Today we’d like to introduce you to Caroline Keeler.
Caroline, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Hi! I’m Caroline Keeler, a professional actor and east coast transplant currently based in La Jolla. My partner, who is also an actor, is here doing his MFA at UCSD and we’ve been here for a little over a year. My very first role was playing the Artful Dodger in my high school’s 1999 production of “Oliver.” My older sister essentially dragged me to the auditions. I was so terrified because nobody at school had ever really seen that side of me— up until then I had only ever danced and played field hockey. I had wanted to do theatre so badly but I was really scared to get up in front of my peers. Somehow I managed to push through the nerves, and my sister and I both got cast in the show. I just remember that experience being such a turning point in my life. After that, I knew I wanted to do this for the rest of my life. The following year I auditioned for colleges and ended up choosing the musical theatre program at Syracuse University. It was the first real training I had ever had, and it was a bit of a rude awakening. Looking back, I just wasn’t ready for it. I stayed in the program for two and a half years and ultimately decided that I just wanted to be out in the world doing my thing. I just started auditioning as much as possible. Even though it wasn’t the “formal training” of school, it was baptism by fire as they say. I learned the ropes by working and performing as much as I could. And I took advantage of every opportunity I could to grow as an artist.
My most exciting credit to date is the new Lifetime holiday movie, CHRISTMAS A LA MODE (premiere: Friday, November 15th, 8pm). I play Gloria, the close friend and right-hand-gal of our main character Emily White (played by Katie Leclerc). Gloria has been working overtime on the White’s family dairy farm to keep it up and running, and she later teams up with Emily and her mom Susan to launch a crowd-funding campaign to save it. It’s a heartwarming movie that will put you in the holiday spirit… and have you craving some ice cream!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Not at all! I like to describe my path as “circuitous.” I’ve certainly had some setbacks along the way, and I even told myself I was done on many occasions. But no matter what, it always came back to acting. The universe would redirect me in these very fortuitous ways when I got off track. Something was always nudging me to get back to what I was meant to do, you know?
I think the main thing that I’ve experienced as an actor, which has continued to surprise me over the years, is that this career is truly a marathon. It takes a tremendous amount of persistence, patience, and discipline. There is so much ground work that has to be laid… I mean, it’s taken me almost 20 years to even get where I am now… and I’m still climbing that hill. I don’t think that ever stops. This business tests you and your resilience. There is so much more to this profession than meets the eye. I think, as a society, we see fame, awards, and wealth as the benchmark for “making it” as an actor. I’ve struggled with that aspect… because there is so much more to it. And it’s work… for me it’s not a hobby or something I dabble in, you know? I’m finally getting to the point in my life where I don’t feel ashamed or embarrassed to say I’m an actor when asked the dreaded question: “so, what do you do?”
Tell us more about your work.
Over the last fifteen years, I have been involved in many regional theater productions and independent films. I have also recorded three albums as a singer and published songwriter. I have trained in musical theater, clowning, dance, and voice in NYC, London, Boston, and LA. I have also trained in improvisation and sketch writing at The Second City in Chicago. My recent San Diego theatre credits include An Experiment with an Air Pump with Backyard Renaissance Theatre in residence at the La Jolla Playhouse as well as the Playhouse’s WOW Festival.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I would say I’ve been incredibly lucky… especially in the way of timing. I believe that timing is everything, and I’ve always had a good gut instinct for it. The times when I feel I’ve been “lucky” have been when I was ready for something big to happen AND I had done the legwork. I don’t think luck can exist without the alignment of intention and preparation.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.carolinekeeler.com
- Instagram: Caroline_Keeler
Image Credit:
CHRISTMAS A LA MODE photos courtesy: Lifetime / Alamode Films LLC
C. Keeler photos: Andrea Iaia
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