some people say you need to cultivate a thick skin. But, I’ll admit, as a vulnerable, sensitive, wearing my heart on my sleeve kinda gal, I’ve never really been able to do that. And, I’m not sure I’d want to. The heartbreaks make the successes that must sweeter. And when all of the pieces that it takes to actually book a job fall into place – the right role, in the right project, with the right people, in the right place, in the right time, etc., etc., etc. – it’s a beautiful thing to get the opportunity to make a living doing what you love.
Acting is a roller coaster of a life, but there is nothing I’d rather be doing.
My advice to younger women starting out as actors would be:
1. Control the things you can control, and try to let the rest go – there are so many things beyond your control as an actor, but you can always be professional, be prepared, be kind, and work hard.
2. Don’t worry about being “perfect” or getting it “right”. As a recovering perfectionist, I think I’m allowed to say this – perfection is boring. Life is messy. Art is messy. It’s the cracks that make us interesting. Don’t be afraid of mistakes and failures, that’s part of the journey.
3. Learn to love yourself. Don’t base it on how many jobs you book or if you are as busy as your peers. You are you and there’s nobody else that’s you, so when it’s your role, it’s your role. But in the meantime, don’t forget how special you are.
4. Be kind.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I’ve performed on stages in and around Atlanta including The Alliance, Actor’s Express, Aurora Theatre, Georgia Ensemble Theatre, Stage Door Plays, and more. I recently got to play one of my bucket-list roles, Harper in Angels in America at Actor’s Express. It was an amazing challenge and I got to work with such talented artists who just happen to be wonderfully kind and giving human beings as well.
On TV, I most recently appeared in Bobcat Goldthwait’s Misfits & Monsters on TruTV. It’s an anthology series with different casts each episode, so I actually got to work on two episodes playing two different characters. It was a blast! You can also keep your eye out for me in an upcoming episode of Lodge 49 on AMC.
I also teach. I’ve been teaching on-camera classes for children and teens at the Alliance theatre as well as a few other places in town. Last year I started working with a program called Spotlight, it’s kind of an on-camera acting intensive for adults with developmental disabilities. It’s a wonderful group of talented people and it brings me a lot of joy to be involved. I’m just starting up my 2nd year as one of the teachers for that, and I’m really excited about our projects for this year.
Which women have inspired you in your life?
My mom, my sister, my friends. I love a lot of strong, creative, funny, talented, smart women with beautiful hearts.
Contact Info:
- Website: caramantella.com
- Instagram: @caramantella
- Twitter: @caramantella
- Other: imdb.me/caramantella
Image Credit:
Anna Ritch, Casey Gardner, BreeAnne Clowdus
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