AAG Talent, MONICA TENHOVER opens up about her Cinderella Crush, Starstruck moments and life long aspirations!

Active Artists Group Talent, MONICA TENHOVER opens up about her Cinderella Crush, Starstruck moments and life long aspirations.

AAG: What/Whom is your inspiration for acting/theatre? 

MONICA: Since I began playing classical guitar at 5 years old, I knew I loved performing and felt comfortable on stage under the bright lights. I soon became involved in acting, singing, and dancing at CCM prep. Throughout my childhood and once high school hit, a professor at CCM, Bob Allen, was the one who lit the fire in me. With hard work, dedication, and perseverance I had all the tools I needed to make a successful career. When I’m performing, I feel at home; it’s catharsis for the audience as well as for myself.

AAG: What has been your favorite project to date? Why? 

MONICA: I have loved every opportunity and project I have worked with. Every new project brings new faces, new creativity, and new growth into my life. My favorite experience would have to be my senior year at Northern Kentucky University where I played the title role (Jo March) in Little Women the Musical. I received my BFA in acting from NKU, but have always had a passion for singing and always enjoyed performing in musicals. This musical was an extremely challenging roller coaster: vocally, emotionally, and physically. It was also my Senior Thesis Project so the role tore me down and built me back up. I love overcoming challenges and in those accomplishments I discover more about myself as an actor, and as a universal student, always willing to learn and challenge myself more.

AAG: What is your dream role? Why?

MONICA: I have a lot in mind regarding dream roles on the stage, such as Kathy in the Last Five Years, Petra in A Little Night Music, and The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods. Ultimately my dream career would consist of a happy medium of the life on stage as well as on screen. Film work has and always will be my dream realm to work in. Ever since I studied a summer semester at the Stella Adler Conservatory in NYC, I fell in love with the process and art of film work. 

AAG: Who would you like to perform with and Why?

MONICA: I would love an opportunity to perform comedy: especially with the likes of Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Kristin Wiig. That would be a great challenge and an all around fun time along side those ladies! But if I could co-star with Alexander Skarsgard on True Blood, I would be really fine with that, and possibly a little in love! 

AAG: Tell us something about you that nobody knows? 

MONICA: I am a very bubbly, happy person who is good at performing that initial perception. Deep down I thirst for a deep and darker text to perform. I really want to break free from the shell of my innocence and take on a project that showcases my skill with dramatic work.

AAG: Have you ever been star struck?

MONICA: Yes! I haven’t been to the west coast (LA celebrities) yet, but I did live in New York for a summer and ran into lots of stars. Paul Giamatti, Norbert Leo Butz, Adam Levine, Bernadette Peters, among some other big names. But my favorite star struck moment in NYC was with Paolo Montalbon. I was in love with the Cinderella movie featuring Brandy growing up, and meeting the Prince Charming in real life (at a Broadway revival for the King and I reunion party) was crazy! The little girl in me could barely speak to him, as he is/always my Prince Charming in my book. 

AAG: What advice can you offer to a new actor regarding “the audition process”?

MONICA: It all starts with breathing. Conquering that and believing in your self as a person, not only an actor, are two keys. With every audition you take, you are presenting another director with an opportunity to work with you. If you believe in your talent, believe in you and believe in the positivity of the industry; your positivity and light with shine through! It starts with breathing, starts with a smile, and announcing your name as if that is all it takes to captivate the room. Its great prep for an audition. 

AAG: What’s next for Monica Tenhover? 

MONICA: I'm excited to have signed with AAG. I'm ready to work on the film/commercial/print side of my resume and experience. I'm thrilled to have signed with an agent that cares this much about her cliental and can’t wait for the opportunities to gain work!

Check out Monica's profile on the Active Artists Group website --->  MONICA