Inspiring Teens Magazine Features

Amajae Hardy Jones

5/24/2019

Amajae Hardy Jones - Pennsylvania
Interview by Caroline Alegado
Nomination by Diana Wolfe
Main Photography by Troy Alexander
Issue 21 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Nomination: Amajae Hardy-Jones is a 17 years old actress in the Philadelphia area that is making waves in our local entertainment industry. Amajae is actively involved in many productions currently such as “Cinderella: The Bride of Christ” and was casted as the lead in a traveling stage play called
“Not Without My Hijab” that follows the journey of Aneesa, a teenage Muslim girl struggling with many of the societal issues teenagers face: bullying, self-acceptance, and self-confidence.
Amajae oversees monthly meetings and organizes various community outreach projects, such as her annual Jeans for Teens drive. This annual jean
drive is organized to satisfy the most common request of teens who reside in homeless shelters, “a pair of jeans”. Last year with the help of her community, Amajae collected and donated over 300 pairs of jeans.
Amajae loves to travel. In Belize, Amajae visited the local elementary school making friends with the native school children. She has also been to parts of Europe and believes that education through travel is imperative.

How did you get started in theater?
I started theater when I was 14 years old. I began with church productions and community plays within the Philadelphia area. I also began a summer theater program at the Kimmel Center of Performing Arts named Show Stoppers.

What is your favorite production you’ve been in and why?
My favorite production that I’ve been a part of is the stage play, “Not Without My Hijab”. This play has been one of my favorites because I was able to learn from and experience a culture and religion different from my own. While adapting to a Muslim character, I was able to reflect on my own religion and educate myself of the similarities and differences between the two. Overall, the “Not Without My Hijab” staged production does an excellent job in educating the audience on the importance of the Muslim Religion.

Image by Andre McNeil with Olympus Studio

Can you talk about “Jeans for Teens” and what inspired you to start?
The “Jeans for Teens” drive is a nonprofit project that I took on in 2017 in order to benefit unfortunate teens who reside in homeless shelters. It was said that the number one item requested upon arrival is a pair of denim jeans. Through the “Jeans for Teens” project I was able to reach out to a homeless shelter in need and donate over 300 pairs of jeans. I was immediately inspired to take on this project in order to help those to feel a sense of normalcy amongst their peers. I was motivated to educate others of this issue while also encouraging others to take initiate in donating to those in need.

What lessons do you think traveling has taught you that you couldn’t learn in a classroom?
Based off my traveling experience I became educated on the importance of learning from others. The importance of learning new cultures helps us all to become better citizens within the world around us.

How are you working to make your dreams a reality?
I believe I am working towards making my dreams a reality by pressing on. I believe through goal setting, dedication, consistency and hard work, dreams have no other choice but to turn into reality.

What advice would you give to someone in a similar situation?
My advice would be to keep pushing despite what others may say or do. Don’t get discouraged or lose sight of your vision. If you can believe it, your almost there.

Image by by Tara Hardy

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In five years, I would like to continue in my craft of acting, I see myself continuously learning as I master my craft. Of course I see myself on the big screen by then.

What is your favorite activity or pastime that wasn’t in your nomination?
I’m a true Disney kid at heart. If I’m not working on memorizing a script, I’m probably off somewhere watching a Disney classic movie.

What is the scariest thing you’ve ever done for fun?
Scariest thing I’ve ever done was zip lining through the tree tops of Costa Rica.

Summer or Winter? Cats or Dogs? Vacation or Stay-cation?
Summer, Dogs, Vacation

Amajae will be featured in Issue 21 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

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Alyssa Mann

4/22/2019

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Alyssa Mann - California
Days of Our Lives "Nurse Shelley"
Interviewed by Zoe D’Angelo
Photography by Joanna DeGeneres and Alyssa Mann
Issue 20 Inspiring Teens Magazine

How did you become interested in acting? When did you start?
On a whim freshman year of high school, I auditioned for the school play ‘The Miracle Worker”, got cast, and fell in love. It was game over from then on.

What has been your favorite production you have been a part of? Why was this your favorite? What was your role?
They are all my favorite! Each character I am lucky enough to play are different and interesting in their own way. I currently play a character on Days of Our Lives, Nurse Shelley, who is super fun to embody, despite the fact she isn’t always the nicest.

