Madison Ekstrand is an actress from Niagara, Wisconsin, who began her career as an award-winning competitive dancer before transitioning to acting and pursuing opportunities in Los Angeles. She has appeared in multiple episodes of Very Frightening Tales alongside Eric Roberts, including the award-winning Curse of Stone Hill with Michael Paré.
Madison also co-starred in the acclaimed horror thriller Reed’s Point, made a cameo appearance in the comedy series On All Fours, and recently wrapped a war drama with Eric Roberts. She has collaborated with producer Suzanne DeLaurentiis and her company both in front of and behind the camera. Now bi-coastal, Madison continues to build her acting career in Los Angeles while staying closely connected to her Wisconsin roots.
@MadisonEkstrand https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10974362/
You began as an award-winning competitive dancer before transitioning to acting. How has your dance background shaped your instincts as a performer on screen?
Dance taught me how to perform, be comfortable in front of people, and express myself physically. It also taught me a lot about discipline and taking direction, which I think has helped me a lot on set.
Growing up in Niagara, Wisconsin, what first inspired you to pursue a career in entertainment and eventually make the move to Los Angeles?
I’ve always loved performing, even growing up. I started with dance, and over time, I realized I wanted to explore acting too. Los Angeles was a big step for me because I wanted to see what I could do outside of Wisconsin and challenge myself.
Was there a particular role or moment early in your career that affirmed acting was the path you were meant to follow?
I don’t think there was one specific role that made me realize it. It was more the feeling I got from being on set and getting to become a character. The more I acted, the more I knew it was something I wanted to keep doing.
You now divide your time between Los Angeles and home. How do those two environments keep you grounded and creatively inspired?
Los Angeles is obviously a very creative and fast-paced environment, so it keeps me motivated. Being home gives me a chance to slow down, spend time with the people I love, and just be myself. I think having both is really important for me.
You have appeared in several episodes of Very Frightening Tales, including the award-winning Curse of Stone Hill. What draws you to suspenseful and character-driven storytelling?
I’ve always enjoyed watching suspenseful stories, especially when you don’t know what’s going to happen next. As an actress, I also love getting to play characters who have more going on beneath the surface and aren’t necessarily what they seem.
You have worked alongside Eric Roberts on multiple projects. What have you learned from collaborating with such an accomplished actor?
I’ve learned a lot just by watching him work. He has so much experience, but he also knows how to stay present and make a scene feel natural. Getting to work with someone like that has definitely helped me grow.
Reed’s Point found an enthusiastic audience on the festival circuit. What did that experience teach you about the connection between a film and its audience?
It was really cool seeing people react to Reed’s Point at festivals. When you’re filming, you’re so focused on making the project that you don’t always think about the audience. Seeing people actually connect with it made me appreciate that part of filmmaking a lot more.
You recently wrapped the war drama Scars. Without revealing too much, what can audiences look forward to from the project, and how did this role challenge you as an actress?
Scars is a really emotional story that deals with war and the effects it can have long after someone comes home. Without giving too much away, I think audiences will see a lot of emotion and some really powerful moments. It definitely pushed me outside of my comfort zone as an actress.
You have worked both in front of and behind the camera with Suzanne DeLaurentiis’s company. Has gaining insight into the production side changed the way you approach your work as an actor?
It definitely gave me a different perspective. Being around the production side helped me understand how much work goes into every part of a project. As an actress, I think that makes you appreciate the crew and the process a lot more.
You will be attending the premiere of Boatlift 9/11, produced by Suzanne DeLaurentiis. Why is this project meaningful to you, and what does it mean to come out in support of Suzanne and this important story?
Boatlift 9/11 is meaningful because it tells a story about people coming together during one of the hardest moments in our history. I’m really honored to be able to support Suzanne and the project. I think it’s important to keep telling these stories and remembering the people involved.
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