Today we’d like to introduce you to Maytal Angel.
Hi Maytal, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born and raised in Israel, and was always interested in performing. I loved singing, dancing, acting, especially comedy! And I performed in every school play and every event possible. At the age of 18, I joined the Israeli Military and worked my way up to lieutenant. My position was pretty high up and I worked with the highest offices in Israeli government and internationally, including the CIA and The White House.
Didn’t take long to see politics was definitely not for me, so when I finished my military duties I moved to NYC to pursue my passion for the performing arts.
My first few years in NY were a serious struggle. I didn’t know anyone, and I didn’t have any money. I had to juggle 3 jobs and dance school and find a way to keep my visa so I can stay in the states legally. On top of that-i had to find the time to actually pursue my dream. It was really hard and I felt so alone.
When I met my ex husband, things turned around for me. I felt happy and motivated. I started writing and recording original songs, and I performed as a singer and dancer in music videos, clubs and events for a few years.
My greatest achievement as a dancer was when I got to be in a music video on SNL! And my proudest moment as a singer was performing at the Queens Pride Parade.
I also produced and hosted a local TV show “The Foxxi and Bambi Show”. It helped me connect with other artists and producers, and led to me producing other TV shows and commercials.
When I went through my divorce, I took some time off for myself. That was probably the most painful time in my life. I wanted to escape and decided to film a documentary in which I would travel across the country and just perform in different cities.
I ended up not doing that, but I instead I found healing through acting and started taking classes again. I studied with incredibly legendary teachers in NY such as Elizabeth Kemp, Chazz Palminteri, Louise Lasser, Bob Krakower and more.
I started doing theater again, and auditioned for film and TV projects.
I’m very grateful for every role I booked, whether it was a student film, a TV show or a stage performance- they all helped push my career forward and make amazing connections with other artists.
About 5-6 years into my acting career, after a painful breakup from an ex-boyfriend, I decided to go on the road and film the documentary I dreamed of year earlier.
I produced my own original series, “The Road To Hollywood”, which documented my acting challenge mission across the country. I traveled alone to 13 cities, from NYC to L.A. and I had to find an acting job in each city, before advancing to the next.
I filmed this mission by myself for 2 years. It was extremely challenging and fulfilling. I had to find a place to stay, a way to make money and survive in each city, make new friends and make connections in the local industry until I book something. This challenge was very difficult financially, emotionally, mentally and physically, but I met incredible people along the way, learned so much, booked some amazing gigs, made friends across the whole country, and received amazing reviews for my documentary on TV, radio shows, newspapers, podcasts and magazines.
Coming back to NYC from the road exhausted and drained, I took a few months off to recover and reconnect with my friends. I was thinking about moving to Atlanta because I really liked the industry when I was here on my journey. And that’s when covid hit.
I still dreamed of Atlanta and about 8 months into covid – I decided to just go for it, and I moved!
I’ve been in Atlanta for about 7 months now and I’m still trying to learn the city. But I’m definitely happy I made the move, because I’ve been auditioning a lot! Hoping to book something soon! I’m also currently writing a pilot for a sitcom with a close actor friend, George Papadimatos. Wish us luck!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Wow… no. absolutely not smooth. Lol. I always wanted to be a performer, but my parents were suspicious of the industry. They did not want me to become a child actor and told me I could do it as an adult if I still wanted to when I grow up. I performed in school plays and events, but I was not allowed to go on auditions in the industry.
At the end of my military service, I suffered from PTSD. I was numb emotionally, and lost the ability to feel joy. I was not able to laugh for 6 whole months.
It was entertainment that saved me and made me happy again. I remember laughing out loud one day, when I watched the show “Who’s line is it anyway”, and I scared myself for a moment cause I forgot what it felt like to laugh.
And that’s when I decided to move to NY and follow my performance-loving heart.
Moving to America was extremely difficult, learning a new culture, language, behaviors, meeting people, making money, struggling to keep my status/ my alien visa. Being a foreigner is very hard in so many different ways. It took me 10 years just to learn how to have a conversation with Americans without offending them. and that was in NY! where generally people are considered not as polite as other Americans! That language barrier is no joke!
I also came to this country alone. I didn’t know anyone and didn’t have family here. Took me a really long time to meet the right people, that I knew I could trust.
I also suffered a physical injury, and had to stop dancing for a while. That was depressing. Very hard to deal with. I had to give up dancing professionally and find other ways to perform.
Separating and divorcing my husband was definitely the toughest struggle. Extremely painful experience. I felt like I lost everything I built and worked for, for years! and had to start at the bottom all over again. I was with him for many years. His family became my family. His friends were my friends. And I lost all of it all together. I was alone again.
Luckily, performing saved my life again, and I got back into acting.
Being on the road alone for 2 years was also a constant struggle! very difficult challenge. Lonely, exhausting, stressful and heartbreaking at times. Most days I didn’t even know where I would sleep that week or how I would be able to eat. But honestly, it was the most rewarding thing I ever did.
Being an artist is obviously hard on everyone. You’re constantly looking for work, constantly auditioning without compensation, constantly struggling to balance making money, and personal life and on top of that following our dreams. Taking acting classes, buying equipment, networking, honing our craft, learning new skills. It’s a lot!
Every artist I know could use another 8 hours very single day to accomplish what’s on they to-do list. lol
My most recent struggle is moving to Atlanta! I’ve only been here for 7 months, and still trying to figure it out. I am currently looking for an apartment, and a job, and of course acting gigs! But I’m loving it! I’ve been getting many auditions and I’m really happy I made the move! and every other move I ever made!
Life is a rollercoaster! So buckle the fuck up. enjoy the ride, and try not to get too nauseous!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about you’re specialties, uniqueness and what your most proud of in your journey?
I would say one specialty I’m proud of is my Comedic ability! I LOVE making people laugh!
I also have a very wide range of emotions and am very connected to my feelings, which can be tough sometimes. As Louise Lasser once told me – “You’re very connected. This must make acting very easy for you, and real life – very difficult.”
A more hidden specialty is my passion for math! I love numbers and logic puzzles. And I can solve a rubik’s cube!
The project I am most proud of is my acting challenge “The Road To Hollywood” that I filmed alone for 2 years across the country. I created a large network across America of people who were a part of my journey one way or another.
I am also proud of my ability to adjust wherever I go, and that I’m not afraid to pick up and move or make a new start for myself. I think a big part of it is that I truly love people. People are good and beautiful, and I enjoy connecting and listening to other people’s stories. So I connect with great people wherever I go!
You always hear about the bad that’s out there, but if you actually GO out there – you’ll be shocked at how much selfless good there is in the world. One of the biggest lessons from my journey was – people are awesome!
And I am, of course, proud of my background. Growing up in a different country, and moving to America by myself.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Yes! 1. sign up with actors access! it is one of the only legit ways to get auditions without an agent!
2. sign up with casting networks! do some background work! being on a professional set will teach you a lot! and connect you with other artists.
3. Take acting classes all the time! keep your emotional muscles flexible! but make sure you only take classes in known schools that come recommended!
4. join actors groups on Facebook! your biggest free helpers in this business are fellow actors, so don’t be afraid to ask for help. everyone was a beginner once! and we all remember what that was like!
5. Don’t listen to naysayers! distance yourself from those people. They are only projecting their own fears onto you. Surround yourself with people who are positive and are on a similar journey. it will help you greatly!
Contact Info:
- Email: MaytalAngel1@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.maytalangel.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maytalangel
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maytalangel
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/maytalangel
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/maytalangel
- Other: https://www.Imdb.me./maytalangel
