I am so very grateful yet again for publicity agencies like The Promotion People who regularly alert me to talent I may have otherwise overlooked. Moreover, in the case of Arden Alfonso, that is precisely what occurred. While I did not immediately recognize Arden’s name, once I delved into her diverse list of credits, I realized just how many of her works I had seen (and enjoyed). Recently, I had the opportunity to conduct a quick interview with Arden, and I am honored to present her to my readers today.
photo credit: Lane Dorsey
RH: Please tell us how you got started with music and acting.
AA: I sort of got into performing because I couldn’t stop singing and playing dress-up; I loved movies and music from a really early age. I started taking singing lessons when I was ten years old and from there, I signed up for competitions. I would say my biggest start was when I had to beg my mom to audition for the musical Annie. She finally agreed and I went to the audition and ended up booking the part of Annie, which was the first show I’d ever done. I was hooked after that! I got my first agent soon after from an acting class I was taking, and from there, I discovered my love for film and television acting.
I understand you have quite a background in music. Please tell us about your musical training, including what kind of instruments you play, your singing, etc.
Sure! Well, I first started my training in classical voice at the Manitoba Conservatory. As time went on, I quickly ventured into more pop/rock and musical theatre and studied with other teachers who specialized in different styles of music. It was always fun to get to try out other genres. I’m a huge believer in not having to define who you are as an artist because I think as we grow and evolve, it can change. I studied at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy for college in Los Angeles, where I was able to hone my skills as a musician and acting as well. And yes! My first instrument was piano, and I started with guitar a few years ago, which has been a great help to my songwriting.
Where do you find the inspiration for your songs?
I think it can come from a variety of things. Films, stories, books, etc. Even nature and beautiful scores can charge up your creativity! You never know where it comes from. I would say personal experiences mainly though…things I’ve been through. It’s always easier to write from a perspective of personal understanding because it’s the most honest.
Please tell us about the first single you released back in 2016. Also, I understand new music of yours will be released this year. What can you tell us about that?
Yes! Wow, I can’t believe that was 2016! The single was called “Living Memories.” I remember being so nervous because it was my first-ever real release. It was an experience of a lifetime; I got to work with some incredible songwriters and producers on it and we were all really proud of the way it turned out. As for the other project, I’m so excited to see what happens with it so stay tuned!
While I know you began in the theater with acting, what was your first professional film/TV role, and what do you remember about that particular role/job?
My first ever film/TV job was a movie that aired on Lifetime that was based on a true story called Defending Our Kids, The Julie Posey Story, where I got to play the role of Lonnie, who was the best friend of the lead character Kristyn. It starred Annie Potts and was directed by Joanna Kerns. I remember walking into the audition and being so excited because Joanna Kerns was on Growing Pains! It was a great time. I learned a lot by being on that set, and I met a lot of great people.
Hallmark audiences have had the opportunity to see you in The Christmas Heart. What was it like working on that film? Why do you believe it is a movie that still resonates with so many at Christmas?
The Christmas Heart has definitely been one of the most memorable films I’ve had the opportunity to work on thus far. I was actually living in Los Angeles and going to school at the time. I remember auditioning right before I began classes and I didn’t hear anything for a couple of weeks. And then my agent called and told me I got the part! I was so excited, I had to take some time off of class to fly back to Winnipeg to shoot it. I was immediately very moved by the story and the characters within the script. I think that it resonates with a lot of people today still because it shows the different sides of various characters’ situations and what they’re going through. It’s relatable in that sense and shows how it all comes together, but also shows a lot about the power of people coming together and supporting one another in a tough time. I think it sends a powerful message about hope.
Hallmark audiences also saw you in an episode of Good Witch (Season 2, Episode 1). What did you know about this long-running movie/TV series already? Any special moments working behind-the-scenes with the cast/crew?
Good Witch was super fun; I got to work with Catherine Bell, who was so kind and great to work with. I remember we had the first scene of the day and I must have gotten there at about 5 AM to make sure I was on time. I had seen a couple of the movies and loved them, so when I got the call to audition and be a part of such a loved program, I was thrilled!
I also saw you on the very first episode of Damnation. I have chatted with some actors who were a part of that series. What was special for you about working on that series?
Oh, Damnation! Yes, that has been so far one of my favorite shows to work on for sure. I love anything that is period work because you really get a chance to dive into the history of the time period and it’s a lot of fun to get to play. I was in Toronto at the time, so I was being flown out to shoot it in Alberta–just a little outside Calgary–and it was beautiful out there. The whole world they created with the set and the costumes was incredible.
Please tell us about your role and your experience with Sorry For Your Loss.
Definitely. I got to play the role of Cindee, who is a stripper that works at the local club. It’s a comedy that follows Ken played by Justin Bartha trying to fulfill his late estranged father’s wish of having his ashes scattered on the field of his favorite sports team and the events that take place along the way. I had so much fun playing the character of Cindee, and I got to work with some incredible actors during the shoot, which was a great experience as well. I actually had to audition quite a few times because I was in Toronto at the time and sent ( I think) around four audition tapes! Needless to say, I got to do my final audition in Winnipeg in person because I was there shooting another film and landed the role.
Another recent release is I Still See You. What was most memorable about working on that film?
There were definitely a few memorable times when I was working on I Still See You. It was a lot of fun to prepare for the water scenes because we had to do some free diving training beforehand with some of the cast, which was so much fun, I didn’t know I could hold my breath for that long! The set was really incredible and to see how they would shoot the last scenes of the movie in the water was really cool.
I see you are involved with YouTube show Wayne as well. What can you tell us about that show and your role on it?
Yes! I did a guest star role on episode four, called “Find Something Black To Wear.” It’s an action comedy TV series from the writers of Deadpool on YouTube premium about Wayne, a teenage boy who sets off on an adventure to get his late father’s stolen ’79 Trans Am back with his new crush, Del. Really great to see that it’s getting rave reviews and people are loving the show!
What do you like to do in your free time?
Spending as much time with my family and friends is at the top of the list for sure! I love boxing to stay active, and when I have free time, I’ve been learning more about the music production side.
It is young people like Arden, who consistently encourage me concerning the current state of affairs in today’s society. It’s easy as someone of my generation to become rather jaded and begin to assume that all young people are lazy, undisciplined, rude, and looking for handouts. Thankfully, Arden has pursued her career while remaining focused on her passions and goals, and she has been willing to invest the requisite time to begin to see the fruit of her labors. She understands that it is up to her to persist in honing her skills and to labor for the prize because nothing worthwhile comes for free. As others in the industry have acknowledged her true calling and passion, they have given her the amazing opportunities she has enjoyed, and she has never squandered a viable chance to increase her knowledge and skillset.
If you have never seen her Hallmark movie The Christmas Heart nor watched her in Good Witch, I would invite my readers to check out both of these works (especially The Christmas Heart–one of the best “Box Of Tissues Required” movies Hallmark ever produced) in addition to possibly taking a chance on viewing some of the other works in her repertoire as well. In addition to this, I would invite my readers to visit Arden at the links listed below and possibly follow her on Instagram. While Arden may not be a “household name,” there is no doubt that she is one of the positive and inspiring young artists whose star is continuing its slow but steady rise, and the future appears to be bright and cheery for her as long as she remains as grounded and as determined as she is now. I greatly anticipate all of her future works, and I can hardly wait for the day when Hallmark (or any network, for that matter) invites her back to one of their new productions!
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