Venise Watson

Born and raised in Milwaukee, WI; Venise Watson has always wanted to be in the spotlight. Her first starring role was in kindergarten as a ribbon twirler in the elementary school circus parade. !" " The make-up back then... not the most flattering but I loved loved loved the way I felt twirling my ribbon making sure everyone could see me! I knew right then that I was meant to perform. I was like ...I'm a star! " Her next role was in her 5th grade as the princess in a school play supported by her teachers. " I remember feeling so special to have that role! It gave me confidence like no other and I only had one line! It was the idea of portraying royalty for me; having the audience root for me... felt comfortable, it felt right you know?" But it wasn't until she entered college; would she discover the courage to study Film and Theatre which launched her career in the right direction. "I was the only brown face in film school at the time, white males were like the majority in all of my film lectures" The lack of diversity in her film classes led her to branch out in other areas of art. " I joined theater to meet more actors for my film projects and for the first time in Peck School of the Arts history, there were like 6 or 7 students of color enrolled in the theater department!" She fell in love instantly with the craft and began her transition from film to Theatre. " I was very shy in high school, I don't know why but I would only be outgoing in front of my friends." " I had auditioned for the Highschool of the Arts in Milwaukee ( it was the only one in town) and I froze during my audition, I just completely froze." After that experience Venise joined the costume crew and watched her fellow classmates act from the sidelines. " I knew I was meant to act,film,do make-up... all of it! I had to get out of my shell though which was the tricky part, but I did it...eventually which is what counts!" While attending college she spent years of studying ancient art forms of storytelling, Shakespeare, IPA and various other significant art forms. Some of her best moments and first discoveries in the Theatre was at UW-MILWAUKEE Peck School of The Arts. From there, she began to meet other creative artists and director's in town and filmed and Performed in local shows and movies. Since then,she has relocated to Houston Texas; where she is current booking shows and attending auditions. She also make videos for YouTube and local skits with her colleagues. " When I accept a role, I instantly look for ways where me and my character can connect like a blend, I pick zodiac signs, birthdays, their favorite hairstyles,etc ( if it's not already decided for me) I create a whole new world for my character and then I live there for as long as needed to bring them to set or on stage."