Trisha Simmons started her career in Hollywood in an Academy Award nominated student film. She followed that with a leading role opposite Best Actress Nominee Diane Lane. In addition, A Canne Film Festival, Best Short Film nomination, and an Addy Award nomination.
HI, WELCOME TO ABOUT INSIDER! THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO CHAT WITH US! CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF, WHO IS TRISHA SIMMONS IN YOUR OWN WORDS?
I am a creative adventurer who loves a good challenge. Being an actress, author, advocate, and mentor, have provided a limitless field, in which, I can play the game of life.
YOUR JOURNEY FROM PITTSBURGH TO LOS ANGELES IS FASCINATING. HOW HAS YOUR BACKGROUND INFLUENCED YOUR APPROACH TO ACTING AND THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE?
Pittsburgh is filled with colorful people and diverse locales that inform and infuse a creative lifestyle. I’ve often been told, “No one may help you, but no one will stop you.” So, I go after what inspires me, take the steps that I can take to get what I set out to achieve, then let the energy of that momentum take me there, or somewhere better!
WITH SUCH A DIVERSE RANGE OF ROLES IN YOUR CAREER, WHICH CHARACTER HAS LEFT THE MOST SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON YOU PERSONALLY, AND WHY?
Each character I inhabit leaves its mark in some way. Whether it be to increase the understanding of what motivates a fellow human when it might not be anything like your own, or gaining a deeper compassion for what it takes to survive a character’s present circumstance. Acquiring a new skill is always interesting to me as well. Recently, Pickleball, the Tango, and Shamanism have been among those that I’ve delved into for a role! I love disappearing into a character…wigs, makeup, physical traits like the way a character walks, or laughs, habits, and rhythms, are a few of the characteristics I explore. It’s always fun to have someone new to me say, “Don’t I know you?”, and discover, it’s the energy they recognize from a role I’ve played.
YOUR DEDICATION TO MENTORING AND COACHING YOUNG TALENT IS ADMIRABLE. WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO TAKE ON THE L.A. FILM ACTORS LAB AND ESTABLISH LAKIDSACT, AND WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS?
Continuing the blessings I’ve been able to experience by training with extraordinary coaches and at prestigious institutions around the world, is very important to me. Leaving a living legacy, through sharing your knowledge with today’s young talent to utilize and pass on, is one way to do that. Another way is the establishing of The Simmons Scholarship Fund at Point Park University in Pittsburgh…one of the institutions where I had the opportunity to study.
HOW HAS YOUR TRAINING ENRICHED YOUR APPROACH TO ACTING?
Learning techniques, and ways of being from other cultures, enriches your life and therefore your art. Matching and Continuity, Physicality, Wardrobe and Props, Accents & Dialects, Environmental Influences, Cosmetics and Wigs, Emotional Core, are some of the lessons I garnered from the POV of other cultural communities. China, Japan, England, Mexico, Thailand…working, living, and learning, in creative spaces different from my own.
AS BOTH AN ACTOR AND A WRITER, HOW DO YOU BALANCE YOUR CREATIVE PURSUITS, AND DO YOU FIND ONE FORM OF EXPRESSION MORE FULFILLING THAN THE OTHER?
Well, it is not always balanced at any given time. Learning how to both prioritize, as well as be willing to switch gears and go with the flow, have served me well. Acting has always been the most rewarding in that it involves all of my skills, senses, and spirit. Each genre, however, offers a different satisfaction. Writing is more immediate for me. I can see it on the page, in a complete form, very quickly after being inspired to create.
YOU’VE AUTHORED SEVERAL BOOKS ON ACTING AND CHILDREN’S LITERATURE, AND YOU’RE CURRENTLY WORKING ON YOUR MEMOIR. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO DELVE INTO WRITING, AND WHAT THEMES DO YOU EXPLORE IN YOUR UPCOMING MEMOIR?
Continuing the tradition of the life lessons of the strong women and men I grew up with in a humorous and inspirational way is the focus of my writing. As I do not have children of my own, leaving a living legacy and beyond, through my books, is very important to me.
YOUR PASSION FOR SKETCH WRITING IS EVIDENT, AND YOUR WORK HAS REACHED AUDIENCES ON PLATFORMS LIKE NICKELODEON AND DISNEY. WHAT DRAWS YOU TO THIS FORM OF STORYTELLING, AND HOW DOES IT COMPLEMENT YOUR ACTING CAREER?
Who doesn’t love a good laugh? Humor has helped me get through many of the challenges in my life, even in the face of my own mortality.
YOUR ADVOCACY FOR ANIMAL WELFARE, PARTICULARLY YOUR LOVE FOR DOGS, IS WELL-KNOWN. HOW HAS YOUR FURRY COMPANIONSHIP INFLUENCED YOUR LIFE AND WORK, AND DO YOU INCORPORATE THIS PASSION INTO YOUR CREATIVE PROJECTS?
My Aunt Easter Lily fostered my love for all furry friends, and partaking in her love for her two cocker spaniels’…in the form of birthday parties and holiday events, as a child, fueled the way I saw the world. The dogs had seats at the table, fine china, party hats, outfits, and steak. The neighborhood dogs would arrive, their owners with prizes and treats…my Auntie would play piano, her husband the violin, and we would celebrate. I thought everyone lived this way. This most definitely influenced my life and work. Fund raising for animal welfare, producing a show about traveling with your dog. Sharing fun facts and adventures with my own pets in some segments on The Pittsburgh Today Show and telling my children’s book stories through the eyes of animals from around the world while educating the reader in a fun way about the animal and its natural habitat, are a few of the ways I incorporate this passion.
WHAT’S SOMETHING WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOU THAT MIGHT SURPRISE US?
I make my own peanut butter and take it with me everywhere I travel. I play the drums. I am actually really shy and prefer to stay at home with my pup.
ANY UPCOMING PROJECTS/ROLES YOU CAN TALK ABOUT?
I am very excited about the projects I am in that are being released this year. An Apple + Series. A Pilot with one of today’s hottest comedy actors in an all-star cast. A Film where my British Accent is utilized. A short film, that shines a light on the challenges of the visually impaired (I grew up with an Auntie who was visually impaired, so this film meant a lot for me to take part in). A role in a film that was the most challenging I’ve ever been offered. And a series of Target (with Kristen Wiig) & Nestle commercials…both companies that I love and patronize! These projects, in addition to the release of, Rebel Moon, where I was the drummer for the Veldt Village. I am honored to be playing these varied and challenging roles, airing this year! You can see the names of these projects and follow their progress on my IMDB page www.imdb.me/trishasimmons
I am also very excited to have the first of my children’s books and audiobooks being released!
WHERE CAN OUR READERS FIND YOU ONLINE?
They can find me on Instagram @trishacts, IMDb @trishasimmons and website imtrishasimmons.weebly.com