What are some ways you prepare for filming?
Specificity is always the goal. I work both solo and with my scene partner(s) and director to get super clear on my character’s wants, needs and actions. Then on set I try to breathe, focus and really listen to what my partner is saying.

Image by Joanna DeGeneres

What is one thing most people do not know about acting?
I think a lot of people think acting is just memorizing lines. Memorizing the lines is the easy part, it’s all the other stuff that is hard. Emotionally connecting with a character means really knowing yourself and being honest and vulnerable. That is scary, and exciting, and very challenging.

Do you remember any lines you were given that have been your favorite to say? If so, why?
The first line I ever said on stage was “They said you’re going where the sun is fierce” and that one still holds a special place.

Have you always lived in LA or did you move there to pursue your acting career?
I moved to LA 6 years ago when I started getting into more film and TV. Before that I lived in NYC. I went to Tisch at NYU and stayed after I graduated for many years doing theatre. Theatre is amazing training and I believe anyone who wants to be an actor should do theatre for at least a little while.

What was the hardest part about adapting to the lifestyle of LA? How did you get through it?
Being away from family and friends. I still miss them all the time, but I’m lucky to have an awesome husband and group of friends in LA that keep me grounded, and I try to fly back east at least once a year to visit.

Walk me through a typical day, from when you first wake up, to when you fall asleep.
Each day is pretty different when you are an actor because you could be on a show, auditioning, rehearsing, or just hustling to try to get an audition. No matter what, I get up and one of the first things I do is exercise. It keeps me sane.

What is one thing you found most surprising on set?
The mayhem. Honestly, it’s a miracle anything gets finished. The people who work behind the camera are so amazing and so hard working and brilliant, from the Producers to the PAs. It really does take a village and I am in awe of it always. It’s magic.

What would be your advice to someone who wants to be where you are today?
Don't wait for permission to pursue what you want. If you want to act, act. Even if it means getting friends together and reading a play out loud in your living room or shooting something on your iPhone. It still counts, and it's the only way to move forward in this insane career. Also, surround yourself with hardworking, positive people. They will lift you up when it gets hard and you can do the same for them. And BE GRATEFUL. If you are lucky enough to be doing what you love on any level, you have won at the game of life.

Alyssa will be featured in issue 20 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

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Phoebe Coleman

3/31/2019

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Phoebe Coleman - Maryland
Interview by Zoe D’Angelo
Nomination and Photography by Shooting Future Stars
Featured in Issue 16 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

The Nomination: Phoebe is 13 years old, an actress, plays the drums and dances. She is also an honor student who reads to kids in her spare time.

What are some of your favorite quotes and why?
Cicely Tyson quote:
• “I want to believe that there is a mountain so high that I will spend my entire life striving to reach the top of it.”
I feel that you are always learning your craft. When you stop learning, you give up.

Denzel Washington quotes:
• “You pray for rain, you gotta deal with the mud too. That’s part of it.”
I feel that you have to go through something to get something.
• “Do what you have to do, to do what you want to do.”
I feel that you have to put your best in life to be the best – this goes for acting too.

What is your favorite part about playing the drums?
Before I took drum lessons, I would often hit my thighs, the table in front of me or anything else that I could hit or bang on. My favorite part of playing the drums is accenting or making a stronger sound after maintaining a certain beat or tempo.

When you dance, what are some thoughts that go through your head?
When I dance, I feel free. I feel as though there is no care in the world. I feel like I can fly like an eagle in the wind. I have a destination in mind or I am focused on being free. I am thinking freedom from all cares when I dance.

Tell me about your experience of reading to kids in your spare time.
I love reading to kids in my spare time. I know that I am giving back to the community. I have read at malls, community centers, day care centers and plan to continue doing this. The kids interact with me through my questions to them and their questions to me. They are engaged with the conversation and they are motivated about what I say to them.

What’s next for you?
In the future, my plans include acting in movies and television shows that have action, motivation, and comedy in them. I also want to motivate the financially disadvantaged and physically challenged youth.

Phoebe was featured in Issue 16 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

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Jordan McEachin

3/12/2019

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Jordan McEachin – 19 - Virginia
Interview by Zoe D'Angelo
Nominated by Nicole McEachin and Heather Chesky
Photography by Heather Chesky Photography
Issue 19 | Performer

The Nominations: Something inspiring about Jordan McEachin is her recovery after her HSP( Henoch- Schonlein purpura) diagnoses. During her recovery, she was determined to get back into shape to perform with her dance company. After months of physical therapy, she performed in three shows. Anything is possible with hard work, passion and determination. - Nicole McEachin

Jordan was your average teen who loved performing on stage….Until one day, she got strep. Strep then turned into a serious of more intense and extremely painful symptoms that persisted for weeks and months on end.

