TRENDING

August Maturo is no stranger to the screen—you may recognize him from his role as Auggie on the hit Disney Channel series Girl Meets World. Now, the 13-year-old actor is ready to spread his wings and experiment with new genres. (Catch him starring in the drama film Shepherd: The Story of a Jewish Dog.) We chatted with August about his acting inspo and big dreams for the future.

Girls' Life: What's it like to go from comedy roles to drama roles?

August Maturo: The best way I can describe it is like going from running to walking. Especially going from a sitcom Disney comedy like Girl Meets World, where the acting beats are quick and you have a live audience reacting immediately to what you say. But with drama, the pace is slower, and there is one camera on you instead of four.

GL: How did you prepare for your role in Shepherd?

AM: I read books and watched films about the Holocaust because I didn't know much about it from school. They didn't teach me about it, which I think is a big flaw in a lot of the school systems. In Shepherd, my character has to give away his dog when the Nuremberg laws are passed. One of the laws was that if you were Jewish, you couldn't own pets. People need to know that things like this happened so we don't repeat history.

GL: Who inspires you as an actor?

AM: When I was doing my research for Shepherd, I watched The Boy in the Striped Pajamas starring Vera Farmiga. She also plays Lorraine Warren in The Conjuring, and I'm a huge horror fan. When I found out I was going to be in The Nun alongside her sister Taissa Farmiga, I was so excited. I look up to both of them so much. But my biggest acting inspiration is my best friend Mckenna Grace and her performance in Gifted. She's so talented.

GL: What can audiences look forward to seeing in your upcoming films?

AM: I'm so excited for people to see me doing something completely different than Girl Meets World. Don't get me wrong, I loved playing Auggie, but being so well known as a certain character makes it hard for people to see you as anything other than that.

I have a film releasing in the fall called Slapface. I play a boy who is bullied and then creates a relationship with a monster that lives in the woods. The final scene in that film is the most intense thing I've ever done as an actor. I think it's my proudest moment. I can't wait for people to see it!

GL: What's your dream future project?

AM: I would love to be in an action film. I haven't done that yet, and I want to try everything. I'd also love to be in a horror/comedy movie or series. I loved Shaun of the Dead and Santa Clarita Diet. Horror/comedy is definitely my favorite genre.

GL: What are you excited to do this summer outside of acting?

AM: I'm going on vacation with my family, which we haven't done since the pandemic. My parents are vaccinated and soon I will be, too. I'm looking forward to life getting back to normal.

@augustmaturo

Keep up with August on Instagram @augustmaturo!

Top image: Matt Kalish

by Katherine Hammer and Kathleen O'Neill | 6/2/2021