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Meet Ashlee Lackey of APV ACTING & Lost Souls Productions in North Dallas

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashlee Lackey.

Growing up in Dallas, Texas Ash’Lee Priscilla Lackey began her work in the fine arts field like many, in the church as a young child. Her mother would enter her into acting contest and every time she competed she won; this is when Ash’Lee realized she had a God-given talent. Ashlee’s mother, Teresa Lackey, applied for her to attend Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (BTWHSPVA) were Norah Jones, Erykah Badu, and many other famous alumni graduated. In 2005, Ash’Lee received an acceptance letter for BTWHSPVA, and shortly after being accepted she booked her first commercial for Chili’s, this is when her love and passion for the Arts emerged into her pursuing a life-long career in the Performing Arts.

Although Ash’Lee’s mother was very supportive of her pursuing theater in high school, she wasn’t very fond of her majoring in it for college. So as Ash’Lee began her collegiate studies at Grambling State University (GSU) in Louisiana she started off as a political science major. She liked Political Science but felt she was born to act and entertain so she changed her major to theater. At GSU, Ash’Lee was a member of the Floyd L. Sandle Theater and an International Thespian. Some of her key acting roles at GSU included: Salima in “Ruined,” Jane in “A Bull in A China Shop,” Ernestine in “Crumbs from The Table of Joy”, and Odessa in the “Amen Corner.

For the past 22 years, Ash’Lee has worked hard to make a mark in the theater, film & television industry as an actress, director and playwright. Motivated by her faith and blessed with the strength to overcome any obstacle along the journey, her personal mission is to: “entertain, create and inspire others to pursue their dreams.” In 2018 Ash’Lee founded APV Acting and Lost Souls Productions (LSP). APV Acting is her business where she teaches acting classes on the side to children and adults and Lost Souls Productions is her theater/film company. Ash’Lee is very excited about her recent lead role as Crystal in the short film “Heavenly “written and directed by Yake Smith. Starring alongside Shelton Jolivette (from Zombie Tidal Wave), Mikala Gibson (from Fear of the Walking Dead), Ashley Merritt (Murder Made Me Famous: Prince Story) and Alan Trong (from Alita: Battle Angel), which has screened at The American Black Film Festival, Bronzelens Atlanta Film Festival, San Antonio Film Festival, Austin Film Festival, Frame for Frame Film Festival and many more film festivals. This summer, Ash’Lee auditioned for B.E.T. Casting network in Los, Angeles California and also went to Miami for the screening of her film, Heavenly at ABFF. Ms. Lackey has hit the stage with few celebrities, including: Irma P. Hall from the movie Soul food, Momma Dee from Love & Hip Hop, Silk The Shocker from No Limit Records, Mike Merrell from the Bobby Brown story, Miguel Nunez from Juawana Man, and Ebony Steel from Rickey Smiley show, Lady Jade from K104. Ms. Lackey is currently a high school theater director at the International Leadership of Texas Arlington Grand Prairie High School.

On November 17, 2019, at the Desoto Corner Theater starting at 4:30 p.m. Ms. Ash’Lee would like to invite everyone in the DFW metroplex to her first stage play, written, directed, and produced through her production company LSP, entitled, Stay Woke, starring Ms. Irma P. Hall known as “Big Momma” from the movie Soul Food and a talented cast of actors and actresses from Dallas Texas. The play is about fame, family, and sex trafficking. To purchase tickets, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stay-woke-tickets-77167511103 or contact Ash’Lee directly at 469.431.8887.

Has it been a smooth road?
I don’t think any successful person had an easy path to success or reaching their goals. I know my path hasn’t been easy, I’ve had a lot of up’s and down’s but here are a few challenges I faced and still overcoming till this day:

1. Environment/Network:

I knew I wanted to act ever since I was accepted in Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts for theater, What I didn’t know were the steps I needed to take to actually get into television and film. I loved theater but it was t.v and film I actually wanted to pursue a career in. So, I did what I could, which was to go to school and get my degree in theater. You don’t need a degree to be an actress (but I didn’t grow up or know anyone who could help me with actually being a film/television actress). This industry is partially about who you know, not what you know. Growing up, my mother had no clue what to do to get me into the field and neither did I and till this day, I’m still finding my way to get closer and closer to my breakthrough but not having a reliable network or sources can make you feel stuck. This is why I started APV Acting and Lost Souls Productions for youth who want to pursue a career in the Arts but are limited and don’t know what steps to take to actually get there.

