We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Teresa Catherine a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Teresa, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
For a long time, I resisted being a mulit-hyphenate. I wanted to be an ACTOR. And I feared if I did anything else, I would not be considered an actor. After all, as is constantly repeated in college programs across the country – if there’s something else you can/want to do, you should do that instead. (PS This is so damaging and toxic – I beg you to stop saying this shit).
But I struggled with being “just an actor” because A. waiting to be deemed worthy by the industry is a slow, painful death and B. at my core, I’m a storyteller. I was, admittedly, very slow to accept these truths. And it look a pandemic to force my hand.
I finally embraced the full possibility of my creativity – actor-writer-producer. And the projects I’ve created under my production company, Maid & Prince Productions, are an incredible source of pride in a way things before were not. Especially my last short, Only the Dead.
My previous projects had been self-funded on a shoestring budget, with me wearing as many hats as possible throughout production. But with every new project I take on, my aim is to grow bigger and better. Only the Dead was my sink-or-swim moment – Could I find the funds to produce a $30k short? Could I gather, lead, and support a professional team on-set? Could I make an award-winning short?
That last question remains to be seen. But if Only the Dead showed me anything, it’s that anything I put my mind to and wholeheartedly believe it, I will find a way. Every step of the way, I thought I would fail. And every time, I didn’t fail. I remember so clearly the two and a half day shoot being so easy. Challenging, yes. Demanding, yes. Exhausting, of course. But there was an ease to it all. We’d set ourselves up for success with preparation and a killer team. And, honestly, it felt amazing. It can be like this – telling incredible stories with talented people for a living.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I’ve always loved stories. Growing up, when I wasn’t buried in a good book, I was playing make believe. Or recreating my favorite movies (mostly classic Disney animation). In my freshman year of high school, I explored her love of stories through writing – working for my town’s local newspaper and delving into fictional short stories. But It wasn’t until my sophomore year that I took her first acting class. And I never looked back.
A graduate of Clemson University (B.A., Performing Arts) and The Catholic University of America (M.F.A., Acting), my education placed an emphasis on both classical theatre and developing new works, while instilling a drive to create in the absence of opportunity.
Not satisfied with keeping herself boxed into one title, I love the mulit-hyphenate title of actor-writer-producer. And while watching my friends and family use the coronavirus quarantine to pivot and establish their own creative businesses, I realized it was time to make my dreams a reality. And so, in January 2021, Maid & Prince Productions was born.
Maid & Prince has become an award-winning production company (Joke’s on You – Best Actress, Best Fan Film | Rocket (wo)Men – Best Short Film). Most recent projects include Only the Dead (which will have its premiere at Raindance NYC in November), interiroem pueri (short film in pre-production), and UnCon (pilot in development).
With a commitment to representation both on and off camera, every story told by Maid & Prince is female-led – featuring either a female lead, a female director, and/or a female writer (with the term “female” taking the broad context of any individual who identifies as she/her). Additionally, every production will have a minimum of 50% female-identifying staff – to include cast, crew, and production staff.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
In undergrad, I wasn’t cast in a main stage show until my junior year. In grad school, I wasn’t cast until my second year. When I moved to NYC, I didn’t get my first professional audition for three years. I didn’t book my first SAG role for five years.
And yet, I’m one of the very few of my graduating classes still pursing an acting career.
Only you determine if you’re going to make it. Talent will take you so far. But grit and determination, and getting back out there after every single no is equally, if not more, important.
Make your own work in the meantime. Help take the edge off, and deepen your connection to you community.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My big d DREAM is to be a series regular on a show I created and executive produce. I’ve found television draws me the most – I love the development and depth a series allows.
And with the show, I will continue to advocate and advance women in the industry. Both by ensuring women are equitably represented across all roles, and telling stories that empower and elevate women.
Contact Info:
- Website: teresacatherine.com
- Instagram: @teresacatherine, @maid.and.prince.productions
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI0DHQXIkQjyWyVdcZT76fg