We recently connected with April Hartman and have shared our conversation below.

April, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

I’ve been a professional actor now for 17 years. It hasn’t been easy and I think I’ve tried to quit at least a hundred times or more. But I still love it. Every part of it. I knew living in Dallas that I had done all I could do there and it was time to make a change for myself and for my career. I think we all have to reassess our situation from time to time and see what we can do different/better to get where we want to go.

In February of 2022, that’s what I did. I took a look at where I wanted to go as an actor and what I needed to do to get there. I needed to shake things up and do something completely different. So, I decided then and there that moving to a different market that offered different opportunities was a must. In June of 2022, I moved to New Mexico. Quite honestly, it was the scariest thing I’ve ever done. I moved away from family, friends, my son, and the best acting studio (TBell Actors Studio) that I had been a part of for 16 years. The last four years at the studio I started coaching the beginners and that was absolutely amazing. Leaving all that behind was literally tearing me apart but I knew I had to do this for me and my career.

I’ve been in New Mexico now for 6 months. It has had it’s challenges for sure, however, I still believe it was the best decision. I’ve had to make new connections and in a sense, start over. That has been the hardest thing but it has also given me back my hustle that I think I lost a bit of over the last few years. And man, has it been a hustle. But in this short time, I have secured a manager in L.A. (Bedford Artist Mgmt.) signed with a fantastic New Mexico agent (Phirgun Mair) and held on to my superb Southeast agent (Action Talent Agency) and my Chicago agent (Encore Talent). I believe I have the best team going into 2023.

Moving to a new state where you don’t know but one or two people and where no one in the industry knows who I am was a HUGE RISK! I didn’t know what to expect and if people would accept me. So far, it’s been fabulous! I’ve held a few networking events and through this made some absolutely amazing connections. I’ve formed my own production company, have a comedy series in the works (pre-prod) and a feature not far behind. I’ve had the most awesome auditions from my team for some of the best shows on TV. I started working with New Mexico Women in Film and met some fabulous people through the organization. I’ve even shot a little series here. All in all, it’s been amazing.!!

So for those of you thinking about taking a risk or making a huge leap….DO IT! It’s better to try and see what happens then to sit and wonder what would happen. It isn’t east but it is WORTH IT!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I think I always knew I wanted to entertain. I had no idea how to get started but I even remember when I was about 11 or 12 getting a book at the library about how to be an actor. I was in Texas Girls Choir at the time and I DID NOT enjoy the singing part. Mainly because of the hours involved. I was a tomboy and wanted to spend the weekends outside with my friends. The choir required a ton of rehearsals that were often all day Saturday and Tuesday and Thursday nights. Add to that concerts, TV gigs, recording albums, traveling, singing at local gigs and I was NOT a happy camper. It wasn’t until we did the production of a stage play entitled “A County Fair” that a twinkle appeared in my eyes. I was HOOKED. I loved everything about it. I think that exact day/moment was when I decided that’s what I wanted to do…forever.

But life happens and I didn’t immediately commit. I was also a gymnast so that took precedence at the time. I stayed with it throughout my school years until I graduated. More life happened, marriage, job, baby, divorce in between there and all that made it impossible to what I wanted. I did finally make the jump in 2006 to become a full time actor. The rest as they say, is history! I’ve got to do so many amazing projects in that time. I’m so grateful for every single one. There’s not really a project I regret because somehow, they all taught me something.

I LOVE acting. There is still times I want to quit, but I know it’s who I am and what I’m meant to do. So, I continue to do!

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Great question! It’s hard for non-creatives to understand why a creative does what they do. (I hate saying non-creatives thought because I believe that every person has a creative mind. Some just haven’t discovered it yet or hush the voice because their taught it’s not a career.)

For the most part, I don’t think a lot of people understand the day to day struggle. It’s not like I can get up in the morning and decide I’m going to work today. I have to earn that job. I have to do TONS of auditions to get that one yes. It’s hard. It’s a struggle emotionally some days, financially other days and even creatively some days. A creatives brain gets just as exhausted as a person who works and 8-5, M-F job. I’m not comparing the two because I truly believe they both come with highs and lows. For me, I can’t work in an office or in a corporate job. I’ve done it and I feel like I lose a little of my soul. (I know dramatic, but hey, I’m an actor!). I think non-creatives look at creatives often like we’re aloof or crazy or just gluten or punishment. They don’t understand that one gig, one day on set, one yes, can literally make us creatives so unbelievably happy. And that’s what keeps us going back for more.

I think the other big issue (and which I hear all the time when I tell people what I do) is many believe that I actually do this to be famous or to get rich, To which I respond…hahahahaha!!! I’ve been doing this for damn near 20 years and I’m neither famous nor rich. They don’t truly understand the love we have for the craft itself. The absolute adoration we have for making people feel something. The hit of dopamine we get from leaving our heart on the stage or doing a take that we just absolutely nailed. It’s truly exhilarating! What we strive for as actors is constant work. Not fame, not fortune; those are just side effects from working your ass off and working consistently!

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

If you want to support the arts then Support the arts!!! Go to concerts, plays, art museums, movies, read a book, try a new recipe, etc. Think about the world without art. What would you do for entertainment?

Also be kind to those that choose a profession in the arts. Most of us are not making millions a film or millions from a music contract. Most of us are struggling to do what we love. Encourage those around you to do what they love. I grew up thinking this wasn’t an option for a career. I wasn’t taught that. I was taught that you go to school, go to college, get a job, have a family and earn a consistent paycheck. I think a lot of people are taught this and it’s not a bad thing but if you have someone that is showing an interest in art, encourage them. We need artist just as we need people that have 8-5 or corporate jobs. It’s a balance.

Art is interpretive! As a society we have to stop getting offended my someone’s choices or interpretation. If you don’t like something, move on. I don’t watch films I don’t care for and I don’t listen to music I don’t like. Pretty simple. But I would never blast someone for it or scream about how offended I am. I feel strongly about this. If we as a society start regulating what art is ok and what is not, we are stifling artistic flow and that’s not good for anyone.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @april.hartman
• Facebook: facebook.com/aprilhartmanactor
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilhartman
• Twitter: @aprildhartman
• Youtube: @aprilhartman
• Other: IMDB.me/aprilhartman