Coast Life: Long Beach Middle School theater class inspires Hollywood dream

LONG BEACH, Miss. (WLOX) - When you’re watching a show or movie, you focus on the main actors and actresses; they’re usually surrounded by the background cast.

One of those background actors credits his school experiences for creating the opportunities he has now.

“I would have never found a love for acting if it wasn’t for moving to the Coast,” Billy Smith said.

A theater class at Long Beach Middle School launched Billy Smith’s Hollywood dreams. Now, he’s on the path to making those dreams come true. Earlier this year, he made an appearance in the popular show ’1923: A Yellowstone Origin Story′.

“I’m walking straight down the road, and they pan the camera right in on me for a good eight seconds,” Smith said.

Like the rest of us, Smith had to tune in each week to find out what was going to happen in the show. Plus, he was watching to see if and when he might be seen.

“I’m waiting each weekend when it’s coming out,” Smith said. “I’m like, I’ve got to look for me. When I popped up on screen, I turned pale and was like I can’t believe this is me on TV.”

Smith was cast as an extra for the show. He did his homework to make sure he would be seen.

“I was like, I wonder if I can maneuver our path in a way where we can pass each camera. It paid off, right when we were walking down the street, the main actress is walking directly behind me, so I was like, the camera has got to be facing me somewhere.”

Even though in the ’1923′ scene Smith was dressed in layers of warm clothing, it was actually shot during a hot Texas summer day, which gave him a lesson of what it’s like behind the curtain.

“In the show, it was supposed to be winter, so we’re all sweating all day because we’re walking around the whole city. You can see in the shot that I made it, but we must act like we’re really cold. We’re acting like we’re shivering, but we’re profusely sweating.”

Appearing on a show wasn’t necessarily Smith’s plan after moving to Texas after high school.

“Out of nowhere, they had a casting call for the show ’1923′ and I was like, wow, that would be a really great opportunity. That was just something that blew my mind that I could do, I didn’t even think about it.”

Since appearing in a couple of scenes in ’1923′, Smith has lined up more background actor roles in other shows, movies and commercials.’

It’s an opportunity he doesn’t think would have been possible without his school theater programs.

“I didn’t think of it at all until I moved to Long Beach and the middle school provided a theater class. That sparked it, and I’m thankful for Long Beach for having classes that we can take.”

Smith will continue chasing his dream and hopefully secure more prominent roles in the future.

“It’s that feeling of getting a little closer and a little closer. It’s a slow process, you have to have a lot of patience, but hopefully I’ll get there one day.”

You can look for Billy Smith in the soon-to-be-released comedy ‘Pickleheads’. He’s also been in scenes for an upcoming show based on the Texas oil industry.

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