Bevin is a “Steel Magnolia”

Revolving around Truvy’s Beauty Parlor in a small parish in modern-day Louisiana, STEEL MAGNOLIAS is the story of a close-knit circle of friends whose lives come together there. As the picture opens, we find Drum Eatenton shooting birds in the trees of his back yard in preparation for his daughter’s wedding reception that afternoon. Shortly thereafter, M’Lynn and Shelby (Drum’s wife and daughter) depart for Truvy’s to get their hair done for the wedding. “Just the sweetest thing,” Annelle Depuy Desoto (who may or may not be married because her marriage may not be legal) is introduced to Truvy’s customers as her new “glamour technician.” While in the chairs, the sour-tempered Ouiser Boudreaux shows up and entertains the assemblage with her barbs. It seems that the only one of the group who truly understands Ouiser is Clairee who is recently widowed and looking for a diversion. As she says, later in the picture, “If you can’t find anything good to say about anybody, come sit by me.” Filled with humor and heartbreak, these “Steel Magnolias” make us laugh and cry as the realities of their lives in tiny Chiquapin Parish unfolds.

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It was a wonderful surprise when I found out Bevin was doing a show at my local dinner theater… and not only that but it was Steel Magnolias! Any southern girl knows about Steel Magnolias, you could have never seen this movie… but know about it. I went to opening night and I had no idea what to expect. I had seen the movie on and off as a kid but I couldn’t really tell you what happens in the movie. I was seated with a group of wonderful southern ladies and after cocktails, dinner, and desert the show began. As a movie freak I know characterization, I can find any flaw in any performance and let me tell you it was near to impossible to find a flaw in this show. The women who make up this ensemble cast is by far the most talented I’ve seen. During any point in this play you could close your eyes and still know which character was talking. They all had wonderful and distinct personalites and mannerisms. Bevin’s character “Shelby”, originally portrayed by Julia Roberts (which the women at my table swear Bevin looks exactly like), was a breath of fresh air. Just as strong minded and sassy as the older women, she is young and bright eyed. She knows what she wants and will even go down fighting for it, despite lack of support. If you’ve seen Bevin in other works, which if you’re on this site I’m assuming you have, than this performance will seem both familiar and at the same time surprising. Like most of Bevin’s characters, Shelby seems like a typical, happy girl, but there are very dramatic moments that grab you, and because we’re not used to seeing that from Bevin, it’s shocking in a way you would want it to be for the audience. The play will make you smile, laugh, cry and much more. For more information on how you can go about seeing this performance please click here.

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You can buy or rent REDEFINING LOVE on Amazon!

My Personal Thoughts I am very impressed with this movie! I have to admit I enjoyed it more than I honestly thought I would. Independent movies get a bad rap for all kinds of reasons. I personally find that most independent movies have great plots, great writing, and great messages but they tend to fail when it comes to making you care about the characters. This movie succeeds there! All the characters had a really unique personality, not one was alike, and I found myself wanting to know if they’d all end up ok. Each had depth and growth and that is something that is a movie must. Redefining Love is a movie you should add to your romantic movie collection, without a doubt. Not only is it a great addition but it has a unique feeling of its own.

Bevin returned to Smedes Parlor at Saint Mary’s on March 4, to share her life advice and wisdom with the SMS junior class as part of the final COMPASS Day program for 2010-2011. COMPASS is Saint Mary’s life skills curriculum, and Bevin has much to teach today’s high school girls about real-life skills, based on her educational and professional experiences since graduating from SMS in 2000.

After Saint Mary’s, where she acted in numerous drama productions in historic Pittman Auditorium, Bevin enrolled at North Carolina State University, but transferred to the film studies program at UNC-Wilmington where she was a member of that department’s first graduating class. Living and studying in Wilmington, a hub of filmmaking in North Carolina, she worked as an intern with Fincannon & Associates Casting, where she began to learn the business of film and television.

She was also a member of the UNC-Wilmington Seahawk Dance Team, which made her an excellent candidate to play the part of a cheerleader on the teen drama, “One Tree Hill.” Bevin is best known professionally for her work on over 30 episodes of that hit show, which is filmed just two hours from Raleigh in Wilmington, N.C. She began her “OTH” career appearing as an extra during cheerleading scenes. Her character developed over five seasons, as she was given one line to speak, then two lines, then a scene, and, ultimately, a substantive story line for the fictional Bevin. She told the Saint Mary’s students that she believes the writers wanted to write for her because she “showed up for work” every day giving her best effort, whether she was directed to shake a pom-pom or simply raise her hand in a classroom scene.

She was also sincerely kind to everyone she met or worked with, from the stars to the hair and makeup artists to the staff who emptied the trash, a core value that she encouraged the Saint Mary’s girls to practice in every encounter they have with others, as both the right thing to do and as a part of being the kind of person that people want to work with and help along the way.

Although the Saint Mary’s students had many questions for Bevin about their favorite “One Tree Hill” characters, her close friendship with Sophia Bush and other “OTH” cast members, and life in Hollywood, they hung on her every word about living life well with character, kindness, strength and integrity. In fact, what came through most about Bevin in her conversation with Saint Mary’s juniors is that she has a big heart, a kind soul and a tremendous work ethic.

Bevin was passionate and articulate in her soulful advice to the Saint Mary’s girls about treating others well, spreading the love, nurturing relationships with family and friends, caring for one another and for one’s self, being authentic, refraining from gossip, working hard, listening and learning from others who have paid their dues, and respecting all others.

The students connected immediately with Bevin.

“She was so confident, and she did a really great job explaining to us that we can, as women, have our own voice no matter what we do with our lives,” said Emma Rizer ’12.

“She was amazing,” said Ashley Thompson’12. “She is my new role model.”

Bevin’s work and life have taken new turns, ebbs and flows, as she continues to build upon her experiences, education and credentials. As “One Tree Hill” shifted its focus after five seasons, Bevin left North Carolina to pursue her craft in Los Angeles. There, she appeared on television in “House, M.D.” and “Desperate Housewives,” among other shows, and in films including “Wreckage,” “Redefining Love,” “I Heart Veronica Martin,” “Dark Horse” and “Groupie.” She also worked as a writer’s assistant for executive producers at ABC, a great opportunity to learn another part of the film business.

Bevin, who grew up in Cary, has left the glitz of Hollywood behind for now, focusing on furthering her education at the Savannah School of Art and Design, where she is working towards a master’s degree in performing arts.

“I have one task right now, and that’s school,” said Bevin. “I learned to honor and value education and teachers, and I know that education will give me the toolbox to walk into any room or situation with confidence and the knowledge I need to hold my own with anyone.”

Bevin credits Saint Mary’s teachers, including Randall Lathan and Steve Esthimer, with instilling in her a love for literature, stories and learning; Saint Mary’s for teaching her that women need to nurture and support each other; and her parents and sister for their incredible love, support and inspiration.

“I have never been more confident, happy and trusting,” said Bevin. “I’ve been given every opportunity to succeed in life, and I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.”

Of her homecoming to Saint Mary’s she said, “It did so much for my soul. Saint Mary’s is a very special place, and I am so honored to be a part of such an exquisite group of women.”

Mary Virginia Swain ‘77C

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Trailer #2 | The Artifact
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Bevin in the 2nd Trailer for the movie "The Artifact"
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