CHASE MANA KAI Trend: What inspired you to pursue a career in acting? Chase: “Growing up my mom told me that I should love what I do, it shouldn’t be about money. I took Shakespeare for 8 years. When I had to stop for college I realized I missed it. I was the lead in my high school drama club. I actually wrote two plays: a fictional model and Shakespeare play, but more modern style (medieval way).” T: What type of roles do you prefer? C: “Obviously the main character role or roles where I can be over the top and get out of my comfort zone. I like the role of dying, where I get to die all dramatically.”
T: What is your dream role? C: “ It would definitely have to be a role like Nathan from One Tree Hill! I would love to land a role where it’s a long series like that. Everyone loved him, I wouldn’t be able to do a role like Dan, nobody liked him. I actually watched the whole season in three weeks over summer.”
T: Describe your acting style? C: “It’s me, just me going out and spewing out my personality.”
T: How has your acting experience been? Anything challenging? C: “Yes when you go into a casting you have to memorize a script, it’s like a paragraph off a monologue and you have to memorize it on the spot. I think that’s something I can improve on. I want to be able to go in there and memorize it, so I can add my own twist to it.”
T: Are you participating in any upcoming roles? C: “I have 3 upcoming castings for TV pilot shows. I’m excited but also really nervous. There’s going to be about 100 models and talents.”
T: Any advice to anyone who aspires to become an actor/model? C: “You have to love it, money can’t be an aspect. You do it because it’s what you want to do.”
T: Who is your favorite actor? C: “Idris Elba from the movie Obsessed. He’s the most versatile actor I’ve seen. He’s taken on any role like the antagonist and different ethnic roles.”
T: How does modeling tie into your acting career?C: “I signed to JE modeling agency, which is also a talent agency. I told them that I’m going to UCSD as a linguistics and theatre major and I intend on using my credentials and the agency as basis of my career. Modeling helps get my face out there. I’ve had 2 bookings so far .”
T: What was your first ole? C: “My first role was in middle school. It was so long ago. I think it was a Shakespeare play. I
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played Mercutio in Romeo & Juliet. It was my first dying scene.”