2. Finances/Time

Dallas is a great city and I’ve been blessed to work with the directors, playwrights, and producers I have. I’ve built my acting career and resume in Dallas and I’ve been in multiple stage plays, a few independent local/films, episodes, and short films. However, if you really want to pursue a career in this field you have to travel to audition and have the finances and time to do so, I have been on my own (paying my own rent, bills, car note, etc.) since 2015. I really didn’t have the luxury of being able to save money to invest in my dreams like I really wanted to. I’ve literally been working since I graduated from college just to survive and live. So, I pursue my dream on the weekends, after work, and during the summer (since teachers are off during the summer for two months). God has truly blessed me but the goal is to be able to act, write, direct and produce fulltime in the entertainment industry.

3. Social Media

Nowadays, anyone can label themselves an actor or actress. However, have you studied? Do you know the method and technical aspect that goes into the craft. Acting isn’t just being funny or posting videos for clout or followers. Acting isn’t’ about fame or being popular, or wanting money. It is therapy, vulnerability, and selflessly giving yourself to something bigger than all of us: art. I believe social media (i.g, YouTube, Facebook) has somewhat tainted the purpose of acting and becoming an actor. Entertaining and acting are two separate things. Real actors work every day to perfect their craft even the greatest will tell you that.

4. Patience
We live in a society now where people want everything now, I always see others actors post booked it, or their accomplishments, I never see or hear about the struggles and the things that come with being an actor, having patience is one of the biggest challenged with being an actor. One day you’re booked the next month nothing. Having patience is definitely a challenge.

5. Society’s Standard of Beauty
I really admire actresses like: Gabourey Sidebe and America Ferrera who are helping to change the standards of beauty in the entertainment industry. They are proving you don’t have to be pretty, petite, light-skinned, or white to be a successful actress and I’m all for it. One of the biggest challenges I faced as a teen actress was having acne. Your appearance is everything in this industry and sometimes “not having the look” won’t get you booked. I still have acne and I’ve gained a few pounds since last year but knowing that I don’t have to be a certain type of “pretty” or have a certain look was a challenge I had to overcome.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
God gave me the vision for APV Acting and Lost Souls Productions in the summer of 2018. I actually founded the companies after facing trials and tribulations in the teaching and education field in Dallas ISD. I don’t have a degree in business at all but with the help of my boyfriend, I’ve been learning a lot about starting a small business.

APV ACTING:
Is dedicated to genuinely improve the lives and souls of everyone through the performing arts. Currently, we are seeking fresh, intermediate, and advanced talent to help enhance their acting skills to the next level. I’ve actually been thinking about turning it into a non-profit instead. My company specializes in training the young and older by teaching them the acting methods: Miesner and Stanislvaski Method. Also, helping them book gigs in the industry, sort of like a small, and upcoming agency. I am proud of actually launching the company and not just sitting or thinking about my dream. What sets us apart is we start training at the age of five, most acting classes start at 10 and up.

Lost Souls Productions:
Our mission is to bring awareness to issues in the world as well as reach the souls of those who are lost and don’t know their purpose in life through short films, stage plays, movies, and productions. I am proud to say that Lost Souls Productions will be presenting its first stage play on November 17, 2019 at the Desoto Corner Theater @ 4:30 p.m. tickets are $25.00 We also have Ms. Irma P. Hall (legendary actress from: A Family Thing, Soul Food, and The Ladykillers) as a headliner in the play.

Right now, we are not known for anything yet but hopefully, after November 17, we will.

Pricing:

  • For online tickets to the stage play: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stay-woke-tickets-77167511103
  • a. WEEKLY/ DAILY COST Sessions are paid one week in advance to the scheduled coaching session. A non-refundable 50% deposit fee is required to confirm your session. i. Each 30-minute lesson is $25. Each 60-minute lesson is $45. ii. Payments may be made in cash, or through zelle pay: ashleesmallwood@yahoo.com or 469.431.8887 iii. Remaining balance is due before the class begins.
  • Monthly Cost PRIVATE: ***** Subject to change*** Two Classes (2 days:1 hour each day) Or 1 day 2 hours a day per a week for four weeks: $300.00 i. Sessions are paid one week in advance to the scheduled coaching session. A non-refundable 50% deposit fee is required to confirm your session. ii. Payments may be made in cash, through zelle pay: ashleesmallwood@yahoo.com or 469.431.8887 iii. Remaining balance is due before the class begins. iv. IF client needs more time they will need to speak with instructor personally about scheduling more hours and days.
  • Monthly Cost GROUP: ****Subject to Change*** Two Classes: (2 days: 1 hour each day) Or (1 Day for 2 hours) per a week for four weeks: 3-10 Clients Each session is $20.00 a person iv. Sessions are paid one week in advance to the scheduled coaching session. A non-refundable 50% deposit fee is required to confirm your session. v. Payments may be made in cash, or through zelle pay: ashleesmallwood@yahoo.com or 469.431.8887 vi. Remaining balance is due before the class begins.

Contact Info:

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