Atlanta-based harpist Angelica Hairston is featured in a new American Family Insurance commercial. We asked Hairston to share more about her experience.
How did this commercial come about?
The commercial came about through an open national call from [American Family Insurance]. Although I was new to commercial acting, my family history in film and production sparked my interest in this opportunity. The chance to showcase Black artistry on screen was especially meaningful to me, as representation has always been a driving force in my artistic journey. I was thrilled to highlight cultural representation in the harp community through this commercial and hope it inspires young harpists of color across the country.
Take us behind the scenes. What was the filming process like?
After a taped and live virtual callback audition, I was thrilled to be offered the role. About two weeks later, I was flown to [Los Angeles] to prepare for the shoot. We spent a week in Los Angeles with a packed schedule that included fittings, rehearsals, and makeup and dress trials, plus filming, making it an incredibly busy week! It was definitely a calendar puzzle fitting the shoot in between cross-country gigs—leading sessions for [the] Music Educators [Workshop] at Carnegie Hall in New York City and playing alongside Peloton instructor Chelsea Jackson Roberts in a meditation set at the Brooklyn Museum. While it was an exciting stretch of cross-country performing, I definitely took some time off at the end of it all!
Do you have any funny stories or surprising moments to share?
Finalizing the music was quite an adventure. The producers decided on the final selection, Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1, two days before filming with a pretty involved computer-generated arrangement. The exact section of the piece was chosen about 1 minute prior to the start of filming and we played with a track on-set to keep timing solidified. We spent the days before filming memorizing the arrangement and preparing as much as possible while remaining flexible to the director’s and crew’s needs and adjustments. Thanks to a bit of Hollywood magic, everything came together perfectly in the end!
You mentioned that Stephanie Bennett was the harp coach for the commercial. What was her role in the process?
Stephanie Bennett was incredibly helpful as the harp coach for Adriana Murigu, the actress who played the young harpist. Although Adriana had a musical background, this was her first time playing the harp. Stephanie taught her the necessary skills to feel confident on set. We were all impressed by Adriana’s quick learning and her ability to act, take direction, and play for the extended recording days, which included us filming in front of a live audience of 50 extras, a crew of over 80, and 15-plus moving cameras, lights, and audio equipment on us at all times!
What did you find most rewarding about the experience?
The most rewarding part of this experience has been seeing the commercial air and witnessing its impact. Hearing young musicians express how meaningful it is to see themselves represented and celebrated on a national level has been incredibly fulfilling. I’m excited to watch the ripple effect and can’t wait to see where this journey with the harp takes me next!
Watch the new commercial below. Check out Harp Column’s cover interview with Hairston in our November/December 2023 issue to learn more about her work as the founder of Challenge the Stats, an organization that aims to empower BIPOC artists.
