Daily Inspiration: Meet Ayden Behn

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ayden Behn.

Hi Ayden, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Before I moved to Savannah for university, I lived in the state of Maryland for the first 18 years of my life. Since I was about 2 years old, I knew that I wanted to be an actor in films.

This came from the Wizard of Oz being the first movie my parents ever showed me. This goal was concrete, except there was only one problem- the small town I lived in had very few opportunities for actors.

I will say, my parents, made every effort to put me in every show possible, racking up over forty plays, musicals, and films throughout my life. With more and more experience, my passion only continued to grow.

I continued to do theater and films throughout high school and eventually decided that my future would be dedicated to my craft. SCAD was the obvious choice, considering Georgia is the fastest growing film hub in the United States, but also because of SCAD’s notoriety and commitment to student success.

Since being at SCAD, I’ve been able to work on so many incredible sets with the future filmmakers and actors of tomorrow, present and headline at SCAD’s ATV Festival (2020), discover a newfound love for professional modeling, attend the SCAD Fashion Show, and even have been featured on the cover of a magazine.

Over the past two years of living in Savannah, I’ve grown so much as an actor (professionally and at SCAD), and I’ve gotten to experience the rich culture and life that’s in Savannah. With two more years in this city, I can only imagine the possibilities that await.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I would say it’s been both smooth and rocky. It wasn’t exactly the easiest to grow up in a fairly close-minded environment, nor was it easy to thrive in my career in a town with minimal opportunities. Despite that, I had incredibly supportive parents, family, and friends who made it easier to go through.

All seemed to be on track my senior year- I was committed to SCAD, I was looking forward to going to prom, and especially graduating high school… then COVID hit. This was devastating for me, as it meant the next step in my life was put on a hold, but I also wouldn’t experience the best parts of high school.

Luckily, I was able to use that time to focus on myself and the inner workings of “Ayden”, making my first two years in college even more memorable. At the end of the day, I’m a strong believer in “everything happens for a reason” and these setbacks were no exception.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My main passion and practice are acting in film and television. This has been my dream since I was very young, and I’ve grown so much over the past years, becoming a better actor every day. In my free time, I enjoy modeling for anything I possibly can.

Over the course of one year, I’ve been able to model for senior collections at SCAD, freelance photographers, magazines, fashion photography, and editorial shoots.

I’m very proud of winning an award for my role as Christopher Boone in “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime” by the Baltimore Cappies in 2019, I’ve been featured on the cover of ConnectSavannah, VOGUE Magazine, and other acknowledgments that have made this career so gratifying.

I would say what I’m the proudest of is being able to meet so many incredible humans along the way. I’ve been so blessed with the people who have come into my life, and I’ve become the best version of myself because of them. I would be nowhere if it weren’t for the people who helped me get to where I am today.

The things that set me apart from others in my field are my endless drive, my willingness to take risks, and never be afraid of failure.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memory was being able to play the Wizard of Oz in my very first play, the Wizard of Oz. I was about six years old, and I was given a fabulous green and silver sequined coat.

My parents did anything and everything to try to get the jacket to come home with me, but attempts were unsuccessful. But even so, being able to wear the greatest costume, but also play the Wizard in the play version of my first and favorite movie of all time was unforgettable.

I will honestly never forget being able to walk out of the “Emerald City” (a green foil curtain rounded at the top) in the most extravagant coat, with a full crowd of people in the audience, anticipating my entrance.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @aydenbehn
• Twitter: @aydenbehn

Image Credits
Sarah Diaz (@sacridi), Patrick Bennett Cox (@patrickbennetcox), and Allison Revelle (@allisonrevelle_)