Lights, cameras, then back to class
She’s only been acting for three years, but already, Avery Garcia is getting attention from the movers and shakers in Hollywood, evidenced by her recent Young Artist Award nomination.
But when Avery isn’t donning characters like Sofia in shorts like “When the Wolf Comes Home” and Waverly in “Down Start,” Hollywood can find her in a classroom at Saint Gabriel School where the 11-year-old is about to start the seventh grade.
“My dad used to be an actor, so I kind of got that from him,” Avery said. “I really wanted to do what he used to do, so I just thought, ‘Maybe I should try it out.’ Then I started to really love it.”
And the industry seems to love her, too. Her work on “Down Start” — where she plays one of two stepsisters opposite Brielle Smaw adjusting to a new family dynamic — earned her a nomination for best young actress in a short film from the Young Artist Academy, which receives a lot of its support from the same Hollywood Foreign Press Association behind the annual Golden Globes awards.
Although Avery didn’t win a statue during the July 14 ceremony, it was still a new experience walking the red carpet ahead of the event.
It wasn’t that long ago Avery began taking classes at Riverdale Rising Stars — an arts program at The Riverdale Y where she’s been cast in several stage productions. Just last year, she played the teenage orphan Duffy in the Rising Stars' production of “Annie.”
Playing a character older than her was challenging, but the program’s leaders helped throughout the production, teaching her how to make the role her own.
“When I read the script, I think of how the character would feel in real life,” Avery said. “I just try to get into the mode of how the character would feel.”
This keen strategy paid off in “Down Start” where her character of Waverly feels neglected by older sister Ally, played by Smaw. Initially, Waverly is unaware Ally feels the same way, plus there’s a bigger problem facing both characters — the neglect of their father.
It was tough for the usually calm Avery to dive into a role filled with tension and stress, but she took a diligent approach to the process. And diligence is essential, because she has no room to neglect her ever-increasing homework load.
“It is a lot of hard work,” Avery said. “But I usually put a lot of time aside for my studying, and then I put a lot of time into studying for my scripts or whatever I have, and I make a lot of time for what I need to do. It’s usually hard, but I’m able to get it done.”
Acting has other benefits for Avery beyond just punching a ticket to Hollywood, as well. Primarily, it’s allowed the teenager to become more outgoing. The large casts in both plays and films were great opportunities for Avery to make many new friends and overcome her shyness.
The trip to Hollywood earlier this month turned into a bit of a family vacation, giving everyone in the Garcia clan a chance to relax. It also allowed her family to be part of what Avery hopes will be the first of many red carpets.
“I’m very proud of her and very excited for her,” said Avery’s mother, Nancy. “I know she does work very hard, and we’re looking forward to it. It’s a very exciting time for us.”
Avery’s love for the stage continues to grow, and she applies it to other areas — recently writing a play set in the 1800s, just for fun. She recognizes her dream to act professionally could become a reality through hard work and dedication.
However, that isn’t keeping Avery from stopping just a moment right now to savor the moment.
“I’m really excited,” she said. “And I just can’t really believe it.”
CORRECTION: Avery Garcia, the young actress who earned a Young Artist Academy for her recent short film work, is 11. A story in the July 25 edition listed a different age.
