Candid Conversations with Orlando Eric Street

How important are the Arts to you?
The Arts are very important to me. I was fascinated by it at an early age. When I was five, I would beg my parents to put me on television. I was interested in the arts on many levels. I was interested in: dancing, singing, theater and the museum. I simply loved the way it made people feel. I wanted to be a part of that movement to make people feel good through the arts.

What inspired you to become an actor?
Funny how that happened. I truly wanted to be a director first (still do). I was fascinated with the creativity from the director. When I saw JAWS for the first time, I was blown away by every detail about the film. How the lightening was done, how the special effects were done and how the scoring put fear into everyone. I couldn’t afford to go to film school so I decided to act. This way I could be close to the directors and learn. I started booking more jobs and had the opportunity to learn from great directors like Neema Barnette, Lee Daniels and Louis Leterrier. I always managed to get a nugget each time on set. I guess by wanting to direct made me have a greater appreciation for acting.

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What type of training and experience have you had?
As a kid I have always worked with an acting coach. My high school drama teacher would always push me to get involved with theater. She was constantly training me for the big stage. I took a lot of acting classes in college at Southern University. When I started booking more I got involved with the Ivanna Chubbuck acting classes in Baton Rouge La. I’m always training with other actors in my area. We like to battle each other all the time. It helps making it fun.

What has been your favorite role thus far and why?
That’s actually a hard question. I have a personal connection with all of my characters. The latest film out today, Don’t Look Back, I’m  receiving a lot of praises for my work. That sways my opinion a little.  However, I think I’m going to stick with all of them.

What keeps you motivated in this competitive industry?
Getting better each time on set helps my competitive spirit. A director is giving me more creative freedom on set is always positive. My friends and family being proud of my work. The fact that I am getting closer to my personal goals keeps that fire burning. 

What kind of adjustments have you had to make during Covid-19  to work?
Besides paying the bills? Staying in touch with my circle to keep challenging each other via Zoom chats.  I actually started working harder during this extended break from the industry. I would look at old videos of myself to see some mistakes that I have made in auditions. I guess the adjustment would be me training longer and harder. 

How can we follow you?
Twitter @Orlando_street
Instagram @orlandostreet
FB Orlando Eric Street

Orlando Eric Street was born, Eric Darrell Street II, in Chicago, Illinois. He is the second of four siblings and only boy. Orlando lived in Chicago until the age 12. His father, Eric Street, Sr. decided to move the family to Louisiana in 1982 to keep his children off the streets and out of trouble with gangs. Orlando began acting at an early age both in Chicago and later in Louisiana. He took so much interest in acting and films that he began making home movies as a hobby. To date, among his most prized possessions are the home movies he directed featuring hosts of family members. Although, theater was his first love, his father convinced him that a tennis and an athletic scholarship would best suit his future needs. Orlando attended Southern University and majored in Broadcasting. He did some modeling and acting for local companies while in college to make extra money. After graduating from college, Orlando began working as a tennis professional and still acted in local theater and commercials to keep his "chops." Seeing that his son's desire to act had not waned, Orlando's father suggested he pursue acting full time. However, his father took ill, so Orlando decided not to go to California to pursue a career in acting. In 2011, Orlando Eric began a renewed pursuit of an acting career. Prompted by his father's declaration and the realization of Orlando's true drive and eventual goal - to win the Oscar! Orlando is still directing small family films. Switchin' the Script is his first movie role.