Born
and raised in Colorado Springs, Caroline Barry discovered her love
for performing at only three years old. Reminiscing about her
childhood, Caroline recalls putting on puppet shows for her parents,
directing her brother in renditions of Hansel & Gretel, and
her first play at age 5 when her only line was, “Pizza!”.
Always
the precocious child, Caroline started a children’s theater company
at the young age of eleven. Every year for three years, she chose a
musical (they sung a capella), adapted the script, and lead one week
of rehearsals before the big performance. Her mom helped her to
organize the event by hanging sheets around the garage to mimic a
theater, setting up lawn chairs on the driveway for neighborhood
guests, and getting the local newspaper to show up and support the
show. It was around this time that Caroline’s family realized she
was destined to be a star.
In
middle school, Caroline was very active in theater, speech and
debate, and pageants. At the end of 8th
grade, she starred as Alice in Alice in Wonderland, which was a
turning point for her. With the help of a few wonderfully supportive
teachers, Caroline made the decision that she wanted to pursue acting
as a career. In high school, she participated in plays and studied at
the Denver Center for Performing Arts, but she also focused her
energy on lacrosse.
Caroline
went on to attend The University of Colorado where she received her
BFA in acting. During college, she taught theater to children and
fell in love with working with kids. She performed in The Tempest and
Twelfth Night with the Shakespeare Touring Show, which also had an
anti-bullying program. Following the performances, there were
workshops that revolved around the topic of bullying and how to deal
with it, using the characters from the play as examples.
After
graduating college, Caroline moved to Los Angeles to pursue her
dreams of becoming an actress. About a month after her re-location,
Caroline found a posting for an audition by director Timothy Hines,
who was searching world-wide for his next big star. Out of 8,000
hopefuls, Caroline made the biggest impression. Timothy knew that she
was the one to play Nellie Bly in his film 10 Days In A Madhouse –
The Nellie Bly Story. Caroline was overwhelmed, shocked and thrilled
when she received the good news.
Outside
of her undeniable acting talent, Caroline also loves sports. She
played lacrosse for seven years and earned the title of State
Champion numerous times. Caroline currently teaches karate to
children several times a week, and enjoys being adventurous in the
great outdoors. Having grown up in Colorado, Caroline loves hiking,
rock climbing, mountain biking, river rafting, skiing and
backpacking.
Hi
Caroline, please tell us about you?
I’m
an actor here in Los Angeles, but I grew up in Colorado. I fell in
love with acting when I was young and decided to move to LA when I
graduated from college. After a month in LA, I auditioned for the
role of Nellie Bly in 10
Days in a Madhouse,
got the role a month later and life has been non-stop ever since. I
love it!
How
did you get involved in acting?
I’ve
been performing for as long as I can remember – in living
rooms, garages, really just any large, flat surface was my stage.
Growing up in Colorado, my family always took me and my brother
hiking in the mountains. Now, I love hiking, but when I was 4, it was
incredibly boring…you just walk. So I would pass the time by
looking for big rocks where me and my brother could perform.
Did
your family support your decision to become an actress?
My
family is so supportive! Like any parent would be, I think they were
a little nervous for me when I first moved out to LA on my own, but
they have always been my biggest fans and biggest supporters every
step of the way. The second there’s any news or article about me,
or a project that I’m involved with, my mom knows about it right
away, usually before I do!
What
was the first role you ever did?
My
first role was when I was five, I was cast in our local theatre’s
production of Wizard
of Oz,
and I played a Munchkin.
What
is some advice that you would give to someone aspiring to become an
actor?
My
advice to someone who wants to be become an actor would be to just
act as much as you can. I always think of acting like a sport, you
have to practice. And other than that, just to love it and don’t
take it for granted. I think every second you get to do something you
love is a blessing!
If
you could choose, what three actors would you really want to work
with?
Just
three? If I had to choose, I would go with Nicole Kidman, Viola
Davis, and Naomi Watts. They all have very different careers, but I
love the variation in their work. Each one really transforms into
their characters and I would love to work with them!
Tell
us about your newest project 10
Days In A Madhouse – The Nellie Bly Story?
10
Days in a Madhouse is
the incredible true story about a journalist known as Nellie Bly, who
went undercover in 1887 into one of the most dangerous insane asylums
in New York City. She risked her life to do this, and she ended up
making a huge impact that changed the course of history! I feel
so fortunate to be a part of this movie. I’ve watched it with
different audiences and I’ve witnessed people really be transformed
and touched by Nellie Bly’s story and her bravery.
How
challenging was it to play the role of Nellie Bly?
It
was an extremely challenging role! It’s always tricky to play
someone who really existed and really lived through these
experiences. But it was fun because there were a lot of
different layers to play with. First you see Nellie trying to
get committed into the asylum by pretending to be crazy, and then she
tries to help her fellow patients while not being found out by the
doctors and nurses. It was fun for me to act in all of these very
different, emotionally layered moments.
How
difficult was it to get the role? How was the casting process?
For
the casting of Nellie Bly, they actually did a world-wide star
search. 8,000 plus actors from all around the world submitted
audition videos competing for the role. When the director called me
to tell me I got the part, I thought it was a hoax call, maybe one of
my friends pulling my leg. When I figured out it was real, I couldn’t
believe it! It was definitely a “pinch-me” moment.
What’s
next for Caroline Barry?
I’m
actually working on a second film with the director of 10
Days in a Madhouse,
Timothy Hines. He is incredibly passionate about the stories he
tells, and I have a great working relationship with him. We speak the
same language on set, which is hard to find and so important for a
director and actor. More details will be announced soon!
Where
do you see yourself in a few years?
Getting
to know Nellie Bly has really impacted the way I see the world, and
the stories I want to tell. I really want to continue working on
films with an important message and that can make an impact. Also in
the next few years, I would love for my allergies to disappear so I
can adopt a cute little kitten!
How’s
your typical day?
I’m
not sure if I have a typical day. Usually I’m out and about
auditioning, rehearsing, working out, being with friends, and I guess
if I’m not doing that, I’m sitting at home wishing I had a
kitten. I’m really stuck on the kitten right now.
Who
is your biggest beauty inspiration?
My
beauty inspiration changes all the time, just by the day and my mood.
Lately I’ve really been loving the fun, edgy style of Cara
Delevingne mixed with the classic, elegance of Audrey Hepburn. I
think those two styles merged together is really cool and glamorous.
Best
advice ever given?
You
can’t make everybody happy, you aren’t a jar of Nutella.
Do
you have any hobbies?
I
love hiking, going to the movies, martial arts, working with kids,
and I’m a huge nerd for puzzles.
Quote:
“Energy rightly applied and directed, can accomplish anything.”
Nellie Bly
Book: Long
Day’s Journey into
Night by Eugene O’Neill
Holiday
Destination:
Crested Butte, Colorado
Restaurant:
Anywhere with an all day breakfast menu!
Celebrity
crush:
Maybe more like an actor crush, but Michael Fassbender is an amazing
actor!
Food:
Indian Food…or anything with chocolate, it’s a toss-up.
Movie:
Lord of the Rings
Drink:
Strawberry Daquiri
Music:
Anything I can sing along to!
TV
Series: Survivor (yes,
it’s still on). I’ve loved watching it with my whole family
ever since I was 8 years old.
“Follow
Caroline on Twitter at @CarolineB007 and follow 10
Days In A
Madhouse at 10daysinamadhouse.com, on Facebook and Twitter.
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