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2013 – Rachel Weintraub

 

Rachel Weintraub is a young actress from New York. She’s been on Saturday Night Live, Sesame Street, and you’ve most likely seen her commercial for Pediacare. Rachel will be seen in the film Lies I Told My Little Sister, is currently getting ready for playing Susan Walker in performances of Miracle on 34th Street in Waterbury, CT beginning on December 13th, and her single Speechless will be available on iTunes December 2nd! To keep up to date make sure to visit her official website, follow her on Twitter, and like her page on Facebook!

1. How did you get started in the industry?

I got started in the business when I was 4 years old because everyone told my mom that I had perfect pitch, including my dad. My mom took me to Ken Lundie who works in the Broadway community and he called me a freak and got me my very first audition which was for Tale of Two Cities on Broadway. Shortly after that I got my first agent.

2. What was your first booking?

It was a voice over radio commercial for Walmart for Halloween. I had to talk about Princesses and Super Heroes. It was so much fun.

3. What was your shoot for Saturday Night Live like?

It was absolute craziness, but I loved every minute of it. Cast and crew were all so nice and Bill Hader remembered me from the last time I was on set. My mom and I had to be on the 4:34 train into NY. When we got there it was like an oddity show with everyone being in costume for different character’s Stefon had created on all of his Weekend Updates with Seth Meyers. I was playing the role of Menorah The Explorer. Soon I was all suited up in costume and wig and ready to go. On the set they first did a few shots then they told me to go sit on the bench due to a fight scene (total craziness). To be honest my mom and I thought that I was all done when the Director called me over and started lowering the boom mike. They gave me five lines and my favorite one appeared on tv.

4. How did you prepare for your role in the Off Broadway Bend in the Road?

The rehearsal schedule for NYMF (New York Music Festival) tends to be quite insane. Preparation was done during rehearsal time I would also get into bed every night and look over my script and make character choices and notes at the margins.

5. What was your favorite part of filming Lies I Told My Little Sister?

It was really enjoyable to be a part of the film from the reading stage to filming the actual movie. In the film I got to play the role of Young Jane which is one of the 3 sisters who the film is about. Jane is the youngest one in the family. I also got to meet the older actresses playing the sisters who were incredibly sweet and talented. They were Alicia Minishew, Lucy Walters, and Michelle Peterson. My first original song Walking Away With Your Heart is also being used in the movie as well.

6. What is your first National Commercial that you booked?

My first commercial was for Pediacare, Dancing Girl spot. The original audition was for boys not girls. Somehow my agent got me an audition. They asked me my song choice and I chose Poker Face by Lady Gaga. A day later found out I had the call back. I was the only girl at the call back. I love dancing so I was very happy when I booked the commercial.

7. What is your inspiration for your music?

It is different every time but I write songs that come from my heart and different experiences I have gone through or currently going through. I like to make a difference through music and to help people realize that they are not alone.

8. Do you have a favorite moment from your Sesame Street shoot?

Kevin Clash was the director on my last shoot of Sesame Street for Elmo’s Got The Moves. He was amazing to work with and super kind to me, although he did like to tease me quite a bit. As a really small child I always used to love and only want to watch Sesame Street. Elmo was one of my favorite characters. Getting to meet Kevin Clash and work with him was a phenomenal experience.

9. Who have been some of your favorite people to work with?

I have been lucky enough to work with some amazing people on the projects I have worked on from all the different venues. What is nice is I have been able to stay friends with most of the people and directors I have worked with.

10. What has been your favorite project so far?

This is a really hard question for me to answer as I really love them all.
When I get to perform and love doing what I do I get adrenalin pumping through me and I love putting smiles on people’s faces and making them laugh. Whether from behind the screen, in your music devices, or on the stage, I love to entertain. Dancing is also very important to me.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Another fun project I got to work on was for IBM. I got to interview a few professional Women from IBM. This project is being used right now as part of there Women in IBM for a Smarter Planet.

 

We’d like to thank Rachel for participating in this year’s November Q&A series!