Meet Alrinthea Carter | Writer & Performer

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

Hi Alrinthea, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The biggest, most important factor behind the success that I’ve had at this point in my career is the support of my community. Years ago I learned that surrounding yourself with people who want to see you succeed and are eager to help you achieve your goals (while allowing you to support theirs). Basically your personal Board of Directors. My family, friends, and industry mentors have cheered me on, given me advice, lifted me emotionally, and given me tough love when needed. Writing is a solitary practice, but success is a group effort.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My journey to working as a writer in Hollywood actually started shortly before the pandemic. I was an Academic Advisor for students at Clemson University by day, and a regularly performing improviser by night. In between, I developed a strong interest in screenwriting. When the quarantine order happened, and we were all ordered to stay home, performing on-stage was no longer an option. I had to figure out what normal people did with their evenings and weekends! I decided to really commit myself to learning everything I could about the craft of writing for TV and Film and treated it like I was going back to grad school. I took every online screenwriting course I could find, and submitted to my first show about a year later, which I booked! That first show was A Black Lady Sketch Show, led by Robin Thede, who taught me so much. That first job led to my first Emmy nomination! After that, I wrote for kids on Yo Gabba Gabba Land, a continuation of the beloved (and super cool) kids show created by Scott Schultz and Christian Jacobs. The biggest lesson was to be ready for the pivot, consider every lesson to be a fascinating opportunity to grow, and be comfortable with living in the gray area. Stubbornly thinking that you’ll have all the answers is a great way to overthink your way out of a job in this industry. You could work steadily for a few months, but find yourself living on savings for a year. Once I learned that jumping into the unknown is its own special brand of bravery, the easier it becomes to work through the lean times and celebrate the busy times.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m still building my “best of” list in LA, but so far, I love the tacos at Taco La Estrella in Highland Park, the Birthday Cake cake at Alcove in Los Feliz, and the Old Fashions at Big Foot Lodge in Atwater Village. I live pretty close to Elysian Park, and I love going out there to write and feel the sun on my face. As an improviser, I spend a lot of time on comedy stages around the city. So far, my favorites are Outside in Theater in Highland Park, Westside Comedy in Santa Monica, The Pack Theater in Hollywood, and The Glendale Room in Glendale.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First I want to shout out my family, my parents, and two sisters, who have been my biggest supporters as I build this new life and dream. My best friends in South Carolina have cheered me on, shared in my accomplishments, and kept me going through a strike followed by our current period of industry uncertainty. I am so lucky, and very much loved, and I owe them all so much.

Website: Blog: alrintheacarter.com, Photography: southernphilter.com

Instagram: @alrinthea

Twitter: @Alrinthea