Where Are They Now? BLAIR ALLISON

How does one go about describing Blair Allison? She's funny, irrepressible, charming, talented and kooky...beautiful, personable and clever - just to name a few of the Murfreesboro native's most obvious attributes. She's also determined and ambitious, focused and committed and a graduate of Belmont University's widely respected theater program, headed by 2010 First Night Honoree Paul Gatrell.

Since graduating, she's been living in Los Angeles, pursuing her dreams and her career which go hand-in-hand for the young woman who's wanted to be an actor since she was far younger. Still starry-eyed - seriously, have you ever looked into the woman's eyes? - she's living the dream while living the life...which makes her the perfect subject for today's Where Are They Now? feature.

"I've been living in Los Angeles for two years and I've done several online commercials, including Nutchello by Silk, California Toll Roads, and Ring," she tells us, her natural enthusiasm spilling over to her voice.

"I was featured in two sketches called Don't Be That Guy, written by Tripp Crosby and Tyler Stanton (known for Shit Nobody Says). The sketches premiered on Rachel Dratch's Late Night Snack on TruTv. I also played a supporting role in the web series, On the Job (written and directed by the incomparable Morgan Swank), available for viewing Funny or Die.

What brought you to Nashville in the first place? I was born and raised in Murfreesboro, and when it came time to start applying to colleges, I wanted to stay close to family for those years. Considering I just learned to cook for myself at 24, I definitely wasn't mature enough to move across the country at 18. I had heard really good things about Belmont's theatre department, so I applied, was accepted, and got my degree four years later. I didn't apply anywhere else. Stupid? Possibly. But that risk made my acceptance all the more delicious.

How did your time in Nashville prepare you for where you are now in your career arc? The insane workload that is put on a theatre major at Belmont taught me invaluable lessons in time management, something I'm still working on to this day. Without the discipline of my college experience, I wouldn't have lasted two months in the fast pace of LA's ever-changing industry. Work really does beget work. I hustle and work my ass off every day here, and I wish I had worked this hard while I was in school and applied myself to my full potential.

What's your most vivid memory of your time at Belmont and in the Volunteer State? The cast parties. Some of my happiest college memories are taken straight from those nights we don't fully remember. Someone would be having a drunken emotional breakdown while another person was peeing nearby. I don't think I've ever laughed as much as I did during those times. We all loved each other so much, especially my graduating class. We're all in different parts of the country, but most of us keep in touch on a regular basis. In fact, one of my most prized possessions is a coffee mug of Kallen Prosterman's face.

Who were some of the people in Nashville/Tennessee who had a lasting impact on your and/or your career? My professors! They taught me so many essential life lessons. Paul Gatrell: attitude is everything, and if your mind is in the shitter, nothing gets done. Bill Feehely: stop overthinking and go with your gut. Also, how to decipher the hidden message in all his speeches. Brent Maddox: don't be afraid to be PASSIONATE. Nettie Kraft: Kick ass and make no apologies. I have her to thank for sparking the flame of feminism in me. Jim Al-Shamma: Write with your heart and the rest will take care of itself. Shawn Knight: Don't be afraid to just be silly. He could add humor to a scene where it just didn't exist before.

What advice would you give to someone taking their first steps to becoming a part of the theater scene here? See the shows. Audition, audition, audition for everything. Have a portfolio of monologues and songs prepared. Get audition coaching. Intern and volunteer for the theatre companies so that you get to know the artistic directors and producers. Whether you're performing or not, you'll be right in the heart of the show learning from experience. Once the companies see your work ethic, they'll keep bringing you back. My internship with Studio Tenn was the best hands-on experience I had during my time in Nashville.

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