Meet Mary Beth MB” Morrison | Atlanta-based Actor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mary Beth “MB” Morrison and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mary Beth “MB”, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
That’s a really great question! I felt I couldn’t *not* pursue an artistic career. I’ve always felt it in my very bones – since I was a kid – this need to be playing an instrument, singing a song, working on a show. It’s a compulsion, really, but a very happy one.
  

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve had some really great opportunities in recently: onstage as an actor with The Atlanta Opera and the Rome Shakespeare Festival. I had a recurring role in Spads Hollow, a horror webseries by Ian Allen James. I got to direct my first film project! – a short comedy mockumentary called “Pharmacy Techs”, written by, and starring my dear friend Stacy King. We’re working to get that into festivals now. I also did voiceover for an animated series in Singapore and a video game with USC Games.

This past year, I was lead vocalist for a Cheap Trick Tribute band – which I never imagined doing – until it happened! I am very proud of that. It has led to some other great opportunities, including a Fleetwood Mac/Stevie Nicks tribute group that I’m playing keys for.

So far for 2024, I am attached to an upcoming TBA film project, slated to start shooting later this year. Next week, I will be onstage in a comedy play, “The Wild Women of Winedale”, at ART Station in Stone Mountain. I will also be performing in “The Strand Ol Opry” series at the Earl Strand Theater in mid-March.

I wear a lot of hats – actor, vocalist, voiceover artist, pianist, director, flamenco dancer. I’ve played drums for community theatre. I’ve done a little bit of stand-up comedy, which I would love to get back to. I go with the flow. Whenever something comes along that piques my interest, I jump in, feet first, trusting that I will figure it out as I go. Is it easy? Not usually. But I love performing, with every fiber of my being.

If I have learned anything, it’s this: It is okay to be uncomfortable. Being uncomfortable is how you grow. Push yourself to get better. Find teachers, coaches, mentors to help you. Read books. There is so much you will learn from books. Be flexible, in your thinking, and in your body. Treat your body well, it is your instrument. It is never too late to pursue acting, music, performing. I didn’t get started in theatre until my mid thirties. I was in my late forties when started film acting and singing professionally. I was 50 before I started voiceover and rock music. There are opportunities out there, but if you are struggling to find them, make your own.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Where do I even start? Dinner! I always like to start with dinner – somewhere with great food and cocktails, not too noisy, so we can have a conversation and catch up! There HAS to be fried chicken on any visit, and South City Kitchen in Avalon is a favorite. So is Ponko Chicken! Also love Connor’s and di Paolo in Alpharetta, they really nice bar areas and the food is exceptional. Then on to some live jazz music. Atlanta has fantastic jazz artists playing every night of the week + Sunday brunch. Some of my favorite places are Velvet Note, Roaring Social, Lumiere Lounge + Strand Theatre, Distillery of Modern Art, Bistro Niko. If my visitor’s taste runs to classical, Atlanta Opera has an incredible lineup this year, and I cannot wait for Die Walkure. Atlanta Aquarium is absolutely a must. Definitely a trip up to Historic Dahlonega. We’d hit Spirits Tavern for lunch, then Wolf Mountain winery. And, of course, there is antiquing and thrifting. Some of my best-complimented clothing is secondhand, I’m kind of known for it, and my sisters and friends always want to go look around. We’d definitely hit Korsi Hot Yoga for one of their hot flow classes. And one night, we would go to the Dekalb Farmer’s Market and Buford Highway Farmer’s Market, and have a cookout at home.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My partner, John Wilson, who always gives love, belief, encouragement, a friendly nudge (and sometimes a friendly shove) to keep on going, even in moments of discouragement. But I also have to shoutout to my family: my parents, Ken and Elaine Hakken, and my sisters, Kate Kucharski and Sarah Hernandez. And even though she is no longer with us, my Grandma Peg, for whom love and kindness was as much a part of her as breathing. I love you all, more than you know!

Website: www.marybethmorrison.com

Instagram: @marybethmorrisonATL

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaryBethMorrisonATL

Youtube: @marybethmorrison

Image Credits
1- Sally Boice 2-Tracy Hoexter, 3-4 Sally Boice, 5-6 Eugenio Beltran, 7-Neal Brackett, 8- Uncredited