Today we’d like to introduce you to Chantal Maurice.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Chantal. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’ve been interested in entertainment for as long as I can remember. As a toddler, I’d dance everywhere and even once caught the attention of someone from Kris Kross’ management team. I shyly declined an offer to be in one of their music videos.
As a young kid, I begged my father for a Video Camera. After he brought be one from the pond shop, I wrote sitcom scripts and would assemble my cousins as my cast and force them to act out my scenarios. As a teenager, I wrote poems, songs, raps and created music on the piano. While in middle school, I was accepted into theatrical summer intensive program that began my professional training and drives to pursue Acting. Throughout high school, I continued my Theatre training at the Palmetto Center for the Arts. While majoring in Theatre & Communications at Charleston Southern University, I began to explore On-Camera Acting and landed a role as a dancer in the movie, “Big Mommas House 3”.
After college, I moved to NYC to further pursue my acting career. While in NYC, I was blessed to book various roles in commercials, films & TV Shows. Some of my TV Credits include: “Blue Bloods” “The Blacklist” “Quantico” & “Mr. Robot”. On November 19th, I’ll be starring in a HALLMARK Christmas Movie, “Last Vermont Christmas”. Also in my time in NYC, I wrote, produced and starred in my own projects: A WEB SERIES called “The SeanTAL Show” which was selected by SAG-Aftra to screen at its 2016 NYC Screening Showcase. A short film titled, “Edge of Harmony” which highlights the journey of Harmony Bessler, a black female Jazz Singer in the 1930s. Edge of Harmony won BEST MUSICAL DRAMA at the 2018 Cutting Room International Short Film Festival.
My latest project, “Loreen’s Gotta Boogie” is currently in Post Production. This 15-minute film is about a First Generation American Girl in the 1970s whose parents are from The Philippines. Loreen struggles between following her dreams to be a Soul Train Dancer and pleasing her parents by continuing family cultural traditions and becoming a College Graduate.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
My Journey as an actress has definitely not been easy. Many people don’t realize what it takes to become a working actor. For me, this journey not about being famous, it’s about training and brings my all to every role that I’m blessed to book. Auditioning in itself is not easy. On average, you receive 9/10 NOS. However, that 10% of YES makes it all worth it. As an actor, you have to learn not to take rejection personally, which is not an easy task. Just because you’re a good or even great actor does not mean that you will book the role. Booking the role has nothing to do with your talent. You just have to be what the producers are looking for.
Another obstacle in this journey is finding a “survival job” that will allow you the flexibility to audition and then to take off when you book. I’ve been blessed to have had PT jobs that allowed me to continue to pursue my career. Financial challenges have probably been some of my biggest obstacle in my journey. As an actor, you have to continuously invest in your craft and invest in you. Investments require money. Money for headshots, printing sides, acting classes, wardrobe for auditions, paying for self-taping, video equipment, networking events, etc.
Recently, I booked a great role in a HALLMARK Christmas movie. This is my first TV Movie and I was super excited to book it. What most people don’t know is that this film filmed in Kingston NY. They cast the lead roles out of LA, but the supporting roles they wanted to cast local actors from Kingston. I agreed to work as a Kingston local hire because the experience and exposure from this film is worth it. In order to work as a Kingston local, I had to take a bus from NYC to and from Kingston. (about a 2 1/2 hour ride and each way was about $35) Once in Kingston, I ubered around and even had to pay for my own hotel. So the main thing about this career is that you have to make sacrifices.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am an actress and I also offer Audition Coaching. I was a career coach for actors at the former TVI Actors Studio in NYC. I’ve also booked 11 Co-Star roles on TV Shows. I offer one on one audition coaching for actors who are looking to BOOK! After coaching my first client, she booked her first co-star role on a Netflix show! I love helping other actors and giving them tips and tools to help boost their careers.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I’m actually moving to Atlanta from NYC this weekend! I’m looking forward to this move because I know God has some great things in store for me in Atlanta. I’m looking forward to Recurring and being a Series Regular on shows that have dope messages that I can relate to.
Pricing:
- Co- Star Audition Coaching Half Hour $40
- Co-Star Audition Coaching 1 Hour $60
- 1 hour Career Consultation for Actors $65
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ChantalMaurice.com
- Email: iamchantalmaurice@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/chantalmauricedotcom
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