Today we’d like to introduce you to Morgan Marie.
Hi Morgan, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Well, I think my story with acting started a long time ago. Growing up, I spent my summers in Eagle River, Wisconsin at our summer home. The home was built in the 1920s and was used in the 70s as the setting for the winter scene in the movie The Omen II starring William Holden and Lee Grant. I’ve always been a dreamer, and as a small child, I used my imagination freely and could keep myself entertained for hours. Everything in our summer home was from the original owners. I loved playing in the 2nd-story old-fashioned projector room which was stocked with original Warner Bros movie reels. I think those summers may actually have been the original experience that inspired me to act because I was literally living and playing in what felt like a real-life movie set.
I grew up in Longwood / Lake Mary, Fl. and when I was eight years old, I began to realize that I had a very creative side and that I was more of a cognitive learner, so my parents enrolled me in a triple threat academy (acting, dance and singing). We figured out quickly that I was a natural at creating characters and was able to learn lines with little effort. I’m actually an introvert and a bit on the shy side, so I remember feeling like I had finally found a way to truly express myself and have a voice.
At the age of 14, I decided to go all-in and pursue acting seriously. My parents began home-schooling me, which gave me the flexibility to do whatever was needed to get my acting career started, and that’s the moment when acting started becoming the main focus in my life. Within the first year, I gained representation by Susan Fronsoe of 22 Talent who I am still with today and I booked a Universal commercial, worked four days on a 20th Century Fox Feature film and became involved with the Independent film community where I booked several short films and a multi award-winning Christian web-series called Skitz. I knew quickly that this was my passion, where I belonged and I have been committed to a career in the entertainment industry ever since.
I moved to Atlanta in 2019 because I was almost done with high school, and I knew that if I wanted to get to the next level, I needed to be where the film industry is booming. Atlanta is filled with amazing filmmakers, production studios and some of the top casting directors in the country, and I needed to be here so I could be in the heart of the activity. I’ve been regularly auditioning for Network TV and Blockbuster movies ever since. I’ve met and worked with so many talented actors and filmmakers here in Atlanta. I’ve booked several projects, and have a few more in the works, and am excited to be able to share details on those soon. My newest training is taking me into the exciting arena of Performance capture acting with The Mocap Vaults where I will train to work in visual effects and video game acting.
I’ve also learned over the years how important it is to put together a great team, so in addition to being represented by 22 Talent, I am also represented by The Jana VanDyke Agency here in Atlanta and managed by Established Artists out of Los Angeles. I work very closely with my business manager, Sharon Rene, and my dialogue coach, Jeff Rose on a weekly basis and I stay active in training at top acting studios doing Improv and different techniques training. I’ve just been working hard and having so much fun, and am so grateful to be leveling up and living my dream!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It most definitely has not been an easy road for me, and I’m pretty sure that will never change, but I feel that anything worth doing well is never easy and I love the challenge! Actually, acting as a profession is really hard work, and I also have struggled with some social anxiety, so confidence has always been a challenge for me. What has really helped me is training. I realized a few years into all of this that confidence and being prepared go hand in hand. When I’m training regularly, learning, and networking, I’m honing my skills, yes, but what is really going on is that I’m increasing my self-esteem and confidence.
The toughest time for me is when things are slow. Acting is not a consistent business, and things go up and down, but even when it’s slow, I still have to hustle. Even when I’m not working, I continue to train, network, support other actors in their projects, and learn new ways to develop and get connected. There’s always a ton of work to be done and endless possibilities, and the tough part is that you have to keep doing it even if you aren’t seeing the return right away.
There are definitely a lot more no’s than yes’s in this work, so you have to truly enjoy the journey. For sure, this industry isn’t for the faint of heart, and to help me stay on track, I just keep telling myself that all of the no’s are just one step closer to a yes. You really do have to have tough skin, that’s for sure, but I’m tough, and everyday I learn so much about myself and my craft. I think, though, that when you’re filled with passion, excitement, and a bit of adrenalyn, it’s amazing how much you can do.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I really love this quote I saw somewhere by Anne Taylor Joy, where she said “I feel like anyone who gets into the movies didn’t fit into the real world, so we made our own.” That quote really speaks to me, and in general, I’m very passionate about being a part of telling stories. I am known for starring in multiple films which can be found on my https://www.imdb.me/themorganmarie and have more projects in the works.
In addition, I also started my own production company and produced my first short film that has screened at numerous festivals and won multiple awards. As an actor I’ve found that creating my own content is very important. I do it to stay actively working on set, and I also do it to build my brand as an actor. I also started a Tik Tok account to share my journey as an actor. All of these things allow me to express my creativity, but they also provide a way for me to grow by creating, and opening up so I can connect with people.
I’m also an avid reader, and there are several books that I would love to play characters in if they are ever made into movies. In the near future, I hope to attend Festivals like Sundance and Cannes and to book some even bigger roles. Really though, in the end, I hope that everything I do in my life is something that can inspire others to pursue their God-given talents and know that the arts are an amazing fit for those who may struggle with not fitting in like I did as a kid.
All in all, though, I think this journey to being an actor is helping me to develop my true character on and off-screen, and that’s such a gift!
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
This question is an easy one for me, because there are so many important things in my life. My faith, family and the mark I make in this world along with being a good person and helping others are top of mind every day, and in everything that I do.
Over the years I’ve learned that it’s these things that ground me and being involved with them reminds me who I am and what I want to achieve in life. There are a few causes that I have found myself becoming very committed to. One that seems to keep finding me is human trafficking awareness. I’ve been fortunate to have had the opportunity to be involved directly in the production of PSA’s and other projects that support this cause, and in the process I have learned the terrible statistics surrounding this serious issue. In addition, I make a priority of volunteering and service work, which I do regularly both nationally and internationally. This work has really fulfilled a lot of things for me, including my love of travel and my desire to help others, and the experiences I’ve had during these trips has given me the privilege of meeting many families and communities who have changed my life for the better and given me a different perspective on what is important in life. I think this has really helped me to better understand the characters I play, and has given me the ability to better see things through other people’s point of view.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.themorganmarie.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/THEMORGANMARIE/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themorganmarie/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheMorganMarie
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXxO1-nC7Lg9SmjxiW3M_QA
- Yelp: https://www.tiktok.com/@THEMORGANMARIE
- Other: https://www.imdb.me/themorganmarie
Image Credits
Tracy Bosworth Page, Scott Dentinger Photography, Jamison Burnett Photography, Reel Cool Entertainment Dave Di Pietro, Vince Murphy Photography, Emily Freeze
