The Early Years

The age of 11 marks my breakout performance year when I took on the role of Mary in our schools heralded musical recreation of the birth of Jesus. Since then I have had the pleasure of performing characters in several plays and musicals, although never one with such celebrity. 

All The Other Years
Like everyone else, I have always known I wanted to be an actor. Also like everyone, I chose to prepare for a job that will support this goal. I studied Social Psychology and completed my degree at Western Michigan University with honors and an award from the department. 

I went on to volunteer with Americorps, and then work with kids at a treatment center, which I loved. When they shut down, I put my performer pants back on and moved to LA. I knew no one, and had no legitimate credits to my name, but whatever, I figured, I can set up camp at the KIA and then go get discovered. Ever since I have been working hard, training and performing in Los Angeles, Michigan, Chicago and the UK.

For my full resume please also see www.imdb.me/danablackstone

Training
I started my more formal training in fourth grade, attempting to both read and understand "The Actor Prepares" and "Acting is Believing" and joining John Casablancas.   I have taken voice classes through The Sonneman Studio, and workshops with Gordon Michaels, Frank Ridely and Carl Stillitano. I have had the immense pleasure of working with Arthur Mendoza at the Actors Circle Theatre in Los Angeles for 3 years, and have taken Improv Classes at GoComedy with Suzie Jacokes, and Technique Classes at the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre. I have also had the great honor of training with the Moscow Art Repertory Theatre School. Currently I am studying actor training and coaching at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.

Right Now:
 I am a Masters student at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London. I am currently on placement at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, also in London. My movie "Alone in The Universe" with Joshua Courtade has recently premiered. "Bestseller" has also recently premiered. In the last six months we completed production for a short I cast with Abronia Pictures, Third Hill Productions and Three Goats Moving Pictures and just wrapped my role in an industrial film.  My film 'Horse Camp" has gone on to get international distribution in Australia, Germany, France, Canada, and the United States. "Horse Camp' can also be found on Amazon and at Walmart stores. "Black Paper" was  also nominated for best picture and has recently been chosen for viewing at the Michigan Mental Health Awareness Conference. Last year I was nominated for an Eclipse Award for Best Actress for my role in 'Black Paper".  


A Word on Writing
When I was in fourth grade, I had a magical teacher who inspired a lot of creativity in us nintendo ridden, blossoming slackers and I give her a lot of credit for fostering the motivation to create. If you're reading this, Mrs. Johnson, THANK YOU. I owe you a lot more than apples on your desk.

Her encouragement for my love for writing began my more serious interest in the subject.  And I thank Roald Dahl, Steven King, Mark Twain, Shakespeare, Robert Heinlein, Thoreau, Edgar Allen Poe,  The Norton Anthology of Drama, Jane Austen, Louisa May Alcott, C.S. Lewis, Charles Dickens, Salman Rushdie and most especially Ernest Hemingway and most most especially, my favorite of all time, Kurt Vonnegut, for inspiring me to continue creative writing.

I have won a few awards since then and a free trip to The Young Writers Competition. I have had one published short story as a kid, and been published in Sociological Insight as research assistant. I have been in talks with Pink Slip Publishing to publish a short story of mine for a compilation book on adoption. 

As far as writing goes right now, I am currently working on my blog, www.notesfroma-broad.blogspot.com, a blog about the adventure of an ex-pat studying in London. I am also working on several short stories, and a screenplay. My biggest project at the moment is my Masters dissertation on equality in the film industry.