Today we’d like to introduce you to Altara Michelle.
Hi Altara, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Thanks! I remember hearing some very wise advice shortly after moving to Los Angeles… Learn to love the journey because it’s a marathon, not a sprint. I think that statement is not only very true but also wonderfully therapeutic for a type A personality like me! As a kid, I acted in plays every summer (for nine years) at a sleep-away camp in upstate NY. My first acting roles included playing Frenchy in Grease and Gaston’s sidekick Lefou in Beauty and the Beast at The Eddie Cantor Theater in Cold Spring, NY. This is the same camp that Neil Diamond and Jerry Stiller went to as kids! I didn’t perform with the musical theater crew in high school, but I did take improv classes, which were great. I was a competitive gymnast and an NCA All-American cheerleader, who was voted “Most Talkative” by my senior classmates. I’ve worked in many different industries like the news, publishing, modeling, advertising, sales, and even teaching preschool, all while pursuing my acting career, auditioning, working in voiceover and as of May 2021 attending Fordham University where I am on track to get my Masters in Social Work (2023). The plan is to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and to practice psychotherapy, while also pursuing a Masters in Public Policy. I would ultimately love to end up working for the U.S. Senate or The House of Representatives, in either a legislative role or becoming an elected official.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
How do we define a “smooth road”? Success is never a straight line and we shouldn’t compare our journey to someone else’s. I have always listened to my gut, and trusted my instincts. I knew that no matter what, I would always figure it out, which I have! I feel like I have grown up in Hollywood, since I came to Los Angeles right after graduating college (by myself!) at 21 years old. LA is definitely home, even though I am a native New Yorker. I would love to work on a show that films there and be bicoastal. The dream is to work on a show like SVU or Organized Crime… Mariska, call me! Ideally, my future career will resemble that of Kal Penn. I plan to work in politics and entertainment. An acting teacher once said that we should wake up everyday saying to ourselves, “I’m just beginning”. I love becoming a better me today, than I was yesterday. All we can ask of ourselves is to keep learning, thriving and growing. I have a wonderful team of agents and managers, so my job is to do the things that make me happy, stay healthy and be dedicated to doing great work. I have truly learned how to enjoy the journey, and although the best has yet to come, I know with certainty that it will!
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
You can find me on Facebook, Linked In, Instagram and you can subscribe to my updates at www.AltaraMichelle.com!
If you are looking for a voiceover quote or to book me on an on-camera job, the “contact me” link on my website will direct you to all of my reps or you can always email me directly!
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.AltaraMichelle.com
- Instagram: @altaramichelle
- Facebook: Altara Michelle
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3KRVBjF0-pc
Image Credits:
Huebner Headshots Iridescent Productions
