Today we’d like to introduce you to Abby Berry.
Hi Abby, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was adopted from Bogotá, Colombia when I was very little, I was raised right outside of Boston, MA. As soon as I was able to walk, I never stopped moving. When I was about 3 or 4 my mom took me to go see my cousin’s dance recital. As soon as the curtains opened in that high school auditorium in the middle of nowhere Massachusetts, the music and lights turned on. I got up from my chair and rushed to the stage as the dancers were coming out. I climbed on up and tried to started dancing until I was dragged off the stage by my mother. That following year in the fall I was enrolled into dance class and I never stopped dancing.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s never ever been a smooth road. Growing up, I was constantly bullied by the students and by the teachers. Where I went to school, I was one of the only POC. And to add to it, I had severe learning disabilities. From Kindergarten to my senior year of high school, even now in college at AMDA, I have always had an IEP. An IEP stands for “Individualized Education Plan.” On my IEP, I would get tests modified for me, I would get taken out of class for “special help”, and I would get extra time on tests. I always felt really stupid and that I wasn’t good enough. And in a way that feeling always co-exists with my adoption trauma. Even though I was very young when I was adopted, I felt like “why didn’t my birth family want me? Why wasn’t I ever good enough, so they could have kept me?”
All of this really affected me when I’ve been auditioning for musical theatre. Whenever I get handed a script cold, I get so anxious when I am trying to read and act, but the words kinda all blend together, and I can’t really do my best in that sort of situation.
I think the worst experience I have had auditioning is when I audition for a Latinx role. The only issue would be is that I don’t speak Spanish. It’s always halfway through the audition process, they ask me “How were you born in Colombia and don’t speak Spanish?” I was adopted by a very sweet, loving white family. However, I never really got to experience Latin/Colombian culture until I went to NYC. For the first time, I saw people who looked and acted like me. It was such a big eye-opener, and I felt less alone for the first time. And currently, I am trying to learn how to speak Spanish and learn more about my Colombian roots. I am hoping after I graduate AMDA LA, I can take a trip to Colombia for the first time since I’ve been adopted.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an actor, singer, dancer, and activist. I am 100% a musical theatre performer. It’s one of my dreams to be in a Broadway show that Lin Manuel Miranda wrote. I am mainly known for my TikTok @abbysberry. It’s where I do anything from TikTok trends, screaming about something random into my bathroom mirror, or dressing as Dora the Explorer. Something that sets me apart from everyone else is that I am a total goofball. I am a very spontaneous, fearless, and risk-taker when it comes to my art. I may not sing like Whitney Houston, but I know I can entertain and make people die laughing. In the last year, I performed at North Shore Music Theatre, Theatre By the Sea, and Firehouse Center for the Arts. I have done a couple of music videos and a couple of commercials, but my favorite was for the ESPN Desportes Super Bowl Commercial.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Slide into my DM’s on Instagram @abbysberry or go to my website www.abbysberry.com and hit me up there. I am always looking to collaborate with others! What I am looking for right now is a photographer, videographer, and sound design team for some upcoming projects!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.abbysberry.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbysberry/?hl=en
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@abbysberry
