Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Chen.
Hi Courtney, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area as a competitive dancer – meaning I was at the dance studio more than 20 hours a week. To help pay for my classes and competitions I would help teach the children’s dance classes which was absolutely adorable.
After I graduated high school, I went to The Boston Conservatory where I studied and practiced performing arts for a little over a year. On the weekends I found myself taking the Chinatown bus from Boston to New York for any opportunity to audition as a professional dancer.
After ups and downs, struggles, hard work and determination, I was hired by Disney to perform and sing on stage as a Disney Princess for Tokyo Disneyland. It was one of the most magical and life changing experiences, that I’m so thankful for.
After moving back to the states I performed at Universal Studios doing shows such as Waterworld, Grinchmas, Bill and Ted’s and then opened the Wizarding World performing in the Triwizard Tournament Show. While I was performing I also started my voice over career and voiced cartoons, video games, national commercials, and movies.
Then in 2017, I went in for an audition for my first motion capture job and worked on that project on and off for 7.5 years – that project was Avatar the Way of Water and Avatar Fire and Ash. Being part of the performance capture troupe and cast was life changing. Since then I have worked on other projects and movies and have enjoyed being able to play pretend any chance I get. 7 months ago I started a kids youtube channel called “Courtney Shares Joy” where I have created fun and imaginative worlds to learn and explore together. When I am not on set or working on “Courtney Shares Joy” you can find me creating face of the brand content for companies. At the end of the day, I’m an artist. Whether I’m performing on set, bringing characters to life through voiceover, or creating joyful experiences for kids on Courtney Shares Joy, I feel incredibly lucky to wake up every day and do what I love. Sharing stories, making people smile, and sparking imagination—that’s what truly fulfills me.
Alright, 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?
My mom was a single parent raising three kids on her own, which made my siblings and I incredibly close. Pursuing your dreams is never easy, but I’ve worked hard to get where I am today. This career has brought both incredible highs and difficult lows. I learned to handle rejection quickly, but I also saw every setback as a chance to grow.
The longer I spent in the industry, the thicker my skin became, the harder I worked, and the stronger my mindset grew. Every day, I choose to be grateful and to approach life with a positive attitude. In a field full of talented individuals, it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparison, but one of the best lessons I’ve learned is that there’s more than enough opportunity for all of us. Instead of competing, we should celebrate each other’s successes—because when one of us wins, we all do.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I always tell people that I play pretend for a living—what a dream, right?
I am a performance capture artist, stunt actress, voice artist, and content creator. I love storytelling and bringing characters to life. From blockbuster films like Avatar: The Way of Water, Roadhouse, and the upcoming Avatar: Fire and Ash to my own kids’ YouTube channel, Courtney Shares Joy, I get to explore and showcase my versatility in so many ways.
Beyond film and animation, I also work as a content creator, helping brands tell their stories in an engaging and authentic way. Whether it’s bringing a character to life on screen or crafting compelling digital content, my goal is always the same—to make people feel something.
My journey has taught me resilience, discipline, and the importance of bringing joy into everything I do. I approach every project with heart, enthusiasm, and the belief that storytelling has the power to connect us all.
I’m beyond grateful that I get to play pretend for life!
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Believe in yourself. The only difference between you and the person living your dream is that they believed they could do it. It’s not about comparison—it’s about trusting in your own potential and being grateful for the opportunities that come your way. There is space for everyone, and your unique voice and talents matter. Surround yourself with people who lift you up, stay humble, work hard, and believe in yourself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://courtney-chen.carrd.co/#portfolio
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneycchen/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPot57pawov72BJFM1mgCow
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoxSQcdWEYk
