Share
In a world where dyslexia can sometimes hold children back, the story of Texas actress Addison McGarry, 16, shines as a beacon of hope. She is not only a talented performer, but also a role model for those with dyslexia. Addison has defied the odds to pursue her dreams, and she inspires others to follow her example.
Diagnosed with dyslexia at an early age, Addison faced numerous challenges in her academic and acting journey. Reading, writing, and spelling became daunting tasks that often left her feeling frustrated and defeated. However, with unwavering determination and the support of her family, Addison refused to let her learning disability define her.
Instead of allowing dyslexia to be an obstacle, Addison embraced it as a unique aspect of her character. Recognizing her passion for acting and performing, she discovered that the creative arts provided a platform for self-expression and growth. Through acting, she found solace and a new way to connect with the world around her.
Addison’s journey to success was far from easy. Early on, she faced her fair share of rejections and setbacks, but she persevered. Armed with talent and a relentless work ethic, Addison honed her skills and landed pivotal roles in a number of Texas Independent film projects and TV commercials. Her captivating performances and undeniable charisma quickly caught the attention of casting directors, leading to new opportunities in film and television.
In addition to her blossoming acting career, Addison has taken it upon herself to raise awareness about dyslexia. By openly sharing her own challenges and triumphs, she serves as a powerful advocate for children with dyslexia, showing them that they too can achieve their dreams. Whenever she can – in person or through social media – she spreads messages of acceptance, resilience, and the importance of embracing one’s differences.
As she continues to make strides in her acting career, Addison remains dedicated to empowering children with dyslexia. Through her ongoing advocacy work, she aims to debunk misconceptions surrounding dyslexia and inspire a more inclusive society.
Addison’s first step to becoming an actress began with nothing but luck. “I would love to tell you my talent landed my first job, but truly, it was pure luck,” she says. “My big brother did a lot of commercials, TV, and movies when he was a kid and was represented by Linda McAlister Agency. When I was four years old, Linda sent out an email to the entire agency looking for a child of a specific size. I happened to be the exact height and weight needed, so my mom snapped a pic of me on her phone and replied to the email. Days later I found out I booked a job for Graco car seats. It was a great first-time experience. A couple of months later Linda asked if I would be interested in a promo shoot for one of the local news stations. That job also went well and Linda invited me to sign with the agency. I started taking classes and learning more about the industry. Once I started getting scripts and learning to break down characters, I just loved it. I’ve been really blessed to work with some great talent and all-around good people. It’s a privilege working in this industry and I love it.”
Once Addison began accepting more projects and appearing more on screen, she had to deal with her learning disability and its effect on her acting skills. Ever since she was a toddler, she knew her brain worked differently than others, but she determined early on that she was not going to let that define her. “My parents knew when I was just a toddler that my brain thinks differently. Learning to read, write and spell was very challenging for me. When I started school, my teachers also recognized that I had challenges. I was diagnosed with severe dyslexia. Dyslexia is a processing disorder and does not affect intelligence. I am very smart, my brain just works differently. Even though it is a disability, I wouldn’t change the way my brain works. Tasks like reading and spelling are difficult, but at the same time, I am highly creative and artistic. My brain just works differently, but there are so many advantages to it. A lot of famous actors and artists are also dyslexic: Tom Cruise, Tom Holland, Steven Spielberg, Jim Carrey, Jennifer Aniston all have dyslexia. I honestly think dyslexia has given me an advantage in the industry because my thinking is a little more on the quirky side and outside the norm
“Because dyslexia is not a visible disability, most people do not know I am dyslexic. I bet the directors and other actors I’ve worked with have no idea that I really struggled with simple tasks like reading and writing. But I hope someone reading this will be inspired to turn their challenge into opportunity.”
When it comes to acting, Addison is not picky. “I love both TV and film. It really depends on the role. I get cast as the girl next door a lot which is fun and comfortable, but I also love a role that stretches my creativity. It’s fun playing someone completely different than me. I’m open to many genres, but seek out family friendly and faith-based projects. There are two particular faith-based series filming in Texas that I would love to work on in any capacity. Both have phenomenal directors and casts. I just love working and some of my favorite days are on set.
“My dream role is one with a wildly popular series that films multiple seasons; the kind of show with a loyal fan base that counts down to the release date, and then spends the entire weekend binge watching. I don’t care if I’m the protagonist or antagonist, as long as you feel strongly about my character. Love me or hate me, I want you to need to watch.”
In her spare time, Addison has a few things to choose from but one that means the most to her. “My favorite hobbies are cheerleading, art, hanging out with my friends and playing with my dog, Lola. I’ve always had a huge heart for animals and spend a good amount of free time spoiling our dogs with homemade treats. I bake them pupcakes and make frozen pupsicles. When I’m older I want to have my own little dog business, volunteer at shelters, and I would love to be a spokeswoman for a non-profit organization for animals.
“A unique fact that most people don’t know about me is that I am currently learning American Sign Language. I’m taking online classes through a college and just completed my semester final project. I did an entire PowerPoint presentation in sign language. It’s been challenging, but also fun. I think it will be a great skill to have and I’m looking forward to continuing to learn and use it.”
In addition to her love for acting, she equally loves Texas and all that the state provides. “I love almost everything Texas is famous for; BBQ, Whataburger, Blue Bell, Buc-ee’s and the Rangers. And of course it’s been fun growing up in the Texas acting industry. I’ve had a lot of opportunities to work on local and national commercials, TV shows and film sets in Texas. I’m thankful our state supports the industry and I was able to become SAG eligible right here at home. I travel for work, too, but most of my jobs are here in Texas.”
Addison has this to say for others who may be seeking a career in acting: “Go for it! There is nothing like acting. Sign up for classes and get out there and start auditioning. Texas is loaded with great coaches, classes, and we have a very supportive acting community full of talented people. Simply put, acting is fun if you like to pretend. From the very beginning of this journey, I have loved using my imagination to play a character. I want my character to evoke your emotions; whether it’s making you feel happy, empathetic, or sorrowful, I just want to connect and make people feel.”
As for Addison’s future? “My next project is a lead role in a series. I just got the script last week and have started breaking down my character. I’ll be working with a director I’ve previously worked with and I’m very excited to be invited back for another project. We start rehearsal soon, and filming begins in Texas this spring.”
(For parents who have a child with dyslexia, Texas offers many resources. For instance, contact your child’s pediatrician for more info; your child’s school district or the International Dyslexia Association. Scottish Rite has a wonderful Dyslexia Program called “Take Flight.” This program was a tremendous help to Addison and gave her the necessary tools she needed to become successful.)
SOCIAL MEDIA
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Cover photo Christy Besel Photography.
Bob Valleau is a regular entertainment contributor for Texas Lifestyle Magazine.