Finally, after seeing a slew of doctors and being poked and prodded for endless tests and exams, Jordan was diagnosed with Henoch-Schonlein Purpura, or HSP.

Jordan was immediately hospitalized for over a month to go through treatment. As her body slowly strengthened, she was able to go home.

Determined to not fall behind in school, Jordan continued her studies while homebound and eventually was able to return for the final quarter of her school year.

However, the medication and steroids she was required to take caused extreme swelling and Jordan was unrecognizable, even by her closest friends. In fact, she was often mistaken for a new student.

In spite of the daily struggles she faced, Jordan continued her studies and worked diligently to be healthy enough to dance again. And because of her persistence, she made a full recovery and was back preforming on stage quicker than anyone, including her doctors, thought possible.

Jordan has come out of this illness even stronger than before and is determined to not let any circumstance stand in the way of her goals.

In fact, Jordan is now is a freshman at AMDA in LA and is happily pursing a degree in musical theatre.

Perhaps what is most inspiring about Jordan is that she has said that “any obstacle in life can be overcome with persistence.” She is living proof of that truth. - Heather Chesky

Tell us about HSP.

HSP is a form of blood vessel inflammation called vasculitis caused by an autoimmune reaction to an everyday illness like the flu or strep. As a result, blood vessels burst throughout your body, causing purple-hued rashes to appear under the skin’s surface. Not only does HSP cause a rash-like appearance covering your body, but it also causes joint inflammation and a swollen abdomen bringing violent waves of pain usually accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

What are some ways you stayed positive during your hospitalization?

To stay positive in the hospital, I focused on keeping myself busy by painting ceiling tiles for future patients to enjoy in their rooms. I was fortunate enough to have many friends from school and dance visit me and send cards of positive encouragement for a speedy recovery.

How did your career in dancing, acting and singing begin?

I started dancing at the age of three, after watching Maisy Mouse. I first started in ballet, and quickly added multiple styles of dance to my repertoire, from jazz, modern, contemporary, hiphop, and my favorite style, tap. From then on, I completely fell in love with the performing arts, adding individual voice lessons and acting classes since middle school.

What are some of your favorite shows you have performed in and why?

Some of my favorite shows I have done would be the dance review styled shows I had the opportunity to travel abroad for with my youth performing arts company. I was given the opportunity to travel to both Greece and South Africa to immerse different cultures together through the art of dance and performing. In addition, doing Beauty and the Beast with my high school my senior year was one of my favorite shows to be a part of. Not only is it because I am a huge Disney fan, but also because the music in the show is stunning! Beauty and the Beast is definitely one of my all time favorite Disney movies. Currently, I am in my college's stage reading of 9-5 and can already tell it is going to be one of my favorite shows to be a part of!

What are your plans for the future?

Currently, I am a freshman at AMDA College and Conservatory for the Performing Arts in Los Angeles for a BFA in Musical Theatre. After college, I hope to go into television and film as an actress as well as become a performer on Broadway.

Jordan will be featured in issue 19 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

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Breaking into the Business

12/19/2017

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How to Break into the Business - By Brynn Casey
for the 2017 Winter Issue of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Take some photos
Whether you want to be an actor/actress or model, taking some simple photos with your phone or camera is the first step!

Find an agency
I would not have had all the opportunities without my agency. To do this, submit your photos to acting and modeling agencies and hope for a call or email. Once you are with an agency, they will proceed to send you on auditions. Be aware of what agency you submit photos to- there are scams out there! Steer clear of paying just to be with an agency. Legit agencies do not ask for money just to be represented by them. However, paying for headshots and giving you agency a portion of the money you make from jobs is acceptable.

Tips from a pro:
This process may take a while, but if you really want to pursue this path, it is worth it so stay with it. Do not get discouraged!
You have to stay committed. This is a very competitive business that many people desire to be in. Make sure you are outgoing and stand out!
You have to have a flexible schedule. Last minute is a good way to describe this business. Missing school and traveling are common once you break into this career.
Have fun! There are so many amazing people and opportunities that can come with this journey.

