BRANDI NICOLE MCLEAIN
ACTOR. WORDSMITH. DIRECTOR.
CT born, Baltimore bred and Dallas fed, my career began in modeling as a child. However, I quickly discovered my passion for the stage while performing Maya Angelou's "Phenomenal Woman" at Leith Walk Elementary's 1st Annual Dramatic Reading Competition. I came in 2nd place to my best friend. Since then, I found every way I could to get back onstage. I joined the choir, tap danced, and picked up the alto saxophone in 3rd grade. In addition to drama clubs and summer intensives, I studied rigorously at Booker T Washington High School for the Performing & Visual Arts, where I received one of the two "Outstanding Achievement" awards during my Freshman year (my character notebook is legendary).
In 2015, I reluctantly went to study Theater at Southern Methodist University because they gave me a fat scholarship, I was told the training was superb, and 3 of their teachers went to Yale, one of whom was the former chair of the Yale School of Drama. I was sold, all I wanted was incredible training! Due to colorism, racism, school politics, and just not being right for the part, I wasn’t cast very much in High School despite excelling in all of my acting classes. This was both frustrating and heartbreaking, so I decided the way to fix it was to train harder, make my talent undeniable. I graduated with a BFA in Theater Studies, with emphasis in Acting, Playwriting, & Directing. I got what I wanted: the technical training I received was incredible. I am definitely a much better actor, but the racist, sexist, colorist trauma I endured during those 4 years was not something I was remotely prepared for (which is saying something since I’ve done most of my schooling and training in predominately white spaces). I graduated full of anger, resentment and bitterness. Here I was again, done with another training program that praised me in class but barely put my name on the cast list.
ACTING DEMO REEL (2023)
A week after I graduated, I made my professional acting debut in the poetic web-series "black enough" created by Micah Ariel Watson (YouTube). In 2021 I made my Off-Broadway directing debut at ARNSOVA’s ANTFest with a solo-performance created by Roderick Woodruff entitled "A Boy's Room." I made a Guest Star appearance in the award-winning, queer web-series "Fortheboys," created by Ellis C. Dawson and Mekhai Lee (YouTube). I did a voiceover for the Short Film, “Sam & Kiki,” which has recently been selected in the 23rd Annual Screamfest Horror Film Festival. I will be performing original poetry at The Billie Holiday Theater’s Skylight Open in Brooklyn, NY on August 17th, 2023 (FREE EVENT).
I continue to train, write, and heal when I am not acting. One of the many tools that has helped me heal is my bracelets. During the pandemic, I spent a lot of time studying myself. One of my many discoveries was a memory of myself saying to God “I don’t want to be famous until I am spiritually ready.” I said this when I was 16 years-old. This memory kickstarted my journey into Astrology, African History, African Traditional Religions, Hoodoo, Numerology, and eventually, crystals. Although I am no expert, I have been working with crystals for 3 years now and am still learning about them daily. Therefore, I only offer you knowledge that is tried and true. I have personal experience with every crystal incorporated in my jewelry. Hands Is Blessed was founded in love, faith, and integrity. All proceeds go towards my dream (to be a legendary, inspirational Movie/TV Star, poet, playwright, screenwriter, director, healer). This includes everything from new headshots and classes to rent money and groceries!
Feel free to keep up with me on Instagram, Twitter, and Tik Tok.