Rachel Boston plays 'Beth Mason,' the strong-willed girlfriend to 'J.J. Pryor' (Will Estes), on NBC's hit one-hour drama, "American Dreams." Set in the 1960's, an era of cultural turbulence, Beth brings a wave of female independence and a voice of modern day opinions to the old-fashioned Pryor family. She lays the groundwork for the everchanging world issues, including equality for women. Boston's role began as a recurring character and has evolved into a series regular in the show's second season, which promises a compelling storyline between 'Beth' and 'J.J.'

"'Beth' is such a dream role," says Boston. "I love playing a strong, independent young woman who isn't afraid to be different."

Raised on Signal Mountain, Tennessee, a suburb of Chattanooga, Boston caught the acting bug at the age of seven when she played a sheep in a church production of "We Like Sheep." Soon after, Boston began performing in school productions and local musical theater. While in high school, she was crowned 'Miss Teen Tennessee,' and she went on to become a top ten finalist in the Miss Teen USA Pageant.

At the age of 17, Boston headed to New York City where she soon deferred her acceptance to NYU. Instead, she began auditioning and joined a local theatre company. "I knew one person in the entire city of New York," she recalls. "Looking back, I should have been terrified, but I was just excited to be living in New York on my own and acting professionally." While attending classes part-time at Fordham University, Boston appeared in numerous commercials and recorded voice-overs for various national advertising campaigns. Additionally, she studied at The Actor's Center, began working with acting coach Anthony Abeson, and starred in a number of independent films, including "Zen and You" and "Smoking Herb."

After two years in New York, Boston landed a role in a Philadelphia production of Neil Simon's play, "Jake's Women." While the show closed, she took her director's advice and drove 3,000 miles west to Los Angeles for pilot season. "Pilot season seemed really simple compared to learning to drive in L.A.," she recalls. "I had been riding subways for two years, so five lanes of freeway was pretty intimidating."

Just two weeks after arriving in Los Angeles, Boston secured a guest-starring role on MTV's "The Andy Dick Show." "I enjoyed going on auditions," says Boston. "With the help of my Thomas Guide, I came to L.A. and just hit the ground running." She also began taking classes at the improvisional acting school, The Groundlings, where she was able to explore her love for comedy.

Rachel is currently a member of the Dennis Lavalle Actors Workshop, a workplace where actors are able to put in original work that they have both written and produced. During her recent summer hiatus, she appeared on stage in the comedy "Something Good" for Noah Wyle's theater company, The Blank Theatre. Starring as the headstrong, yet hopelessly romantic girlfriend, Boston found comfort being back on the stage, where it all began.

While growing up in Tennessee, where her parents and two younger brothers still live, Boston and her family were always surrounded by music. Their mother, who is now a real estate agent, enjoyed singing and playing the piano. Whereas her brothers took up musical instruments, Boston developed an affinity for musical theater and dance. "Going to dance and sinling classes as a child, I always knew performing would be a part of my life. I just never dreamed I'd be doing it professionally in New York and Los Angeles."

Boston is now feeling quite at home with her role on "American Dreams" and her new life in Los Angeles. She lives with her cat and enjoys singing, playing the piano and guitar, running and spending time outdoors.

You can see Rachel on NBC's "American Dreams" on Sunday nights at 8 PM.

Credit: rachel-boston.com