MAGGIE THURMON: Soaking it up

AWP got to catch up with singer, actor, TikToker, and AWPeep Maggie Thurmon! A joy, delight and depth of knowledge! Get to know this kind soul with us!

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED WITH AWP?

MAGGIE: I’ve been involved with AWP since before my memories start. My parents were big fans of AWP before I was born so ever since I was very very young, it’s been a part of my life. I started actually attending camps as a camper when I was around 10 years old.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE PROGRAM AT AWP SO FAR?

MAGGIE: Camp has been and will always be my favorite AWP event. As a kid it was something I looked forward to all year and I can honestly say as an adult that has not changed. AWP has such a beautiful heart at its center and camp really is love.

HOW WAS AWP HELPED IN SHAPING YOU INTO THE PERFORMER YOU ARE TODAY?

MAGGIE: AWP took me seriously when I said that performing was what I wanted to do with my life. So many people had dismissed me since I was young and AWP gave me the chance to study my craft and learn so much.

DO YOU HAVE ANY CURRENT HOBBIES?

ALWAYS! Right now skateboarding is something I am really enjoying learning!

IS THERE A CERTAIN PERFORMER OR MUSICAL ARTIST THAT INSPIRES YOU AND WHY?

MAGGIE: Oh man, so many. Emma Watson, Ella Jane, Taylor Swift, and Olivia Rodrigo are the ones who I’ve been fangirling over recently. I’ve loved Watson for as long as I can remember and I think she is an extraordinary actress and well as human. Swift , Jane, and Rodrigo have been the majority of my Spotify choices these past few weeks and they are pretty amazing at what they do.

WHAT HAS BEEN ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE TIKTOK TRENDS AND WHY?

MAGGIE: I don’t know if this is considered a “trend” but a good bit of creators have done videos with the same structure as my dad and my “push in the pool videos”. We basically just ask each other questions and once someone gets one wrong they get pushed in the pool. This is always so fun for us (even when the water is actually freezing).

DO YOU HAVE ANY HIDDEN TALENTS?

MAGGIE: I feel like I’ve shown the internet most of my hidden talents already but I used to tell people it was juggling and unicycling.

IF YOU COULD MAKE A TIKTOK WITH ANYONE IN THE WORLD WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

MAGGIE: Steve Carell would be a dream. I’ve got a really funny skit idea involving myself, my dad, my mom, my brother, and Steve Carell and would LOVE to see that come to life one day.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE IN RELEASING YOUR FIRST SONG...

MAGGIE: Releasing music was terrifying, riveting, fulfilling, and difficult. I know that’s a lot, so let’s unpack. Music is so personal to me, it is how I process, cope, and voice how I feel and that can leave someone so vulnerable which is so scary. It was also so exciting to be able to share my words with others in hopes that they could relate and enjoy. I’ve put so much time into my music, composure, lyrics, singing, etc., that to see it come to life was very fulfilling. It was difficult because some people liked it and some didn’t and both were very vocal about it. At the end of the day I think the negativity fueled me and I am so excited to work even harder and continue to create.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR CURRENT AWP STUDENTS?

MAGGIE: Soak up everything you can. Learn from your teachers of course, but also learn from your peers and your experiences. It is such a gift to be around people who share the love you have for your craft and enjoy every second of it!

DO YOU HAVE ANY UPCOMING PROJECTS YOU CAN SHARE WITH US?

MAGGIE: Ahhhh I wish I had specifics I could share date wise but we are still finalizing BUT overall, new music is coming and a podcast with my dad and I!! Very excited and will share more when I can!!

WHAT IS YOUR MOST EMBARRASSING OR AWKWARD INTERVIEW, PERFORMANCE, OR AUDITION EXPERIENCE?

One time I had a truly awful wig that I was wearing for a musical I was in and there was a big musical number where it fell down and was over my eyes practically the entire number. Very scary considering how many lifts were involved but thankfully it worked out.

Checkout Maggie's new song 'Our Movie' on SPOTIFY or APPLE MUSIC! Follow Maggie below to stay up to date on her artistic (and skateboarding) journey!