We’re looking forward to introducing you to Heather Place. Check out our conversation below.
Heather, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiplies when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I’m actually in the process of moving back to the Carolina Coast. I was born in Michigan, but did a lot of growing-up at the beach in Longboat Key, Florida and Hilton Head, South Carolina. I also lived in Wilmington, North Carolina in the mid-80’s, after the film studio was built there. My husband and I have gotten our house on the market here in Charlotte and we’ve been going back and forth to the Southport area, looking at homes, trying out new restaurants, walking on the beach and imagining ourselves living there. I’ve been reaching-out to potential collaborators in the area in the film, theatre and radio arenas. I’m actually already doing voiceovers for Cape Fear Radio, a fairly new radio station based in Southport. It feels good to contribute creatively to my future hometown. Even though I haven’t physically made the move yet, my voice already has!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m an actor/producer/voiceover artist and radio gal. I’ve been married to Frank Izurieta for 36 years and have a beautiful daughter named Aubrey, who lives in Raleigh. I grew-up in the Theatre, majored in Drama at the University of Georgia, moved to Atlanta after college, got an agent and have been doing professional acting work ever since. About 15 years ago, I became a producer and content creator and do mostly indie film. I also produce music videos. I wear a lot of hats on film projects: SAG on-camera and voice actor, producer, casting director, location scout and assistant director on set. I’m very proud of a SAG Micro Budget indie film, “I Am She”, that I worked on recently. It was written and directed by Jessica Wilson. I was a producer on the project alongside Sandra Perry. It has been on the film festival circuit for almost a year now and has been selected for several film festivals, most notably the Paris Film Awards, the NY Screenwriting Awards, the Queen City Culture Film Festival and the Raleigh Film and Art Festival. It won Best Director and Best Actress at the Pittsburgh Moving Picture Fest, for Jessica Wilson and Bella Bellitto, it won Best Regional Short at the Stranger Days Independent Film Festival, Jessica Wilson won Honorable mention at the New York Screenwriting Awards and it recently won “Best Female Directed, Written and Produced Film” at the Freedom International Film Festival. That win meant a lot to us, because we are an all female producing team! We have hopes to parlay the success of the short film and make it into a feature film.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My mother. She encouraged me to be all I can be at a very early age. I was always a creative kid and when I expressed an interest in acting, she encouraged me to audition for a children’s theatre troupe at the age of 9 years old. I became part of the troupe and toured the state of Michigan performing in shows. She also encouraged my interest in travel and instilled in me a love for the beach. I was the oldest of 4 children and my Mom and I took a trip just the two of us when I was also 9. We went down to Florida and fell in love with the Sarasota area, specifically Longboat Key. My mom decided to take me with her to look at Real Estate and listened to me when I expressed my preferences on properties she was looking at. We ended-up convincing my dad to buy property down there and lived there after moving from Michigan. I always felt empowered by that experience–that my mom could drive a decision that affected our whole family and that I had important input at such an early age.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Keep going. This is a very difficult career path and life can certainly throw you some curve balls, but keep going. Keep breathing in and out, keep getting up even if you fall. The past 8 years have been difficult with COVID, losing close family members, friends and colleagues and watching tragedies unfold close to home and on a global scale. But if you can just get out of bed, make your bed–even if you don’t want to, put one foot in front of the other and shine your light in whatever way you can, you never know what Law of Attraction will bring you. I love the quote: “Not all storms come to disrupt your life, some come to clear your path…” I have literally lived through hurricanes and there’s always a rainbow. Not always right away, but the rainbow will come. I love the film “Castaway” with Tom Hanks. There’s a poignant scene towards the end of the film after he’s been rescued when his character is talking to his friend about almost ending his life because he thought he was never going to get off that deserted island. Somehow he knew that he had to stay alive, even if there was no reason to hope. And one day, the tides came in and brought him a sail… Tomorrow the sun will rise and who knows what the tides will bring?
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What do you believe is true but cannot prove?
That there really is a higher being. That we are all energy. That we are all connected through vibration. Most people would say they believe in God, or some higher power, but we can’t prove it. That’s where faith comes in. Most people believe in Heaven or at least that we exist in some form after we die, but we can’t prove it. I always go back to Physics 101: Energy never dies, it just changes form. And I do believe we are all energy. I’ve lost my brother and my mother in the past few years and I truly believe that they are with me. I can feel their energy around me sometimes. I believe they send me signs. There are some days that those feelings and signs get me through. So whatever you believe in, keep the faith. Even if you feel you are the only one who believes the way you do, keep believing. That is how dreams come true…
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace walking on the beach and watching the sun set on the ocean. Even though I was blessed to have done a lot of my growing-up by the sea, I’ve been living inland for over 30 years, mostly in cities like Atlanta and Charlotte. That’s why my husband and I have made the decision to sell our house here in Charlotte and take steps to get to the coast. It’s been frustruating because the housing market has been slow and our house hasn’t sold yet. When I get discouraged, I just picture myself already there, walking on the beach, working in my new community, eating fresh seafood and just enjoying life. This journey goes by in a blink. I try to live as deliberately as I can. As the Tim McGraw song so eloquently goes: “Live like you were dying”: go skydiving, go Rocky Mountain climbing, love deeply, give forgiveness, watch an eagle flying… And don’t forget how short life is. Whenever and wherever possible, try to leave something good behind. A smile when someone needs it, a little piece of music, a performance in a play that makes someone laugh, any kind of light that comes from you and can be shared with whomever is seeking it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1239849/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatherlplace/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherplace/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heather.place.94/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liFfXClrDx4
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-587649771
- Other: Actors Access Profile: https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/heatherplace
Image Credits
Headshot photography by Magen Marie Photography
