Today we’d like to introduce you to Cassandra Ballard.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have found myself standing on a stage somehow, somewhere, since I was six years old. Over time, it has become profoundly apparent to me that this will never change for me – and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I know everyone in my line of work says they’ve been creative as long as they can remember but that stereotype applies to myself, as well. Whether it was starring in the 4th of July “Little Miss Firecracker” contest when I was in 1st grade, building secret forts in my childhood woods where endless make-believe stories were born, putting on fashion shows with my older sisters and forcing my mother to watch (sorry mom), becoming absolutely obsessed with Narnia and Harry Potter worlds and insisting on watching them on repeat until the tapes gave out, or eventually landing on my home town’s “big stage” in High School and starring in all the plays and musicals throughout those four pivotal years – I kept finding myself drawn to the great power of storytelling.
After a bit of commercial success in my teen years, I decided to really pursue acting when I got out of High School and subsequently attended Lindenwood University in St. Louis, Missouri. Moving away from The Ozarks and to a big city, I learned a lot about life and being an “adult” with almost complete autonomy. However, the most valued lesson I had gained was that acting was ONE HUNDRED PERCENT my destined path in life and I needed to professionally pursue it no matter what. Enter Los Angeles! After three years of hard work and early graduation, I packed up everything I owned into my 2005 Pontiac Grand Am and hit the road for the Wild Wild West.
Every ounce of success I’ve attained since has been a result of zero luck and absolute hard work, blood, sweat, and tears…..a lot of tears.
Has it been a smooth road?
Nooooooo. I would describe the road as filled with potholes, not well-lit, and often unmarked with any signage or indication as to where the hell you’re going. Suffice it to say, this adventure is not for the faint of heart! One of the bigger and reoccurring obstacles I ran into early on was figuring out how to even get my foot into the right rooms. Then, how to keep doing it?! Just starting is the hardest part of starting. There is no magical answer to this. I learned to just say YES to anything and everything that came my way even if it felt small and unimportant. Anytime I run into a dead-end on this unpredictable road, I remind myself of one constant truth – work breeds work. I believe this wholeheartedly, even if I often find myself forgetting it and re-finding it.
Of course, there has also been the typical actor problems along the way. Almost booking a major series regular role, coming so close, and then losing it. You take a major hit. And there are always the constant actor’s questions- What’s my “typecast”? How many of these networking events should I be going to? Are showcases important? What are agents and managers looking for? What are Casting Directors looking for? What is ANYONE out here looking for?! And to all of that, I say, just do you. I don’t worry so much about the right or wrong way to do things anymore. It doesn’t exist. People respect when you’re being your authentic self – even if the role isn’t for you. There’s another role around the corner that is. It’s all about sticking around long enough to stumble upon it.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
One of the more recent and exciting projects I had the pleasure of working on was the feature film “Bloodline” (2019) co-produced by Blumhouse Productions and Divide/Conquer and released by Momentum Pictures. It was directed by Henry Jacobson and starred Seann William Scott, Mariela Garriga, Dale Dickey, and Kevin Carroll. I had the divine honor of playing Dale Dickey’s younger self (“Marie Cole”) and the mother of young “Evan Cole” (played by Scott). “Bloodline” was one of those career milestones for myself. It was my first big theatrically released project and it was overwhelming to sit in a movie theater (somewhere you can find me five out of the seven days of the week) and watch MYSELF on the big screen. I’m not going to lie, it felt amazing. As an actor, you rarely get to see the fruits of your labor. All the auditions, classes, emails, workshops, showcases, masterclasses, and events often come and go without a visible, tangible end result. So, to see a huge payoff like that, to see all of your hard work has resulted in something beautiful and artistic and real…there’s nothing like it. If you love horror films and a little bit of camp, this is the movie for you! It’s available now on Itunes and Amazon.
As far as upcoming projects – I’m delighted to say that I’ll be co-starring on an episode of Marvel’s “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” on ABC, airing August 12th! You can also catch the episode, titled “The End is at Hand”, on Amazon (Season 7, Episode 12). Talk about another milestone….it doesn’t get much bigger than Marvel. Although I was only a small part of such an enormous production, it still felt monumental for me. The sheer size of it all – the costumes, the sets, the amount of time and people poured into every little detail – it felt like Disneyland. I am truly humbled and just over the moon that I got to experience it all.
Past work of mine includes commercials for ESPN, Wal-Mart, Farmer Boys, Oral-B, and Boys Town. Theatrical/TV credits include “Declassified” (CNN) and “Big Brother” (CBS), along with Voice Over work for CarbonTV and Slate+Glass.
As for future hopes and dreams – I would LOVE to be in a space film, think Sigourney Weaver in “Alien”. I’ve always been drawn to strong, kick-ass female characters in movies, whether watching or acting. There’s something so powerful about women being portrayed on screen as the fearless and brave creatures we really are! That’s the good stuff. Also on the wish list would be literally anything by A24. I am a huge fan of their work. I would die happy to work with directors Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach in any capacity. Current film/tv obsessions: “Frances Ha”, “Twentieth Century Women”, “Apocalypse Now”, “Punch Drunk Love”, “A Ghost Story”, “Succession” (HBO), and for the second time around “The OA” (Netflix).
Fun Facts about myself: I love hiking and completed the 100 mile “Wonderland Trail” around Mt. Rainier in eight days to raise funds and awareness for non-profit “Wells Bring Hope”. I’ve been trained in Muay Thai, horse riding, and ballet. I grew up on a dairy farm in The Ozarks. I’m obsessed with the 70’s and dreamed of being a groupie when I was younger. Sorry again Mom.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Los Angeles is like a fever dream. I’m constantly looking around me and asking myself “Is this really happening”? I love the palpable possibility that this city offers. It is endless and exhilarating and at times exhausting. As much as I love the “anything can happen” mentality that LA oozes, it has its downers for sure. The city never turns off, so it’s hard for me as a human and artist to turn off. But above all, I love that this city is for dreamers like me. No other place feels like its arms are opened as wide as Los Angeles’.
Contact Info:
- Website: imdb.me/cassandraballard
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cassandra_bree/?hl=en
Image Credit:
Emily Helen 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.
