Meet Alana Webster

We were lucky to catch up with Alana Webster recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alana, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

My work ethic comes from my African American heritage, and the city of Los Angeles. Being Black is the jam! Sometimes I look at the achievements and accomplishments that Black people have made in the U.S. and around the World in times where I am feeling stagnant. I have a few members of my family who, while successful in their chosen careers, had dreams they could not pursue due to the color of their skin. These people are still very much alive and well, and when I hear their stories, it only reinforces my drive to get after my goals. They had to adjust their dreams, so I and younger family members could pursue ours. Imagining the pain of that reality keeps me pressing forward. That oral family history deeply impacted how hard I work, and the attitude of gratitude that I approach my work with. Yes, being a working actor is hard, but also HOORAY that I have the opportunity to pursue this dream at a time where there is a wealth of content and opportunity for Black actors. I remember when the opportunities were not as plentiful. Now that they are here, I want to work hard to make the most of every chance that comes my way. I think of it as my way of honoring my family members and ancestors for all of their sacrifices.

Also, I’m always grateful that I get to call LA my hometown. Don’t let her gorgeous landscape, sunny weather, and beautiful people fool you. She’s a steel sharpens steel kind of city, and she’s sharpened me to be the strong, hard working woman I am today. She taught me to find joy in resilience, lend a helping hand whenever possible, and be adaptable to change. This is a city full of dreamers and grinders who are always bringing new ideas and perspectives to the table. I find that type of energy and creativity generosity infectious. I want to earn my keep. I want to do right by this amazing city.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am an on-camera actor, voice over actor, and creator. My main focus is my artistic career. I am driven to tell stories that amplify the voices of women and people of Color. I love jumping into scripts and creating characters that turn a mirror on society. I’m a former podcaster who was born with the gift of gab, and an interest in connecting with people. Telling stories that make others feel seen and valued is the reason I get out of bed in the morning. I’ve done voice over work for tv shows, animated features, movies, and radio. I’m the Actor’s Unit lead in a Playwright’s Development group called Fierce Backbone, which is a collaborative organization committed to writing, developing, and producing new, dramatic works. I’m also a member of NEO Ensemble Theater, which is a diverse company of artists committed to educating and inspiring the community through the celebration of humor within the human condition. In both groups, I am lucky to work alongside writers and actors all on a constant quest to bring original ideas and entertainment to the world. I am one of the creators of a web series called THE MADAMS, which is a dangerously sexy web series about two sisters with limited life options looking to make their way in LA on their terms. My co-creators and I wanted to make this show because it’s a slice of life that we haven’t seen before, and is a story that begs to be told. We explore concepts of autonomy, power, privilege, mental health, money, and freedom through the eyes of Black women as they traverse through the tricky waters of sex and business. It is really exciting to have a project like this during a time that is ripe for these kinds of stories. My professional focus has always been on creating forward- thinking, female empowered art that is able to showcase variations of the Black experience.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three qualities or skills that were most impactful to me were: learning clear, assertive communication skills, learning how to find joy in resilience, and learning how to lean into discomfort. I studied acting in middle school through college, and that education equipped me with useful communication tools. I learned how to convey myself in a clear and effective way, how to identify objectives in professional conversations, and how to actively listen.

Finding joy in resilience is a skill I am constantly working to get better at. Choosing to get back up after being knocked down hardly feels like a joyful endeavor, but there is bravery in choosing to get back up. The joy comes from knowing that I can withstand and recover from difficult situations. Embrace that bravery and hang on to that joy.

Discomfort and difficulty tend to go hand in hand, so learning how to lean into discomfort is another valuable skill I’ve learned along the way. The life of a Creative will come with its own degree of discomfort, so my key is not to resist it when it comes my way. My trick is to remind myself that this uncomfortable feeling will not last forever, and the quicker I push through it, the sooner it will be over.

The advice I would give:

1. Consider your quality of life- I received this piece of advice at the tail end of college, and it has never left me. I love passing it on. Receiving it right as I was about to enter “the Real World” made me take stock of what I needed in my life in order to do the best work I possibly could. At the risk of sounding “So LA”, sunshine/ warm weather, daily physical activity, the Desert, access to affordable art, and plethora of delicious food trucks are all on that list. Be mindful of what you require to do your best work, and don’t judge the answers that come up. Unapologetically embrace what you need, then get after it! The World deserves your work, and you deserve to live the best quality of life possible.

2. Nurture your relationships- Talent and skill crucial to achieving success, but don’t forget about the importance of relationships. They are the secret sauce that helps to create and forge lasting paths on your road to success. Everyone wants to work with someone who they have a good rapport with. Maintaining positive bonds with people will make them want to continue to work with you. As much as possible, keep interactions positive, do your best to remember names and faces (you’re not alone, it’s a challenge for all of us), and try not to burn bridges. Leave people with a positive feeling about you and your work.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I am absolutely looking to collaborate with creative artists, distributors, and to build partnerships with larger production companies working in TV & Film. My web series, THE MADAMS, is currently looking for distribution. After shooting the pilot and getting prepared to pitch it, the Pandemic happened, and slowed down our progress. To keep the life of the project going, we submitted it all over the digital festival circuit, and came away with a good number of awards and recognition. Now that the World is rebounding, we are hitting the ground running. Our show is Women of Color led with a multi-cultural cast, and our crew and production company were all women. Female power fuels this project.

If any of your readers are looking for a new series to distribute that centers on the needs and lives of Women and People of Color, please reach out via any of the links attached to this article, or by heading to my website and contacting me there. Myself and the other creators have partnered with She TV Media, who have been instrumental in helping us get this project off the ground. Now, we want to get it in front of as many eyeballs as possible. If any of your readers work for larger production companies who are looking for fresh, original content that is sexy, smart and told with heart, please reach out to me or She TV Media.

If live performance is more your thing, check me out acting alongside three rad women in the feminist comedy, The Revolutionists by Lauren Gunderson at Theatre 40. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you might even want to start a little revolution of your own after seeing the show. The play runs from May 18-June 18, and I would love to see you there!

Contact Info:

Image Credits
-Jonny Marlow Photography -She TV Media -Chelsea Nicole Photography

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