Meet AJ Danna | Actor

We had the good fortune of connecting with AJ Danna and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi AJ, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
As an entertainer, I have found valuable inspiration in visiting an array of creative experiences and destinations around the world. If you have the means to travel, I’d definitely recommend doing so for your own creative growth. I personally find joy in observing how other individuals in my creative disciplines are expressing their talents in different markets, with different parameters to consider. While this research can also be accomplished by staying on top of what’s new via social media coverage, the experience of learning from fellow creators face-to-face is often worth the expense and effort. I’ve been fortunate to have conversations with some of the immersive themed entertainment industry’s brightest team members during trips to Las Vegas, New York, and San Francisco – all of which went on to become some of the most inspiring tools in my toolbox.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m proud to be working as an actor and creative in the immersive themed entertainment industry – especially now that studios and brands are recognizing the benefits of immersive storytelling. In an industry often dominated by technology, the power of utilizing face-to-face connections continues to hold value. Audiences can metaphorically (and literally!) step into their favorite stories when visiting branded immersive entertainment experiences. While theme parks continue to be a large part of this industry, temporary pop-up activations promoting films, shows, and games often appear in public spaces… bringing experiences with theme park quality to a city near you!

Navigating this particular industry has been a rewarding experience, as it utilizes aspects of many different fields I’ve explored; performing in live theatre, working on film sets, and understanding the “business” of “show business” have all come in handy when working on immersive themed entertainment experiences. I suppose one of the biggest challenges remains how to keep audiences engaged and participatory; as I’ve found with younger audiences in theme parks, it may sometimes be shocking or overwhelming to see your favorite characters interacting with you face-to-face instead of behind a familiar screen. As a kid who grew up going to theme parks, however, I was never afraid of jumping right in… to the point that, when I was a toddler, my mother had to pull me back to stop me from dancing alongside my favorite characters in a Disneyland parade!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Los Angeles is often home to great pop-up immersive events – from scripted theatre to branded activations and everything in between. One of my favorite local businesses to collaborate with is The Mystic Museum in Burbank; I’m fortunate to have worked with their team on many different immersive projects, including character work for Slashback Video, 90s Slashers, and Y2Kills. The adjacent Magnolia Blvd. retail district always has something fun and funky to explore.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I don’t think I would be working as an actor today without the valuable support and mentorship of fellow performers. While the “competition” side of our industry is often seen as a major obstacle to overcome, I feel blessed to be surrounded by so many talented colleagues. Whether you’re working on a project together or auditioning side-by-side, one must remember to respect your fellow creatives and their journeys – on stage and off.

Website: http://www.ajdanna.com/

Instagram: @ajdanna