Today we’d like to introduce you to Caroline Anna-Kaye Green.
Hi Caroline Anna-Kaye, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in South Mississippi by the most supportive and selfless parents in the world. From an early age, I remember going to my brother’s speech and debate tournaments or catching every performance of every show they were in. Of course, I wanted to be just like my two role models and I quickly followed in my two older brother’s creative footsteps. When I was nine years old, I decided I wanted to join them on the stage and my parents enrolled me in an after-school musical theatre program, where I quickly fell in love with every aspect of performing. Growing up, I always loved being the center of attention, but when I reached middle school, I started to form a little shell around me. I was the kid with sweaty palms pre-reading my paragraph before it was my turn to read for the class. I had become a little shell that was surrounded by so many talented and outgoing classmates, so I always said, “Why me”? If I could not even read in front of my class, how could I ever imagine performing in front of an audience of people, but something changed. I know it sounds incredibly cheesy and shows my true inner theatre nerd, but it is true. Performing was where I found my childlike, carefree energy again. I could not give a speech to my class, but the moment I stepped on stage, every fear and care left me.
By the time I reached high school, I was the definition of a “theatre kid” and knew performing would be a huge part of my life in some way. My junior year of high school, I decided to move over to screen acting and found myself in my first feature film. I never thought I could love anything more than performing on stage. I remember sitting in the passenger seat of my mom’s car after my first day on set and knowing that I never wanted to do anything else with my life. Fast forward seven years and a few turns in the road, I made it to Los Angeles where I wake up every day getting to do what I love. My little nine-year-old self standing backstage in an Oompa Loompa costume would be so proud.
It took (and still takes) a village to get me to where I am today. I have to thank my family and friends for always being my support and escape when I need it. Thank you Kahlo for always being my being my cheerleader and safe place. Thank you to every mentor along the way: Brenda Shows + StageStruck family, Tammy Nichols, Suzanne Allmon, Shane Cole, Natalia Leigh, Book From Tape team, and everyone who has instilled knowledge and wisdom in me along the way. I will forever be grateful for everyone who lead me to where I am today and their continued love and support.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My journey to where I am today has been filled with so many turns, wrong exits, and more traffic than the 101 freeway (do I really live in Los Angeles if I don’t mention the 101 at least once). After graduating high school, I went to college for one year, where I changed my major 6 times and eventually decided to enroll in cosmetology school. The day I graduated from cosmetology school, I packed up my things and moved to Florida to work for the big mouse. I loved getting to perform in a completely new way and make my childhood dreams come true. Then enters the pandemic. I moved home for a majority of the pandemic and worked in a hospital pushing patients throughout the hospital for 8 hours a day (it might sound awful, but it just might be my favorite job I’ve ever had. I mean, who doesn’t love a chance to test out my best stand up bits on patients while I wheel them down to their x-ray).
After my time as the hospital transporter, I decided to use my cosmetology degree and went to work in a local salon. I quickly realized if I did not take the sudden urge I was having to move, then I might just end up staying in my hometown forever. A week later, I packed up everything I own into my Jeep and set out on what would be the most rewarding decision of my life. I still have to pinch myself every now and then over the fact that I get to call Los Angeles home. Growing up, I always had a vision of how LA would be, but every day I am amazed by this city and the people I am surrounded by. I have met some of the most talented and creative people who only push me to work harder and never underestimate myself.
My journey was not the smoothest and was filled with many days of questioning if I made the right decision, but here I am two years later and would not change my journey one bit. My biggest challenge to get to where I am today has truly been one thing. Me. I have always had the best support system in the world, constantly reminding me that I AM capable. I have always known what I wanted to do with my life, but I repeatedly pushed it off, saying “One day'”. One day I will have my dream life. One day I will believe in myself. One day I will take the chance. I made excuse after excuse until I decided that “one day” was today and I have never looked back.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have had the privilege of working on so many amazing projects since being in LA! From just starting out and booking my first job as background on a Steven Spielberg film to booking a feature film in Santa Barbara, the opportunities have been beyond anything I dreamed I would accomplish in just under two years. I have had the privilege of working on countless commercials for companies such as Universal Studios, Buzzball, and Function of Beauty and got to work on music videos for some of my favorite artists. One of the most surreal experiences was having a short film that I was so lucky to be a part of the premiere at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre. A true pinch-me moment.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I think the three words to describe me as a child are: sassy (what would you expect growing up as the youngest and only girl), curious, and determined. Aside from “sassy”, although my Southern sass does come out every now and again, the last two adjectives are two that I am still proud to carry today. My parents always encouraged my brothers and I to try everything. I do not think there is a hobby we did not try. From karate to piano, my parents enrolled us in any after-school activity that peaked our interest and would support us in any endeavor we set our mind to. Their only requirement was that we put in the work to be the best we could be. If we worked hard, they would be our supportive backbone every step of the way.
Growing up, I think it was very obvious that I would be a performer in some sort of way. If you look at my parent’s old VHS tapes of me, I am always making my brothers and cousins put on costumes and perform skits for the family. I am 100% positive there is a picture buried deep in my mom’s archives of me and my two cousins in frilly nightgowns performing in my family’s living room when we were six years old. I will 100% be showing their future wives that picture on their wedding day. I always loved being the center of attention and forcing my parents to watch whatever show I imagine up. For the low price of $1, you could see anything from a circus performance to a live performance of seven-year-old Hannah Montana.
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Image Credits
Dana Patrick Photography