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Extra Extra! How to be one.

12/1/2017

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How to be an extra, by Delila Matara - Issue 11 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

As a teenager, it is very hard to gain the recognition you deserve. I was in the same exact situation as you. My name is Delila Matara, and this is how I got on television. I started out with a small home movie produced and directed by some family friends. After a couple shots, I fell in love with being on camera.
My mother liked the idea as well, so we began getting more and more involved. Here is a very personal tip from me to you: the internet will be your best friend during this adventure. Always look for open-calls on the internet. But before I send you off, here are a few tips….

1. Never go to an interview/casting without an adult.
2. Make sure you have the correct working papers, permits, and worksheets for that particular state/audition.
3. Do major investigating on where you are going! (If it seems shady, get out of there)
4. Try to make friends, you never know who you are going to meet.
5. Always bring different color shirts/pants/shoes.
6. Check your email for specific outfits & what you need to bring.
7. Bring along a notebook & pencil, just incase you need to write down information.
8. Make sure you know who you are meeting with.
9. Try to find out that agency’s instagram, facebook, and/or twitter.
10 . If you wear makeup, bring along foundation with you.
11. ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, get enough sleep & something to eat.

Do not be fooled by the small word, “extra.” Every single extra in a show or movie, makes the difference. Without all these people involved, the scene does not seem realistic.
I hope that these tips were helpful, my best wishes go to you, future actor/actress!

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Amajae Hardy Jones

Amajae Hardy Jones - Pennsylvania
Interview by Caroline Alegado
Nomination by Diana Wolfe
Main Photography by Troy Alexander
Issue 21 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Alyssa Mann

Alyssa Mann - California
Days of Our Lives "Nurse Shelley"
Interviewed by Zoe D’Angelo
Photography by Joanna DeGeneres and Alyssa Mann
Issue 20 Inspiring Teens Magazine

Phoebe Coleman

Phoebe Coleman - Maryland
Interview by Zoe D’Angelo
Nomination and Photography by Shooting Future Stars
Featured in Issue 16 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Jordan McEachin

Jordan McEachin – 19 - Virginia
Interview by Zoe D'Angelo
Nominated by Nicole McEachin and Heather Chesky
Photography by Heather Chesky Photography
Issue 19 | Performer

Breaking into the Business

How to Break into the Business - By Brynn Casey
for the 2017 Winter Issue of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Extra Extra! How to be one.

How to be an extra, by Delila Matara - Issue 11 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Featured

Archives

Categories

Amajae Hardy Jones

Amajae Hardy Jones - PennsylvaniaInterview by Caroline AlegadoNomination by Diana WolfeMain Photography by Troy AlexanderIssue 21 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Alyssa Mann

Alyssa Mann - CaliforniaDays of Our Lives "Nurse Shelley"Interviewed by Zoe D’AngeloPhotography by Joanna DeGeneres and Alyssa Mann​Issue 20 Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Phoebe Coleman

Phoebe Coleman - MarylandInterview by Zoe D’AngeloNomination and Photography by Shooting Future StarsFeatured in Issue 16 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Jordan McEachin

Jordan McEachin – 19 - VirginiaInterview by Zoe D'AngeloNominated by Nicole McEachin and Heather CheskyPhotography by Heather Chesky PhotographyIssue 19 | Performer

Breaking into the Business

How to Break into the Business - By Brynn Casey ​for the 2017 Winter Issue of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Extra Extra! How to be one.

How to be an extra, by Delila Matara - Issue 11 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Featured

Archives

Categories

Amajae Hardy Jones - Pennsylvania
Interview by Caroline Alegado
Nomination by Diana Wolfe
Main Photography by Troy Alexander
Issue 21 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Alyssa Mann - California
Days of Our Lives "Nurse Shelley"
Interviewed by Zoe D’Angelo
Photography by Joanna DeGeneres and Alyssa Mann
Issue 20 Inspiring Teens Magazine

Phoebe Coleman - Maryland
Interview by Zoe D’Angelo
Nomination and Photography by Shooting Future Stars
Featured in Issue 16 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Jordan McEachin – 19 - Virginia
Interview by Zoe D'Angelo
Nominated by Nicole McEachin and Heather Chesky
Photography by Heather Chesky Photography
Issue 19 | Performer

How to Break into the Business - By Brynn Casey
for the 2017 Winter Issue of Inspiring Teens Magazine