We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Brandon Keith Rogers a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Brandon Keith, appreciate you joining 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?

My journey with acting and entertainment has been deceptively long. There’s always something new to learn in many facets of this business and it takes an unspoken tenacity to get to the heights of this industry. I feel like had I taken time to have gone into a specific acting for the camera acting class earlier in life and a showcase or artist competition of sorts would have sped up the process.
As much as it is important to have the talent and the training, it’s also vital to understand what it is that is unique and special about you in particular. Gone are the days of “throwing spaghetti at the ceiling and seeing what will stick”. Focus, Awareness and Adaptability are key components to finding success in the field.

To be perfectly honest, the only obstacle that stood in my way was myself. I know we hear that all the time but it isn’t until you truly come to terms with that responsibility that you can move forward. I used to think “oh its because so and so didn’t cast me, or that instructor didn’t believe in me, or that person was better/more popular than me, etc. etc.” At the end of the day, if I was not aligned with the project, the people or the opportunity it simply just didn’t line up. Pick yourself up off the ground, whenever you’re finished being down there and either decide to move forward with what you’ve learned or shift your attention elsewhere.
For actors, singers, dancers, entertainers, and anything adjacent- you are constantly in a state of growth. Be it mentally, spiritually, ability, physically and so on. Just know, if the art is calling you- go for it. However you can.

Brandon Keith, 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?

My name is Brandon Keith Rogers and I am an up and coming actor based in Los Angeles, California. I’ve been working professionally since I was eighteen years old, and with credits such as HBO Max’s “Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin” , Tony in “West Side Story”, leads in various Independent Films and much more. Originally hailing from Charlotte, North Carolina and pursued my training at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA. After a few years I managed to land my current Manager JC Guiterrez with Independent Artists Entertainment.
What sets me apart is most definitely my singing voice and dance capabilities. Those skillsets have come in handy to land me certain jobs that required the actors to be advanced in those areas. I always recommend to find something that you know you shine in and always give it the same attention and TLC that you would your acting career because you never know when the opportunity will present itself to use it.
A huge part of my brand/mission is the importance of spirituality and mental health. I really am drawn to projects that dare to ask questions of humanity as to why we behave and think the way we do, what socially has been deemed normal or acceptable that may need some review and how we can, as the collective, better our environment and inner self.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Apart from what I previously mentioned, a huge driving force of mine is honoring my LGBTQ+ community without backing down or fearing any repercussion of that decision. I think we’ve come so far in many ways that I don’t feel like my sexuality need to be a hinderance or a standard as to how I “should act” or be allowed to act in. Fighting stereotypes is a huge goal of mine.
At times its very daunting, and I think to myself maybe it’s too big for me to handle but I’ve now met and collaborated with some of the most talented queer individuals who are also unwavering in that journey and it brings me hope and excitement for what this industry can (and will) be.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Reading quality books is a huge game changer. Personally I started with Eckhart Tolle’s “A New Earth” and “The Power of Now”. Any book that helps with acknowledging and mastering the Ego is an important beginning. Currently I am reading “Don’t Believe Everything You Think” by Joseph Nguyen and only halfway in its shaking up how I go about processing my thoughts.

For actors as well I loved reading Jane Fonda’s autobiography and personally, the Rock Hudson biogragraphy “All That Heaven Allows”. That was the first time it really clicked to me all the behind the scenes work it takes to truly live out the career you envision for yourself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://imdb.me/BrandonKeithRogers
• Instagram: @brandonkeithrogers
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3jnVXeqEMbvFApF0uApfAw

Image Credits

@studio.joris @theartefactory @harborheights @flatrockplayhouse @daretodane