Meet Duvall O’Steen of New York

Today we’d like to introduce you to Duvall O’Steen.

Hi Duvall, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am one of those multi-hyphenates! A professional actor and freelance fine jewelry publicist, I often feel like the plate spinner in the circus, running between deadlines, clients, journalists, auditions, and more. I grew up in Texas and have been acting since junior high school. Dallas was good to me – I had the opportunity to hone my skills in local and traveling productions, while going to grad school at SMU. I fell in love with art history and knew that both my passions for acting and art would be well served in New York City. I finally saved up enough to move to NYC in 1999. I celebrated the new Millennium in the Big Apple and cried with all New Yorkers on 9/11. From a temp agency, I ended up in the right place at the right time and eventually became the Director of Jewelry PR and Promotion for World Gold Council for almost 11 years. All the while, I was still training as an actor at William Esper and many other places, as well as doing live theatre productions regularly. I even started my own theatre company with two friends – Working Girls Productions. We funded our own shows and even came out in the black (a rare fete for Off Off Broadway productions). After leaving WGC, I went freelance and decided to focus more on film and television roles. I landed representation and started auditing and booking roles in TV shows like FBI Most Wanted, Bull, The Blacklist, Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and Hulu’s Difficult People. I still train as an actor somewhat regularly and am working on two new plays in development. I continue to audition whenever my agent finds suitable roles for me on camera. And the jewelry work has really kept me busy. I never advertise, but word of mouth keeps clients coming my way. I am so very grateful to New York and the fine jewelry industry. Both have been very good to me. I am one lucky lady.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Being a publicist AND an actor, I am constantly dealing with rejection. Press pitches or invitations that go ignored or auditions that you never hear back from. I think eventually I learned that it’s not personal – I have to welcome the opportunities but also let them go. When it is right, it will happen. I trust the bigger picture. Gratitude keeps me counting my blessings instead of moping over disappointments. And when I can’t shake the disappointment or feelings of sadness/failure/woe, there’s always a good strong margarita with my name on it at my favorite Mexican place!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an actor and a poet and a communications strategist. At heart, I love story telling. The best press pitches come from telling the story of my client’s brands. My best work as an actor happens when I commit to the story – it’s not about me, it’s about the character’s needs/wants/desires. I believe my approach to both acting and PR are as individual as the brands I represent and as the characters I play. Learning to tell a good story, either in writing or on the stage, has been a valuable asset and kept me working all these years. It helps that I love it. I love the artistry behind fine jewelry – the craftsmanship, the design inspiration, the precious materials that come from the core of the earth. Jewelry designers and makers are artists, like me, just in a different media. And I love the human stories that make up terrific scripts! As long as I remember to be of service to the story, I can usually take ego out of it and rely on my deep well of compassion and empathy to bring about success (in either career).

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
My 5 lb Yorkie, Benji Love!! I never knew the depth of my ability to love until I had my first Yorkie. Smart, fun, loyal, playful… there is no such thing as a bad day with a Yorkie. (He’s on Instagram as @benjilovenyc if you want to see how cute he is.) Benji and his Daddy, my significant other, make my life better in every possible way. I am so grateful to have them to share my life with – celebrating the highs, commiserating with the lows, and finding so many delightful things to laugh about and be grateful for. No matter happens in life, I am have two companions (my man and Benji) that will always make me smile.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.duvallosteen.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/duvallosteennyc/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/duvall-o-steen-26999616/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DuvallOSteen
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/duvallosteen/