Interview with Missy Rainey
For the first interview, in my Conversations series, I talked with Atlanta actress, writer and producer Melissa Rainey. Missy is a long time friend and classmate from The Company Acting Studio. Missy has her second film going into the Charleston Film Festival this week. We talk about plays, process and success in Charleston.
What was the first role you ever played? Including school age?
I was a singer when I was a kid. I was immersed in Show Choir during those years and mostly participated theatrically as chorus in Musical Theatre. There wasn’t a lot of straight theatre to see in my hometown (Oklahoma City), but I saw a lot of musicals. I did take all the drama classes I could during my high school years and I loved it.
The first role I ever actually played in a full production was Rossignol in an adaptation of The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton Under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade by Peter Weiss.
At what point in your life did you realize acting was your passion?
I was in my mid 20’s when theatre became a passion for me. In 1996, I moved to Atlanta and started studying with some great teachers at the Alliance Theatre, but my children were young then and they were my focus and long rehearsals and runs were just not in the cards for me at the time. I continued to do music in my spare time and to write. Around 2004, I went back to school to continue my English degree with a focus in writing and I was a theatre minor. In 2009, I decided to just jump in and start acting. This is how I found The Company Acting Studio after a good bit of research into the best acting programs here in Atlanta. I continue to study the professional Master Class.
What has been the biggest obstacle, overall, for you in the business?
My own fear has probably been the biggest obstacle; fear of failure. But as I’ve continued to pursue this crazy profession, I’ve found that so much of it is built around variables that are so out of my control and quantifying “success” from an external place is a really destructive way to look at something as obscure as that thing called success.
What role/show was a really a breakout for you?
Theatrically, I would say that Mrs. Van Buren, in Lynn Nottage’s Intimate Apparel was the most challenging. She was a conflicted woman in a time when expression of emotion was not acceptable; especially given her status.
My first film role was in Tim Glover’s 1000 Blisters. I loved playing Paulina. The role itself was both freeing and challenging at the same time, given that there was very little dialogue outside of narration over the scenes. It gave me a lot of room to play, but that can be frightening as well, because it’s all you. You make or break every scene.
We’ve worked on several shows together, This Way to Christmas, Marat/ Sade and 5 Women Wearing the Same Dress. Which one was the most challenging for you? Which one would you do again and why?
Trisha (Five Women) was the most fun to play and I’d love to do that show again, but the most challenging was probably Rossignol. Marat/Sade is such an intense show, with so much social and political commentary that still resonates. Every character has to be wholly invested in every moment on that stage. I was exhausted every night after the show and I loved every minute of it.
Would you mind sharing some of your process with us?
I am BIG on analysis. I read a lot of plays. If I’m working on something, I will read it and analyze it over and over. I probably read Marat/Sade forty times. I try to really understand the motivations of all the characters in a script, not just my own. Then the trick is to forget it all and find the authentic reaction to what’s happening in each moment. I try and continuously read anything that speaks to me on process. Stanislavski,of course, is my go to. I am a big fan of Fay Simpson’s The Lucid Body and the work she does with the actor’s body.
I have worked music into my process as well. I always work up a play list for any character I’m working on. I can’t emphasize how much this has helped in my creative process.
If we are talking about the physical process that happens before a performance, I do my slate clearing work and body stretch and movement; neutrality and a calm mind are key. I also do a vocal warm up. I like to sing in the car on the way to the theatre or set using whatever playlist I’ve worked up for that character.
Who is your favorite playwright? Why?
Oh wow. This is a tough one. I would have to go with Ibsen. He writes about women so progressively, in a time when that was unheard of. His plays still stand so firmly and, sadly, they still resonate in terms of feminism socially.
What is your favorite play? Why?
Closer by Patrick Marber is my favorite modern play. I love the way it’s constructed; these little separate scenes that don’t really flow into each other but yet they feed one another. There are amazing parallel scenes in the play. I also love that there is so much unsaid; so much subtext. It’s strangely linguistically straightforward, while the four characters are abstract conceptually. It floors me every time I read it. Masterful.
Cabaret. Sally Bowles is the most broken, beautiful character of all time.
Favorite film (current or overall)?
The Way We Were; because how can it not be.
Favorite TV show (current or overall)?
I love Girls. I think Lena Dunham is a little ball of brilliance both as a writer and in the role. Six Feet Under is probably at the top of my list though. I think it is still the best series finale ever.
If you could play any character no matter the age or race who would you play?
Anna Christie. She is the non musical equivalent to Sally Bowles for me.
Same question, but now gender doesn’t matter either.
The Emcee in Cabaret; hands down.
Working on Film is so different than working on stage. Which medium do you prefer and why?
I prefer theatre because you take the entire journey from beginning to end.
Have you face any obstacles working on screen compared to stage?
I haven’t done that much film but I would say that the most difficult part of it was starting somewhere in the middle or the end; not having the full journey. It’s also an acquired skill to do a take over and over and hit the emotional note.
2 years ago the film you stared in, 1000 Blisters, went to the Charleston film festival and you won best actress. What was that like? Can you tell us about the experience?
The Film Festival itself was so professionally put together and the films were so quality. It was an honor to be a part of it. I was unable to be there for the entire festival because I was in rehearsals at the time. I was stunned and quite honored to have won the award. I saw some really fine performances in the films I was able to see. So, it was lovely to be recognized. Frank Langella won the award for Best Actor that year for his role in Robot and Frank.
Now in 2014 you have another film, This Is A Test, going to the Charleston Film Festival with your production company ArtChild Productions LLC behind it. Is that correct? Do you want to tell us more about your production company?
We are so excited to be going back to CIFF with This is a Test. ArtChild produced in in conjunction with SameBrain Productions. SameBrain is Whitney Christopher’s Production Company. She is also co-writer and star of the film. We began ArtChild as a way to get some of my writing produced with the added bonus of being able to get some great Atlanta talent, both technical talent and actor talent, some visibility.
Who all is involved in this project?
This is a Test is chock full of Atlanta talent. Whitney Christopher plays the lead, Jillian. Tom Clark plays her husband, Paul. Jyn Hall, a local producer and actress, produced the film for us. She was absolutely indispensable on this project. She also has a small role in the film. Our director, Matt Leary, actually came out of New York. He’s a film grad out of Ithaca College. Our brilliant AD, is Trevor Stott, who worked in production on The Vampire Diaries and other film and tv projects before starting his own production company. Julie Jones-Ivey, Pam Smith, Jessica Leigh-Smith, Amy Hui, Peg Thon, Jyn Hall, Kristen Michelle Walker, Clarrisa Els Murray, Kelly Finley and Don Stallings all have featured roles in the film.
Do you act in this film as well?
I do. I have a small featured role in the film.
April 9th-14th. I leave in two days.
What was it like the day you found out the film had been accepted into the festival?
We were ecstatic. It was the one film festival this spring that we really wanted to be a part of; and it’s Charleston, which is just one of the best places to visit in the US. I leave in two days.
Are you looking for new projects to produce?
I am now working on a short and a feature. So, hopefully we can get the short produced this year. I am also working on a full length play. We are hoping to put a full production of a play up in the next year.
What advice would you give to actors just getting into the business or thinking about getting into the business?
Study your craft. Never stop studying your craft. If you love what you’re doing, you will find a way to work.
Best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Don’t worry about the things you can’t control.
Best of luck at the festival to you and all involved. I hope you bring home another win this year!!
Thank you so much, Amy. I appreciate you thinking of me for this. Good Luck to you in your projects there in my favorite city.
You can watch the trailer, see photos and get updates on the film at:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/This-is-a-Test/796960923662530
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