After a short acting stint student looks to shed past, embrace future

Few Whitworth students know that sophomore Hayley Dannettell lived in Los Angeles as an aspiring film actress, and auditioned for the role of Disney’s Hannah Montana. Dannettell lived in Los Angeles for two years, but said she usually waits until she knows people before telling them about her experience.

“It’s hard when people know I was a film actress before they know who I am,” Dannettell said. “It’s what people see, but there are so many other parts to who I am.”

Dannettell said she didn’t tell many people about her acting because she was embarrassed. She said she felt like she let people down because she didn’t become famous.

“Now I can accept that it was an important part of my life, and I don’t need to hide or be embarrassed about it anymore,” Dannettell said. “I learned so much about myself and about God, and I’m glad I did it.”

Dannettell has been an actress for most of her life.

“I’ve been acting since I was 3 years old,” Dannettell said. “My first role was a small one in the play ‘Oliver.’”

Dannettell continued acting in theater through middle school. Her middle school vocal coach was also an acting coach who encouraged Dannettell to pursue film acting.

“When I was 14 years old, a sophomore in high school, my mom and I moved to L.A. so I could pursue acting,” she said.

Within a month of moving, Dannettell got an agent and a manager. She was in many commercials and acted on the show “Summerland” for an episode.

“It’s a big deal if you get a guest starring role or a small part on an episode when you’re starting out,” she said.

Dannettell auditioned for the Disney television show “Hannah Montana” when she was 15.

“Auditioning for Disney and Nickelodeon is very intimidating,” Dannettell said. “The casting directors are very blunt, even about physical characteristics.”

Dannettell said the casting director for Hannah Montana was looking for an 18-year-old Latina, and Dannettell’s agent thought she could play that role.

“I didn’t have much hope for that audition because they generally don’t like to hire younger actresses,” Dannettell said. “They call the age range from 14 to 18 the ‘dead zone’ because casting directors generally prefer older actors.”

Dannettell’s friend, sophomore Lauren Avischious, said Dannettell is pleased she didn’t get the role of Hannah Montana.

“Every time we see Hannah Montana merchandise Hayley says she’s so glad she didn’t get that part,” Avischious said. “She didn’t want to just be a fad.”

Within a year after auditioning for “Hannah Montana,” Dannettell stopped pursuing film acting and left Los Angeles.

“I was pretty successful at film acting, but I didn’t like the competition or constantly being on set,” Dannettell said. “I realized that I prefer theater, and I’ll probably pursue it for the rest of my life as a hobby.”

Dannettell said she’ll pursue theater as a hobby because she found in film acting that once a hobby becomes a job, it becomes less enjoyable. Dannettell is currently involved in the Whitworth Theatre department, and said she enjoyed performing in “Museum.”

Dannettell’s roommate, sophomore Rachel Miedema, said, “I’ve never seen Hayley act, but I’m really looking forward to seeing her in ‘Museum.’”

Dannettell encourages people who want act in Hollywood to pursue their dreams.
“It isn’t unattainable, but it has to be your passion,” Dannettell said. “You need to go in realizing that it is a tough, cutthroat business.”

Dannettell invites people who may be interested in film acting to talk to her about it.

“I don’t mind talking about it if people are really interested and want to learn about it,” Dannettell said.


Contact Miranda Cosand at miranda.cosand@whitworthian.com.

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