Today we’d like to introduce you to Trent Mills.
Trent, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve been performing since I was ten when my sister dragged me into a production of Annie Get Your Gun. Since then I’ve had a singular purpose in life of acting, singing eventually writing, producing and dancing when pressed. I studied musical theatre and received a BFA from The Boston Conservatory. Since graduating I’ve worked in and out of the country singing and doing theatre. After finishing up a Production of Evil Dead the Musical in Toronto I returned to New York and realized this just wasn’t where I was supposed to be at that moment
I’d already been writing, producing my own material and realized that both what I ultimately wanted and how I wanted to live was in LA. I gave myself three months, packed up the very few things I owned in the Bronx and moved to LA. I lived in Brentwood the first two years I lived in LA taking care of horses, goats, bunnies and chickens in a prestigious day camp in the hills where I also happened to live (in a trailer in the woods). I quickly got involved with the musical theatre scene in LA. I’d do shows across town then go home and Go glamping(glamour camp). I’ve also continued to write, produce and take any job I can on set to learn as much as I can about every facet of the process of producing TV and Film.
After lucking into a fantastic VO agent (the head of Abrams Artist Agency saw a show and approached me about VO) I’ve been focused on Voice Over though I cannot stop myself from doing lots of theatre around town. I played Shrek last year in 5 Star Theatricals Shrek the Musical which led to my getting to play Marcellus in their iteration of Music Man starring Adam Pascal (of Rent and Aida fame) in October of this year. I’ve been here three years and feel like I’m just beginning to scratch the surface of the multitude of opportunities in LA. I’m currently working on a cartoon pitch, I’m writing a show for Hollywood Fringe Festival and continue to create covers for cabaret venues around LA! I’m living in Silverlake and enjoying how hip I feel as I pass Sqrl on my way to work.
Great, 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?
Finances have always been difficult for me. I grew up from a very poor family and spent a portion of my childhood in motels and ping-ponging back and forth between different parents and grandparents. The transient nature of my childhood set me up for the traveling bohemian life of an actor and singer but I imagine it must be nice to have a home base somewhere in the world which I’ve never had. In this industry, it’s also a little tough to be an odd type. As a 6’4 250 lb goofy tenor, roles can be few and far between. Either I’m really right for something or more often I stick out like a sore thumb in an ensemble. I’ve been blessed with some amazing opportunities in my career but it’s taken me the past ten years of working to really begin accepting the performer that I am and being comfortable with my voice type, a lot of folks want to hear a man of my size singing bass not high B’s.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Getting to perform with Adam Pascal. I played Marcellus to his Harold Hill and on top of that, I got to work with the incredible Brad Ellis, Peggy Hickey, Larry Raben, Patrick Cassidy and the most talented cast I’ve been a part of to date!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gianttrent/
Image Credit:
Bryan Carpender
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.
