Today we’d like to introduce you to Dawn Marie Hughes.
Hi Dawn, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
Growing up, I always believed I would never be beautiful enough or talented enough to actually do anything with my life, and my thoughts were backed by the people who surrounded me. Sure, I enjoyed acting and singing and was involved in my school and community theatre programs. It was my passion and escape from the very harsh reality that I lived, but I was too afraid to really put in the work to do what I truly loved, in fear that I might fail.
A few years into my new role as a mom, I became determined to be the best role model for my son, and to do that I needed to change my mindset and believe in myself. It was finally time to follow my dream.
In 2015, after seeing a Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre job posting, I decided to take that chance. When I say I was scared to audition for an acting job, that is an understatement! The beauty of this entire story is that my career has catapulted thanks to that one audition and getting hired as their Lead Detective.
That one audition led me to acting in Film, modeling, and overcoming the fear of standing in front of large crowds to perform and teach. When you hear the stories about people who begin their careers a little later in life… Well, I’m one of them. I am proof that you can follow your dreams in your 40s!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The Struggle Bus is a real thing, and when life comes at you, sometimes it’s a little too fast! Only 3 years after getting started as an Actor and beginning to bloom as a Model, my grandmother suddenly passed away, and I lost my grandfather a few months after.
Then in 2019, I had to call an ambulance for myself because I could barely move and by the time I made the call, I couldn’t even remember my own address. After CT and MRI scans, I found out I had a tumor on my brain, and a few days later I had surgery to have it removed. Did I let it stop me? Not at all! You see, once you realize your talent and begin to follow your dream, you’ll want to keep going. Giving up was no longer an option for me! Just a month after surgery, I was back on set and acting again.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Being an empathic person, I am able to feel the emotions of every character I become. There is no particular genre or category that I fit into, though comedy and horror flicks are my specialty. It doesn’t matter what character you give me because I will become that person and I’m not afraid to do my own stunts!
Right now, you can rent “A Story For Winter” written and directed by local filmmaker, Nathan Weidner on Amazon Prime and stream for free, “Clay Zombies” written and directed by Jake Jolley, on Plex TV.
You can also get ready to see me in the new series, St. Gabriel (i71Movies) which is getting ready to stream on several platforms!
Did I mention you can still find me working a crime scene with The Columbus Dinner Detective?
Thanks to hard work and dedication, I am back on stage and getting paid to do it, working in Film, winning several awards for Best Actress through the Mid-Ohio Filmmaker Association, and modeling for big companies like Zulily, Upcart, and 614 Magazine. No longer in fear of rejection, this Actress is determined to follow her dreams.
I think the biggest thing that sets me apart from everybody else is that I don’t settle. I will always give everything my all at 100%. And, when an opportunity arises, I’m able to follow that direction in order to make those connections. Acting led to singing LIVE on radio. It also led to modeling. Now I am writing scripts. There is no limit to what I can do! That’s my biggest advice for anyone trying to get into the entertainment industry. Do what you love, never limit yourself, and keep learning!
What matters most to you?
I think what matters to me most is being able to be a positive role model for, not only my son but others who are trying to follow their dreams. Life has never been easy for me. I face adversity often and am still working to improve my health. I have survived abuse, homelessness, illness, became a single mom, and so much more. I’ve been knocked down more times than I can count, but I get back up every single time. I want people to be encouraged by my story of overcoming so much and realizing they can do the same. I want people to realize their own self-worth, to know they ARE enough, and to know they are worthy of their dreams. When one door closes, another door opens. Rejection doesn’t mean failure. It means a better opportunity is on the way. Success is measured not by society’s standards but by your own.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dawnmhughes07.wixsite.com/website
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawnmariehughes07
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dawnmariehughesactor/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/dawnmarie_actor
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8297771/
Image Credits
Angela Tunstall
