Spoken Dreams

Natalie K is a singer-songwriter from Hollywood, California. An only child, Natalie always enjoyed being the center of attention as she entertained her friends and family. Later, she discovered that she could sing, and it quickly became one of her favorite ways to perform. Full show notes available at http://ktla.com/SpokenDreams.

Haylee Graham is a writer from the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles. The daughter of two actors, she came from a background of wealth and opportunity. However, as a teenager, her entire life was turned upside down. It was during this time that she began writing stories. Haylee saw writing as a way to deal with her real-life problems in her own fictional world. During her lowest point in life, Haylee realized how precious life is, and how she could use her writing to make a positive impact on others. Full show notes available at http://ktla.com/SpokenDreams.

Gabriela Duarte is an actress, originally from the city of Salvador in Bahia, Brazil. In this episode, Gabriela shares details of her childhood growing up in Brazil. She recalls the life-changing experience of studying under Vincent D’onofrio, and opens up about her ambitions as an actress. Full show notes available at http://ktla.com/SpokenDreams.

B. Dave Walters is a storyteller originally from Little Rock, Arkansas. Throughout his career, he has been a writer, producer, performer, business owner, host, martial artist, life coach, and more. Growing up, he had originally wanted to be an aerospace engineer. In high school, he was introduced to Shakespeare, which he credits with changing his life path. B. Dave went on to earn his degree in English, and sought to use his voice to help others. Full show notes available at http://ktla.com/SpokenDreams.

Trisha Rae Stahl is an actress from the small town of Williamsport, Pennsylvania. For Trisha, acting started out simply as a hobby. As she made ready to attend college and really had to think about what she wanted to do with her future, Trisha was encouraged to pursue acting professionally. Trisha opens up about her early relationship with performing. She shares the emotional story of finding fulfillment outside of acting, and recalls the nerve-wracking experience of auditioning for Tyler Perry. Full show notes available at http://ktla.com/SpokenDreams.  

Derek Wayne Johnson is a filmmaker originally from the countryside of East Texas. As a kid, Derek was a huge fan of movies, and knew that he would some day move to Hollywood to become a professional director. Derek was already writing, shooting, and editing his own movies by the time he was in high school. He continued to develop his skills while attending film school in Texas, but never lost sight of his goal to end up in Los Angeles. The opportunity finally presented itself when, by chance, Derek was able to connect with a personal hero of his. Full show notes available at http://ktla.com/SpokenDreams.

Karen Bankhead is an actor, writer, comedian, and inspirational speaker. She was born on Vandenberg Air Force Base. Ever since she was a young child, Karen loved watching television and even received lessons on the fundamentals of acting, but she didn’t originally come to Los Angeles with plans to break into the entertainment industry. Full show notes available at http://ktla.com/SpokenDreams.

Elle Dawson is an artist and model originally from Mississippi. A rebel since childhood, Elle began modeling at age 14 based on a recommendation from her sister. She began to turn her life around for the better, leaving an abusive relationship and getting off drugs. Eventually, with only $50 and one suitcase, she made her way to New York City to begin modeling professionally. Unfortunately, the dark side of the modeling industry began to reveal itself, and she began to develop animosity because of a myriad of controversial practices. She decided to take stand, and has now committed to using her art to incite change to the industry and ideals of beauty. Full show notes available at http://ktla.com/SpokenDreams.

Jennifer Lynn Warren is an actress and podcast host originally from Altoona, Pennsylvania. From the moment she knew having a career as a professional performer was a possibility in life, she knew that would be the path she would follow. She graduated with a degree in theater, and her journey as an actress took her from the bright lights of New York City, to the emerging film industry of Texas, to the swamps and bayous of Louisiana, and finally to Los Angeles. Full show notes available at http://ktla.com/SpokenDreams.

Chris Denny is a musician from West Palm Beach, Florida. He was hooked on music ever since he was 6 years old after watching his uncle play drums at the local church. He loved banging on the floor along to his favorite music, and eventually his grandparents surprised him with his very first drum set, which he would play for hours on end. Over the years, Chris taught himself how to play the drums out of sheer passion, and developed a reputation around his school as a talented musician. Full show notes available at http://ktla.com/SpokenDreams.com

Rachel Radner is an author from Chester County, Pennsylvania. While she always loved writing, Rachel originally had dreams to become a professional actor, but many outside voices led her to believe that a career as an actor or writer were not paths she should follow. Instead, Rachel resigned herself to pursuing a more traditional education and career. Later, however, a life-changing event would help Rachel realize that life is too short to not pursue the things she loves, and for the first time in her life, Rachel went after the dreams she had for herself– not the ones others had for her. Full show notes available at http://ktla.com/SpokenDreams.

