Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Abby Gumpper. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Abby thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I’m one of those cases of: once I got a taste for acting, I never looked back. In middle school, depending on our grade-point average, we were able to opt out of reading and into a chosen elective. On a whim, I chose the “drama” elective. Acting completely changed my life from the first moment I stepped on stage. My father had passed away from cancer a few years prior to the drama class, and acting finally gave me the tools to begin to heal. I think that’s the most beautiful thing about art, you heal yourself while showing others a path to healing. Performing also gave me the opportunity to be seen in a way that felt safe. Ironic, when you think about memorizing lines and shouting them a stage. But it gave me some authority over myself. While also giving me a chance to play other characters, and get to see other ways to live and walk through life. At the ripe age of 13, I was not able to put words to all of these changes, but I did know that I was hooked. Acting and creating was it for me, til death do us part.
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 am a SAG-AFTRA actor based in New York City. I went to Pace University where I studied acting, with a focus on creating original works of theatre in collaborative groups. My past few years have been a bit more film centered: last year I wrapped on two feature length films “The Undead” and “Highway-905”. I’ve had two short films screen and win awards at Manhattan Film Festival, “Better Off Alone” and “Perfect”. The proof of concept I was honored to be a part of “Passion Fruit: Nick’s Story” premiered at Cinema Art’s Centre on Long Island.
In the theatre realm, I started off this year playing the leading role of Catherine in a production of “Proof”. I will finish this year playing the role of Jodie Foster in the new musical “Killing Republicans” at Theater for a New City in the East Village. We open on 11/30 and run for three weekends!
Storytelling is one of my favorite things in the world. I think it is so powerful and I feel so lucky to be in the business of storytelling.
Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?
Podcasts have been a huge game changer for me as an actor. College is so centered on craft, that once you leave, you don’t have a great idea of where to begin in a career. That’s where podcasts moved me from an acting student to an acting professional. I highly recommend “Audrey Helps Actors”, “Think Bigger Podcast”, and “One Broke Actress”. They have such an expansive amount of knowledge, that people can begin to piece together the first steps into making a career in acting. By no means do I have it figured out, but I can’t imagine what my journey would have been like without their insight.
I also think it’s important for artists to know that they don’t need to be starving to make good art. Financial freedom allows more opportunity and flexibility in art. Financial freedom is the difference between being able to take off a week of work from your day job to do the low paying short film that’ll give you amazing Footage for your reel. My favorite financial podcast is “Financial Feminist”. Miata Edoga at “Abundance Bound” is an amazing resource for artists.
I’m also currently working through “The Artist’s Way” (heyyyy week 5!) and it’s opened so much creativity in me. I haven’t finished, but so far, it’s really worthy the hype.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
There are so many wonderful things about being an artist, but I think my favorite is the creatives’ relationship with humanity. We are so lucky to get to work in a genre that is human/human experience centered. When I get cast in a project, I essentially get to create a new family with all of the creatives on that project. Relationships are made quickly and deeply, because they need to. There is a level of trust and understanding: I see you and your vision and I am grateful for it. I love getting the chance to meet and work with so many new people. Then, when you work with someone again it really is like a family reunion.
Acting has lead me to be a more compassionate and curious person. I want to understand and love people deeply and it’s beautiful that I can channel that into my work.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.abbygumpper.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbygumpper/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbygumpperactor/
- IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11200785/
Image Credits
Headshot: Jessica Osber. Photos are from “Passion Fruit: Nick’s Story”, BTS from “Better Off Alone” and BTS from “The Undead”. Daniel Rader Photography for “Ava Wrestle’s The Alligator”