Meet Aspen Somers: Actress, Writer & Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Aspen Somers and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aspen, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
It’s a bit cliche, but I think the most important lesson I’ve learned is to make lemonade out of lemons. I’d always heard people say this, but I have really begun to understand what they meant over the past year. When the COVID-19 shutdown first started last March, I was certain I wouldn’t work on anything for many months. I was devestated; shows I was already rehearsing for and projects I had been counting down the days for were all cancelled. After a couple weeks of being disappointed, I started to understand that I needed to either stop feeling sorry for myself or do something to change my situation. I wrote a radio play for a local theatre company to raise money for an artist’s relief fund and took a role on a remotely-filmed feature by a director I had previously worked with. After seeing how others were making things work, I started brainstorming what I could do. I had always heard about how actors should create their own work, but I never had; I didn’t even know where to start. I decided now might be the perfect time, my limited resources wouldn’t matter if everything was filmed remotely anyway! So, I started working on the script for “Quarantwinned,” what I planned to be a four-or-five episode web series starring my sister and I, with a couple of other actors in minor roles. By the time the first episode was released, the show had become a 10-episode series with a 30-person cast. It was more time consuming than I ever could have planned, but it was a joy to work on and a welcome distraction, and I met some amazing actors and families through the show. Later, my sister and I created a holiday feature-film spin-off of the series. Throughout the year, I also worked on a couple episodes of a podcast series, a live Zoom play, another feature film, and even a pilot presentation when sets were breifly able to open up. What I was planning to be the slowest year of my career turned out to be one of the most productive! I learned that opportunities can present themselves in the unlikeliest of places, if I just look hard enough for them! 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
When I first got started in the entertainment industry, I wanted to be an opera singer. I quickly got interested in musical theatre, though, and soon I started studying film acting. As I got older, I became interested in writing and producing, and those projects are definitely what I am most proud of, especially the play “Letters” that I wrote and produced to raise money for my parents’ foundation, the Fetal Health Foundation. I only write about topics I’m passionate about; I want the audience to walk away from one of my pieces with a new perspective on the world. I think what sets me apart from others is my age, because I was only fifteen when I started producing my own works. This has been one of the biggest challenges that I’ve faced, because there are definitely people who don’t trust that kids know what they’re doing. I remember many times where I’ve had many people decide they didn’t want to work with me when they found out that I was just a teenager, but I’m very grateful to everyone who did give me a chance. I’ve had the opportunity to work with so many wonderful actors and crew members that have been so supportive and taught me so much. I want the world to know that, no matter what the situation, don’t judge a book by its cover. No matter who somebody is, you should always give them a chance, because people might surprise you!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First, I would definitely take them to downtown Denver. The holidays in denver are my absolute favorite, so assuming it was the holiday season I’d take them to look at the lights around downtown, especially the Mile High Tree and the lights on the City and County Building. We’d also go to the Christkindl German market (I’ve always wanted to visit the Weihnachtsmärkte in Germany, so I love that we have this in Denver)! One night I would take them to see a show at the Denver Center, which is probably my favorite place in the city. We would have to go shopping; some of my favorite places are th Maker’s Market at the Southwest Plaza and Park Meadows malls, and Whale’s Tale Books and Gifts (an adorable new bookstore serving as a fundraiser for the Jeffco Library) at Colorado Mills. The Denver Museum of Nature and Science would be a must-do, as well as the $4 movies at the Elvis Cinemas. We would also probably go hiking; St. Mary’s Glacier or Hanging Lake are some of my favorites. Finally, we would absolutely have to eat at Beau Jo’s Pizza, my favorite restaurant in Colorado!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate this shout-out to my mom, dad, and sister Ashley. I would not be where I am today without them. My parents have been nothing but supportive since I first announced to them that I wanted to be a performer. Coming from a background in the running industry, my parents new practically nothing about the entertainment industry, but they did whatever they could to support and guide me. They have always encouraged me; when I didn’t think I could produce a play all by myself or when I was worried about studying acting in college, they convinced me to follow my passion. I’ve dragged my sister into many a crazy idea over the years, but she always jumps right in alongside me. She does anything she puts her mind to and she stands up for what she believes in.

Website: www.aspenksomers.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aspenksomers/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheSomersTwins/
Other: IMDb: imdb.me/aspenksomers

Image Credits
Bonnie Sizer – Bonnie Photography