Kelly Tittle is an actress and television host from Half Moon Bay in Northern California. She comes from a long line of athletes, and grew up in a major sports family. However, Kelly came to learn that playing sports did not seem to be her calling in life and instead found that her talents lied in singing, dancing, and acting. She began to immerse herself in the performing arts, and by the time she was ready to graduate high school, she had made the decision that she would to move to Los Angeles to pursue a career as an actor. Full show notes available at http://ktla.com/SpokenDreams.

Amaris Gagnon is a writer from the small town of Agawam, Massachusetts. Writing has been something that Amaris has enjoyed doing since childhood. A young girl of a diverse cultural background, Amaris attended school in a community where diversity was not very common, and wasn’t necessarily celebrated by her peers. Amaris details the many difficulties she faced growing up in a small town, including racism and limited career options. She shares the personal journey that brought her to Los Angeles to pursue her dreams, and how she was able to find her identity and purpose through writing. Full show notes available at http://ktla.com/SpokenDreams.

Michael Padilla is an aspiring actor who recently relocated to Los Angeles from San Jose. In school, Michael was often categorized as “the weird kid,” which is a title that he took great pride in. His desire to become a performer came from watching other teens on television shows on the Disney Channel or Nickelodeon. Michael wondered why he himself was not on television, and what he could do to get there. Full show notes available at http://ktla.com/SpokenDreams.

Jamal Johnson is an actor from Los Angeles, California. Jamal originally had dreams of being a professional athlete, but his interest in the arts started to grow as his parents began exposing him to live theatre as a way to escape the vices that pervaded the 1980s. All throughout his young life, Jamal’s parents stayed his biggest supporters, particularly his father, with whom Jamal had a special relationship. Tragically, Jamal’s life would begin to change as his father’s health began to deteriorate. Since then, Jamal’s life has been full of changes—both good and bad. But along the way, Jamal would learn an important lesson about finding happiness through self-fulfillment. Full show notes available at http://ktla.com/SpokenDreams.

Mac Quayle is an Emmy-winning and Grammy-nominated composer currently scoring USA Network’s suspense-thriller Mr. Robot. His scoring credits also include hit shows like American Horror Story, Feud: Bette and Joan, American Crime Story, and Scream Queens. While Mac has become an accomplished composer, he didn’t always have the idea that he would be making music for Hollywood. Full show notes available at http://ktla.com/SpokenDreams.

I first met Rustom close to a decade ago while we were both working at the same theme park. We only ever worked one shift together, but he was very friendly and funny, and we got along well. One day, I was at the movie theater and saw Rustom in one of those “silence your cell phone” ads! That was how I first learned Rustom was an actor. After that, I noticed Rustom appearing in countless other nationally aired commercials. I assumed that Rustom was enjoying great success working as an actor. I was surprised to learn things were not going as well for him as I had assumed. Full show notes available at http://ktla.com/SpokenDreams.

Antonette Leonie is a filmmaker and actress originally from South Plainfield, New Jersey. While she always saw herself as a creative person, Toni came from a family of medical professionals, so a future in the arts was not an idea that was necessarily embraced by the people close to her. In 6th grade, Toni performed in the school musical, and fell in love with the experience. Perhaps her biggest supporter was her mother, who helped her rehearse, memorize lines, and encouraged her newfound passion for acting. Full show notes available at http://ktla.com/SpokenDreams.

Loren LoRosa is a television host, vlogger, and model from Wilmington, Delaware. While she grew up in a place that is consistently ranked among the most dangerous cities in America, Loren’s mother was careful to protect her from the harsh realities of the community they were living in. Loren was exposed to the arts at an early age, and was often taking music lessons or performing in local theater. She snuck out of school one day to head to New York City for a live taping of BET’s 106 & Park, and since that moment, Loren knew she wanted to one day be in the spotlight. Full show notes available at ktla.com/SpokenDreams

Connor Strader began his journey into independent filmmaking as a young kid growing up in New York. He and his friends would run around the neighborhood making up stories and shooting films using Connor's parents' camcorder. Eventually, they got him his own video camera with editing software, and his love for cinema and movie-making continued to flourish. Full show notes available at http://ktla.com/SpokenDreams.