Jessica Drolet is an actor, writer, comedian from Quebec City, Canada. She is part of the new cast of Studio C, a clean comedy sketch show on BYUtv, which is currently filming in Provo, Utah. Season 10 starts airing September 30^th 2019. When in LA you can see her perform standup regularly at the Comedy Store and Flappers, and sketch comedy with her team, Tantrum at The Pack Theater. She has a rabbit, Bubba, and a dog, Molly.
Follow her on Insta and FB @therealjessicadrolet
www.youtube.com/jessicadrolet

My mother tells me that when I was quite young I said to her something like: “Okay mom, I’m ready to get an agent.” I don’t remember asking her that but I do remember this deep feeling inside me of wanting to be an actor.

I did not. In fact, when I first moved to LA I worked as a VIP manager at The Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica. And one day I escorted Eddie Gorodetsky, the producer of Two and a Half Men, to his room. I knew who he was. We chatted a bit and somehow got on the topic of acting. He asked me whether I wanted to do comedy or drama, to which I responded: drama. If only he knew I’d kill to be on one of his shows now, ha!

I didn’t do much acting when I was young, apart from a play I starred in in elementary school and one at summer camp. It wasn’t until I graduated from College with a business degree that I decided to pursue acting as a career. The idea of applying for a job in “business” sounded dreadful, so I moved to NY to finally pursue my dream of becoming an actor – a dream I had suppressed all those years.

I started studying at The Acting Center in the Fall of 2007. I had moved to LA a few months prior and finally bought my first car. Now I had the means to get to and from class. Someone I worked with at the hotel spoke very highly of The Acting Center so I decided to check it out and immediately felt like I belonged.

Last summer, I was sought out by the casting director of SNL, Lindsay Shookus, to submit a tape, but nothing came of it. And then I got cut from the Groundlings program. So, I was feeling a little down (a lot actually). At this point I had spent several years doing sketch comedy and trying to catch a break, but I now felt defeated and burnt out. A couple of months later, I saw a posting in a comedy group on Facebook about a show looking for sketch comedy actor/writers so I submitted my character reel. I got a meeting with the show runner, Jim O’Doherty, creator of the Disney show Kickin It. He invited me to audition and I was called back to audition for the producers. I finally got the call I got the job in December. So I moved my life to Provo, Utah in January 2019. It was exciting. And the timing couldn’t have been better.

It’s been a great experience overall. I finally get to write and perform sketch comedy but in a professional environment alongside an amazing cast, and I’m being paid to do it! I don’t have to buy my own wigs anymore, so what else could a gal ask for, ha! My favorite part however is performing in front of a live studio audience. It’s exhilarating. Studio C fans are the absolute best.

The Acting Center is where I built my confidence as a performer. It was a sanctuary for me. I never felt judged. I never felt like someone was trying to change me or my choices. And in my opinion, that is crucial to an artist’s development. How else are you going to figure out what you’re capable of? I always felt encouraged and loved and that I was good enough. And because of that I was able to concentrate on committing to characters fully, without doubting myself. So I owe my confidence and ability to commit to The Acting Center – and for that I will be forever grateful.

My favorite thing about The Acting Center has always been how much the staff truly cares about their students, and also the comaraderie between the students. It’s a rare thing.

My favorite drill was the character interview exercise. The first time I did one my mind was blown. It was a game changer for me. It helped me realize that I like creating characters. And it has since helped me create more. But apart from that the “no criticism policy” I think was key for my growth as an actor. It let me evolve at my own pace without having to be self-conscious. And that certitude of knowing what I’m doing and trusting my comedic instincts has stayed with me throughout my career.

Work on your unique creative voice, make your own stuff, and don’t give up!

Season 10 of Studio C airs on BYUTv.org on September 30^th 2019. You can also watch the sketches on YouTube!