Today we’d like to introduce you to Leah Harper.
Hi Leah, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I came from a family that was heavily influenced in the arts, and they wanted to expose me to as many different aspects of art as possible. They had me take art classes, dance classes, music, theater, pottery, sculpture, and so on. They also had me very involved in all different types of sports, so I grew up very active as well. I ended up falling in love with classical piano, and that was my first obsession before acting. I dove deep into the world of music and even majored in classical piano. I absolutely loved music and still do, but there was a small part of me that also knew I was supposed to act and to tell stories.
I was always the outgoing, funny, storyteller kid at the party that loved making people laugh, and I thought laughter and bringing people joy was my true passion. There are many skits that I would do with friends and small theater productions that I was a part of, and through that, I found that making people feel true emotion was really what intoxicated me about life. With playing classical piano, making comedy skits, being in theater, even being in the fine arts as far as painting all of those things made people feel. Whether that was feel good, feel sad, feel happy, or even uncomfortable. I just loved making people feel and still do.
I ended up having a falling out with piano, and it just about crushed me as a person. Piano was the one thing I had that made me feel whole. It was my true love. I had a period of time where I was searching for the new thing to do. I was very good in school so I could pretty much do anything that I wanted as far as education goes. I went into healthcare for a little bit, and then I also went into economics. Nothing felt right, and nothing could fill the void of losing piano and how I could make people feel with my playing. It was definitely one of my greatest gifts. That’s when I decided I need to go into acting. I need to at least try it to see if it was something that would connect with me. Something to fill that void. And it turns out it was. I started studying Meisner technique about three years ago, and I absolutely fell in love with it. In this technique, it’s not just about how you make someone feel but also to be aware of your own feelings and to live truthfully in the imaginary circumstance that you build. It felt as if I had found my purpose, and that was to make people feel, and now I had a tool, and that was the Meisner technique.
Once I started taking classes at The Houde School of Acting, I was taking between 15 to 20 classes a week. Some were Meisner technique classes, some were audition classes, some script analysis classes, and the list goes on. I knew that I wanted to be good at this, and from working in the arts with classical piano, I knew time and hard work is the best way to get there. I still take class every week, not as intensely, but that’s because I have a steady base technique that I’m very confident in.
I am constantly doing auditions, whether that be for industrial, commercial, VoiceOver, hand modeling, feature film, or print shoots. I am always working. The time that I spent in classes from the beginning is just refocused in different areas. I’m always trying to put my best foot forward and tell myself that I can always do better.
My job as an actor is to tell a story and to give life to the characters I portray. I could never do anything else.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The road has been pretty smooth. I stayed very focused and disciplined in my work, but the lifestyle change was scary at first. I thought I was very happy with where I was, so to try and change that was very scary for me and my husband, but the truth was I was not really happy. I was more so “used to my routine.” I would go to my everyday job that I would work 5 to 6 days a week, come home, relax for the evening, go to bed and start the whole thing all over again. I was just going through the steps, but I wasn’t really enjoying it. I do have a habit of making every situation enjoyable for myself if I can, so in a way, I can lie to myself if I’m unhappy and just make do.
I think a lot of people do that and may not even realize. But once we made that step it was one of the best and most important steps I’ve ever taken in my life. I would never go back to where I was working before, and I have no regrets of being brave. I have an amazing husband who is constantly with me and supporting me and all of my choices. I can’t imagine going through this without him
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As far as day-to-day work, I am always staying updated with social media and staying up-to-date on new classes and opportunities. A lot of times I am reading scripts and analyzing scenes throughout the day along with normal auditions. I’m always collaborating as well. Working with other hard-working actors and going through scenes or doing auditions together.
I’m most known for working with the Houde School of Acting with my focus in the Meisner technique and being able to go to very deep emotional spots and allowing them to shine through.
I’m proud of my work ethic. I’m proud of not backing down. And for always trying to do my best. I absolutely love what I do, and I’m willing to put anything aside to pursue my love of acting.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Do your work, and do good work. It’s very important to be critical of yourself but also supportive. Find somebody who believes in you, who wants you to drive on your own but is also there to push you and to be honest with you about your work. Always put your best foot forward. Always go into the field knowing that you may not know the answer, but you’re going to do your best to try and figure it out.
Building relationships it’s so important to your craft. And the majority of the times it’s very easy to build relationships with people that want to work just as hard as you. That is your group. Stick with those people that want to push themselves and push you. Stick with people who are creative thinkers. It’s always good to find a group that is better than you.
Pricing:
- Reader ( for auditions ) $125
- Self-tape set up advice $75
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealleahharper/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/leah.harper.395
- Other: imdb.me/leahharper
- Talent Group: http://www.talentgroup.com/
divisions/film-and-tv/ portfolios/leah-harper - Heyman Talent: https://www.heymantalent.
com/t/leah-harper
Image Credits
Shannon Ahlstrand
Joseph Rangel
