Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Meyer.
Hi Danielle, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I began acting when I got into high school, around age 15. I was not cast my freshman year in any of my school shows. I attended a summer musical theatre intensive, which really brought me out of my shell. I am naturally an introvert and can be a bit shy, so jumping into new adventures with the arts really helped me grow. I was cast in my first show that following school year. And I was cast in many other plays in high school, including a few musicals. I trained in school and outside of school with a private coach and in classes for different techniques. Throughout high school, I also played varsity golf, so that was a big decision I had to make: choosing golf or theatre as I moved into a dedicated commitment for college. I chose theatre and acting. I still golf today for fun with family and friends (I have also helped a few beginners get their game in order, at least enough to go play with friends). I double majored in theatre and international business prior to transferring universities; COVID had a bit of an impact on that. Once I transferred to Central State University, I studied business with a leadership and management concentration and continued my acting training outside of college. I continue to take acting classes, work with a dialect coach, vocal coach, and fitness trainer. I am repped across the board in the Midwest and Southcentral regions. I currently split my time between southwest Ohio and Los Angeles. I also run my own company, Nani Media, for producing, acting, and other multimedia work. I produce and executive produce various projects. To work on a project, it always goes back to story and teamwork. The story really is our driving point.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Haha, no. This industry is not a smooth road. Life, in general, is not a smooth road. New paths open up, others become blocked, but sometimes we have to get off the paved road to smell the roses and flowers along the dirt path. Adversity is a part of life. It is what you do with that adversity that matters. For we would not know prosperity if we did not endure adversity. Our struggles are part of the plan – they teach lessons, provide insight, show us pain to purpose, and failure into success. COVID taught me a lot about the value of relationships, dry spells of auditions, callbacks, and bookings show us to have a strong support system, other interests, and a curious mind willing to try something new and learn (I relearned piano during this time). My spiritual relationship grows throughout adversity and struggle; therefore, it is imperative they exist so we may see the exaltation after we are humbled. Oh yeah, that too; it keeps us humble, and humility is a key character trait that sets you apart. I would define humility as knowing, accepting, and believing in the gifts you’ve been given, working towards your purpose while knowing your place throughout it all.
And making discoveries: learning about new topics like psychology, philosophy, cooking, relearning piano, golf. I LOVE cooking and baking. If I could, I would have a cooking show. Adventuring to vintage and antiques stores, finding some of the coolest gems are also a few things I love doing. And understanding the purpose of focused hard work, that is key. This is not an easy industry, but we have the choice each day for our behavior, our character, our gratitude, the way we treat others, and our hard work. Do everything in love on the foundation of compassion.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an actress. I am a producer. I am a storyteller. I am a servant leader. I am a business owner. I am an advocate. I am an active listener. But most of all, I am a friend, a daughter, a sister, and fulfilling a higher purpose than self.
I am currently working on a few different productions, one as a co-writer and lead actress. And another as the executive producer. I am in acting classes weekly with AMAZING coaches and continue to find gratitude with each step of the journey.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you, and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Yes – every obstacle is an opportunity to learn, to grow from pain into purpose, and to strengthen your spiritual relationship. COVID taught a deeper love and respect for self, self-care, and others. It showed me the universal human need: to be loved and to love others.
My family is very important to me; they are my rock. And COVID really opened my eyes to that. I began practicing gratitude daily and keep a gratitude journal. I worked, and continue working on, my active listening muscle. We all know hearing, we know listening, but active listening is most important, and it requires continuous practice.
I found a love for taking photos, especially architecture, nature, and abstract images. Especially if there is a blue sky and a cool building, I will be spending a few minutes taking a few photos. Some are cool, some are not, but that is our gift as artists to create things without fear of failure because there is no failure; there is simply art. I also found a love for cooking and baking; it’s creating, it’s storytelling through FOOD! I mean how can you say no to that. As artists and creatives, we have an opportunity to tell stories through so many different types of artistic platforms. When we tell stories, we are creating THE platform for people to be seen and heard, to be cared for, to be loved. As storytellers, we work together towards one goal, and there is such beauty in that opportunity.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nanimedia.com
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10440077/
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/daniellekmey
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/daniellekmey
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellekmey/
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/daniellekmey
Image Credits
JW Cox
Chris Ott
Mikki Schaffner
