Myles Grier Goes From VSU To Hollywood

VALDOSTA — Myles Grier decided at the age of 12 that he wanted to be an actor. He received a major television network break when he was cast in the new ABC Family series, “The Fosters.”

“After years of auditioning for television show roles, commercials, films, industrials, where I also booked some, but leaving each one with my mind still on the audition,” he said, “booking the costar role on ‘The Fosters’ was one of the roles where I went in, did what I had to do, and left with my mind clear. The next day, my agent emailed me to call her and gave me the news that they wanted to book me. It started as one episode, Episode 6, with the name Drunk Guy, and they called my agent after I filmed and said they wanted me for another episode, Episode 8, and gave me the character name Garner and more lines, allowing me to have a recurring costar credit on an amazing show.”

The family drama premiered on June 3, 2013, and follows the lives of an interracial lesbian couple raising biological, adopted, and foster kids together. It is scheduled to return Jan. 13, 2014, to complete its 20-episode first season. ABC Family renewed the show for a second season on Oct. 11, 2013. Fans of the show likely remember the math class scene when Garner shares with his fellow students a cellphone video of a drunk and braless classmate taking her shirt off at a house party.

Grier does not know if his character will appear in upcoming episodes of the show, but he is open to Garner returning and continuing to cause tension for the family of main characters while teaching a few life lessons.

“… nothing is guaranteed at the moment,” he explained, “but I’ve heard many stories of writers and creators of different productions noticing the fans getting attached to a minor character and writing that character back into many other episodes, so I don’t know what could happen. I just wish for the best.”

“The show … has uplifted equality and strength for many groups, such as the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, foster children in the foster care system, children being bullied, young love, and so much more,” he continued. “My character, Garner, was used to show the negative things bullies can do to others. I feel the show has so much more to show on each of those topics and more, and I can only hope to be a part of it, but I’m also just focused on moving forward and doing more good work on quality productions.”

Born and raised in Atlanta, Grier attended the DeKalb School of the Arts, majoring in theatre and mass media and minoring in visual arts. He graduated in 2007 from the public performing arts magnet school and, determined to realize his dream of being an actor, made it a priority to gain admission into the very best theatre program the state of Georgia had to offer — at Valdosta State University.

“… after visiting and taking a tour, I was hooked,” he said. “I knew … [VSU’s] theatre program was one of the best — if not the best — in the state and the beauty of the campus, its tuition costs, and being far enough from home made my decision clear that VSU was my No. 1 school I wanted to go to.”

At VSU, Grier served as a resident assistant with Housing and Residence Life and as an orientation leader. He joined Alpha Psi Omega National Theatre Honor Society, as well as Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. He was cast in half a dozen films produced by students in the Mass Media Program and found his way into the bright spotlight on the Sawyer Theatre stage.

“… as a freshman, it was tough to get cast in the theatre season, but I was fortunate to be the only freshman cast in one of the smaller roles in the first play of the season, a Pulitzer Prize for Drama-winning play called ‘Wit’ by Margaret Edson,” he shared. “I went on to be cast in seven plays total in my four years of college and one readers theatre touring play for The Big Read in Valdosta.”

Grier even caught the eye of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. During his junior year, after performing in “Almost Maine” by John Cariani, which was entered in that year’s American College Theater Festival, he was nominated by center representatives for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship, which is awarded to talented students who wish to further their education.

Grier opted not to pursue the scholarship opportunity, although he was honored to have been recognized by an organization as prestigious as The Kennedy Center. He chose, rather, to pursue his dream out in the real world, as opposed to the academic world. He graduated from VSU in 2011 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theater, with an emphasis in performance, and signed with Atlanta Models & Talent Inc.

Less than one year later, Grier moved to Los Angeles, Calif.

“I started acting professionally when I was 13 in Atlanta, which was a great market, but unfortunately, it seemed that the productions were only casting the costar roles in Atlanta and trusting the talent in Los Angeles more to handle the larger leads, the guest stars, and series regulars,” he said. “So, I decided to move to get myself in that pool of talent and take my career to the next level.”

In Los Angeles, Grier signed with Hervey/Grimes Talent Agency. He just booked a web series from Band of Artists Filmmaking Collective called “Black Boots: A Greek Story” by Geno Brooks.

“It has always been my dream to be an actor, and I’m determined to make it my full-time reality …,” he said.

Grier is the son of Michael and Derry Grier and the second-born of four children. His younger sister, Nicole Grier, is already following in his footsteps, studying acting and singing at the DeKalb School of the Arts. His family now calls Stone Mountain home.

Visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/valdostastate/sets/72157637059298384/ to view photos. 

On the Web:

http://www.valdosta.edu/colleges/arts/communication-arts/theatre-and-dance/programs/theatre/

https://twitter.com/MylesGrier

http://instagram.com/MylesGrier

https://www.facebook.com/MylesGrier

http://abcfamily.go.com/shows/the-fosters

https://twitter.com/TheFostersABCF

http://instagram.com/TheFostersABCF

http://amtagency.com/

http://herveygrimes.com/

https://www.facebook.com/BOAcollective

https://www.facebook.com/blackbootstv

http://twitter.com/BlackBootsTV

http://instagram.com/BlackBootsTV

Valdosta State University’s 2013-2019 Strategic Plan represents a renewal of energy and commitment to the foundational principles for comprehensive institutions.

Implementation of the plan’s five goals, along with their accompanying objectives and strategies, supports VSU’s institutional mission and the University System of Georgia’s mission for comprehensive universities.

The story above demonstrates VSU's commitment to meeting the following goals:

Goal 1: Recruit, retain, and graduate a quality, diverse student population and prepare students for roles as leaders in a global society.

Goal 3: Promote student, employee, alumni, retiree, and community engagement in our mission.

Visit http://www.valdosta.edu/administration/planning/strategic-plan.php to learn more.