Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Donna Gafford. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Donna, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I went through massive grieving for my son who’s had health deteriorated because of a fatal disease. I literally woke up one morning and thought, “today’s the day I start acting!” I truly believe that it was my God’s way of moving my focus from my son to a new beginning!

So as a business owner, I knew that I didn’t know ANYTHING about acting so I set goals for my success: find an acting coach, get on film sets for work, get an agent! My first coach was Catherine Hartt of Hartt and Soul Studios! I joined professional sites for actors and found acting social media sites with lots of members! All served me well! I

I also confess to finding the scams in this industry which are many! Because of that, I share basics with many interested in acting from the best coaches to the best sites to get started! Everyone starts somewhere and I truly love helping others because of my own floundering!

Within six months, I signed with my first agent which is hugely important for so many reasons! Your legitimacy is front and center. You’ve got a support team and in this industry, so much work is never released to actors but only to agents and casting professionals!

I was cast for student films, background, and indie projects until I started booking progressively bigger roles! My goals front and center are to be on tv shows, recurring or guest stars!

Donna, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’ve covered how I got into this business so…. My business is ME! I’m contract labor in a huge pool of talented individuals! I love contributing to every project as an actor but also as a team player for the production! I want sets to be better because of my presence!

I’m often cast as a kind mother, grandmother, teacher, therapist….. I look for those roles but submit also to those roles which stretch me as an actress!

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I’ve found that positive, persevering actors are incredible resources! Filing their experiences and knowledge moves me forward! On the counter side, there are MANY folks whom failure from their body language to every negative word they speak! I don’t listen to them!

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

As a Christian, I desire to glorify my Heavenly Father in projects! That doesn’t mean the project is necessarily faith based but that I demonstrate those qualities that show God in every project! Set life for me is the same!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donnagafford/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/donna.m.gafford
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/donna-gafford-198b3a22
• Youtube: https://www.YouTube.com/user/dongaff
• Other: https://www.imdb.me/DonnaGafford

Image Credits
Kelsey Edwards.