Today we’d like to introduce you to Aaron Goldenberg.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Aaron. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
From a young age, I wanted to act. I loved watching TV and film and going through an emotional journey with the characters. Once it clicked in my young mind that these were actors portraying emotions and taking me on this ride, I fell in love with the art. It impacted me on a deeper level. I would sneak shows like Extra and Access Hollywood whenever I could and soaked it all in. I would ask friends to tell me all about the latest film they saw, knowing I was not allowed to see it myself because my parents were pretty strict. As I grew older, I became obsessed with films to the point that I would know the MPAA rating details, reviews, and actors even without having seen the movie. I realized about a year ago that I was obsessed with entertainment the way that a lot of guys are obsessed with sports.
I took theater classes all through middle school, high school, and college, earning my bachelor’s degree at Florida International University. Basically, the trajectory of my whole life has been with the aim to be an actor. So even in the slower season’s, which are bound to happen for entertainers, I still felt this pull, this purpose. Throughout the years, I also tried my hand at many other artistic positions. I judged in thespian festivals for over ten years, I choreographed and coached, I wrote screenplays and skits, I directed and edited. I’ve even been on various sets as a stand-in, script supervisor, and production assistant. But all the while, my passion was to be an actor.
I moved to Atlanta from Miami at the beginning of June this year, knowing only a few people besides my aunt and several friends that had moved from South Florida. I knew Atlanta was the place to be for the next step in my career. In the short time I’ve been here, the community has been so supportive, embracing, and incredible. I’ve attended classes, workshops, intensives, and met some amazing people. I just signed with the agency of my dreams and can’t wait to start working with them! Since moving, I also dove headfirst into creating video content for Instagram, using many of those other skill sets I picked up along the way, like editing! I love what I do and I hope I get to do it for the rest of my life.
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?
The road has definitely not been smooth. As a young man, I struggled with my sexuality and truly believed that I could never have a real career as anything other than a deep-voiced straight man. It took me a while to except the fact that: that is not me, and that is totally OK! Recently, with the abundance of content from Netflix, Hulu, and others, you see every type represented onscreen. I’m thrilled for kids nowadays who probably get to see themselves represented in a positive light, more often than I did back then. It’s encouraging to see how far we’ve come as a society and industry. I still get insecure, but it’s a quicker recovery than before. I have a higher voice than a lot of my friends, and nobody is going to believe me as the burly football jock, but that’s alright.
For many years, I stood in my own way. I didn’t love myself, and so I was destroyed at any signs of rejection. I now know that when Casting Director brings you in multiple times, regardless of whether or not you are cast, it means they like you, trust you. Lori Wyman is a Casting Director in Miami who brought me in many times throughout the years. I think I only ever booked one thing from her, and I interpreted that as “she must hate me.” I wish I knew back then what I know now: she liked me and trusted me to deliver a good performance. I wonder how different my confidence in the room would have been. But that is a confidence I carry with me now. Whether I am submitting a self-tape, or going in person, I carry a different kind of weight as an adult. I still get nervous, but I also remind myself that I’ve come along way, worked very hard over the years, and I have something unique to contribute to this production.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
As I’ve said, I am an actor. I have been doing this a long time, and know that I am versatile. I’ve done musical theater, plays, film in comedic and dramatic roles. I invest in my “business” because I know there’s always room for growth. Currently, I am taking improv classes, and sharpening my on camera skills. I am dedicated and in this for the long-haul. I might have an off day or week, but my compass always points me true North, back to where I know I’m supposed to be. On set, and on stage are where I feel most at home, most useful, and most like I am doing what I was put on this earth to do.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
The most important qualities to my success are positivity and resilience. I’ve become very patient over the years, and I know that fame is not a guarantee in this industry. I have fun doing the smallest of films, being on multi-million dollar Hollywood sets, or filming an Instagram video in my living room. There is no stage too small. In every scenario, I am getting to create art, and for that I am so grateful.
Contact Info:
- Website: resumes.actorsaccess.com/aarongoldenberg
- Instagram: aarongoldyboy
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/AaronGoldenbergActor/
- Twitter: aarongoldyboy
Image Credit:
@favorfotos on IG, @taylorgirardphotographs on IG
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