Interview: Jessica Treska

Photogrpahy: Lisa Battagli

PHOTOGRAPHER: LIsa Battagli HAIR/MAKEUP: Sophie Bawany STYLIST: Lisa Cameron

Jessica Treska is a young actress that can be seen in HBO’s “Sharp Objects”, based on the best-selling novel by Gillian Flynn, set to premiere later this year. Treska was approached about taking an acting class one day while shopping in a mall."A lady came up to me asking if I wanted to audition for an acting class she teaches. I was really excited and ended up auditioning on my 10th Birthday. I got accepted into the class and everything took off from there."

What was your first audition like? My first audition was very scary and nerve wracking. I remember the casting director asked me to slate, and I totally blanked out, because I was so nervous and didn’t know what to say. The casting director wasn’t very nice either, so that audition stuck with me for a while." What is your number one tip for new actors going to audition? Have fun and don’t stress. It takes a while to get the hang of it and to get over the nerves, so don’t be frustrated since everyone starts out that way.

Treska played on Season 11 Ep 14 of the famous crime show Criminal Minds. Her character's name was Gene Bryant. "Playing a character on criminal minds was really fun! Everything from the sets, costumes, hair and makeup, and the environment in general was a really fun and exciting experience." Is there a process you go through to get into character on that type of show? "Yes, when I play intense characters like that I usually repeat thoughts in my head that my character would be thinking at the beginning of the scene. I do this when they are about to start rolling the cameras and it really helps me get into the mindset and emotions of my character in those intense situations." What was it like on set and how was it to meet the cast? "All of the crew and cast on set were really nice, which made filming such a fun experience! I got really close to the other guest stars of the episode, but I also got to know some of the series regulars which was super cool!"

Treska also got to play a girl named Natalie Keene in six episodes of the TV Mini Series 'Sharp Objects'. The show will be coming out on HBO later this year. "What really drew me to the script was the mystery behind it, and that it always kept me thinking of what’s going to happen next. I love mystery movies and books, so I was so excited when I read the script because it has everything I love in a show, and I couldn’t wait to be a part of it. "

Her latest movie 'Alex & Me was released this past summer where she stared along side soccer player 'Alex Morgan'. "First of all, my character on Alex and Me is very different than what I usually play, so I was excited to try something different. Also, it seemed like a really fun project since I really liked the director and casting directors from the auditions, and of course, I was excited to meet Alex again." Treska had actually worked with Alex Morgan previously on a commercial. "She is so humble and fun to be around, so I was obviously very happy to see her again" She also was a soccer player before being an actress. "I played on a team for a very long time and recently stopped, but I still love to watch and play soccer with my brother, and especially my friends from the movie. "

What is the best advice you have been given while in this industry? "Work hard, play hard. This industry is exactly what the expression says. You work hard while filming, but it is important to have fun and make friends too. I have a lot of best friends from projects that make acting so much more fun and something I will never forget.

Be sure to look out for Jessica in Alex & Me on DVD and Blu-Ray now as well as Sharp Objects coming later this year. Follow jessica on Instagram @jessica_treska.

Written by Ella Audrey Rae