We can all learn from the amazingly talented &delightful young actress: Shree Crooks

All children have a natural sense of play, a kind of creative curiosity that helps them discover who they are and make sense of their ever-expanding experience. Some kids pick up sports, or dance, or art, and some kids want to be actors!

- Emily Nelson

As an acting teacher I especially love teaching children. In some ways it’s easier than teaching adults because children have not yet distanced themselves from the freedom their imagination offers. The ability to believe and commit is synonymous with play. It’s engaging and fun, so they jump in and take action. Cue … The adorable Shree Crooks!

Shree Crooks has been playing, or acting rather, for a while. Shree is 11 years old and has created a resume in commercials, television and film that would be the envy of any actor. In the relatively short time she has been in this business, Shree continues to grow into a fascinating, intelligent kid, with a level of kindness and empathy that is well beyond her years. I’ve been lucky enough to work with Shree as an acting coach on many of her auditions.

I took some time to sit down with Shree and her father Greg to talk about each of their perspectives on the business of being a child actor, on what the process of auditioning and working is like for her as a young girl, and what being a stage parent is like for him. I learned there are many realities to being a family in the acting business, and got down to the nitty gritty of what it takes, how it works and why they love it.

Shree has many great credits, American Horror Story, Ray Donovan, The Glass Castle - but one of my personal favorites is the film, Captain Fantastic, released this year. It is written and directed by Matt Ross, and stars Viggo Mortenson. Shree plays Zaja, his second youngest child. I asked Shree about this experience and what it was like to train and shoot such a demanding film.

EMILY: So, Shree, have you been interviewed before? Maybe on the red carpet?