It is no secret that I adore interviewing and featuring young actors on my site, and when I discovered that Mackenzie Owens had joined the cast of To Avenge (written and directed by Nick Belial), I was simply ecstatic. Recently, I chatted with this engaging, talented actress who will portray Young Vera in To Avenge, and I find myself thoroughly impressed and enchanted with the poised and articulate Mackenzie. It is an absolute honor to share our conversation with my readers today.
RH: Mackenzie, it is so nice to meet you!
MO: Hi, Ruth, it’s nice to meet you too.
Welcome to Nick Belial’s production of To Avenge. Nice to have you on board.
I’m very happy to be here.
First of all, how old are you?
I am twelve years old.
How long have you been acting at this point?
I’ve been acting for about two years.
Why did you decide to start acting? How did you get into it?
I auditioned for an agency in Philadelphia, and they had me read a script to see if they were interested in signing me. And it turns out, they liked me, and that was about two years ago.
When you were growing up, were you one who liked watching TV and movies?
Oh, yeah, I watched TV a lot when I was growing up.
Were you involved in drama at school?
Actually, no, I wasn’t. I was involved with cheerleading, and I hadn’t even thought about acting. Cheerleading is something that often takes up a lot of my time. I just thought acting sounded like a fun thing to try, and once I started, I decided I wanted to keep doing it.
Once this agency signed you, did you start auditioning right away?
Yes, I do a lot of self tapes because a lot of the places where they are casting are in LA. So I tape an audition and I send it in.
What was the first thing you booked?
It was a show for Investigation Discovery called A Crime To Remember. I played the younger version of Barbara, the main girl in the story. It was based on a true story. I wasn’t in any of the sad parts of the story. I only got to do the happy scenes, and all my scenes were flashbacks that Barbara had. I’ve kind of used to playing the younger versions of characters. I’ve done that a lot.
It’s good to hear that since you’re a kid, even though the projects in which you are cast tackle heavy subjects, they keep you in the positive portions of the story. I have heard that from a lot of kids that I’ve interviewed, and it makes me feel good to know that the adults are watching out for the younger people on set.
I’m really glad I get to the do the nice parts too.
I noticed a movie listed in your credits called Summertime. What can you tell us about that?
It was a movie that I thought had already been released in the theater, but at this point, it has only been playing at film festivals. I hope it will come to more theaters soon so everyone can see it.
Do you have any special memories from filming that movie?
Well, we filmed it in Ocean City, Maryland. I just love going there and getting to go the beach. We filmed in a little village that was right off the beach. It was just a really fun place to film, and it made it better that we were right there on the beach.
I’ve been interviewing all of the cast members for Nick Belial’s upcoming To Avenge film, and now I get to chat with you, which I think is just great. So first of all, did you and your family get to meet Nick?
Yes, my family and I got to meet him at a park. We think Nick is great!
When this role came up, how did you actually get the role of Young Vera?
It was lots of fun. I am used to doing the younger versions of characters in films and shows. When this role came up, I knew I had to kind of look like the actress who was playing Vera. And I do look a lot like Taylor Hay, who plays the older Vera. The reason I’m excited to play this role is that I understand there’s a bit of a twist that I can’t talk about, but I know it happens in the film. It’s one of those things I’m excited about, but the audience won’t find out till they watch it! All I can say is that I get to be a part of it. And I love movies like this where you have to try to figure out what really happens.
So how does this role compare with some of the other roles you’ve done previously?
Well, I’m doing flashback scenes basically. Again, I don’t want to give away too much. And since I’m acting with some bigger stars, this is going to be an even bigger chance for me. At least, I think it will be. I’m very excited.
Besides Nick Belial, have you met any of the actors involved in the movie?
No, I’ve just met Nick, but I am really excited to meet the others. I am most excited to meet the actor who plays my dad, Zach Gilligan, because he’s from Gremlins. I have seen that movie so many times, and I really enjoy the movie and his role.
That’s kind of cool that you get to act with someone you’ve actually seen and enjoyed in a movie. Have you worked with other actors before that you recognize from TV or movies?
Not really, but sometimes they’ll tell me what they’ve been in, and I realize I have seen that show, and that’s kind of cool.
While I know you’re only doing the flashback parts of To Avenge, do you understand the overall message of the story?
I understand that bad things happen to Vera, and what she goes through is something bad that other women have gone through too. The message of the movie is one of standing up for women who can’t always stand up for themselves. And Vera’s story is one that speaks up for women and tries to get the message across that women shouldn’t be treated like she was treated.
It sounds like you understand the message pretty well, Mackenzie. It’s great that you get to be part of such a significant film without having to get involved in the darker parts of the story. It’s not going to be a film for kids to go see; it’s definitely a film for adults, but I’m glad you’ll be a part of it.
Thanks, Ruth, I’m just so excited I can hardly wait!
Is there anything else upcoming that you can mention besides To Avenge?
Nothing really right now. I have a lot of auditions that I do, but then I have to wait to hear back to see if I get them.
Since you’re in school, has it been difficult for you to go to school and be an actress?
Not really. I’ve always loved school, and so now that I get to act, I get to do both things that I love. It makes everything at school even better since I’m acting too. When I’m in a bigger production, I do have to sometimes miss some school, but I just make sure that I’m ready and caught up with my work. The most I’ve had to miss is four days.
Do you have any brothers or sisters?
Yeah, I have a sister who is three years older than me.
Is she interested in doing any acting?
Well, we both do All-Star Cheerleading. She loves cheerleading, but she’s really not interested in doing the acting.
What can you tell us about All-Star Cheerleading?
It’s a competitive cheerleading group, and we travel all over the country from May through next April, and then we start all over again. We travel all over doing competitions, and it’s really fun.
So you’ve got acting and cheerleading. Are there any other activities you like to do?
I really like animals, and I want to be a vet when I grow up. We have four dogs and a bunny right now. We used to have six dogs, but a couple of them have passed away. But we’ve had our bunny for four years.
Now, isn’t To Avenge filming in the same area as Summertime?
Yes, I was so happy to learn that because I love Ocean City. I always have so much fun up there.
Mackenzie, thank you so much for your time, and thanks to your mom for all her support too.
Thank you for the interview, Ruth.
Was this your first interview, Mackenzie?
Yes, it was.
You honestly did an excellent job. I am very excited to see you in To Avenge.
Thank you so much, Ruth. I can hardly wait, and I really hope everyone is able to see To Avenge after it’s filmed!
Although Mackenzie is twelve years old and has only been in a handful of professional productions, it is fully evident that she possesses an uncanny knack for the entertainment industry. Even though she and I have never met in person, she was willing to answer my questions with confidence and precision, while also injecting a hefty dose of authentic enthusiasm and pleasure. Her winsome smile and joie de vivre combined with her undeniable giftedness have made her the perfect actress to portray Vera’s younger counterpart. While this film and its message could be a challenge for a less mature, less proficient adolescent, Mackenzie is prepared to invest the necessary time and toil to ensure a solid performance that connects with the audience in a genuine fashion. As we await one of the most compelling independent film projects on the horizon, I invite everyone to check out Mackenzie’s credits as well as the links for To Avenge which are all listed below and consider following the film and its cast on social media where applicable. As Nick Belial continues to amass such astounding talent for To Avenge, I become more impassioned to witness this project’s ultimate fulfillment. Moreover, Nick continues to choose intelligent artists, such as the vivacious Mackenzie, who in her role of Young Vera is certain to connect with viewers and prick the hearts of parents all over the world.
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