We recently connected with Ashlee Lawhorn and have shared our conversation below.

Ashlee, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

Within the world of acting, learning is something that never truly stops. I believe learning anything is an ever-growing journey. As an actor, this is no different.

In this line of work there are so many techniques and philosophies that people can utilize to hone their craft. I believe the best way to go about learning the craft of acting is to try a lot of different ways of learning. Work with many teachers on a variety of different topics which can include scene study, audition prep, characterization, etc. and figure out what works best for you. Which teachers do you respond well to? What acting class challenged you but still respected your boundaries? These are just a few of the many questions I ask myself when looking into acting studios and coaches.

Knowing what I know now, I feel like I could have sped up the learning process a little bit for myself If I would have committed to being an actor a lot sooner. It was something I had wanted to do for a long time and I was always too nervous to take the leap into it. If anything, I wish I could back and tell myself to just go for it and not be afraid of the unknown because some of the most amazing moments in this life happen when you stop living out of fear.

Although I wish I would’ve started earlier, I’m still thankful for my journey and timeline. I like to keep the mentality that everything happens when it’s supposed to happen. If one door closes there’s a lot more waiting for me right around the corner.

Ashlee, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m an actress, drummer, and boxer from the heart of Columbus, Ohio. My acting journey began after I graduated from Shawnee State University with a bachelor’s in Psychology.

I started taking classes with the Howard Fine Acting Studio in LA and Broadway2LA in Columbus, both in-person and online. I spent a whole year studying and training before auditioning for anything. I wanted to make sure that I had a grasp on the art of acting and the business itself before diving in and putting myself out there.

Drumming has been a huge part of my life for a little over 16 years now. I’ve played with numerous bands throughout the Midwest and was in the marching band all through school. Drumming is my way of reconnecting with myself whenever I feel off. There’s something about playing early 2000s punk rock that just brings me back to my center.

I picked up boxing after high school and have been fortunate enough to train with some amazing coaches, including Karate World Champion Tokey Hill. Boxing has become a real passion of mine, offering both a physical and mental workout.

Since starting my acting journey, I’ve been lucky to have some wonderful opportunities come my way. I’ve worked on independent feature films, award-winning short films, commercials, industrials, and most recently, a music video for Kyle Gordon, “My Life (Is the Worst Life Ever)”, where I played a punk drummer. It’s streaming on YouTube now, so run and check it out!

A few of my other film projects streaming on YouTube right now include “Wayward Sisters” A Supernatural series fan film and “What are the odds?” an LGBTQ+ short film. Be sure to grab some popcorn and check em’ out!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Everything about this craft is rewarding to me. Even the lows come with their own rewards. They teach me lessons I might not learn if I were always winning. The joy of telling a story and entertaining people is immeasurable. If I can portray a character or be part of a film that helps just one person feel seen or less alone, then I’ve done my job.

Since I began this journey into acting and entertainment, I truly feel I’ve found my purpose. Acting lets my inner child play and helps me reconnect with my creativity. I believe it’s crucial to continue learning about myself. I think all actors pursuing this career should never stop getting to know themselves. This kind of internal investigating helps bring more depth to the characters I play and helps me identify which pieces of myself fits into them. Figuring that out is so much fun.

One of the things I’m most proud of in this journey is my tenacity to never give up. When I set my sights on something, I don’t stop until I achieve it. I’m proud of that determination and hope it shines through my acting. I know I’ll continue to grow and improve, surrounded by talented and driven people who inspire me.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Since starting my acting journey, a few big challenges I’ve had to overcome are letting go of the things I can’t control and understanding the business side of the industry. Jumping into acting was a bit overwhelming for me at first. I relied on mentors, peers, and coaches for guidance on navigating my career and setting tangible goals. One person who is especially invaluable is my mentor and business coach, Anastasia Edwards. She helped me refine my portfolio and focus on specific career goals. I’m incredibly grateful for her support and guidance.

Another big hurdle I had to mentally overcome was learning to release attachment to things that aren’t in my control, like booking the job or getting a certain audition. I am always making mental shifts to focus on what I can control like being authentic, my portfolio, networking, and consistently improving my craft.

Being resilient is crucial in the entertainment industry. Rejection is so common for actors that without resilience and a focus on mental health, it’s easy to burn out. Prioritizing my mental health has been imperative for me since starting this journey.
Acting has not only helped me discover more about myself, but has pushed me to get comfortable being uncomfortable and find courage in being vulnerable.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ashleelawhorn.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashlee_paige_lawhorn/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashlee.lawhorn/
• Other: IMDB: https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm13043953?s=00c86e1d-c237-517d-efb9-28059612bffc&site_preference=normal

Image Credits

Shannon Ahlstrand Headshots