We recently connected with Quinn Halgrimson and have shared our conversation below.

Quinn, appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I think I always knew in some capacity – whenever my parents would watch movies with me as a kid, I was always up and about, creating my own characters and acting out big battles. “You make a better door than a window,” I remember them saying. For as long as I can remember I always wanted to work in the creative fields, but I never really considered it as possible until later in life. After all, everyone is supposed to go to college, get a degree in a safe field and work towards financial security, right?

Ultimately, though, it was my senior year of high school when I decided to actually take a shot at it. My school was putting on a production of Les Misérables and I was lucky enough to be cast as Fantine. The cast list went up and my calculus teacher from the year prior pulled me aside one day to congratulate me. I remember her saying “So, Quinn, you really like acting, don’t you? Have you ever thought about going to college for it?”

I believe my response internally was something along the lines of: “Holy shit, you’re right, that is an option!” And a good thing she said it too, because frankly I think I’d make a terrible chemical engineer.

Quinn, 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 definitely not a name most would know, but I’m working to change that! I graduated from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in 2022 and I’ve been working steadily towards building my resume in the time since! I’m lucky enough to have a very flexible work-from-home job to help pay the bills, but in the meantime I’ve worked on some other projects that I’ve loved!

I work with the Dinner Detective, an interactive murder mystery show company! I may have sat next to you at a show if you’ve been to one in LA, hiding out undercover in the audience! I’ve been working towards getting certified in various stage combat weapons through the Society of American Fight Directors (I’ve got single sword and knife under my belt so far)! I’ve also filmed a pilot with some fellow AMDA grads, was in a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and, my personal favorite, got to break out my violin and singing skills as Reza in a production of the musical “Once”! I also dabble in modeling and write as a hobby (when I’m not sharpening my dramatic improv skills through Dungeons and Dragons)!

It’s been an uphill battle for sure, but a very fun one! I love getting to lace my love of fantasy and larger-than-life stories into my work and I love to bring that fiery energy to whatever I can! If wild, lofty dreams could be granted, then my dream would be to play a role like Daenerys Targaryen, something that would let me tap into that fantastical and powerful side of myself I love playing. That and the opportunity to play a dragon rider. If I can’t be one in this unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) dragon-less world, then a girl can dream of getting CGI’d onto the back of one!

Ultimately, that is a huge part of what I want to do with my art; provide an escape for people. A way to look at their own lives through a different lens. I’ve been changed so much as a person by the media I consume, and I would be absolutely honored to touch someone’s life in such an impactful way through a performance.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The act of creation itself is incredible, if you think about it. Putting something out there in the world that wouldn’t exist if your mind hadn’t been wandering one day is just incredible and humanity’s ability to do that never ceases to amaze me. To that end, though, it’s providing people with catharsis of some kind, or giving them a new view on something they would otherwise think only one way about is what makes that creation so worthwhile to me.

Art is a way for us all to come together to better understand ourselves and each other, and seeing that growth in people is always wonderful. Seeing my work provoke a smile, or a deeper thought in someone is what I do it for. It isn’t always something every artist gets to see first-hand, so I always feel very lucky for having people come up to me after a show or after reading something I’ve written and tell me that it affected them. I really couldn’t ask for anything more as a creator.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I had to learn at a very young age what it was to face rejection, and I had to relearn it very recently.

I remember when I was first getting into youth theatre, first having to memorize monologues and audition for plays. I had been in elementary school productions up until then and hadn’t had to audition for a part. I was always told how great of an actress I was (as great of an actress as an eight-year-old can be, mind you) and I thought I would surely get the lead in any play I auditioned for.

Guess whose ego got smacked down?

I went years without getting cast in anything as a kid, seeing all my other friends getting roles while I was left out. Flash forward a decade and a half, and I graduate college with all the swagger of a twenty-two year old who heard that it would be tough but didn’t really listen as much as she should have.

Another ego check was in order.

Just like when I was a kid, going so long without making any headway only brought out the stubbornness I inherited from my parents. So, just as I did then, I set to work, studying and persevering and doing my best to make myself the best artist I can. I’m very proud that I’ve stuck it out in this town, and this year has been so much better for me artistically, and I can’t wait to see what I can accomplish next! Just like when I was little, I think my grit and drive will get me through!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: quinnjh133

Image Credits
Deidhra Fahey Jimmy Ramano Caroline Rose