Meet Camille Montgomery | Actress

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

Hi Camille, what role has risk played in your life or career?

There’s really nothing that compares to the freedom I feel when I’m embodying a character. My love for acting started in the theater. When I was 9, I performed in my first play. It was “The Mystery on the Waterfront” and I played the role of “Saucy,” which was not only the character’s name, but the epitome of how she carried herself. It was the first time that I experienced the magic of being onstage and exploring a character. I continued to perform in shows and quickly found that I didn’t always get cast as the character I was hoping to play. In Peter Pan, I was cast as a lost boy instead of Wendy. In Red Riding Hood, I didn’t get the role of little Red Riding Hood; instead, I was cast as her mother. I was very disappointed when I didn’t get the roles that I was auditioning for, but eventually, I discovered that I actually had so much freedom to play and really develop the roles that I did get. I became more creative in my exploration, making stronger choices as an actor, and eventually falling in love with these characters. After being a company member of the Young Performers Theatre for years, I had the opportunity to choose what role I wanted to play in a production of Cinderella. While in the past I would have longed for the role of Cinderella, I decided to play one of the stepsisters. As I delved into the stepsisters’ abrasive and dismissive behavior, I discovered more depth and nuance than we usually see at first glance. I’ve always been curious about the gritty and messy parts of humanity. It feels like a risk to look at these parts within a character and acknowledge where they live in me. This is one of the many things that I love about acting – exploring the human condition. I have to constantly investigate my own patterns and beliefs, while having the great privilege of doing that with different characters.

When everything shut down in 2020, I had an idea for a short film called Unprecedented Times. I shared the idea with my dear friend and writer, Talia Lawrence, and together we wrote the script. Shortly thereafter, my talented writer/director friend, Silvija Padjen came on board, as well as my neighbors, Ted Sheridan and Dylan Maddalena as actors; Ted also composed the incredible score. We shot our film on an iPhone 6 with no budget and won the outstanding achievement award in the Best Mobile Short category at Indie Short Fest. We also received numerous nominations from other festivals. Although I had no experience with writing or producing at the time, I found so much joy in overseeing a project from beginning to end. Creating something out of nothing requires a leap of faith. These risks invite us to stretch ourselves beyond our deepest capacity. Even when I’m afraid, I know I have to continue to challenge myself and go towards the unknown – that’s often where the magic lives.

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 am a film, television, and stage actress based out of Los Angeles. My most recent work includes David Fincher’s Mank and Kathleen Robertson’s Swimming With Sharks. I have appeared in anti-bullying and donate life PSAs and am part of the global mental health movement called the Imperfectly Perfect Campaign. I have a deep passion for learning and am constantly reading, taking classes and studying acting, music, yoga, philosophy, and different healing modalities. I love animals with all my heart. One of the biggest gifts was getting my rescue puppy, Boowie. He’s a little angel in my life and one of my biggest teachers.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

One of my favorite spots is Kindred Spirits Care Farm. It’s a beautiful animal sanctuary nestled in the hills of Chatsworth, right outside of LA. I always feel restored after visiting with the animals and eating a delicious vegan meal there.

I also love going to The Self Realization Center in the Pacific Palisades. An afternoon spent walking through the stunning garden and meditating by the lake fills me with so much peace and gratitude.

One of my favorite restaurants is Plant Food + Wine in Venice. Everything on their menu is delicious and it’s a great excuse to go to the beach and walk along the water.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’m so fortunate to have strong and loving parents, who continue to guide and support me every step of the way. My dad is a musician and has always understood the artist’s journey. He continues to be my biggest teacher and has always been there for me through every challenge. I can’t thank him enough for his boundless understanding and encouragement. My mom is my compass; she always brings me back home when I lose my way and gives me a clear perspective through even the most difficult times. She also shared her passion for classic films with me and is responsible for the majority of my red carpet looks. My aunt, Marcy, is the one that introduced me to the theatre and has been my biggest advocate since day one. She has kept every playbill, interview, and film that I’ve been a part of and has never doubted my path as an actress. I can’t imagine my life without the love, support, and inspiration that I receive from my family.

Website: https://www.camillemontgomery.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_camillemontgomery/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/camillemontgomeryactress/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CamilleMontgomery

Image Credits
Cover Photo – Photo by David Noles 2nd Photo – Photo by Isabella Behravan 3rd photo – Photo by Sallie DeEtte Mackie 4th photo – Photo by Isabella Behravan 5th photo – Poster for Unprecedented Times