Last week School of Theatre, Film & Television alum Vaune Suitt‘s latest project debuted online. Vaune (BFA Acting, ’21) co-stars in The Edible Always Wins, a short film for Keke Palmer‘s new digital channel, KeyTV. This project comes on the heels of Vaune’s many successes since graduation, including voiceover work for official Snapchat campaigns and appearances in the film Thor: God of Thunder (2022) and the short film 2023, among others.
How did this opportunity come about for you?
I get all my auditions from my lovely manager, Madeline, who I signed with as a result of our Senior Showcase in 2021. I remember getting the audition and somehow missing the fact that Keke Palmer was the actual director, so when I got the call that I booked the role, I was over the moon. Shoutout to Miss Gabriela Giusti (BFA Acting, ’20), who read the self-tape with me.
What does KeyTV mean to you?
KeyTV is so great because it gives opportunities to actors and filmmakers who are still finding their place in the industry and looking to grow. Keke Palmer is using her platform and knowledge about the industry to guide new creators, giving them the freedom to explore their craft in a collaborative setting. The set was so fun and comfortable that it made doing my job easy. And getting to work with Keke was better than I could have ever imagined.
Where and for how long can people watch the film?
You can watch The Edible Always Wins whenever you want on KeyTVNetwork on YouTube and Facebook.
How have your BFA Acting degree and/or faculty helped you?
My acting degree has helped me in many ways since moving to Los Angeles. It has instilled in me the passion for collaborating with others and working hard for a common goal. The University had so many resources for me to collaborate with other creators in the Film Program, Theatre Program and even with local filmmakers from Tucson, which gave me the knowledge of how film sets work and the importance of making connections with the creators surrounding you. Through our Senior Showcase, I was also able to sign with my manager, who has decades of knowledge about the film industry. That connection has been fundamental to my growth in Los Angeles. I’m always looking for ways to grow and learn about my craft, and the BFA program set the foundation for me to do that in a professional setting.
What’s coming up next for you?
At the moment, I am still auditioning and looking for new work to be a part of. Something I’ve learned is that growing in the industry takes time. While I have had the wonderful opportunity to be apart of many film sets since moving to Los Angeles, there is still time in between where I focus on my craft, sending in multiple self tape auditions, affording my rent, and my serving at my restaurant job. It’s not all glamorous, but I am slowly seeing the work I’ve put into acting come to fruition and I have confidence that patience and hard work will lead me to succeed in this industry.