Today we’d like to introduce you to Dorothy Mannine.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Growing up, my family moved around a lot, and even though I had met a lot of people and seen a lot of places, I never felt like I was free to be who I was. I had so much passion burning in me and felt like I always had to quiet my voice to fit in with my surroundings. I was always an incredibly creative child, I was in dance class for years, played four instruments, and would seize every moment to put on a musical production for my family. Yet with all of these endeavors, I still felt like I was being boxed in. That was until I joined Theatre Arts class in high school. The moment I tried acting, I felt free. I finally felt like I understood who I was. My teacher, the incredible Kirstin Daniel, helped ignite the fire in me further, and her belief in me inspired me to pursue this field professionally. My senior year of high school, the prestigious acting conservatory, The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, reached out to me to audition for the program.
After being accepted, at only 17, I moved directly to Los Angeles on my own to attend the school and go after my dream. I had a successful two years of training and was accepted into the theatre company, in which I starred in play productions for an entire year. In the years to come, my career as continued to blossom as I’ve starred in commercials with brands like Honda and Proactiv, feature films, and even a show on HGTV. I’m also establishing my social media presence on platforms like Tiktok, Instagram, and Twitch, bringing you a mix of acting skits, inspirational speeches, and me just being me. All of this is to say that you shouldn’t settle with where you are, allow yourself to go after that fire that is within you, and don’t be afraid.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
As they say “smooth roads never make great drivers”. I’ve had my share of challenges, getting into relationships that were no good for my mental health and held me back, being 3000 miles away from my family, dealing with financial struggles of living in an expensive city and being on your own, the pressure of accomplishing when you decide to do something “out of the norm”. There are countless struggles that we all face, but we learn from them and they make us stronger. You can guarantee that I don’t make the same mistake twice.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
What sets me apart is my empathy, and I think that’s why I love acting so much. In everything I do, I strive to relate to other people and to show them that they are not alone. I often use my platform to talk about topics that uplift and empower others. Through my acting and through being myself on social media, my intention is to build a community. To remind us all that we are all connected, and I understand and accept them for who they are. I was so afraid of being myself for so long, I’m proud to be in a place now where I stand tall and encourage others to do the same.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I believe that everything in our lives happens in divine order, and exactly as it’s meant to. If it weren’t for those lessons learned, I wouldn’t be who I am today. If I had to turn back and tell my younger self anything, it would be to watch out for surrounding myself with the wrong people, to just get up and do it, even if you don’t feel like it, and that things will get better, and to have faith.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dorothymannine/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dorothyjeannemannine/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Dorothymannine
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@dorothymannine?lang=en
https://www.twitch.tv/dorothyleftkansas
Image Credit:
AADA, Ana Karotkaya, Jonathan Rowan, Ron Gardner, Blair Chambers
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