We recently connected with Jennifer Ashley Snow and have shared our conversation below.
Jennifer, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
My lovely mom has always had a deep admiration and appreciation of art in all forms. She was and still is to this day a film/television connoisseur. She passed on that love & respect for art to me. I grew up watching phenomenal films at home and on the big screen. Going to the movie theater was such an exciting experience as a child. I found watching movies as a wonderful escape from your problems and from what sometimes can feel like a mundane world. I remember walking out of the movie theater incredibly pumped and uplifted from the astounding performances I just saw. I felt as if I could fully embody the character I was inspired by the most. I thought about how amazing it would be if I could provide an escape for others and provoke all sorts of emotions through my acting. My favorite actresses growing up were Natalie Portman and Sandra Bullock. I saw myself and my potential within them. I’ve always been a very sensitive, compassionate soul. I find the human experience to be fascinating. Putting myself in other peoples shoes has been something I’ve done naturally ever since I can remember. I used to feel ashamed of being a highly sensitive person, but now I see it as my gift, my superpower. I feel as though being a very empathetic person adds so much dimension to your work as an actor. I genuinely love people and psychology. Acting involves a great deal of psychology in order to get into the headspace of the character you’re portraying. In 5th grade I played Laura Ingalls in a “Little House on the Prairie” play and I knew then that acting was my purpose. I went on to book the lead role Catherine in the play “Proof” by David Auburn at The Heather Theater. My beloved Yorkshire Terrier Katie suddenly passed away as I was rehearsing for the play. My character was experiencing depression after the loss of her father, whom of which she was very close to. I was able to express my genuine grief through my character and it was extremely therapeutic. One of my favorite things about acting is that you can turn pain and sorrow into art for other people to take in & relate to.
My father passed away recently. He was a very driven and passionate man. I feel proud to be his daughter. I witnessed how hard working, effortlessly talented and giving he was. He always led with his heart and it was truly beautiful to watch his face light up whenever he was doing activities he thoroughly enjoyed. He made me realize that you can use your heart and what brings you joy as a compass in life to guide you towards your purpose. He is missed every single day and I will keep his memory alive in everything I do.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Being immersed within a character and being a part of a collaboration with other artists truly lights up my soul. I trained at the Performers Studio Workshop in Tampa, FL for many years. It was an in depth scene study class taught by Kathy Laughlin, C.S.A. It was there where I learned about script analysis, how to create a character, and showcasing scenes for agents. Ricky Wayne taught me how to audition via self tapes for film/television. I studied UCB Improvisational Comedy at the American Stage Theater Company for several years. I joined the Actors Union SAG-AFTRA in 2014 with the intention of continuing to study my craft and to make the move to Los Angeles to pursue my career further. I moved to LA in 2019 and met my fantastic acting coach, Craig Archibald within the same month of moving. I play the role of Jessica in a short film called “Katia” that is on Amazon Prime Video. Most recently, I played Penelope in a comedic short film called “I Propose We Break Up”. It premiered at the Emerson College Los Angeles Center recently on March 25th, 2023. The film premiere matched the energy on set – supportive, uplifting, loving, bubbly. What a joy it was to see it on the big screen and get to listen to the audiences reaction in real time. I’m incredibly proud & grateful to have had the opportunity to bring Penelope to life and to help tell such a relatable, authentic story about choosing yourself while lifting each other up through the power of friendship. I’ve been very fortunate to work with female directors, producers, writers, cast and crew members for both “Katia” and “I Propose We Break Up”. Representation matters and to watch these female filmmakers work so hard at making their vision/dreams a reality has inspired me beyond belief. It has made me see what is possible for myself and for future generations.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, the three areas of knowledge that were most impactful in my journey were finding acting coaches that will push you past your comfort zone, learning to find the love & excitement within the audition process, and gaining on set experience as much as possible. My acting teacher Kathy Laughlin allowed me to experiment on stage and to find myself as an actress within her scene study class. She held me accountable and called me out if I didn’t do the quality of work that she knew I was capable of. The biggest compliment that she ever gave me was that I’m a character actress, a chameleon that could blend into the different characters I was portraying. She gave me the courage to pursue acting as a career path. I wouldn’t be where I am today without her guidance and the belief that she had in me. I couldn’t have done it without the foundation and tools she gave me. The discipline and drive she instilled within me. I’m grateful to have found my current coach, Craig Archibald shortly after moving to LA. He teaches on-camera technique, a vital skillset when it comes to auditioning and for filming on set. Craig has created a comfortable, safe environment to allow his students to discover themselves as artists in front of the camera. Finding a coach who you mesh well with and meeting other actors in class to collaborate with is very important, especially if you’re new in town. Join classes and put yourself out there in anyway you can. Improv class is a great way to get out of your head/comfort zone and is a very helpful skillset to have when on set. My best advice would be to not rely on your agent/manager to get you work. Be an advocate for yourself as an artist and gain as much on set experience as you can. Submit yourself on casting websites for web series, student films, and short films. This is how to get footage for your demo reel and how you’ll gain invaluable, confidence-building experience as an actor.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
Before moving to Los Angeles I read Jenna Fischer’s book “The Actor’s Life: A Survival Guide”. I was planning on moving to LA but it was this book that gave me the courage to actually take the leap. She wrote the book she wished she had upon moving to pursue a career in acting. I still use this book as a reference because Jenna talks about getting headshots, the process of signing with the right representation for you, auditioning for film/television/commercials, the importance of collaboration with other artists and putting yourself out there, and surviving financially in one of the most expensive cities in the world.. It’s so insightful and makes you feel like you’re not alone when hearing about the ups and downs of her experiences. The best part is I had the pleasure of meeting Angela Kinsey, who was in the TV show “The Office” with Jenna Fischer. They’ve remained best friends since the show ended and I was able to tell Angela how much “The Actor’s Life” inspired me. She relayed the message to Jenna and I will never forget that very special conversation I had with Angela.
My acting coach, Craig Archibald, recently wrote a book called “The Actor’s Mindset”. His mantra is “make everything make you better” and I think of it often. It’s so easy to get caught up in the rejection, the lack of feedback and comparing yourself to others in this industry. It’s a choice to let it bring you down or to allow it all to make you better. Your mindset as an actor is everything. It’s what will either propel you forward or deter you from continuing to try at all. Craig’s book focuses on not only the craft of acting, but also the entrepreneurial side that is absolutely necessary in the business of entertainment today. I highly recommend it!
Contact Info:
- Website: imdb.me/jenniferashleysnow
- Instagram: @jenniferashleysnow
Image Credits
Headshot photographer: Samantha Annis Photoshoot featuring Vanessa Boss as “Clara”, Eliana Rubin (She/They) as “Kam”, and Jennifer Ashley Snow as “Penelope” in the film “I Propose We Break Up”. Jennifer Ashley Snow as “Jessica” in the film “Katia” available on Amazon Prime Video.
