Alumni Spotlight: Lauren Henneberg is Making a Scene

Lauren Henneberg has been making a scene since graduating from Young Harris College in 2003 in Fine Arts. Henneberg, a Gamma Psi member and 02-03 Historian, has been ambling about as a zombie on The Walking Dead and playing the odds in The Hunger Games as a rebel. As a stunt actress, she has appeared as a Zombie Walker in The Walking Dead in 12 episodes in Seasons 1-4, a Mystic Falls Cheerleader in The Vampire Diaries in Seasons 1-4, a District 13 Citizen in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1, a District 7 Lumberjack Rebel in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2, and more. She's been extra busy since acting in the Rollins Planetarium Haunted House with the SKY Club Astronomy Club. 

Q&A with Gamma Psi Alumnus, Lauren Henneberg

What have you been up to since graduating YHC? I've done some acting work in Atlanta and Wilmington over the years. I've also been working on my own survival skills show for YouTube called Selene Survival Goddess. Selene was my nickname in the Astronomy Club. I'm also interested in humanitarian volunteering. 

What is your favorite on set memory? My favorite set memory would probably have to be the Season 2 finale of The Walking Dead.  We had four night shoots just for this 15-minute scene. It was when Walkers were finally overtaking Hershel's farm. It was very cold, less than 30 degrees with windchill. Between camera takes we were given these funny robes called Snuggies (complete with rubber ducks, cats, etc decorated on them) to keep warm. We would cuddle-huddle together out in the fields between takes to try and warm up. Several Walkers also had some fun at a spaghetti dinner one night (all in the Snuggie robes) reinacting "The Last Supper" painting as zombies. You have to have a good sense of humor in the Apocalypse!

What do you love about the film arts? I think that so many people are anxious with politics, sad current events, financial struggle, etc. The film arts truly are extraordinary in taking viewers into alternate realities, other worlds, other times. You can love characters like family, and love to hate others. Special effects, technology, and sound have developed so creatively in less than 100 years. You can call it escapism or an elaborate game of make-believe, but I think it's what many people need to survive. Dream big. 

How has your experience in Gamma Psi support what you do now? I was very shy when I first arrived at YHC. I hardly knew anyone. I wanted a new start and to be a part of something special. I tried out for the Greek organizations in the fall, and was disappointed to not be invited to any of them. I didn't know that Gamma Psi, a society then, also had an open house in the fall. In the Spring, I was invited to the Gamma Psi open house, and was surprised and touched to learn that they wanted me months ago. I was so happy to pledge and meet my new sisters. Gamma Psi helped me to break out of my shell. You are given a talent that no one else has. Gamma Psi helped to give me the confidence to start utilizing my artistic talents in new ways. Much like the transformation of a butterfly, Gamma Psi gave me wings, wonderful friendships, and a new beginning. Not succeeding immediately is okay. It's doing nothing that is the worst enemy. I'm grateful to Gamma Psi for taking a chance on a shy awkward nerd and I hope that my experience will inspire other girls to open up too and pursue their dreams.

What are you up to next? I'm still doing some character acting in Atlanta. Visit my IMDB page below for more info. Due to confidentiality agreements, some things can't be shared for a few months. I'm also working on one of my own projects for YouTube, called Selene Survival Goddess, teaching wilderness survival skills. I've always been interested in survival, hunting, fishing, building shelters, edible plants, archery, etc. I would like to teach what I've learned and also invite special guests that have different skill sets than me. Watching a lot of survivalists can feel like watching grass grow, so I will be incorporating acting & cosplay into the videos to make the subject more fun. Stay tuned for that very soon, and please subscribe with the link below! Thank you for your time and lots of love to all of our butterflies! }i{

http://www.imdb.me/laurenhenneberg
https://www.facebook.com/Lauren.Henneberg.Official.Fan.Page/
https://www.facebook.com/SeleneSurvivalGoddess/
http://www.youtube.com/survivalselene