Today we’d like to introduce you to Brooke Becker.
Hi Brooke, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I knew that I wanted to be an actor since the third grade when I would force my reluctant friends to take “acting class” at recess and try to learn to cry on cue. I began professionally acting at 17 when I begged my mom to let me join a local acting class in San Diego – through that class I found a local agent and began working in small commercials, industrials, and short films. I always knew that I wanted to live and work in LA, so I made the move when I was a Junior in college. I’ve always had high aspirations for myself, but I was not prepared (as most newer LA actors are) for the massive uphill battle that is Hollywood.
After graduating with an English degree, I began slowly working – I found a local community at the Howard Fine Acting Studio and guest-starred in an episode of PureFlix’s The Encounter. The real catch-22 as a new actor is finding an agent without having many credits. I continued to work small jobs and struggle my way through my early 20s while constantly training and doing anything I could for my career. I struggled with working, I had my heart broken, I couldn’t find representation, and I realized that I wouldn’t become the instant star I thought I would. However, the deep love of acting propelled me forward as it still does.
After finding representation (and getting dropped by them!) multiple times, I was referred by a casting director to my current manager. Although I was getting sporadic auditions, I wasn’t booking. I thought that I had to be a cool, sexy version of myself to compete with the thousands of other actors in my category. I took gorgeous headshots that looked incredible but didn’t give a window into who I am as a person – awkward, quirky, loving, and genuine. I produced my own work but didn’t know what I was doing wrong. When the Covid-19 pandemic came along, I went through multiple surgeries for a chronic health condition and was convinced I may never actually reach my career goals.
I decided – F*** it, what if I tried something new? What if I didn’t try to be what I thought casting wanted me to be? I took new, non-glamorous headshots that actually represented me, joined SAG-AFTRA, and filmed new reel footage. Within a few months, I was getting the auditions I had always dreamed about getting. REAL auditions for real shows. I took audition technique classes and leaned into my personality. Within a year, I booked three roles on TV shows – The Dropout on Hulu, Head of the Class on HBOMax, and another that I can’t announce publicly yet at the time of writing this. I was on avail for a handful more, and am currently a staff writer and recurring on the new independently produced show Parallel for Seasick Studios. I know that it’s a matter of time until my first major guest star booking, and I am deeply grateful for my community and for the opportunities that I have been given.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been the opposite of a smooth road. The road has been bumpy as hell and paved with rejection, tears, depression, anxiety, and health issues. The road will never be smooth, and that’s okay. I deeply question any actor who claims that their career has been easy – it’s just not the nature of the profession. That’s also part of what I love about it. Although I’m a perfectionist and often get in my own way, I really enjoy the challenge.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I love so many different genres, and I enjoy both comedy and drama. I wouldn’t say that I specialize in any one thing, but everything may change as I get older and more experienced. I’m still at the beginning of my journey!
I’m most proud of myself for sticking with it in a career with a 2% employment rate. I have worked numerous odd jobs for years, from tutoring to sampling yogurt in grocery stores – and I’m finally making enough money from doing what I love to cover rent, as well as currently working at a flexible day job that is industry-related that I enjoy. I have made relationships with teachers, fellow creatives, and industry professionals that are so valuable and I feel truly lucky. to be surrounded by a wonderful community. My confidence has grown with experience and training, and I have a lot of hope for the future.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
You can follow me on Instagram at @iambrookebecker for updates on my work and scheduled projects, and reach out to my manager Mark Myers for any project collaborations at [email protected]. You can support me by supporting the community as a whole!
Contact Info:
- Website: imdb.me/brookebecker/
- Instagram: @iambrookebecker
- Other: https://vimeo.com/392846907
Image Credits
Steph Girard, Kathlyn Almeida, Taylor Washington, HULU, HBOMax
