Photography by Kathy Tran

If you caught a sweet flick called Candy Coated Christmas on Discovery+ over the holidays, you witnessed the work of neighborhood native Alex Yonks. At 14 years old, the 2012 Parish Episcopal graduate impressed her elders at an acting audition when she read original material rather than choosing a provided scene. That was the start of a promising show-business career that, thus far, includes a college TV Emmy for Children’s Programming for the short, A Taylor Story, which she wrote and directed, credits on the Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon, and a gig at sugary-romantic-film epicenter Hallmark Channel.

Though she is on a tight writing deadline, splitting her time between Dallas and Hollywood, Yonks took a moment to chat with the Advocate about Easter eggs in a Christmas movie, loved ones who support her, philosophies that drive her and visions for the future.

 What drew you to showbiz? What’s the Alex Yonks origin story?

Growing up I played competitive soccer. It was my first love, and I wholeheartedly believe I am the person I am today because of the lessons I learned off and on the field. But even as a child I was drawn to family friendly TV shows. When I was about 14, I convinced my parents to let me take acting classes at Cathryn Sullivan Acting for Film.  Cathy was one of my first mentors. It was there that I learned acting and developed my passion for writing and directing. We were preparing for a weekend workshop, and I couldn’t find sides (scripts that actors read for auditions) that I wanted to use, so I went home and wrote my own. After performing my scene, the visiting agent asked me what film the scene was from, and when I said that I wrote it, they said they couldn’t believe it and gave me such adulation that I went home and turned that scene into my first feature-length screenplay.

How did your schooling nurture that interest?

In 10th grade, I moved to Parish Episcopal School the same year that Kevin Ash took over the film department. He took me under his wing as he was developing the program and allowed me to complete my screenplay as part of an independent study. Kevin has always been supportive and even helped me with funding for my college-thesis film, A Taylor Story, which won a college Emmy Award. I also wrote and directed my first short, Power of Wind, while in high school. It was entered into a contest through the Dallas Film Society and was one of 15 high school films shown at the Angelika Film Center, chosen from 65 entries. That was my first film to screen in a theater. I was very proud of that film, but when I look back, I think, thanks to mentors like Kevin and my time at Chapman University in the directing program, my scripts have, thankfully, improved.

How does it feel watching a completed show or movie that you created or helped to create?

It’s very exciting and rewarding. So much work, time and energy goes into creating a film, and it feels great to see it all come to life. It’s also fun to share the experience with family and friends. When Candy Coated Christmas first started streaming, we had a small private watching party with family and close friends. Everyone made me stop the film to give them behind the scenes highlights and explain hidden secrets like the “Yonks’ Tree Farm.” It was in the movie but wasn’t actually named that in the script — the director and producer surprised me with that one.

What are your favorite shows and movies?

Friends, Parenthood and Gilmore Girls are my all-time favorite TV shows, and of course Big Bang Theory. My family and I used to watch Big Bang when I was growing up and on my first day of college, I put on my vision board that I wanted to work there. I totally believe in setting goals and visualizing where you want to go and what you want to achieve. I guess it worked. Some of my favorite shows now are That ’90s Show, Abbott Elementary and Wednesday.

What are you working on now?

A Hallmark movie.

What was your first big break?

I think that I’ve had multiple breaks over the course of my career and life, at various stages. I believe that when you work hard, good things happen. I knew after school that I wanted to work not just in TV, not even just in comedy, but on Big Bang. I think that was one of my first big breaks.

Do you have an interest in mentoring other young actors or aspiring writers? 

When I was in college, I had seven internships, and many of the people I worked with gave me great advice and helped me along my path. I advise anyone starting out to take the opportunities presented to them. I know I will continue to appreciate mentors as I grow my career and, yes, I would love to pay it forward. 

What are the predominant beliefs that drive you to work so hard?

My philosophy is really just to put yourself out there and do the best work you can do. I love creating characters and discovering their stories as the script unfolds. But writing can be solitary, so it has been really important for me to have close friends in my corner for encouragement and to sometimes put the story down and get away from it. I also feel lucky to have grown up in a family that has my back. I know my sister and my parents are always there for me and vice versa. As far as my goals, I hope to be writing and directing for many years to come.

Interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.