EP 207: Laurel Ash DeHaan: Auditor Turned Actor

Well, I always like to start with, tell me your story.

How did you get into this crazy business?

Well, I've always enjoyed acting as a child.

You know, I was in a school play, an operetta.

I think it was HMS Pinafore.

When I was nine, I played Buttercup.

And I did some theater in high school.

And I just... uh, I was a bit of an, a bit of a wallflower in school, a bit of an outsider.

And I just found I could find my voice doing theater and pretending.

And I loved it.

Uh, but I didn't have enough self-esteem or grew up in the kind of family where I, I couldn't just waltz into the kitchen and say, mom, when I get out of high school, I want to become an actor.

You know, you just, you didn't do that.

So it's just a dream I've always carried.

And, uh, Obviously, we'll probably get into this a little bit later, but I have a daughter who's very much in the field, which came about naturally for her.

So I don't know if it's genetic or what, but it was a natural progression for her from a very small age.

So anyways...

It gave me some encouragement.

So after I did the whole thing, I did the, you know, I raised my daughter, I bought the house, I had the husband, well, have the husband, and, you know, the mortgage.

I just kind of put it on hold.

So it comes from a long love of theater.

I did some theater 20 years ago, the local community playhouse.

I did half a dozen plays, good roles, which helped.

But that, again, is its own little beast, and it's very demanding.

And with a daughter growing and a house and a husband and a real job, uh, you know, I couldn't keep that up.

It was getting to be too much.