POWERGRAMS

When Debrika Wright Person decided to follow her dream of becoming an actress in 2010, she never realized how far her path would take her. Since then, she has landed leading roles on both the silver screen and in theater. "I fell in love with acting as a little girl," said Person, customer service representative, Prattville Office. "I would put on shows and dance and sing for my family, along with my sisters Ebonee and Angela. But when I got out of high school, I started working and having children and put away my dreams." Person's long-buried desire was reawakened while watching the movie, "I Can Do Bad All by Myself," starring Tyler Perry, her favorite actor. "I thought to myself, 'I can do that.'" said Person, who immediately sent her photos to Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta. Person was quickly cast as an extra in Perry's movie "For Colored Girls." She later appeared as an extra in "October Baby," directed by Andrew and John Irwin. In 2010, Person's star quality was "discovered" when she read for the part of a struggling drug addicted dancer during auditions for "Connections," an educational film series produced in Alabama. She landed roles in the first two episodes of the five-part series. Most recently, Person, who has taken the stage name Bri Wright, portrayed a nurse in the feature film "Dropped," and is starring as a homeless woman in "Watching Me Watch You," which will be filmed this spring in Montgomery. Renee Williams, talent manager and casting director of Class A Entertainment, believes Person has "what it takes" to make it to the top of the movie industry. "I remember thinking when I first saw Debrika act, 'This girl is so shy, but she is a diamond in the rough,'" said Williams, who has been following Person's career for two years. "Her passion and drive is what drew me to her. When she gets in front of a camera, she can go from Debrika to her character in seconds. Hands down, she is the best in the Southeast." Along with Person's film roles, she has also taken the stage in various local theater productions. In 2012, she starred in her first play, "The Other Side of the Down Low," on her birthday, Aug. 17. She is rehearsing for "Not My Sister's Keeper," which has played in Selma and Prattville and is slated for Montgomery's Davis Theater this summer. "I like live theater the best because anything can happen. It's a challenge," Person said. "When it's live, you're forced to act and get it right the first time. "I also like to interact with my audience," she continued. "I like to see the emotions on their faces. It gives me energy." Although she is gaining experience, Person is still a bundle of nerves before stepping onstage or in front of a camera. "I'm always super nervous before I start anything," she said. "But that's what helps me do my best work." Williams plans to help Person gain more widespread recognition. As part of that effort, she is working to create "The Bri Show." Hosted by Person, the live studio audience talk show will focus on issues impacting Montgomery and the state. Person wants to use her talent on behalf of Alabama Power. Her goal, she said, is to perform in company commercials or training videos. In addition to her Alabama Power job and after-hours acting career, Person is raising three children – Daimion, 15, Jabria, 13, and Bre'auna, 5. "I have great family support. My husband and children believe in me and come to all my shows," she said. Person said because she was a shy child, her family has been surprised she performs for large audiences. "I don't feel overwhelmed, because I love to act and tell other people's stories," Person said. "It's a challenge. Bringing a character to life allows me to display the talent God gave me." By Carla Davis Wright Person for the Role pROFiLE pR AT T ViLLE OFFiCE EmpLOyEE hAs AFTER- hOuRs ACTiNG CAREER PAG E 5 5 Person onstage in community theater production. Person was an extra in Tyler Perry movie. Person

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