interview by Jess McCuan . photo by Matt Rose . makeup by Mendy Hoffman

Name: Keresy Proctor

Age: 28

Occupation: actress, filmmaker and bartender

Lives in: Asheville

Have you lived in Asheville long? No, and when I moved here two and a half years ago, I didn’t know why I’d come.

Why did you come? I was interested in theater, and then I started taking classes at the Stella Adler acting studio in Asheville. It changed my life. Now, I’m just finding any way I can to make a living doing theater.

Is that a tough way to live in Asheville? The actor’s life? No, it’s not. It’s only a hard life if you haven’t found your passion.

What types of roles do you play on stage? Sometimes I get typecast. I’m the tall blonde, the love interest. But the goal is to be able to play many different kinds of roles. If you can be a chameleon, I think you can have some longevity in this business.

Do people compare you to other actresses? I sometimes get Kate Winslet or Virginia Madsen. Occasionally, Nicole Kidman or Scarlett Johansson.

And what’s your dream role? I want to be in a Clint Eastwood movie. I think I need to do it in the next five years. He’s getting old. That guy does it all.