We recently connected with Rebel Actors and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Rebel Actors thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

It was a multi-step process. We began as a small reel business, creating scenes for actors to use in submissions or for general self-promotion. We handled every aspect of the production, from the initial consultation to the final edit. It was important to us not only to provide excellent service but also to offer our clients a more affordable way to get the footage they needed.

We did that for about a year, and during that time, we found ourselves having more and more discussions about how else we could help actors. The industry has changed so much over the years, and the days of being **just**an actor are pretty much gone—now, more than ever, you have to produce and create your own opportunities. And the best way to do that is by surrounding yourself with others who are doing the same.

So, we said, “How about we start a membership community for actors?” We wanted to make it different from other places out there — we set out to take a truly holistic approach and consider what the modern-day actor needs. That’s why we offer so much!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Rebel Actors is the game-changing brainchild of 4 New York based creatives who envisioned a different way of navigating the fraught and frequently tempestuous experience of being a professional actor. We are a membership community created by actors, for actors, to revolutionize how we connect, grow, and thrive in the entertainment industry.

Founded by two married couples embedded in the entertainment world—Hannah Beck and Sean Hoagland (actors and producers) along with Melanie Fox (accent / dialect coach) and David Davino (actor and voice-over artist), — we seek to empower actors at all levels by providing a supportive and collaborative community where actors can build relationships with other creatives, access tools and opportunities to elevate their craft and careers, and push the boundaries of individual artistry.

We’re here for everyone. We welcome performers from all mediums—film, TV, theater, voice-over, and beyond. Our goal is to be an inclusive space where every actor feels seen, heard, and valued.

It’s been a rough few years for the entertainment industry – COVID, the dual strikes, and of course most recently the devastating fires in Los Angeles. Global markets are increasing in prominence, streaming has outpaced traditional broadcasting and the use of AI is quickly on the rise. Opportunities are harder to come by than ever. Our hope is to try to counteract the chaos of this moment by providing a space for actors to come together, collaborate and grow. Passion, perseverance, and genuine connection can create opportunities even in the toughest times.

When you become a member, here are some of the things you get access to:
– fun networking parties
– a recurring in-person scene and monologue jam where you can come and “work out”
– bi-monthly readings of original work written by members
– an exclusive film festival featuring work created by members
– our inside-the-industry series featuring timely chats with expert guests from all facets of the industry
– a weekly community meet-up for members to engage, network and receive support
– access to our members-only app where participants can connect with fellow Rebels, promote work, and find audition opportunities
– an original handbook created just for actors, featuring a goal tracker, daily actionable tasks and more
– exclusive discounts to other small businesses we have partnered with including headshot photographers, wellness practitioners and make up artists

Members also receive discounts to all of our premium services including: Reel Scenes, Coaching, and specialty pop up workshops.

It’s a lot! :) By offering all of this, our sincere hope is to see our members thrive. Success for us means seeing our members not just land roles but find fulfillment, confidence, and joy in their craft and profession. It’s about creating a ripple effect and passing it forward.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

David and Sean initially met at a restaurant in New York City where they were both servers. They connected over their shared love of acting and became fast friends. Cut to a few years later when David popped the question. No, not that question, the **other** question: Do you want to go into business together? And the rest, as they say, is history . . . Rebel Actors was born from late-night conversations between two couples who know the industry inside and out. Together, they realized there was a visceral need for a space where actors could connect, collaborate, and grow without the dread of competition or judgment.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Rebel Actors isn’t officially launched just yet, so we are in the process of establishing our audience now! Our approach is to build our social media presence by being authentic, engaging and fun. We share real experiences from the creative journey – the wins, the struggles and everything in between – to genuinely connect with our audience. Humor is also a big part of our approach because we believe in making the industry feel more accessible and up-lifting. Engagement is key, so we actively foster meaningful conversations and support. Our goal is to provide value through industry insights, motivation, and a sense of camaraderie, all while staying true to who we are.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://rebelactors.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/therebelactors
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/therebelactors
• Linkedin: https://Linkedin.com/in/RebelActors

Image Credits

for the branding / high concept photos: David Doobinin for the behind the scenes / event photos: Rebel Actors team