Star Power Vol.24

[NYOTA Magazine ]

star power

starring

Audrey Grace Marshall Volume 24

from the editor

HELLO THERE, READER! In this Star Power issue, we have actress Audrey Grace Marshall on the cover. Marshall has been acting since the age of seven and can soon be seen in the highly anticipated HBO Max show The Flight Attendant.

I also got to have a quick chat with up and coming actress Sascha Nastasi who can soon be seen in the Disney+ film Black Beauty. I hope you enjoy reading the issue and are inspired to go after your dreams!

YOURS TRULY, Carol Wright EDITOR IN CHIEF, NYOTA MAGAZINE @_CAROL_WRIGHT

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contents 1. Editor's Letter 3. Get to Know Audrey

4. Audrey's Playlist

5. Star Power: Audrey Grace Marshall

10. Audrey's Top Picks

11. Quick Chat: Sascha

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Get to know Audrey

I am addicted to slime (like for real, I really love slime).

I have a twin brother.

I've got mad skills on JUST DANCE.

I have a bunny named Sebastian (after Ryan Gosling's character in La La Land).

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My favorite food is buttered noodles (I'm a simple girl).

#NyotaMusic

Audrey's Playlist Jay-Z ft.Alicia Keys // Empire State of Mind Bruce Springsteen // Thunder Road Queen // Bohemian Rhapsody Blondie // Heart of Glass Post Malone // Circles Justin Bieber // Intentions Jonas Brothers // Sucker Taylor Swift // Shake it Off Dua Lipa // Don't Start Now Cyndi Lauper // Girls Just Want to Have Fun

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#StarPower

Audrey Grace Marshall Interview by Carol Wright | Styling & Glam: Eva Sterrett | Photographer: Heidi Marshall

Audrey Grace Marshall pursued acting as a way to break out of her shell and to say it worked is an understatement. Marshall has been acting since her first audition at the age of seven and has been seen in films like The Last Summer and can soon be seen in the HBO Max series The Flight Attendant. She talked to us about her role as 'Young Cassie' and the advice she has for aspiring actors.

Initially, you started acting as a way to break out of your shell. When you had your first audition did you feel an immediate spark?

Yes, absolutely. I was only seven years old but when I went into the room with the director I felt an overwhelming sense of excitement. I knew right then I was going to love acting and I do!

You play ‘Young Cassie’ on the show The Flight Attendant. What about the character interested you?

I read the book and researched the character ahead of time. I loved that Cassie was messed up and not perfect. It gave me the opportunity to really take my acting to a darker place, not just the traditional "happy child" roles that I normally play.

Who are some young actors you hope to work alongside in the future?

I admire Joey King, Emma Stone, Tom Holland, and Ryan Gosling. They are so talented and started as child actors too. So I think we'd have something in common.

Kaley Cuoco plays Cassie in The Flight Attendant. Did the two of you work together on the character? If not, what did you do to step into Cassie’s shoes?

We did work together, Kaley was amazing. She was so kind and supportive of me. She made me feel very comfortable on set and allowed me to really open up and explore the character.

Last year you were in The Last Summer.

Looking back, what's your fondest memory from working on that film?

Getting to work with Sosie Bacon. She's such a natural actor and I learned a lot working with her. I would also have to say, the red carpet premiere and after-party was a blast!

The show has a stellar cast. What did you learn from your co-stars?

Most of my scenes were filmed at the same time as Kaley Cuoco and Michiel Huisman, as well as Jason Jones and Owen Asztalos. They are all phenomenal actors. I think the most valuable lesson I learned was not to "act" but just be me, in the situation I am put in.

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Due to COVID numerous films have had to stop production or postpone production.

What has it been like navigating the industry during this time?

It's been pretty crazy. I was busy filming The Flight Attendant, pilot season, and auditioning, then all of a sudden NOTHING... it was weird.

Once we were able to get back to shooting, everything on set changed drastically. A lot of Covid-19 testing, social distancing, extensive rules, and regulations, which made me feel very safe on set.

Tell us about Susie's Senior Dogs. How could our readers get involved with the organization?

