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

Alright, Terry thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been intrigued by artistic expression. As a young kid I really enjoyed drawing/sketching and putting outfits together. I started modeling at the age of five and had a natural comfort in front of the camera. There was something about the freedom to be myself that I loved about it and that has stayed with me throughout my life. Our passions and interests change and grow as we do. Even if we didn’t consistently pursue them in every season, we may rediscover them down the road. In my heart I knew I would end up in the arts to some capacity. There have been a number of glimpses on this journey in life. Looking back now, it’s funny seeing how it’s all come together. Who knew that a pandemic would propel me into the place I’m supposed to be. Once I really began pursuing an acting career while simultaneously working on my business, I knew that this is what I wanted to do with my life. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit and found out pretty quickly that the 9-5 world wasn’t where I wanted to stay. Then the confirmation started to come in waves.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

After completing a short internship with the American Junior Golf Association once I graduated college with a degree in Recreation & Sport Management, I went on to work for the Harlem Globetrotters. In my position I was responsible for creating memorable experiences for clients at our shows all across the country. Now, acting is something I’ve always wanted to do. My love for film and storytelling has been present since I was a kid and it continued to grow over the years, especially after taking a theater class in high school. I wanted to explore my curiosities, so I decided to start submitting for extras roles in tv/film while working for the Globetrotters. That way, I could get some on-set experience without having to quit my full time job. These experiences led to me finding an acting class in the city to begin learning the craft. In my first class we were put on camera the first day. I remember being told by the instructor that I appeared very natural and comfortable on camera. That affirmation gave me the confidence I needed to keep pressing forward. Once I finished that class I felt like this is something I think I could really invest in but I wasn’t sure to what degree. Once Covid-19 hit in 2020, the Globetrotters had to cancel the tour and I lost my job as a result. It became clear that I wasn’t going to continue working in the sports industry at the time (after months of applying and interviewing) and I became more immersed in acting. I made this decision that this is where I wanted to focus all my energy. I kept taking classes, improving my craft, reading, studying, practicing… Eventually I got an agent, booked my first principal speaking role, and now I’m here. My first audition was in September of 2020 and now in October 2023, it’s encouraging to have worked on several projects in just a few years.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist (and the most important aspect I believe) is the freedom to have a voice. There’s not much we can control in this life but we each have our convictions. Artists are blessed with a great responsibility, a burden even, to be a voice for those who may not have opportunity to use it. Artists have the freedom to express themselves without having to give an explanation for it. That’s a unique freedom. I think about all the ways my life has been impacted and influenced by art that has truly resonated with me and it is my heart’s desire to do the same for others. Artists must choose to fight for the space to express themselves, because each of us has something to say. We possess the power to intrigue minds, shift perspectives, open eyes, spark ideas, and soften hearts. There is beauty in that. Beauty in the fact that we can speak for the unspoken, fight for the defeated, and show love to those who feel unseen. Ultimately that’s what it comes down to for me. Unity. Communion. Relationship. I believe that’s what we need to see this world thrive and move forward in a positive way.

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

The first story that comes to mind occurred while I was a personal trainer. I personally trained for about a year before I worked on my most recent project. I had just moved from Duluth to Cumming to stay with my sister while waiting to move into my apartment. During this time a typical day for me began at 3:30AM so that I could get to the gym and open up at 4:45AM. I would train from 5AM-1PM everyday, then clean up, eat my lunch, get my workout in, and then get to working on my craft (class, auditions, workshops, etc.). As you can imagine, this routine was difficult to maintain. I was often running on E, but completely locked in on my goal. However, there came a time where the exhaustion had caught up to me and I began to question whether I could sustain my routine. Up until this point I had booked one acting job in my career (a ONE liner on a network tv show that ended up not even making the final edit), so I was starting to get discouraged. One day I felt like I had reached my limit. I remember texting my sister to tell her that I felt like quitting acting for the first time. I was getting tired of my lacking finances, physical and emotional fatigue, and most of all not booking any roles. It gets tough when you recognize the work you’re putting in and just want to see a glimmer of hope. I’ll never forget this day because it was the day I moved into my apartment (two days after telling my sister how I felt). My agent called me to tell me that I had just booked my first movie. I was in shock. The timing was unfathomable. It was a beautiful reminder that I was exactly where God wanted me to be. It not only gave me motivation to keep going but the reassurance I needed to continue pursuing my dream.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @terryallenbrownjr