The Chat … with actress and Mukilteo native Cadence Whittle

CADENCE WHITTLE

Mukilteo

Whittle, 19, recently moved to Hollywood to pursue her acting dream at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles. The Kamiak High School graduate got the acting bug at age 12. She studied at Shoreline Community College and Freehold Theatre while working at Mukilteo Diamond Knot Brewery and performing slam poetry at Red Cup Café. She stars in Thornbrook, a Victorian-era web series mostly shot in Kitsap County that debuts online at the end of the month.

See more about Whittle at www.cadencewhittle.com; www.thornbrookseries.com and facebook.com/thornbrookwebseries.

Describe “Thornbrook”:

“Thornbrook” is a Penny Dreadful, Victorian-era web series by Monoculus Films, which also has a dash of supernatural along with notes of Jane Austen. There will be six total episodes, each one revealing the mysteries that linger in the town of Thornbrook.

What’s the funniest or craziest thing anybody ever said to you?

OK, when I first arrived in L.A., I was walking down Melrose Avenue with my hair straight and sunglasses on, and I went into one of the thrift stores there. I’m looking through some clothes I needed for costuming at school, and I hear a gasp from behind me, and a woman yells, “LINDSAY LOHAN!?!?” I looked up in an excited, starstruck whirl, glanced around to see where Lindsay was, and then discovered a young woman clinging onto her coat hangers, staring at me. I don’t know who was more disappointed in me not being Lindsay Lohan, me or her.

What are you wearing?

I’ve currently got on some shorts that look like they’ve been through some serious battles, a dark green tank top and some bacon socks. Because bacon’s good on everything, right?

If you could share the stage with anyone alive or in history who would it be?

Definitely Kevin Spacey. He’s what we call an “actor’s actor,” meaning that every actor fangirls over how amazing he is.

What is your dream role?

I’ve always wanted to play someone absolutely insane. I’m fascinated by humankind, how we interact with one another, why we think the things we do, etc., so when I saw Carrie (the 1976 version with Sissy Spacek), and Rosemary’s Baby, I was in awe of them.

Biggest on-stage fear?

I hate flying bugs. They terrify me. I’ve always feared that I’ll be on a big-budget set, shooting an outside scene in like the middle of the Mojave Desert or something, and a giant moth or beetle or something will come and attack me while we’re filming. I know that if that ever does happen, my acting teachers always tell me to “stay in the moment,” so … I guess I’ll just let that little guy stay along for the ride and get some screen time.

People would be shocked to know …

I wanted to be in the medical or crime field prior to acting. Forensics has always been a fascinating thing to me. I remember one year for Christmas I got this detective kit thing from my parents so I could start finding “clues.”

One thing you (and others) wish you’d stop doing/saying.

I very strongly dislike the word “bae.” It’s this silly word that’s spread through social media, and it means “before anyone else,” and used as if it were “babe” or “baby.” Well, me and my friends jokingly started saying it, and now sometimes it just inevitably spurts out of my mouth.

Best thing about growing up in Mukilteo?

The cemetery. Oh, I miss that cemetery. I’d go there and read a book, write, play guitar, or just watch everything on that bench with the beautiful view of the beach, water, ferries … everything. You never really realize how fortunate you are until you move away from Washington.

Advice to anyone wanting to pursue their dream?

I gotta point to you, parents. I know you want what is best for your child, and your idea of the “best thing” can be very different than your child’s view. Money and power, and sometimes family tradition, shouldn’t be the driving force to pursue a career or education, though I know in most cases it is. Discuss with your child what they have always dreamed of studying, and create an action plan with them. I wouldn’t be where I am now without the support of my family (Parents Craig and Lisa Whittle, and brother Curtis Whittle). They’ve always pushed me and cheered me on, yet they also let me fail at things. And I appreciate that more than I could ever say in words. It’s scary to chase a dream, and scary when it becomes a reality. But I can tell you that I’m the happiest person on Earth because I’m doing what I love, with a family who love and support me no matter what.

Three movies/TV shows in your Netflix queue:

So, I love Kevin Spacey, but politics is like another language to me… yet, “House of Cards” is totally on my Netflix queue. I’ve watched the first two episodes and it’s beautiful! I’ve also got a film called “Snowpiercer” on there, which I heard was a great film. Then I’m also slowly but surely making my way through a TV series called “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” and it’s hilarious.

Three things actress-related in your purse:

I always carry my journal with me. Mainly to observe the general public (which sounds creepy, but it’s great research for characters, I promise!) but also if I am suddenly inspired to write something, boom! There it is. I’ve also got my business cards with my headshot on them in case I run into Steven Spielberg or Quentin Tarantino… and a book I’ve been reading called “’Shakespeare’ By Another Name” written by Mark Anderson.

Guilty pleasure?

Oh god. I have a lot of musical guilty pleasures. I love pop-punk. It’s so weird. Like the ’90s punk? Blink-182, The Offspring, Screeching Weasel, the list goes on. I have no idea why I like it, it’s not like my parents listened to it or my brother did … I just started listening to it and was like, “This is so angsty. I’m 16 and I’m so angsty all the time. It’s perfect.”

— Andrea Brown, Herald Writer

Do you know someone we should get to know better? Send suggestions to abrown@heraldnet.com or call 425-339-3443.

From #Mukilteo to #Hollywood.Cadence tells all in “the chat”@EverettHerald today #LindsayLohan http://t.co/i5WVbOtKNE pic.twitter.com/7CJYiCu77f

— Andrea Brown (@reporterbrown) September 8, 2015