We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Avery Norris. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Avery below.

Alright, Avery thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

It’s a funny thing being an artist for a living. I’m not out there curing diseases or flighting crimes, or putting out fires. 9.9 times out of 10 I’m very rarely physically putting myself at risk. You can argue that being an artist is a selfish career. Do we do it for the acclaim of our work? Do we do it for the enjoyment of others? Surely every artist has a different reason. What I do know is it makes me feel joy and happiness and from what I hear, my work has given other people similar feelings. Another thing I know for sure is the day I decided to be an artist for my career, and every day since then, I have taken risks. Just the mere fact of being an artist alone is a risk. Risk of rejection, risk of losing, risk of not being successful, risk of struggling, risk of judgement, risk of losing out on family time. Every day is a new risk but with that risk also comes potential and opportunity. Being an artist, specifically a performance-based artist, has allowed me new perspective on the world. It’s given me a resilience I never knew before. While I take risks every day by being an artist, the one thing I won’t risk is not following this crazy career path that I love. I’ll risk it all if it means getting to be an artist. And so far, it’s been beyond 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?

My name is Avery Norris. I was born and raised on Long Island in New York. Growing up I was an athlete. I played soccer for 15 years as well as softball. From an early age however, I enjoyed performing “shows” for my family members. I would sing and dance and act for them. When they saw this performative spirit in me, they decided to test it out and brought me to an audition at our local theater when I was 4 years old. I cried the entire time until they finally had to come get me. Sooo… not a great start. As I grew older, that spirit stayed alive in me. My parents always loved movies and stage performances so I was exposed to that world often. It just wasn’t my time at 4 years old, I guess. When I got into high school, I was in my first production and from there I knew I wanted to do this for the rest of my life! I kept with it, going to college and getting my BFA in Musical Theatre and eventually acting in a lead role in my first feature before I had even graduated. In fact, I worked on 2 more features before I made it to graduation. I’m now about to go into my 25th year on this earth and I’m living on my own, out in California, doing “the thing”. I’m a real professional artist. I’m acting, singing when I can, still *trying* to dance (it was never my strongest suit but I’ve come a long way), and now writing as well. With so many facets, it’s hard to label myself as one thing. Being an artist encompasses it all for me.

How did you find a community within your industry?

The entertainment industry really is an industry about connections. Networking and getting out there to meet new people is so important. When I moved to Los Angeles a year ago, I knew I needed to find an acting studio to continue my training and meet fellow artists. I was so fortunate to have met amazing people and friends while working on the film Rosé All Day. I am so grateful to have met people that I could lean on and look to for advice. I was fortunate to cross paths with the amazing Chelsea Alden, whom I have turned to so many times for guidance. Chelsea is a true professional, an immense talent, and an absolute ray of sunshine. She was kind enough to refer me to her acting studio, Studio 24 Seven. I audited the class my second week out in Los Angeles and I never looked back. Now I’ve been a part of the Studio 24 Seven family for almost a year now and I couldn’t be more grateful, firstly to Chelsea for referring me, and secondly to my coach Mark McPherson as well as all my studio mates. Being a part of this studio has given me a community and a sense of belonging. I never fear judgement and I feel safe to be myself while learning more about my craft. There’s no competition amongst my studio mates. We genuinely cheer each other on and want one another to succeed. Mark coaches his students to the fullest extent in both acting and the administration side of the business. He’s both our coach and our biggest supporter. So connections, yeah? My next two projects, which include an anthology feature that I had a part in writing as well as a dark comedy thriller, I have booked from being a part of Studio 24 Seven. I feel so lucky to be a part of it!

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

It’s so important to have a good attitude in this industry and it can definitely be challenging at times. As artists, we face constant rejection, judgement, long hours, and an immense pressure to succeed. I find that I’ve been successful at creating my reputation with my attitude and outlook on my work. For me, consistency is key. I show up on time and I show up prepared. I make sure to stay conscious of the fact that this is a team effort. Everyone has their own responsibilities and no one person is more important than another. I also remind myself that my job is supposed to be fun! It’s my passion; if I’m not enjoying what I’m doing, then something has to change. While I want to have fun and create a positive working environment, this is still my job. If I’m distracted and not completing the task at hand to the best of my abilities, I’m failing myself as an artist. So I encourage my fellow artists to get to know ALL the people you are working with. Create a team, create a family, make a product you can be proud of together. I know it’s harder than it sounds but find the fun in this career. I like to look back at my 4 year old self. Even though she was scared, her passion was alive and fierce. Remember what inspired you to pursue this path in the first place!

Contact Info:

• Website: averynorris.net
• Instagram: @averypnorris
• Youtube: @averynorris8398

Image Credits
Rob Flate Kelsie Kiana Chelsea Alden