Meet Irene Mazour | Actress & Writer

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

Hi Irene, why did you pursue a creative career?
The simple answer…When God says GO, you don’t say NO.
The more complex answer is as follows. The arts touch the soul. Through film, paintings, music, theater, sculpting, and so many other beautiful art forms; we get a chance to change the world and touch the heart of humanity. Through film and media specifically, we are offered an avenue of intimacy with people from far away. Stories are told as images dance across our screens, legends are shared, and emotional connections are fortified with relatable characters through the shows and movies we devour.

I have been pulled to perform since I was very young. I remember my older sister dressing me up and putting a Walkman (here I am letting my age show ;)) on my ears and having me sing Celine Dion in front of the kids my mom day-cared. Although a compelling performance, I will admit my range still is not on par with Celine’s. I also recall watching my oldest sister performing in her senior year play. I was in awe and little 5 year old me was hooked on wanting to create and perform stories just like I saw her and her friends do.

I ultimately want to connect people with stories and characters that can offer them joy, hope, understanding, and even realizations of their own personal strength and weaknesses. When I am in front of the camera or on stage, I get the blessing of becoming a new person. I am honored to share the character’s stories as authentically as I can and invite the audience to join the ride. When the camera is off and the show is done, I get to go back to being me and leaving the hoopla behind. Performing is where I am free, while at times, simultaneously caged in a character’s story. I have seen plays bring people to know God’s love. I’ve seen movies start revolts. Ultimately, I have experience how one story, when shared with the world, can leave a lasting impact on generations. I am blessed to live in a country where I get to add to that legacy through acting and writing.

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.
In the end of 2017 I made the decision to declare acting as my career. It was a calling I felt on my heart for a long time but had avoided due to doubt. I felt in order to be responsible I had to follow the path many in society deems appropriate: high school, college, job, career. I never felt I could “actually” work towards goals in the arts and expect to have my physical and financial needs met. However, God showed me the way and didn’t leave my heart alone until I said yes.

From that moment on my world has been full of ups, downs, trials, and triumphs. I have doubted my abilities of acting one week, then felt I was capable and worthy the next. The hardest part about this career path is finding the balance to work towards paying acting gigs while simultaneously holding down the consistent job. There is also networking authentically and consistently, while also having normal hang out times with friends, staying fit, creating content, and allowing down time for your soul and mind to rejuvenate. Balancing all this has been trial and error for me, but I feel at times I nailed it while at others I have to keep trying. Through my Bible time and keeping a tight close knit group of friends, I have found peace. I feel it is essential to have good people around that will hold you accountable to being authentic and true to one’s morals and standards.

Right now I am most excited for my project Wild Horses and Wolves, a western that takes place in the 1880s. Rose and Lottie are two of the best bounty hunters in the Arizona Territory, but when the Wolf Gang challenges these tough cowgirls, loyalties are tested and trust is broken. I originally wrote a short scene for a class, that turned into a 3 page short film, that grew into a 10 page short film, and now is becoming a feature film trilogy. I am assembling a team right now to get the 10 minute short film made, and made right. Our goal is to get this story into film festivals and incite interest to make the feature film version.

It has been a whole new experience for me for this project. I am not only the creator and writer, but I am also the main producer and will be acting in the the film as well. I have had to learn as much as I can as quickly as I can to get this project rolling. Mistakes have been made but I have done what I can to learn from them and to remain positive. Despite pushing the filming to later dates, in order to secure proper funding and assemble a good team, I am very optimistic about this film. I have some great people on board. If you want to follow the progress please check us out on Instagram or Facebook!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Living in LA is a whirlwind most of the time and can be overwhelming, however there are places to go enjoy the city and to escape it.

1. Checking out Universal Studios is a must… ESPECIALLY seeing the Water World show. This is a fabulous short action show that is sure to please anyone that loves adventure and/or getting wet. We would most likely grab a cold Butterbeer from Harry Potter World then catch a few rides before watching this fabulous show. Don’t forget to enjoy the Studio tour!!!You may even see a star filming if your are lucky.

2. Pantages Theater…. You want to see Broadway without heading out to Chicago or New York? Let’s catch a show at Pantages then eat at one of the many delicious restaurants downtown.

3. The Queen Mary is a beautiful site in Long Beach. We will definitely need to stay a night in her haunted hauls while enjoying the view of Long Beach’s Harbor. This is a step back in time and is quite the experience.

4. What is visiting LA without heading to the Beach? I suggest Santa Monica Peer for those wanting a more known tourist spot, but me personally, I like to be a little more off the known path and find whichever beach is least populated. Malibu has nice spots or find your way to Balboa Peninsula in Orange County.

5. Hiking… YES PLEASE!!! So many beautiful spots to hike on. Depending on the time of year, one can find waterfalls and greenery that is sure to impress.

6. Norco… Want to visit a town where horses are still a main source of travel for the locals? I sure do! Head to Norco and see hitching posts by the diners, horse paths everywhere, and cowboys from all different heritages roaming around as if it is the modern wild west.

7. If a short flight from LA is in the cards I would suggest checking out the historic Folsom in Northern California. Johnny Cash’s song about Folsom Prison is a nice little ballad to play while you check out the town. There are miles of bike paths along the river and historic buildings that are pure artwork.

8. Since we are up in northern California I think hitting the Red Bluffs Rodeo is going to be a hit. If we don’t make it up there the Salinas Rodeo is also an extravaganza that is a must see!

9. Want to experience a little more Hollywood type outings…. Going to Warner Bros studio tour is sure to please and be a good learning experience.

10. Lets round out the trip by hiking up to the Hollywood sign and having a picnic overlooking Hollywood Lake.

This should keep anyone busy for a week or more.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Picking just one person or group to attribute credit to my success is impossible. God has blessed me with so many wonderful people in my life that I won’t be able to name them all here. I am going to point out a few particular people and moments, but I hope anyone that is close to me knows I am thankful for them and would not be here today without their love, support, criticism, or help.

1. My mother, Linda Ostdiek, and my late father, Ed Ostdiek.
Thank you both for showing me what hard work looks like. Our family will never be perfect, but you both did the best you could to show love and never let me or my siblings go without.

2. Joe and Kay Theer.
My second family, my second home. Without both of you in my life I would have remained lost. Thank you for supporting me and believing in my wild and crazy dreams. Most of all….thank you for horse therapy and allowing me to become the horseman I am today.

3.Kate
You know who you are. You have been a rock to me since we were lil babes. You held me up when I was falling down, you helped me smile when tears were on their way, and you cooled off the rage I held onto for so long. Thank you for never giving up on me.

4. All my kiddos…
From the ones I worked with doing ABA to all my nanny kids and my nieces and nephews….you are a huge part of my why. Each of you has a special gift to give this world. God has helped me grow through our interactions and I can’t wait to see where each of you end up. Sending each a hug!

5. My Cali family and friends. There are too many of you to name. Thank you for challenging my beliefs in a good way. Thank you for supporting my dreams and believing I can achieve amazing things even when I doubt it. Thank you for being my spiritual family!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Always.irene.allthetime/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/always.irene.allthetime

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@alwaysirene

Other: IMDB
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7587564/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Actors Access
https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/always_irene_allthetime

Image Credits
Philippe Lee
Nelson Sayson
Roman Galasun
Jay Florian