Grace Pitts

Grace Pitts – Arkansas
Interview by Inspiring Teens
Nomination & Photography by Christen Pitts
Issue 39 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

The Nomination: Grace Pitts shines on and off the stage/screen! She performed in NYC in The America Project, an off-Broadway workshop, more than 20 plays/musicals (two world premieres), and many commercials/films. She is a member of the Dance Troupe, Thespian Society, NHS for Dance Arts, Choir, Tri-M Music Society, Teen Ensemble, Heart Ball Sweetheart (Silver Service Award), Girl of Distinction- Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame. Grace uses her artistic gifts to inspire, teach, learn, challenge, and create opportunities. She also created her own baked goods/custom art business, Grace’s Gifts, and has over 350 clients! ​

Photography by Christen Pitts

​
​How did you get your start on and off the stage/screen? What are your most memorable moments at auditions and/or behind the scenes?
My mom is a dance teacher and choreographer, so I was “attending” rehearsals when she was pregnant with me! I loved being in the studio and playing onstage while she was rehearsing, so performing was a natural first step for me. I started modeling when I was nine months old, dance at three, and did my first commercial at five. I performed in my first musical at eight and was in my first movie at nine! I am so grateful for all the wonderful opportunities I have had. I have worked with incredibly talented people over the years. With every new character, I learn a new story. I can just stop being me for a moment in time and absorb the lessons of someone else’s life.
One of my most memorable moments was when I played Little Red Riding Hood in Into The Woods. I was the youngest in the show and was in my “safe place” with my “theatre family.” During a break from rehearsal one night, my phone lit up and mean messages appeared on the screen. As Little Red faces threats from the menacing Wolf, I was confronted with something far more terrifying: middle school bullies. Fellow Into the Woods actors noticed my distress and comforted me without hesitation. The next day, the director called everyone into a cast meeting and the woman who played Rapunzel presented a jar to me filled with sweet and encouraging notes from each cast member. Whenever I was sad, I could just open up the jar and pull out a note to cheer me up. That is the reason I love musical theatre: the family that it creates out of a community of strangers.

Let's talk about performing in NYC in the America Project. How did you find out about it, get involved, and what were your conditions like? (How often did you perform, where did you stay, how did you get along with the rest of the cast, etc.)
 The creative team for The America Project (Dina Slawson, Dell Howlett, and David Dabbon) did a nationwide casting call. My brother, Corbin, and I submitted our auditions and were two of the twenty-two young artists cast in this new musical workshop. We rehearsed at Pearl Studios in New York City and performed at the Sheen Center. It was an incredible experience! We met some amazing and talented friends from across the country working on this show! It was exciting to originate a role for a show that will hopefully make it to Broadway one day!

Photography by Warren McCullough

​With your many commercials and films, which are your most notable that you are proud of? Tell us about your top 2.
One - I was cast in a feature film last year called “Don’t Say My Name” which was inspired by true events about a young human trafficking survivor who escapes her captors and is on a journey of survival. We shot the film in and around Orlando, Florida and I had a great time meeting actors and filmmakers from across the country. The film is such an important subject and hopefully will shed some light into this tragic issue.

Two - My brother, Corbin, was cast as a recurring character in True Detective Season 3 on HBO with Mahershala Ali, Stephen Dorff, and Carmen Ejogo. I was so proud of him and was so happy to have been cast as a high school student in one of the scenes he shared with Carmen Ejogo. I loved being a part of the show and had fun on set watching my brother. We celebrated his 12th birthday on set followed by dinner with some of his castmates: Brandon Flynn, Rhys Wakefield, and Richard Meehan. It was fun hanging out in his trailer, meeting and working with so many talented actors, going to the red carpet premiere, and watching the show when it aired on HBO.

You belong to a LOT of clubs and organizations and volunteer a lot. Which 2 are you most involved in/closest to your heart or goals and why?
When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, “I used everything you gave me.” This quote by Erma Bombeck resonates with me because I am a strong believer that giving back to the community who supports you is very important. I have learned so many incredible lessons from working with and helping others, as well as, connecting with community stakeholders. Many of my volunteer experiences have been through the arts. I have performed for Arkansas Enterprises for the Developmentally Disabled’s Curtain Call for a Cause, Martin Luther King Megafest, Dark Night and Encore for Education for ACT, helped teach dance to ambassadors of the Children’s Tumor Foundation, assistant taught musical theatre classes for the Acansa Arts Festival, Argenta Community Theatre, the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, and more! Through the arts, I have found my voice, self-confidence, and the ability to express myself. I hope to encourage others to find what they love and share in the joy of the arts with others!

I was honored to be chosen as a one of five Girls of Distinction for the Arkansas Women's Hall of Fame. I was paired with Hall of Fame honorees, Academy Award Winner, Mary Steenburgen, and Dr. Carolyn Blakely- two incredible women blazing a path in their careers! It was so inspiring to hear all of the women empowering and supporting one another!

Through my volunteer work in the arts and my community organizations, I have over 1,600 community service hours. I am proud to give back and feel I am a better person for sharing my time, talent, and energy with others.

Photography by Christen Pitts

​You own your own business, Grace's Gifts. Tell us about it, including why and how you got started, any difficulties running it while you are busy doing so many things and how you manage it, and where you hope it grows in the upcoming years.
I was cast in “Bye Bye Birdie” at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre for the summer of 2020, but the show was cancelled due to COVID-19. With my newfound free time, I wanted to get a job, so I created Grace’s Gifts! I love baking and creating art, so this was the perfect opportunity! In just a few months, I have over 350 clients and am even getting an internship credit at school for my company! I am using the money earned to help pay for college audition coaching, workshops, and application fees. www.gracejpitts.com (website) and imdb.me/gracepitts

What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about empowering others. There is so much negativity in our society and I think it is important to support friends, include others, and to make people feel important. The negative effects of social media on teenagers has led to many young people having depression and anxiety. I hope that the stigma of asking for help or understanding could be erased. Lift one another up...be there for each other. If you see someone being hurt in person or on social media- step up and help make things right.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
In addition to being a performer for most of my life, I have been a part of many community service organizations. I feel it is important to be a part of the community you live in. I was a member of the Mayor's Youth Council for two years, Student Council for four years, volunteered at homeless shelters, at local arts organizations, was an assistant teacher for musical theatre classes at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, Acansa Arts Festival, and the Argenta Community Theatre. Being an active member of your community is very fulfilling and allows you to learn and grow. The arts can change lives.

If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be on and why? (What do you feel passionate about or could talk forever about?)
Bullying...I am VERY passionate about this subject. It only takes one person to make a change. Step and stand up to help others. "Liking" mean and hateful comments on social media makes you just as guilty as the one posting them. Think before posting things. It is rude to exclude. If you see someone being left out- invite them to sit with you. If your friends are your true friends, they will love you in your good and bad times. They won't turn on you and post negative things or spread rumors. Encourage others to be a friend and to be kind.

Photography by Christen Pitts

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
Never give up and ignore the “noise.”

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
Living in New York City and yes!

What is your favorite activity or pastime that was not in your nomination?
I like to read.

Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?
I can make puppets.

Who do you find inspiring?
Lindsay Mendez. She got rejected from every drama program she auditioned for for college but she’s a big Broadway star now.

How do you keep your schedule straight when you are so busy?
Lots of calendars! I have to be good at time management and it is difficult at times (especially if things overlap).

Look for Grace in issue 39 of Inspiring Teens!

---

click here for more information on issue 39

click here to nominate an inspiring teen