When you curl up this winter to watch the newest made-for-TV Christmas movie, you could find yourself watching a BSC alumna. Actor, dancer, and model Anna Marie Dobbins ’13 stars in “Christmas Matchmakers” on ION, sharing the screen with Vivica A. Fox. And if you’re in Birmingham this holiday season, you may even spot her around town.

Dobbins flies in from Los Angeles regularly to teach dance at her mother’s studio, Linda Dobbins Dance in Mountain Brook, which opened when Dobbins was four years old. She fell in love with dance early on and followed her passion for performance. As she grew up, Dobbins also began traveling to Atlanta and L.A. for dancing and acting opportunities.

Through her role in the 2011 “Footloose” remake, which was filmed near Atlanta, Dobbins made connections in the industry, but she still chose to stay in Alabama and attend BSC.

“Even though I knew I wanted to move to L.A. after college, I loved the programs at BSC,” she says. “In a way, BSC drove me to go for the entertainment industry because I wanted to be unique and set the bar.”

In addition to acting, Dobbins works as a choreographer and dance instructor in L.A. Last year, she worked with Eric Roberts in the Lifetime film “Stalked by my Doctor: Patient’s Revenge,” and has recently taken on other darker roles.

“I never went for the devious role when I was younger. It’s cool to see where your age takes you,” Dobbins says. “I’m starting to play more nitty-gritty roles rather than the girl next door.”

Her upcoming projects include the action movie “Cross: Rise of the Villains,” starring Tom Sizemore and Brian Austin Green, and the feature film “Women,” which will be released next year.

In her busy schedule, packed with brand deals, modeling, filming, and taking classes herself, Dobbins’ passion for what she does is clear through her dedication to coming back to Birmingham and devoting time to aspiring dancers like her younger self.

“Being surrounded by people in the industry keeps you creative. Getting into different classes molds you and keeps you on your toes,” she says.

“Christmas Matchmakers” will premiere on Dec. 8 at 7/6c p.m. ION will also air the movie at 9/8c p.m. Dec. 14, 1/12c p.m. Dec. 22, and 3/2c p.m. Dec. 24.

Are you a graduate of the last decade? Email [email protected] about who we should feature in our “The Next Chapter” series.

This story was published in the Fall/Winter 2019 issue of ’Southern, BSC’s alumni magazine.

If you have ideas for our next issue of ’Southern, please email [email protected]. We always welcome stories about outstanding people from the BSC community.