Meet Alena Mauhs

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Alena Mauhs a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Alena, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I grew up in a small town in Connecticut, right outside New Haven. It’s not the wealthiest town by far, and the gap from low to high class was also quite large. I grew up in the lower half of this with my mom. As a child and growing teen, especially in a small town where trends amongst students in school are incredibly influential, it was hard separating my own dreams from those around me. I was apart of the arts; I was a trumpet player and drum major in my school’s band, and I was friends with many of the people in the theater department, but these only made up 10% of the student body, if that. The rest were friends and student alike who wanted to go into a STEM field, or were persuaded into going into a STEM field because that was considered the “norm” in town. Everything was a domino effect. I felt infected with this, and eventually decided I ‘wanted’ to go to college for neuropsychology and brain sciences.

I hate to say it, but most of these so-called paths were inspired by the more wealthy and privileged students who could afford to go to the good schools, travel, wear the popular clothing brands, which I wanted nothing more to do, even though I was not raised with the means. I feel as though it is the east coast “high school experience” to want to be with the popular kids and wear the Patagonia, Lululemon, and Vineyard Vines to school every day. It was like that was all that mattered. I was lucky to have some separation because I was a competitive synchronized swimmer, and spent most evenings or afternoons at practice or a competition. If I ended up in high school playing the most popular sports, I think I would’ve ended up elsewhere. Thankfully I did not.

Though COVID was not a great time in life, it gave me much-needed separation from the group to really sit with myself and think about what I want in life. I eventually moved from CT to CA for school, and 4 years later, found myself graduating with a film degree from UC Santa Barbara. That was a long journey in itself, with lots of moving parts, but I think getting out of Connecticut, where life and career are viewed in such a small box, was vital in the story. California is such a creative place compared to CT. Everyone who was born here seems to want to be an artist of some kind, or people move here to get away from their judgmental hometown to follow their passions.

I gave into the culture of the east coast when I was younger, because that was all I knew, yet it always felt ingenuine. I knew subconsciously I did not want to grow up and live such a linear life path, but when you’re young and easily influenced, it’s incredibly hard to get away from the majority, especially when it’s looked down upon. I’m not in the place I want to be with my career yet, but I am in the. exact place I yearned to be in back to when I was 16. I believe in the universe, that everything happens for a reason, and the universe has an already existent life path for me with everything I desire, but it’s a matter of taking small steps now to lead me to that place.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

Acting was always in interest of mine, but growing up I was always a bit scared of what my parents would think about it. But once I did, I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. I fell into acting about 2-3 years ago while studying film at UC Santa Barbara, and there’s nothing more fulfilling than being part of something that resonates with people, that makes them feel seen, or even just makes them feel something. My favorite feeling is going to see a movie, either in theaters or at home, and getting an excitement in my chest like no other, where I could cry of happy tears from the pure joy I feel taking in the film, as if I’m the one living through it.

There’s something incredibly raw and vulnerable about performing. I love exploring people, the parts of us that we try to hide, the emotions we don’t fully understand until we have to express them on screen. When I’m acting, I’m not just pretending to be someone else, I’m digging into the truth of that character, finding pieces of myself in them, and vice versa. It’s about finding what you would do in the given circumstances, and merging it with the character.

I also love the filmmaking aspect of it. When you’re on set, there’s this unspoken energy between actors, the director, the crew—you’re all chasing after the same feeling, the same moment of authenticity in a given scene. When you capture it, when everything just clicks—that’s the most electric, alive feeling in the world. Whether it takes 1 or 20 takes, it’s such a magical feeling, especially when you get to a place where you and the other actors have that true connection. The most special projects to me are ones I produce, as well as act in. I find those the most fulfilling when both sides of production harmonize.

Recently, I had a few short films premiere at festivals. To name a few: Beverly Hills Film Festival, San Luis Obispo International Film Festival, LA Actors on Screen, Mirada Corta Film Festival, and Fantasia Film Festival. Excited for the future, and if you’d like to keep up on updates, feel free to follow my social media!

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

The most important thing I am still trying to swallow is to not really care what other people think about you, your interests, line of work, etc. There will be people everywhere that want to bring you down, whether it comes from a place of jealousy or worry, but it’s important not to listen to them. I’m learning that the body likes to stay in places that are comfortable, not only for you but also the nervous system. Doing things that are scary or put you in a spotlight alone are vital for growth, especially when going into a creative career.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I am always looking for collaborators! As an actor, it’s a constant waiting game from audition to callback, back to submissions, so I would love to connect with producers/directors/writers who just want to create without the gridlock of the system. As a producer, I am looking to produce my first feature, if anyone is looking to make a script but doesn’t know how, or a film that has backing but is lacking the crew.

The best form of contact is via email or Instagram.
E: [email protected]
IG: @alenamauhs

Contact Info:

• Website: https://alenamauhs.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/alenamauhs
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14545421/#

Image Credits

Dana Patrick (main photo)