Today we’d like to introduce you to Caitlyn Grace.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My Dad’s side of the family are all business managers or coaches and my mom’s side are all teachers. I guess you could say I was well mentored. I grew up in southern Michigan, a 4 sport- high school athlete, competing in basketball, volleyball, track & field, and cross country. I went on to pole vault Division II in the NCAA for Hillsdale College. Before finishing school, I completed the United States Marine Corps Officer Candidate School (Platoon Leaders Course) and became a PADI certified open water scuba diver. It was then, I started pursuing more technical artistic endeavors, training utility stunts and stage/film combat, beginning to collaborate in short filmmaking. I began auditioning for live stunt shows and was soon cast in Mirage Entertainment’s Count Down to Ruin, where I put my combat, weapons, rappelling, and scuba training to good use. I spent a year with the show in southern China, making friends and working with performers from all over the world.
When I returned to the US, I prioritized weapons training with various sticks, swords, and staves. I became firearm safety certified, took up the Filipino Martial Art of Arnis, and attended courses to hone my directing and choreographing skills. While living and working in Atlanta, I auditioned for Feld Entertainment and was cast as Nebula, from the Guardians of the Galaxy in Marvel Universe Live: Age of Heroes! We opened the show at the LA Staples Center, where I got stung by the “Angelino Bug.” After touring with the company in over 40 major US cities for over a year, I packed my bags and headed back across the country for Tinseltown. I started out in an artist’s co-op, getting to know dozens of actors, musicians, and technicians, then found my way into some of the top training facilities in the country, working alongside some of the most talented athletes and artists in the industry and it feels like home!
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?
Well, that wouldn’t be any fun now, would it? My alma mater, Hillsdale College, has a motto, “Virtue tentamine gaudet.” It takes a lot of intention, preparation, discipline, and follow through to acquire the skills that I’ve pursued, and a spot of gumption to travel frequently and far from the places and people you know, but “strength rejoices in the challenge” and her reward is ten-fold. I’ve ridden 11 hours on a bus sitting next to a goat, I’ve bathed in a bowl, I’ve sweat through Dengue fever, fallen out of a wrist loop 25 ft. onto concrete, been overwhelmed by the juxtaposition of poverty and wealth, and for every challenge I’ve encountered, I have received a helping hand, or a leg up. I have been blessed by teachers, students, family, caretakers, friends, strangers, and customer service representatives with kindness, encouragement, advice, food, and more. Life isn’t easy. Pursuing your dreams isn’t easy. But, we really are all in this together. If you’re pursuing what you love, there are people and resources to help you achieve it. Remember to be gentle with yourself, especially when you’re trying something new. Failure is just a data point on the road to success. Begin with a mindset of gratitude and acceptance for the place you are starting from and grind, grind, grind! If you believe you can, then you will.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I do not operate as a business, but I certainly have a brand. I identify as a “qualified adventurer” or maybe “professional pretender.” I am a prop manipulator and movement artist that specializes in weaponry, which is just a fancy way of saying I’m really good at playing with toys and you definitely want me on your Zombie Apocalypse Squad. Swords, sticks, staves, knives, whips, fans, and darts-you name it, I can play with it. I also enjoy running around like a bonfire (full body fire-burns) and diving underwater (PADI certified). I’ve spent years traveling and training to learn about humanity, our failure to communicate through conflict, and storytelling which helps us navigate those conflicts. I have a liberal arts education with degrees in Economics and Theatre Performance. I graduated from Marine Corps Officer Candidate School in Quantico. I have lived in China, Eastern Africa (Tanzania), the rural Midwest (Michigan), Chicago, Atlanta, LA, traveled throughout Europe and toured a majority of American cities. Mostly, I never stopped playing dress-up or picking up toys and now, I’m beginning to get good at it. I grew up watching Zoe Bell, Lucy Lawless, Gina Davis, Patricia Tallman, Shauna Duggins, Jennifer Garner (Xena: Warrior Princess, Long Kiss Goodnight, ALIAS) and thought, “Yeah, this seems good. I’ll be a “Cait of all trades.” I love to collaborate with other artists, I love to help people learn new skills, and most of all, I love to play the heroes that inspired me to be better than myself. I want to do the same for others. I want to make sure the next generation see themselves on television and movies. Characters that make them feel good about who they are and even better about who they can become. To see what that entails on a day-to-day basis, check out my Instagram feed or website where I keep a professional portfolio and training log.
Do you feel like our city is a good place for businesses like yours? If someone was just starting out, would you recommend them starting out here? If not, what can our city do to improve?
LA locals are privileged enough to come up in the schools that train and attract today’s top performers from all over the world. There are very few cities that can foster a movement artist from novice to accomplished professional, let alone provide the direct network to recruitment and employment opportunities you have here. Shout out to Joining All Movement, The Shaolin Wushu Center, Tempest Free Running Academy, to name a few I can recommend, not to mention Santa Monica Beach and the acrobats, gymnasts, slackliners, and athletes that populate them, for some of the best open-source movement training that’s available to the public! I would recommend this city for any artist or athlete. It will hone your skills and sharpen your tool. It will make you better. Come play with us!!!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.caitlyngracestunts.com/
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hooligan_lars/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caitlyn.g.hubbard
Image Credit:
FightGuy Photography
Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
