August's Muse of the Month: Brooke Trantor

We welcome August with a muse whose creative energy mirrors the magic of the season. Actor, filmmaker, and self-proclaimed sunrise romantic Brooke Trantor is this July's muse of the month at The Muse Hotel. She is an artist whose story unfolds like a vintage reel of sun-drenched scenes and heartfelt scripts.

Below, she shares a glimpse into her world. Her journey through the lens, her deep-rooted passions, and the many ways travel and storytelling have shaped her view of beauty both on and off screen.

1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself, your career and what inspires you?

I am an Actor & Filmmaker and have lived in Los Angeles for over a decade. I graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University with a BFA in Acting and studied Shakespeare at The British American Drama Academy. My true passion lies in the improv and comedy world, where I have studied, taught, and performed at various institutions including Second City, UCB, Groundlings, and iO West. Over the past ten years I have had my films screened internationally on the festival circuit, procuring awards including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress, and the Powerful Voice Award. My film “Oh, Baby!” won Best Film Audience Choice Award at the esteemed 2021 Dances With Films LA, and Best Director at Broad Humor Film Festival 2023. As seen in my work, I am drawn to stories and scripts that center around women’s experiences in the modern world and tend to live in the dramedy world, finding the comedy in life’s seemingly dark moments. www.brooketrantor.com

2. What are your top three passions outside of work?

Traveling, plant care & gardening, and building my eclectic vinyl collection

3. What’s one quirky or unexpected thing about you that most people don’t know?

My favorite time of day is sunrise. My greatest hours of the day are early morning, so if I am aligned in my authenticity, I am generally up around 5:00am or before.

4. Can you share a story of a time when travel changed your perspective on life?

When I was 19 I was excitedly accepted into the Shakespeare Program at The British American Drama Academy. The experience was life-changing. Not just the academics, but the confidence I gained through travel at such a young age informs everything I am. I adore meeting new people from all walks of life and am always interested and open to hearing their stories. I am incredibly comfortable and energized by traveling alone because I know the adventure that awaits, but I also love traveling with friends and loved ones because of the shared experiences of that adventure.

5. Describe your perfect weekend getaway. Where would you go and what would you do?Sunrise approaches, coffee in the travel mug. Instrumental jazz, Nina Simone, and Frank Sinatra for a two and a half hour drive on the 10 East to Palm Springs. Ten rolls of 35mm Kodak Portra 400 and 800 with my 1978 Canon A1 ready to capture the greatest beauty of the desert. Check into The Muse Hotel, The Marilyn Suite. Bask in the early morning sun reading a great book. Maybe a mid-day nap. Maybe some writing because nowhere inspires my creativity like Hollywood’s Playground. Light lunch and shopping downtown, followed by taking some photos at historical Old Hollywood sites around the desert. Get dressed up watching “Sunset Boulevard” on TV, pour a cocktail, and cheers to a great night. Steak dinner at Ingleside Inn’s Melvyn’s sitting in Frank Sinatra’s booth, followed by a dirty martini and listening to live jazz at the bar. Then head over to Toucan’s for a drag show and a fabulous night of incredibly talented queens. End the evening with a hot tub soak back at The Muse Hotel and curl up for a cozy night of rest, probably up early the next morning to do it all again.

6. If you could design a themed room for our hotel, what theme would you choose and why?

Ooooh, I would love to do about a dozen of these. Dorothy Dandridge “The Dorothy” with an island theme from “Island in the Sun” Ingrid Bergman “The Ingrid” with “Casablanca” vibes Bette Davis “The Bette” with Old Hollywood classic feel and green velvet décor from “All About Eve” Honestly the list goes on and on. Maybe this is my secret dream job

7. How can our readers get in touch with you?

I connect most on social media platforms @brooketrantor (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok) and all of my work is found on www.brooketrantor.com and IMDB. Or maybe visit The Muse and find me poolside

This August, let Brooke’s story remind us that beauty often lives in the early light, in the courage to travel solo, in the shared laughter over a dirty martini, and in the green velvet dreams of Old Hollywood. Come linger longer, stay a little later, and maybe like Brooke you’ll find your next great idea poolside under the palms.

Until next month, muses.