I stepped on to a stage when I was 3 and I was hooked. I knew I wanted to perform forever. As I got older continue on the stage as a dancer and a musical theatre performer. My first love was ballet. Over the years I performed with many ballet companies until I was seriously injured when I was 19 and realized how short a dancer career could be so I continued to dance but also started studying acting more seriously and off to college I went. After college I went on tour as a dancer and stage manager for a middle tier opera company and was happy to gain the experience of traveling and performing but soon realized I longed to be in NYC. Once I moved to NYC I worked on a variety off Broadway and Off off Broadway shows; some straight theatre some musicals.. However, something didn’t feel right so I gave on camera acting a shot. Since then I have transitioned from being an stage actor to a on camera actor. I made the transition a few years ago. I still perform a few times a year in theatre, opera or dance productions but most of my work is film and television.
Did you study acting
Acting was apart of the ballet world so I began studying quiet young. My first acting coach was Debra Susi who I thank to this day for giving me such a strong base. I also study acting at the Hartt school, University of Hartford as part of my degrees curriculum I had various teachers there. In the summers I would come into NYC for internships which provide me with some acting classes. Since moving to NYC I have take workshops and open classes whenever I can to keep my instrument fresh. Acting is constant work. I have dialect coaches that I work with when I am working on roles that have different accents. I have audition coaches that I like to work with to prep for an auditions. One of the big things that has helped me over the last few years has been realizing you can’t do it alone and have acting coaches and teachers there to help you along the way is the only way to grow and become a better actor.
What acting technique do you use
I have taking classes in Meisner as well as Method acting. I personally use a combination of the two I do not see one as better than the other. Everyone’s brain works differently you just have to find which technique or combination of techniques works best for you. I am a firm believer that you should try multiple techniques so that you are more knowledgeable about the art of acting.
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— Danielle Harper (@Danitoes) July 14, 2015
What wrong impressions do actors hold about acting
Acting is not easy. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication and time.
Do you take courses to improve your craft
Yes, Absolutely private coaching when I have audition coming up or a am working on a role for an upcoming show. In between projects I take classes and workshops when I can.
What acting books do you read
“Audition” by Michael Shurtleff and “Respect for Acting” by Uta Hagen.
How do you keep fit as an actor
I still take ballet class when I can, I do yoga,I run twice a week. but most importantly I swim 1 mile or more 3 to 4 times a week. Swimming, running, dancing and yoga all helps me stay in good physical shape but also keeps me mentally in check as well.. When I am doing those activities I am forced to focus on something other than the audition I might have later that day. I get to focus on my breathing and centering myself.
When you’re offered a role, what do you do next
I read the script twice, then look over the contract, then call my manager and tell him that I would like to take the offer or not and usually he takes over from there with paperwork and I begin building the character from the beginning.
How do you take a character in a script to a honest, believable and breathing person
I print out the script, read through it a few times then start writing character moments, pulling gout small details that only that character might do or say, then I dive in deeper asking why she reacts the way she does, what is her past. Everyone has a beginning, a middle and an end in the story and in life… You must know what the character knows.
How do you stay fresh on set
It depends on the scene. I usually don’t come out of character between takes. I will come out of character if we are moving locations or we are on break but for take after take it is better for me to stay in character. I am thinking as that character or running my lines in my head.
Describe a memorable character you played
Amanda, Pas de Deux, 2015 release
Explain one creative choice you took on set
The director told me to be outraged at the verdict of a court case. I stood up after the verdict was announced and started screaming you murderer at the villain in the story which started and up roar in the court and I ran out of the court room screaming and crying. ( The director loved it but the way)
What do you want most from a director
Guidance, respect and understanding
What actors do you long to work with
Meryl Streep
Why
She is so versatile and knowledgable. I would love to work with her, and learn from her.
What advice would you give to actors
Be real and do your homework.
Briefly write about your career
Most of my work is in the indie world. I have just begun the commercial world work. I have worked on Scars of Predator feature film as Linda Strauss, City of Gold feature film, The Networker feature film, Pas de Deux as Amanda short film, Scripless local cable tv show as a reoccurring regular, Body Jumpers on Xbox channel as a principal, The Gays as a day player A Crime to Remember Discovery channel, 20 Something pilot Rory who was set to be a regular, just name a few. I have learned a lot in the indie side of the business and am looking forward to continuing work on the indie side as well as expanding more on the commercial side.
