Today we’d like to introduce you to Savannah Brown.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Savannah. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I grew up in La Habra Heights, CA with both parents working in music and theater. Growing up in a creative atmosphere shaped my life. A career in the arts was the “norm” and not the exception in my immediate and extended family.
I started dancing at the age of seven at Hart Academy of Dance. This is where I learned what hard work and dedication looked like for me. I spent the next ten years of training under some of the best teachers and choreographers in the world. I would spend at least 20 hours a week studying tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, and contemporary dance. I attended Sonora High School where I participated in the honors programs, dance team, track and field, and cheer.
Surprisingly, it wasn’t until my senior year in HS that I got involved in theater. They were putting on “The Sound of Music” and I wanted to play the part of “Liesl,” the oldest of the Von Trapp children. I was swamped with dance competitions and college applications, so I couldn’t take on a huge part. You can imagine my surprise when I walked out with the lead, “Maria.” I spent all of Christmas getting off book for the part, reading lines with my dad on our family vacation, and rehearsing songs with my mom. It was a great experience, but way more than I bargained for.
Applying for college was tough. I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do, but I knew that it needed to be a school with a good theater program. My top schools were UCLA and Carnegie Mellon, two very different programs, on opposite coasts.
I ended up getting into UCLA in the school of Theatre, Film, and Television with an “Integrated Studies Emphasis.” I had no idea what that meant, but I was just excited to get in. This program allowed me to audition for the Spirit Squad/Dance Team. I could pick what classes I wanted to take, and it was less regimented than the Musical Theater track I originally desired. It was perfect for me. I spent the next two years traveling around the world with my team. We performed in China and I was invited to teach dance in Japan with children dealing with the emotional and physical aftershock of the Tsunami of 2011. I spent a month with these precious and understandably traumatized children, and the experience changed me. They had everything taken away from them, including parents, but they still walked into class with smiles on their faces and energy to persevere through another day. It was at this point in my education I decided to get a certificate in Arts Education at UCLA.
The next four years were some of the hardest, but most rewarding. I graduated with a BA in Theater in 2014 and quickly moved to NY. Auditions were scarce, so my best friend, Chase O’Donnell and I created a musical comedy duo called “Too Blondes.” After two years of hopping around every comedy and cabaret club, and performing nationally and internationally, we won a Broadway World Award for Best Duo and received our first New York Times Review. We also created a podcast available on iTunes called “Behind Too Blondes” and we continue to create comedy sketches (so stay tuned). Creating your own work from scratch with your best friend and experiencing success is a real thrill.
Last year I made the big move back to Los Angeles, to pursue acting in film & television. I have a wonderful community and support system in Los Angeles and it’s been a nice change of pace. It took a few months, but I now have a terrific manager and agent. I’m also finishing up my last course at the Upright Citizens Brigade and studying with Lesly Kahn.
Has it been a smooth road?
That’s a great question, and honestly, most of my life had been very smooth up until 2018. I went through a rough divorce just over a year ago. After having a big New York wedding and sharing my new British husband with the world, everything was flipped upside down. It was a total blindside. Let’s just say the life we planned was no longer what he wanted.
This was a huge turning point for me. I sometimes catch myself replaying it in my head and the emotions come rushing back but I rely on my incredible support system and am fortunate to get the help I need, both professional and personal. My ex left the country and I never heard from him again. After all the pain, I can proudly say I love deeply. I feel deeply, but I also know when it’s time to move on.
As I sit here thinking about this, I’m grateful I haven’t always had a smooth road. Because of the difficult times, I’ve gained a new understanding and empathy I didn’t have before. I’m a better person and artist because of it.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
This year I signed with Vanguard Management, HRI Talent Agency, and Ideal Fit Models. I currently have four jobs to pay the bills, but the goal is to get it down to 2-3. Haha. But in all honesty, I love what I do and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I could sit here and complain about not getting enough auditions, but my life wouldn’t be where it is today. In NY I hustled in catering and played “Alice in Wonderland” at kids’ birthday parties at the adorable restaurant “Alice’s Tea Cup.”
One of the best opportunities to come out of this last year in LA has been “fit modeling.” I work for several companies but my most frequent is the clothing company “Rails.” It’s a perfect job for me between acting and auditions. I’m also a dance teacher for a couple dance studios and I privately coach several children in the business. It’s lovely to go back to my roots and I hope to inspire my students to continue working hard in pursuing their dream. This may sound trite, but I’m proud of my outlook on life. I wake up every day excited to work and grateful for these opportunities that help me stay afloat while I continue to pursue acting. I’m very driven, but it never gets in the way of the present moment.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
That’s a great question! It’s a very exciting time because the market continues to expand. It’s maybe the new golden age of television. The industry also may be moving to self-tapes, instead of live auditions. This could give actors the flexibility to live all over the world and be less confined to LA. It’s a very expensive city, and it’s getting hard for most of us to afford it without three side jobs, or being booked consistently.
Pricing:
- Dance Coaching- Privates: $75/hr
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tooblondes.com
- Phone: 562-266-7722
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @iamsavannahbrown
Image Credit:
Witness Wolf Photography
Kevin Alvey
Stacy Sullivan Photography
Bley
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.
