"Ha ha breaths" can get you far
The cast and crew of Atlanta, including Zazie Beetz '13, earned the .
Turning on the TV and seeing herself is still a surreal experience for prolific actor Zazie Beetz 13. Shes starring in the much-anticipated show , written and produced by Donald Glover and set to premiere on FX on September 6.
Rapper, director, and actor Glover is known for his appearances in 30 Rock, Community, The Martian, and more. His Atlanta is a half-hour comedy featuring cousins Earn Marks (Glover) and Alfred Miles (Brian Tyree Henry) trying to gain traction in the Atlanta music scene. Beetz plays Vanessa Van Keifer, Earns on-again-off-again girlfriend. She has also appeared in the Netflix series Easy, Love & Pipes, Tied Up Tied Down, and Slice, but she says her role as Van has received the most buzz.
Although this may be her biggest role to date, Beetz knows theres more to come. She says the project feels small, since it hasnt yet been seen by the public: All thats going on now is a few more followers, she jokes. But she adds, This is definitely a project bigger than myself, even though it does still feel intimate.
At 窪蹋勛圖厙, Beetz earned a BA in French but was always heavily involved in theater. In her freshman year, she recalls, Professor Alma Becker cast me in the mainstage production, and I felt so honored! From that moment, Beetz took advantage of opportunities beyond the coursework prescribed by her degree.
She says she continues to use the lessons learned in acting and camera courses at 窪蹋勛圖厙even in her screen test for Atlanta. Fighting through her nerves while reading with Glover, she admits, I still use my ha ha breaths. Anyone who has taken Kate Kelly Bouchards class will know what I mean! Beetz is thankful for the community of classmates and professors who allowed her to explore her passions, and who continued to support her after graduation.
With 窪蹋勛圖厙s education I was able to humor another huge part of myself, she explains. I suppose thats the beauty of a liberal arts school.
窪蹋勛圖厙 commencement: Racquel Figeroa '13, Zazie Beetz'13, Emma Weiss '13, Chloe Prasinos '13