Brooke Trantor
Brooke Trantor is an accomplished actor, director, writer, and producer (SAG-AFTRA) known for her distinct comedic voice infused with heart. A lifelong performer, Brooke began acting at the age of three in her hometown of Quincy, Illinois, and went on to earn a BFA in Acting from Illinois Wesleyan University. She further honed her craft with Shakespeare studies at The British American Drama Academy in London and extensive improv training at Second City, iO West, Groundlings, and UCB. Over her 15-year professional career, Brooke has appeared in NBC’s The Enemy Within, TNT’s Cocaine Cowboys pilot, the comedy feature Misfits, and shared the screen with Shirley MacLaine in The Last Word.
In addition to acting, Brooke is an award-winning filmmaker whose work spans short films, feature projects, and comedic series. Her films Night Four and Yours Are Mine have traveled the festival circuit globally, earning accolades including Best Director, Best Actress, and the Powerful Voice Award. She directed and co-wrote the hit comedy Oh, Baby!, which won Best Film: Audience Choice at Dances With Films LA and screened at numerous other prestigious festivals. Brooke’s comedy series Botanical Baes, inspired by her own plant obsession, was featured in The LA Times, exemplifying her ability to bring humor and heart to relatable stories. She continues to develop new projects, including a spinoff of Oh, Baby!, the single-camera comedy Wild Woman, and several short films in post-production.
Beyond her creative work, Brooke is deeply committed to mentoring and teaching. With over a decade of experience guiding teenagers and young artists, she emphasizes improvisational freedom and creative expression as tools to empower her students both on stage and in life. Passionate about fostering community within the film and improv worlds, Brooke actively creates opportunities for herself and other women in entertainment, demonstrating that authenticity, collaboration, and ingenuity are at the core of a sustainable and fulfilling career.
• Illinois Wesleyan University - BFA
• Not Your Daddy's Films
• Women in Film
• Film Girls Brunch
• Real Champions
• Made in Her Image
• Pink Among Men
• SAG-AFTRA
• Book Pals
• Local community food banks
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to tenacity and persistence, embracing rejection as an opportunity to learn, and viewing every “no” as a step closer to “yes.” I strive to bring an authentic voice to everything I do, and I am grateful for the strong support of my family and community, which has been instrumental in my journey.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to create your own opportunities, build a strong community, and uplift your peers. I encourage prioritizing collaboration over competition, as supporting one another ultimately drives both personal and collective success.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is navigating a lingering scarcity mindset, isolation, and frequent rejection. At the same time, there are exciting opportunities emerging, particularly with women-led organizations, labs, and programs that are creating hands-on pathways for women filmmakers to thrive.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me in both my work and personal life are community, empathy, authenticity, gratitude, presence, and giving back. I strive to embody these principles in everything I do, fostering meaningful connections and making a positive impact wherever I can.