Describe a time where you felt you had found your professional calling.
I have always felt called to performing, but it was not until my junior year of high school I knew that acting was what I was supposed to be doing with my life. I was involved with theatre for years, but during my junior year I was unexpectedly given the lead role in my high school play. We were performing Shakespeare's As You Like It, and I felt way over my head during almost the entire process. I had never memorized so many lines before, yet I worked hard and dove into my character. While I was performing [my role] onstage, I thought to myself "This is it for me. This is what I'm meant to do." Ever since then, I have passionately pursued acting because I know that is exactly what God has called me to do with my life.
Describe your APU experience thus far and how it has helped shape you into the person you are today.
Studying acting and interacting with my cohort and professors have given me a new passion for my major. It has solidified and affirmed my career choice over and over again. I am now a more confident actor, and [I know] the importance of truthful storytelling. What I have learned at APU has changed my perspective on acting in the best way. I am so thankful for the friendships and the relationships with staff and faculty that I have fostered during my time here.
What are your plans after you graduate?
I plan on staying in the LA area and hope to be signed by an agent upon graduating. My plan is to hustle, while going after any opportunity that presents itself and auditioning for anything and everything that comes my way. My plan is to always be learning and growing in my craft as I try to establish myself as a professional actor.
If you could give a word of advice to future and current students, what would it be?
Take advantage of your access to knowledgeable professors, studio spaces, tools, and materials. It won’t be as easy to have access to all of that once you’ve graduated. Do a lot of experimenting with different art forms. I had a lot of fear that I wouldn’t measure up which kept me from really diving in sometimes. I’ve learned that being an artist is a lifelong journey, and that has allowed me to pace myself and move through fear more gracefully. You are not going to master everything in four years, you’ll always be learning, so just dive in, sharpen your technical skills in school and educate yourself in areas where you’re insecure. When you graduate, remember every standard is an illusion in some way or another. You’ve got something unique to bring to the table regardless of areas where you may lack.
Catherine Winner recently performed for the International Thespian Festival and is an America's Christian Credit Union scholarship recipient!
