We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Erika Weathers a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Erika thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I first started taking classes at the Alliance Theater back in 2011 I worked with several teachers taking acting I, II, III and the film process. I learned the foundation of acting, the process and scene study. I got the acting bug and wanted to continue my training so I could start auditioning for indie projects to building my resume. I would find my own audition via acting sites even using Craigslist under gigs, love to act until I could get an agent who would get me auditions. I continued to take classes working with local coaches in Atlanta Kristen Shaw, Rob Mello, Michael H Cole, Dwayne Boyd, Aaron Small, Ian Covell, Jerri Tubbs & now working with Victor Love. I have learned and used several different techniques from Strasberg, Meisner, Chubbuck, improv, on-camera auditioning & doing cold reads. I am working with the Chubbuck technique right now and I really love the 12-step acting approach. I don’t think I would have done anything differently you can’t speed up the process in acting. I just need to stay in class and do the work & continue to grow & build up my confidence to become the best actor I can be. I have enjoyed the process of getting to learn the different techniques and figuring out which one’s work the best for me. I have to continue to study and do the work and apply it into my scenes. The obstacles for me are just not having enough time & money to attend classes on a regular basis. I work as a Flight Attendant, Realtor, Notary and my Advocacy work can make it hard to just focus on my acting. Acting is my passion and I can’t wait to share my craft.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?

Hello I am Erika Weathers a two-time Breast Cancer Survivor celebrating 14 yrs cancer-free living in Atlanta Georgia since 1996. I have been a Flight Attendant for the last 22yrs. I am also an actor having worked on several indie projects, re-enactment shows as well as local and regional commercials. I recently got my real estate license & work as a Realtor with PalmerHouse Properties, so if your looking to buy or sell you a home I would love to be your Realtor. I’m a notary, a first-time author of “Free Me 2 Be Me My Turbulent Journey with Breast Cancer” my book is available on my website iamerikaweathers.com and Amazon. I am also a advocate for myself & other Breast cancer survivors & thrivers. I work with several grassroots organizations including My Style Matters & Tigerlily. In my spare time I like to go to the beach & ride my Harley.

Is there a mission driving your creative journey?

I have been training as an actor since 2011 I have explored many acting techniques and have been honing my skills over the years. I know building my confidence and believing in myself makes a big difference in my auditions. I have been building momentum waiting for that next audition for my next opportunity to book the gig. I am a work in progress, my goal is to book my first 5 & under, then guest starring role and recurring roles. That one job could lead to the next booking hopefully snowballing into a successful acting career. Acting is about playing and having fun remembering the kid you use to be on the playground. I can’t wait to get back in the sandbox.

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

I think the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is getting that call from my agent Barbara Garvey that you booked. I mean even getting a call back or feedback on your auditions is a big deal. It lets you know you are doing something right. There are so many people auditioning for one role and so many elements can go into the decision of who gets cast. You can have the best audition but then not have the right look, ethnicity, too tall so many factors go into who they pick for the role. So when you get the gig, when you book the job and get on set. You get to play with the other actors. All the hard work you have done over the years can now be seen and you can share your work with others.

Contact Info:

• Website: IamerikaWeathers.com
• Instagram: Iam_erikaweathers
• Facebook: Erika D Weathers
• Linkedin: Erika Weathers
• Twitter: @Weathers_erika

Image Credits
Ira Carmichael
Byron Small
Richard Watkins Graphic Design