Coming off her lead role in Walnut Street Theatre’s Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, which ran through March 12th, local actress Alanna Smith (alannajsmith.com) is taking the industry by storm. “Getting to work as an actor in any capacity is my dream,” she shares. “Stage, screen— it’s all just dreamy. I just love being a part of stories that I care about, or that make me smile.” Premiered on March 10th, Disney+’s Chang Can Dunk features Smith in a co-starring role, and her recurring role on the hit Starz series Power Book II: Ghost begins March 17th. Here, we catch up with the Philadelphia starlet on her experiences, goals and more.
How did you get into acting?
“I would do anything for a laugh as a toddler. My first word was an impression of my Jewish grandma, Stella, yelling to my grandpa, ‘Jaaack!’”
From a lighthearted romantic comedy character to a sultry television drama series, how do you channel such different personas in your acting?
“That’s the best part about being an actor for me—getting to amplify all sides of myself. I love working with writers who give a voice to bold women from all walks of life.”
What can the audience expect from Cat on a Hot Tin Roof?
“It’s a story about family dynamics and the value of a single life. Expect to be moved, challenged, intrigued and heartbroken. I hope it makes audiences question themselves and talk to each other about the crazy whirlwind of motives and emotions they’ve just witnessed.”
What do you love most about your role in the play?
“Maggie doesn’t apologize for who she is or what she wants. She is not afraid to say something that might suck the air out of the room or bring a conversation to a screeching halt. There are moments in the play when I can feel the audience hanging on Maggie’s every word. I can hear a pin drop.”
You landed your first lead film role in the romantic comedy, Love Afloat. What about this project do you enjoy the most?
“Well first, we filmed in Miami in February, so what could be better than that? And I grew up loving rom-coms and sitcoms, so getting to really play in the world of Julia Roberts and Jennifer Aniston (the empresses of my childhood vision board) was a dream come true!”
How has your extensive theater background helped you transition into film?
“Live theater means hitting a dozen curveballs every night. Anything can happen, without the comfort of ‘let’s get another take’ or ‘we’ll fix it in post.’ I think that helps me stay in the moment in front of a camera. When unexpected things happen on film and I keep going, sometimes those ‘mistakes’ are the takes that end up as gems in the final edit.
What are your goals for this upcoming year?
“I want to have a scene opposite one of my heroes.”
Photography by: Danielle Nowak
