We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Marlee Carpenter. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Marlee below.
Marlee, appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
When I was a sophomore in high school I was cast in my first lead role in the musical. After that I caught the bug. But it was watching my friend Robbie perform that made me say “I want to make people feel and laugh the way Robbie does on stage.” He had the confidence on stage that he didn’t have in real life and he completely transformed on stage. I wanted to do that.
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.
I started off in community theater and school productions. Then when I was 18 I moved to NYC to study acting at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. I graduated in 2013 and moved back to Ohio after I lost my housing and couldn’t afford to stay in NYC. In 2016 I did a short film for a 48 hour film festival. I connected with a fellow creative named Tyler Savino who said he wanted to work with me. So in 2019 we started our first feature film together called The Cran. Around that time I got signed with an agency called the iGroup and started doing commercial work with them. Now come 2023 I’m also signed with the Heyman Talent Agency and Productions Plus. I did this by submitting my resume, reel, and headshots and doing an interview with the agencies.
When I’m not acting I am the lead singer for a hard rock band called Hard Candy and an acoustic band called The Forgotten.
I’m most proud of the growth I’ve made as an actor over the past couple years. I didn’t really get into film regularly until 2021 and now I’m signed with three agencies and booking work every month! I’m also proud of my production company Bucketnaut Productions, that I run with my partners Tyler Savino and Thomas Moeger.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
For me the most rewarding part is the connection you get with an audience. When something you do touches someones soul so deeply that it changes them. Theres a few movies out there that have done this to me and I strive to give my most honest performances in hopes that someone will relate.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Right now my goal is work as an artist full time and not have to work a 9-5 job. Currently I work a 9-5 in between gigs, and I love my job but I would like to be able to do acting/performing full time.
Contact Info:
- Website: marleecarpenterofficial.com
- Instagram: @marcarpenter
- Facebook: @marleercarpenter
- Youtube: Marlee Carpenter
Image Credits
Andy Balas, Grant Beachy, Phillip Coveney