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2014 – Rachel Arianna

 

Rachel Arianna is a young actress from the New York City area. Since our last Q&A with her she has been busy performing in productions of Miracle on 34th St, Number the Stars, and more! To keep up to date make sure to visit her official website, like her page on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter.

 

1. How did you prepare for your role of Susan Walker in a Miracle on 34th Street?

I read the script a bunch of times, but I found some similarities between Susan Walker and myself. We are both very curious and a tad mature for our age while still having an imagination. Some other preparation was getting to know my cast-mates…hobbies, likes, dislikes, siblings/pets, and more. I loved getting to know my 2nd family.

2. What was opening night like?

It was a rush of energy. I came off stage in my costume and went into the lobby. I was so happy to hear the audience liked the show. I don’t want to toot my own horn, but I was proud of myself. I took some photos with my cast mates, like Mr. Claus. We enjoyed the decor that Macy’s had set up, but most of all, we were filled with adrenaline and joy. We couldn’t wait to do it again, in front of a different audience because each audience brings different energy for each performance.

3. What was the experience like performing in Macy’s with the cast of Miracle on 34th Street?

It was the best! It was so different than performing the songs on stage. It kind of shocked me how different the 2 were. The hardest part was remembering not to do all of the dance moves! I was so connected, so it was like the audience wasn’t even there. I also got to sing once upon a December from Anastasia.

4. Do you have a favorite part of filming your Saturday Night Live Madeline sketch?

I really enjoyed the live audience and feeling the rush of the crowd. Also I enjoyed meeting and working with Anna Kendrick and meeting Pharrell Williams. I might, or might not have, had a fan girl moment. On the inside…

5. How did you react when you found out your song Speechless was going to be played in Kohl’s stores during the holidays?

I was exuberant and it filled me with positive energy and it made me feel more self confident. I screamed so loud they heard me in L.A..

6. What was it like being a part of Lyrics for Life? Can you tell us more about who the event benefits?

It was a very touching and emotional experience and it was amazing performing with friends from the business. What made it so special though was finding out some of the cast members either lost relatives or friends to suicide and they were performing in their memory. Knowing that we were performing to help raise awareness and money for suicide prevention and helping others made me feel that my song helped to make a difference. I performed my original song, Walking Away With Your Heart.

7. How did you enjoy doing your live radio interviews with VRadio Nashville and Veterans Radio?

Were you nervous at all? I really enjoyed doing those interviews. I was nervous at first because I did not want to mess up or say the wrong thing. But DJ Steve O made me feel really comfortable and the interview just flowed and it was totally relaxed. By the end of the interview…after talking on and on he said I am anything but Speechless…a DIVA! I love doing interviews.

8. What is the best part of being able to attend different screenings of Lies I Told My Little Sister?

I love to see how the different audiences react. Also, every time they ask me to go up for Q&A. I love answering all of the different questions that people like to ask us. I have remained very close to this cast and crew. They feel like they are part of my family.

9. What has been your favorite project to work on this year?

That is a tough one to answer. I would say the one thing that is very important to me is using my music and the arts to help with charities like KOTA’s production of Lyrics for Life. It is nice to write original music, it is nice to see it being used for a good cause…it makes it all worthwhile. I think all the projects that I take on are very special in there own way. I love being able to play different types of roles and bringing myself to the characters I am playing.

10. What was the experience like playing Ellen Rosen in Number the Stars?

Number the Stars for me was super powerful. It meant a lot to me, and I really connected with the character Ellen, being Jewish and all. She was quiet, yet mature. It was really fun getting to embody her, especially since it took place in the 1940’s. I had to use different mannerisms, words, and I even got to wear tiny gold glasses. Everyone in the cast said I looked like a mix between the American Girl Doll Molly, and a female Harry Potter. To be honest…I couldn’t agree more! The play itself was emotional for me. Everyone in the cast portrayed the story so accurately. I didn’t have to act; I was just living life with a script. My favorite scene was scene 9, when the soldier barges into the house, and Ellen has to pretend to be a Johansen, for Annemarie’s family has let her hide there. It was an amazing experience, and let me learn more cultural, historical, and philosophical things.

11. What is coming up next for you?

I will be working on my next music video soon for the release of a new song. I cannot wait to share it and more details with everyone. I also have been asked to be the child spokesperson for disaster relief for a company called Second Wave which helps after a disaster happens.

 

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

(Image by Ben Esner)