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

Hi Draper, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I truly love this question because it allows me to go back to what got me truly in love with the arts. I always watched television and loved watching movies. I told myself that looks really cool and fun. I remember being 10 years old and with my brother Jarrett in our room, we would imitate the tv show, ” A Different World”. It was so fun. However, I didnt truly pursue it. I played collegiate basketball, so there wasn’t much time for anything else. I was walking through the hallways before class, and I saw an ad for a model. The ad said, “Become a model, get paid $150”. I called the number and booked the job. However, that wasn’t what actually pushed me to pursue it. The model gig, ended up turning me into a host. I am a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity INC. I got the job to host/emcee a stepshow. That happened because of the modeling gig. It gave me the confidence to try anything. Fast forward a producer was in the audience of the stepshow and asked me to come an audition for a short film. I didn’t get the part, but then they called me two weeks later letting me know that they had a role for me. All I had to do was read the script, like it, and accept the role. Well that same week, I got a callback for my first play ever. “G Meets G”. I attend the callback and I give a great performance. However, there was one thing, they asked me to sing. I am not a singer. So I tell casting, hold on real quick. I run to the car, put on a song that I think i sound good singing. I sung it to myself and pumped myself up and went back inside. They ask me are you ready? I say, “Sure, lets do this”. I pull my St. Louis Cardinals down over my eyes, then pull my cream zip up hoodie over the cap and begun to sing. They said, I actually sound good. I didn’t get the part, but however it was a win for me, because I showed myself to conquer my fears. I did get cast for the play just in a different role. All of this happened in a two week span, it was such an amazing feeling. It was at that moment, I knew that I wanted this to be my career, and I made the decision to walk this journey and it has been amazing!

Draper, 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 wasnt always in the acting/entertainment industry. I was an athlete my entire life. Playing basketball since I was the age 8 years old. I am a highly decorated basketball player. District MVP, Division 1 athlete, and more. However I did not have the same love for sports as I have for the arts. I began in the arts when I was in college. I was walking through the hallways of my college business building on my way to class. I saw an ad for “Model Wanted, $150”. I was a college student, so I was thinking to myself. I could use this $150. I called the ad, then sent an email in. Next thing I know, I am shooting a photo shoot, making $150. The photoshoot was only 1 hour. I was excited. I didnt think much of the photoshoot. The following year, I was approached to host/emcee a stepshow. I am a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity INC. I was nervous but excited. So I have a blast hosting this stepshow, after the show is over, I am standing in the front. a producer from a movie approaches me about being in their film. I expressed that I had never been in a film before and I have never acted. He told me, that I would do great. Fast forward, I show up to the audition and I just go in and make it happen. I don’t get the part however the production company calls me back stating they have a role for me in their next film. I didn’t have to audition, I went over, read the script and next thing I know, I am acting in my first film. It was at that moment, was when I realized that I wanted this to be my career. That was 2007, it has been a process and journey and I am loving every minute of it.

I am most proud of my recent win at the 12th Annual Indie Series Awards in Los Angeles, CA. Winning “Best Guest Actor” was an award that I am still in awe about winning. It was my first ever single category nomination and win. Also to win in what is to be considered the mecca of film and tv is such an amazing feeling. The category was jam packed with talent and amazing actors. So to first be nominated and then to win is still an amazing feat. It makes me hungry to pursue and go for more.

I am a humble guy from Grambling, La by way of Arlington, TX. Those values are what I put into my craft, my professionalism, and more.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Being an artist is that, I get to “Play”. What I mean by that is, I get to go back to my child hood and just use my imagination, make believe, I get to be “Someone else” every character I play. Its so fun. I get to live the lives of characters and become them. The creative process is so fun. I started in theatre with a play called “G Meets G in 2007, I love how it keeps you in the moment. However, the process of creating a film is more real. The tone of the voice, the actions, and more. Sure its technical. However the process is so real. They both serve a purpose. Theatre helps you stay in the moment, Film allows you to be real an authentic.

What also is rewarding about this process is that it is a true community. I have an amazing set of friends and associates that we cheer each other on, and celebrate each other in every win and more. In this industry you have to be supportive. There is no other way. We push every day to win. We do countless, auditions, check casting sites, do callbacks, create content and more every single day to push our careers forward. Each time we get an audition its a win. The booking is the goal. For sure, the process, the journey, and the growth throughout our career is what is the most rewarding. I can look back to where I started to where I am at now, and I am extremely excited for what is to come.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

The goal and mission that is driving my creative journey is my family. My wife is a huge supporter of my goals and dreams. I travel alot and work hard. She holds the house down and truly makes it easy to make this happen. Also my kids. I want to be an example of showing what it looks like to truly go after what you want to do in life. I am truly going for the “wow Factor” with my kids. I want them to say, “wow my dad did all of this. I want to achieve these different accomplishments for myself. ” Not only just for my family, however for anyone wanting to pursue a dream. I want to be an example for those as well. I just want to be an inspiration and motivation for those who want to achieve a dream or goal or vision. Yes are there hard days, of course, are there days that I want to quit. However, I know that there are people watching me. They are watching for two reason, one, is will I quit, two is will I win. Either way, people are watching. So when I win for them, I also win for myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.draperwynston.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamdwynston/?hl=en
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamdwynston
• Other: www.imdb.me/iamdwynston

Image Credits
Kev C Dallas Chris Jon Photography Deon Casey Photography