Today we’d like to introduce you to Allen Bonilla.
Tell me a little bit about your background. Where are you from and how did you get started in Acting?
Yes my career started back in 2008 right while I was in the middle of graduating high school, my grandmother Dessie Davis, had placed me in theater while I was attending Foster middle school lol. Simply because I was gaining the wrong attention, there I started doing theater for the Longview community theater with director Reese Chapman, where I was one of the supporting actors as the news journalists in the play call “Run For Your Wife” then around my senior year I then ran away off to Shreveport Louisiana Because they were having an Acting showcase.
So when I fled to Louisiana there was some unfortunate events where I had to sleep at the bus station for a little over 24 hours, while I waited I wrote a monologue and memorized it before ShowTime, there I met Odessa Feaster (Actress), and Whitney Hicks (Actress) I was recognizably under the age of 21, but I never got questioned I was actually the age of 16 and so I went into the actors café where I was greeted by Jeffrey Nightbird and Odessa, they placed me on the list in there I looked around and seen that people were drinking and smoking, so I kept my head down and sat at the back of the room to the right side, there were so much great talent was and before you know it they called my name, me not knowing the details of this talent show, I was just excited to come perform. So with no further ado, I was called up by Odessa to come and perform.
By the time I got through performing, everyone was quiet for a solid 15 seconds, and before you knew it everyone was up on their feet clapping and hooraying! But I was too nervous to notice that I may have did well, so the only thing that I felt was a sense of achievement, it was like a drug it was similar to being empowered when I heard the consistent clapping, and in my mind I’m like they are clapping for me, so they were going to call up the winners. As they were calling them they were calling them backwards so when they were calling them they stated 1-2-3. So as I was number three I instantly thought that I was third place but they were just placing the performers back on stage, where they were then finally have the crowd vote, unknowingly they ask the crowd for each of us and I did win, the house went crazy after that day winning the contest came with a contract with Acclaim Talent, A photo shoot, and opportunity to start working on production. Odessa then came over and swiped me up like her little child and from then on she became my stepmother and mentor, introducing me to Whitney who then took me in one motivating me and becoming the greatest stepsister I could ever ask for and from that day, I had the pleasure to have worked on major productions, shortly thereafter I then started to grow very quickly in the acting field, training and getting the adequate lessons needed which is what led me to my successful career today.
What was your most memorable moment in your Acting career?
As I think about it, it was when me and my acting sister the Great “Whitney Hicks” who is also a great actress would just sprout out when we were young and just go attend auditions after audition without really knowing what was going on lol we were very young but determined to make it.
What was your most challenging moment?
Oh, Yea! Everyone thinks it’s so easy to be an Actor but to be honest, it’s the total opposite. It’s all about Continuously Training, I mean you have to really invest in your craft, that means you have set a daily goal on your approach and set out to complete and accomplish those via financially, mentally, and emotionally. So there’s no smooth road, just a long one. Lol however I would suggest new actors that do not have an acting coach or acting studio. I go to a very Solid Studio Called (Michelle Sherrill’s Actor Studio) located in Dallas Texas… THE BEST.
Who are your Acting influences?
Would Have to say my MOM Odessa Feaster, and Forest Whitaker, Bernie Mac
If you could do a starring role and or have someone write a movie for you from your favorite actor, dead or alive, who would it be? It definitely would have to be ? (Forest Whitaker or Tyler Perry)
What is the last project you’ve done and which were your favorites?
Allen Bonilla is a household Brand! One of the largest & greatest upcoming Actors from the great state of Texas, replicating Forest Whitaker with a twist. He has been Featured in (Vindication- 2021 Director Jarod O’ Flaherty) (HardCastle – 2021 Director Cameron Hazelwood) (OverDoze-2021 Director Suman Paudel) (Red Stone-2020 Director Derek Presley) (The Runners -2020 Directors Joey Loomis & Micah Lyons) (Corporate Christmas-2019 Cameron Hazelwood) Allen Bonilla has been in the Film industry for over a decade, and is an advocate for the film industry in the state of Texas right along the side of no one other then “Roni Hummel “Who is a Trailblazing sought out Casting Director for multiple major productions, who I love so much! Allen also has juggled with music as well, When he’s not creating great pop music he’s pitching commercials for the local radio stations with his great voice-over skills.
What was your most embarrassing moment while on an production set or interview?
LOL on the set of Hardcastle, lol afraid of unexpected questions or change ups last minute, i’m pretty used to it now lol
How many films do you have out presently and are there any projects in the works?
I Have be in over 14 productions Collectively Accredited and Non-Accredited and the latest ones
I’ve worked in (Vindication- 2021 Director Jarod O’ Flaherty) (HardCastle – 2021 Director Cameron Hazelwood) (OverDoze-2021 Director Suman Paudel) (Red Stone-2020 Director Derek Presley) (The Runners -2020 Directors Joey Loomis & Micah Lyons) (Corporate Christmas-2019 Cameron Hazelwood) Al
What are your either weird habits or traditions before Filming or Acting Live?
UMMMM i would have to say I hum alot when I’m in the zone or about to film or study a script.
What advice would you like to give to upcoming actors?
Absolutely! As an actor, you would have to continue to train and attend every bit of educational resources as far as Acting goes, like workshops, acting classes, seminars and starting out on background work, w/ no pay or low pay projects to gain traction and experience on the set and or on production, not to mention you also want to create a stream of income in order to fund your career needs via Photoshoot to create a profile for you by a reputable photographer, along with a Professional acting reel, personal website, resumes etc. If you want more specific information, please follow me on my social media platforms and I don’t mind helping new actors. I do have resources in order to get one’s acting career established.
Represented By: Acclaim Talent
Represented By: Icon Studios Dallas
Contact Info:
- Email: AllenBonillaTheActor@Gmail.com
- Website: https://www.acclaimtalent.com/profiles/user2253temp/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allenbonillaactor/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaseyAB25
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ca2ey
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs4owHajljeFpCwLyfVu4lg
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11379699/
Image Credits
Bryan Chatlien @ www.brtanchatlien.com