I am obsessed with Susie's Senior Dogs. It is a wonderful nonprofit organization that helps find surrendered senior dogs homes. Sometimes people are worried about adopting an older dog, but they have so much love to give and make incredible pets. You can check out their Instagram @susiesseniordogs to see what seniors are up for adoption or follow the link in their bio to donate.

Outside of acting, what are your other creative outlets?

I love ballet. I usually take classes in person, but the pandemic has changed that to Zoom classes. At first, it took a little getting used to, but I still love it just as much! I also love to read.

I'm enjoying a New York Times bestselling series

by Scott Westerfeld called, Uglies. I really love anything artistic, such as drawing and painting.

"This business is like a marathon, not a sprint. If you love what you're doing, stick with it."

What advice do you have for young, aspiring actors?

Don't give up. It doesn't happen overnight. My manager gave me the best advice and I think about it all the time: this business is like a marathon, not a sprint. If you love what you're doing, stick with it.

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#StarPower

#StarPower

Audrey's Top Picks Bridge to Terabithia

by Katherine Paterson

Patterns, I LOVE patterns and anything neon

La La Land

Stranger Things

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#QuickChat

Sascha Nastasi

#QuickChat

Interview by Carol Wright | Photographer: Ryan West Photo

Growing up was performing always of interest to you?

Yes!! Definitely. For as long as I can remember, I have been captivated by performance and its magic. I grew up dancing ballet--performance and getting to play a character was my absolute favorite part of dancing.

Tell us about Black Beauty. What drew you to the film?

I knew about the book, and remember loving the movie as a child, so I was very excited by the fact that it is a remake of a classic. Beyond that, I loved that it was now a female centric story, changing the genders of both Jo and Beauty. And lastly, Ashley (Avis) wrote a gorgeous screenplay which was a pleasure to read.

What did you do to step into your character Jennifer’s shoes?

I watched a lot of competition rider YouTube videos to try to acquaint myself with the terminology and understand what it would be like to ride competitively-- I also used my friend Lily, a former rider, as a resource. I texted her a lot with horse questions! And for fun and inspiration, I rewatched some of the movies with my favorite mean girl performances: Heathers and Mean Girls in particular.

Before moving to film you got the opportunity to work on plays such as Guys and Dolls and Noises Off. Do you hope to get back to the stage in the future?

Yes!!!! That would be a dream. I have only ever acted in school plays but I absolutely adore theatre- both watching and performing, and if possible, would like to play as many roles in the theatre as I possibly can. I’d especially love to do Shakespeare or a Sam Shepard play or a Kenneth Lonergan play or an Annie Baker play.

Black Beauty has a great cast from Kate Winslet to Mackenzie Foy. What did you learn from your co-stars?

The cast is amazing-- it’s such a lovely and talented group all across the board. I learned a lot from everyone, I think-- in the realm of acting and in the realm of life. I’ll go through what I learned from all the cast members I was on set with most: from Mackenzie (Foy) I learned absolute kindness to everyone on set/in general as well as what an EPK is; from Alex (Jeaven) I learned (though I am bad at it) a South African accent and about the entertainment industry there; from Fern (Deacon) I learned about several British reality TV shows (her performance as Georgina is a revelation as she is one of the sweetest people I have ever met and yet she is amazingly convincing at playing quite snotty and rude); from Calam (Lynch) I learned the joys of onset banter; and from Max (Raphael) I learned about many new films (many of his recommendations have since become my favorite). I realize that I learned so much more than listed from all of them, and I could go on for quite some time, but I will not!

What advice do you have for aspiring actors?

I am still very much starting out and am not necessarily qualified to be giving advice, but I would also say watch a ton of movies and plays and TV shows, read a ton, and pay attention to what you are struck by-- try to deconstruct things and figure out why you like a performance, a script. And take acting classes if you can, do school plays-- take all opportunities you can to practice and to learn.

Learn, learn, learn and be relentless.

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NYOTA Magazine STAR POWER TEAM EDITOR IN CHIEF

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

CAROL WRIGHT CAROL WRIGHT

COVER ACTRESS

Audrey Grace Marshall

CONTRIBUTORS PHOTOGRAPHER

Heidi Marshall

PHOTOGRAPHER

Ryan West Photo

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