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Profiles

 

SERENA MARIE ALEXIS

Serena Marie Alexis was born and raised in the East New York section of Brooklyn, New York. This intuitive, dynamic one part Gemini, one part Pisces, two parts Taurus, two parts Scorpio, two parts Capricorn, one part Libra and one part Sagittarius is a spiritual messenger who combines the versatility, curiosity, intuition and intensity of her soul mission into her art.  She’s an actress, dancer and singer who have appeared in numerous plays and television appearances.  Her theatre credits include “Down-Lo”, “Queens of Heart”, “Greener Grasses…”, “Nutcracker”, “Bye-Bye Birdie”, “Taking it to the Streets”, and “Cabaret”. She was four

years old when she decided that she wanted to be a performer.  She attended New York’s famous Professional Performing Arts School and studied at the world renowned Alvin Ailey dance troupe, Broadway Dance and the East New York Theatrical Company.  She has a talent for jazz, hip hop, tap, modern, African, salsa, meringue dancing.  True to her Gemini sun sign, Alexis has the innate ability of mimicry and can flawlessly perform West Indian, southern American, and British accents on command.  Not only that, but it’s fascinating to hear her cry like a baby.  In college she studied to be a physical therapist as a back-up plan.  However, this alto-mezzo soprano can’t get performing out of her system.  She is currently on tour with Winceyco.

Q & A

Q.          How much has your mom been an influence in your decision to act, dance and sing?

A.          Very big influence.  I have seen the success that she had in her career and I now want to follow…I admire her drive for the profession.

 

Q.          What is your advice for young people trying to break into show business?

A.          Don’t give up it is hard there will be more loses than wins.  It is like playing the slots. And make sure you get advice so you are not taken [advantage of].

 

Q.          How important are dance, singing and acting classes?

A.          Dancing classes [are] very important… you need to be professionally trained.  Right now, I am performing with a…wonderful company that has been in existence for 19 years.  I am learning a lot about acting from [them]…we are performing all over New Jersey.

 

Q.          What kinds of roles would you like to sink your teeth into?

A.          I like comedies and I like just watching people.  [I] never know when I’ll need a characterization that I have observed.

 

Q.          Who were some of your early influences?

A.          Debbie Allen and J Lo.

 

Q.          What is the secret of your appeal?

A.          My personality and youthful look.

 

Q.          How has growing up in Brooklyn influenced your art?

A.          A wide variety of…cultures and different kinds of people to study.

 

Q.          You studied to be a physical therapist.  Have you abandoned that idea for now?

A.          I think everyone should have a set career but at the same time if you are pursuing something in the performance industry it has to be more than just a hobby.

 

Q.          As a young teen, what did you want to do for a living when you grew up?

A.          Dance.  I studied for years on a scholarship with Alvin Ailey.

 

Q.          How different is it from what you are doing now?

A.          I am performing more as a [well rounded entertainer]…instead of just dancing.

 

Q.          Did you ever think that you could earn a living doing what you are doing now? 

A.          Yes, or I wouldn’t have stuck with it this many years.

 

Q.          Is an agent essential at the very beginning of your career?  If not, at what stage does it become necessary? 

A.          An agent is very essential especially if you want quality work and not just junk.  My mother is now managing me.  This takes a lot of work and time.

 

Q.          What are the steps that someone has to do to get into commercial work?

A.          …you must have an agent to get into commercial work.  You can not go to a cattle call (open call) for a job in commercials.  One very important note for all perspective actors to remember, YOU NEVER PAY ANY MONEY OUT OF POCKET TO AN AGENT.  An agent with take 10% to 20% when they get you a job.  Also, you do not need a lot of pictures.  One good headshot is all it takes.  My mother worked all through the late seventies and early eighties with just one head shot.

 

Q.          How does training influence the genre of show business that you pursue?

A.          If you are not brave you can get stuck in a rut.  I just felt I want to do it all so I am doing whatever I want.

 

Q.          Do you prefer theatre work?  Why or why not?

A.          I …prefer movies. Because this is a field I have not gotten into yet.  Just give me time.

 

Q.          You’ve had singing, dancing and acting lessons.  Can your training be applied to all genres of music, dance or movies?  e.g., if you wanted to be a hip hop artist, does the type of training that you had lends itself to being a great hip hop artist?

A.          Dance training is essential no matter what kind of dance you do.

 

Q.          How important is networking? 

A.          Very.  You must meet and greet people [because] you never know who can help you.

 

Q.          What are your plans for the future?

A.          With Gods help to keep on living and learning.

 

Q.          How old were you when you got your first gig?  Was it singing, dancing, acting or all three?

A.          I got a dollar for singing on the train.

 

Q.          What was it like growing up to be Serena Alexis?

A.          It was really fun because I was always seen as someone who was different.  My nick name in the hood was “superstar”.

SERENA MARIE ALEXIS