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

Heather, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?

I kicked off my career at just five years old, and I have to say, I have no regrets about that because that’s when I truly fell in love with Theatre! Looking back, though, if I could turn back time, I would choose not to take such a long break. I stepped away for twenty years, and that’s the one thing I’d change. Even if it meant just doing one play a year or trying to find an agent in Ohio—something I had no idea was even a possibility back then!

I also often heard that acting and motherhood didn’t mix, but I’ve learned that’s simply not true, and I’m proving it every day. I re-entered the Theatre scene in 2018, but then 2020 hit, and I decided to go to Nursing School to lend a hand during those challenging times. Fast forward to the end of 2022, when I got to work on my very first short film with a voiceover for the radio news in “It’s Be Okay,” directed by Richard Russell. That experience was so rewarding, and I was fortunate enough to be cast by him again in another short film, “A Family Matter,” where I met even more amazing people and got to dive into exciting projects.

Before all of that, my first taste of being on a film set was with a Kent State project called “Power Ball.” That’s when I realized how much I wanted to pursue film. I’ve always had that passion; I just had no idea how vibrant Ohio’s film community was until about two years ago. I’m genuinely proud of all I’ve achieved in such a short time, and I often wonder how different things might have been if I hadn’t taken that break—or maybe this is exactly where I’m meant to be!

Heather, 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’m a proud mom of four, happily engaged to my amazing partner. I took a little break from social media while I went to college for my nursing degree, but I found my way back to my passion for acting through the drama club at school. It was such a refreshing reentry in 2018 after my last performance in 2002! Although I did go on a few auditions here and there, I wasn’t really focusing on honing my craft until recently. A dear friend of mine, Brett Voina, an incredibly talented actor from Ohio, encouraged me to jump back on Facebook and explore all those wonderful acting groups in film and theater. I had no idea that community existed! From there, everything just kind of fell into place.

I also love screenwriting; it’s something I’ve kept up with during my 20 years away from the scene, and I’m still involved with it today. Excitingly, one of my short screenplays has been filmed and is currently being edited, set to release in just a few months! I really enjoy reading other people’s screenplays and giving feedback whenever I can. Plus, I get to be a judge for film festivals, which is another fantastic way to learn and improve my skills. I’m also taking acting lessons to keep growing. The best part? My younger two kids have caught the acting bug too, and they’ve already participated in plays and films! Balancing all of this with my family is what I’m most proud of, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I’ve recently started my journey into the world of acting books, and I’m eager to explore more. One book that has left a strong impression on me is “The Actor’s Life: A Survival Guide” by Jenna Fischer. While not everything in it directly speaks to my own experiences, it’s incredibly valuable to learn from someone else’s journey—both their setbacks and triumphs. I wholeheartedly recommend her book to actors at any stage in their careers. Plus, if you haven’t checked out her podcast “The Office Ladies,” you’re in for a treat! They dive into the nitty-gritty of writing, acting, cinematography, and editing in a way that’s super enlightening. Their discussions about auditions, handling last-minute script changes, and even improvisation are so useful.

When it comes to screenwriting, my go-to resource is “The Screenwriter’s Bible,” which really helped me grasp storytelling structure. I’ve also dipped into “Save The Cat!,” which focuses on a specific formula for those looking to break into Hollywood. While that’s not my primary aim, it’s definitely an interesting perspective. I carry “Movie Speak” around as a handy reference for terms and phrases I might not be familiar with on set—it’s a must-have! I also have a copy of Syd Field’s “The Foundations of Screenwriting” that I haven’t explored yet, but it’s next on my list. And of course, “Filmmaking for Dummies” provides quick insights and handy tips. Exciting times ahead for sure!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When I enrolled in nursing school back in 2020, life took a dramatic turn. I left my husband after experiencing domestic violence, where he even took my phone to prevent me from calling for help. My children and I found refuge with my mom, and just a couple of months later, I was able to secure my own place. We separated, and our marriage officially came to an end. Tragically, a year later, I received a heartbreakingly painful call: he took his life while I was on the line, desperately asking him not to. Everything changed in an instant, but I dug deep and never missed a day of school. I graduated with nearly a perfect GPA and earned my nursing degree.

It would have been easy to give up after such a tumultuous experience, but I chose to channel my strength into pursuing my passions. I believe this resilience inspires my kids, who, despite missing their dad, are learning to live life to the fullest. One key lesson I took away from this experience is the importance of mental health. I found that, despite my education and training, the healthcare environment I was in wasn’t supportive of my own well-being. I was even written up for taking a day off to attend our kids’ father’s funeral. Just four months later, I left my hospital position, graduated, and decided not to work as an RN. Instead, I returned to my true passions because life is too short not to chase our dreams.

Nursing wasn’t something I envisioned when I was growing up. It became a calling during a challenging time when my dad was battling his illness, and I knew I needed to secure a stable career, especially as my marriage faced serious struggles after my father passed. Then came COVID-19, and it felt like everything aligned—I was meant to be there. Helping others is something I truly love, but I also found it to be emotionally and mentally exhausting. There were nights I came home in tears from the things I had witnessed. Yet, I like to think I made a difference for some residents, offering them comfort when they couldn’t have visitors at the nursing home.

We all encounter setbacks on our journeys, but it’s up to us how we respond to them that allows us to continue pursuing our dreams and aspirations.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @heatherlbayles
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/hbayles

Image Credits

Screen grabs from “Jacob’s Little Helper”- Richard Russell and “Workplace Romance” Meshach Malley.