Next person biography:
Lana, a talented and ambitious individual, hails from the picturesque island of Bermuda, where her passion for acting first ignited. As a young girl, she would often find herself mesmerized by the big screen, particularly during her first cinematic experience, watching the movie ORCA. This encounter sparked a burning desire within her to become a part of the world of acting, to be a presence on that very screen. However, the harsh reality of making a living as an actor in a small island like Bermuda was not a viable option, forcing her to seek alternative opportunities.
Lana's journey took a detour into the corporate world, where she found herself navigating the challenges of being a young woman in a male-dominated environment. Working on a trading desk at an investment company, she sought solace and sanity in the local theatre world, where her love for acting continued to flourish. This dual existence persisted until the universe intervened, presenting her with a life-changing event that ultimately led her to relocate to Boston.
In Boston, Lana's acting career began to take shape, as she was cast in her first film, a one-woman show and an adaptation of Checkov's "The Lady With The Pet Dog" at the Leland Center. Simultaneously, she continued to work in the corporate world, but these acting opportunities served as a catalyst, propelling her towards a career in the performing arts.
After a transformative experience, Lana made the decision to pursue acting full-time, relocating to London at the age of 33. There, she received her Master's degree in Acting from the Arts Educational School of London, during which she had the opportunity to perform in a variety of productions, including Phyllis in Bernard Shaw's "The Philanderer", Lady 'you know who' in Shakespeare's "The Scottish Play", Lona Hessel in an adaptation of Iben's "Pillars of The Community", and "The Graduate" at The New Vic Theatre with Charity Wakefield.
Subsequently, Lana moved to Los Angeles, where she became involved with the Classical Theatre Lab, allowing her to spread her wings and take on new challenges. However, the early 2000s proved to be a challenging time for her fledgling career, as the casting landscape was often unrepresentative of the world around her, and as a mixed-race actress in her 30s, auditions were scarce and far between.
Despite these obstacles, Lana managed to secure her first TV gig on Zoey 101, her first National commercial (Cricket Wireless with Jessica Sanchez),and a supporting role in the independent film "Beginners" with Christopher Plummer and Ewan McGregor. Although these accomplishments brought her some recognition, they ultimately failed to sustain her passion for acting, and she found herself in need of a break and a chance to regroup.
Lana's next chapter saw her relocate to Charlottesville, Virginia, where she established an acting school for kids and adults, aptly named the Hollywood Theatre Lab. This venture allowed her to share her knowledge and skills with others, teaching life skills through acting. The school flourished, thanks in part to the warm welcome she received from the Charlottesville community, and Lana was able to maintain her creative momentum by working on indie films shot in the area.
