Juggling Hollywood, the Hustle, and Home

By day, Traci Burst is clocking in at her nine-to-five. By night, she’s transforming her living room into a mini film set. After dinner with her family and tag-teaming bedtime duties with her ex, she is back on her feet, picking up toys, loading the dishwasher, and running lines for her next audition. “Slow” is not in her vocabulary. Traci moves full speed ahead, balancing work, motherhood, and an acting career.

Traci was born in Fort Worth and grew up in the Como neighborhood. She graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University and soon realized she wanted to be an actress. She did not have formal training immediately, but that did not make a difference.

Within her first year of chasing that dream, she caught a break. She landed a Reliant Energy commercial, and shortly after, a letter arrived in her mailbox. It was an invitation to join the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). This letter validated her dreams. She could be an actor. However, membership in SAG-AFTRA doesn’t guarantee a career. Traci has to grab every opportunity.

Traci invested in $300 professional headshots, then pitched herself to Dallas talent agencies for six months before finding representation. Like many actors, commercials provided were the first jobs on her resume. She booked ads for Main Event and Movie Tavern Date Night. The grind for people trying to break into acting is real. “I worked a twelve-hour day for $100 just to get experience to put on my resume,” Traci remembered.

Soon, Traci’s resume grew to include roles in the James Franco-produced series 11.22.63 and, most notably, the reboot of the ‘90s television classic, Walker, Texas Ranger.

Photo courtesy of Traci Burst

“To be cast in Walker meant so much to me,” Traci said. “Growing up, I loved Walker, Texas Ranger and watched it all the time. To be cast in this show meant so much to me. It shows all my hard work is paying off, all the late nights, early mornings, and rushing around.”

That hard work extends far beyond the screen. “It is a lot to balance a full-time job, motherhood, a startup company, and an acting career,” Traci admitted. “But if you truly care about something and have a strong support system, you make it work.”

Wait. Startup company?

Traci explained that during the pandemic, she launched an online retail store, Humanity4ever. The brand sells clothing with a mission, but building it while working full-time and pursuing acting has not been easy.

“I have to take care of what’s in front of me, right there in the moment, and not worry about things that haven’t happened or things I can’t change,” Traci said. “If things start to pile up, I make excuses, develop self-doubt, and stress about time I don’t have. I think most people do that. I’ve learned to move with purpose and a sense of urgency.”

When asked if she ever rests or gets time alone, Traci said she plays competitive volleyball, which is her release. It is her time to shut off her mind and enjoy her time on the court. “Everyone needs an outlet, and this is mine,” she said.

For Traci, chasing big goals comes down to courage and clarity. “Don’t let fear run you from your dreams.”

Traci has some tips for making your dreams come true.

• Act in the moment. Focus on what is in front of you instead of worrying about the past or future.
• Cut the excuses. When things pile up, self-doubt follows. Move with purpose and urgency.
• Do your homework. Research, ask questions, and connect with people who have been there before.
• Start, even if it is imperfect. “The worst thing that can happen is it doesn’t work out, and that’s better than the regret of not trying.”

Her online store is still a work in progress, but Traci views it as part of a bigger journey. “I invested a lot of money in merchandise, the license, the website, and it still isn’t where I want it to be. But I know it will get there. I had to at least start and stop being scared.”

Traci is currently booking commercials and sending audition tapes to directors and casting agents. While acting remains her passion, she hopes that one day she will have more time to pour into Humanity4ever.

No matter which role she is playing – mom, entrepreneur, or actress – Traci Burst will keep moving forward.