Sophomore Stella Bratcher steps up to the camera, heart racing and palms sweating, as the director yells action. As she goes through the “Soul On Fire” script, she acts with such emotion and intensity it radiates through the screen. She gives all her heart into the performance, to the character she portrays, to the life she is living, all up until the director yells cut.
Around the time of COVID, Bratcher decided she wanted to pursue acting, and so she started doing auditions, which took place at home through self-tapes like for “Law and Order: SVU.”
“She has a really strong work ethic; she’s just really determined and inspiring,” sophomore Lana Brown said.
Bratcher first explored the film scene growing up, when her mother was a news anchor for KC Live, and she spent time on the television set.
“I’m very inspired by my mom. She gave me a lot of good guidance and helped me create my connections, She’s just a great role model,” Bratcher said.
Bratcher has been in a few Hallmark movies, along with a 2023 film called “Unexpected.” In 2024, she was in an episode of “Law and Order: SVU,” and now will star in a new movie, “Soul On Fire,” streaming on Netflix. Her newest is a TV show called “It’s Not Like That,” which came out in January of this year. The streaming services she has been on include Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV and more.
“Acting is a very self-paced thing, and you get certain dates to film and audition. It’s not that stressful with school because you can prioritize school and then get acting,” Bratcher said.
“My parents are very supportive when I need them to help me with school, whether it’s teaching me a math problem or helping me find a word when I have writer’s block,” Bratcher said.
Through her multitude of films and shows, Bratcher has brought many different characters to life. In her 2023 movie “Unexpected,” she plays 10-year-old Amy in a flashback scene answering questions in class.
“I have to figure out what times I can go and be free. I had to block out these 2 months because we have nationals in Florida, and I don’t want to book something and not be able to go,” Bratcher said.
In 2024, she guest-starred in an episode of “Law and Order: SVU” playing Crystal Sykes, a young girl who was kidnapped on her way to the swimming pool, whose body was found years later.
“I have learned to be able to adapt to any character, whether they are bubbly or emotional,” Bratcher said.
“Soul on Fire” was her 2025 biographical drama, in which she plays Amy O’Leary, whose brother survives an accident, and her character is in the hospital with him, supporting him during that difficult time. Her most recent TV show, “It’s Not Like That,” premiered in January 2026, where her character is seen through the lens of familial and community relationships.
“I met William H. Macy. He plays Frank on Shameless. I was honestly really intimidated by him at first, but he was a really nice guy and he treated me like he would any other person,” Bratcher said.
Outside of acting, Bratcher also dances. When she was three years old, Bratcher started dancing around her house, so her mom enrolled her in dance classes. She now dances on the Varsity Sapphires and for Perception Dance Company. Between technique classes and school practice, she dances around 21 hours a week.
“She put me into dance, and I was obsessed. I would always be dancing around the house every chance I got,” Bratcher said.
Bratcher has started singing lessons to help her expand the auditions she goes to and parts she will be able to play.
For more information on Bratcher and her latest shows, go to her Instagram @stella_paige_b. For more information about getting into acting, go to talentedunlimited.com. For information on Bratcher’s dance, go to their Instagram @lhssapphires and @perception_dance.
