We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Katyana Rocker-Cook a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Katyana thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
As cliche as it sounds, I think I always knew! My family love to remind me that when I was growing up (in the UK), I would play exclusively in an American accent, and that I would sing Part Of Your World from “The Little Mermaid” at the top of my lungs from the age of 2. But there was one night that really solidified my dreams of being a performer: when I was 5, I came downstairs because I couldn’t sleep. My Mum was watching the 10th Anniversary Concert of “Les Miserables” on VHS, and invited me to watch with her. She rewound the tape to Little Cosette, and said that the little girl always reminded her of me. I was completely transfixed by the whole show, and from then on I dreamed of joining the cast when I was older.
Fast forward 5 years of endless family support, and acting/singing/dance lessons; and my dream came true! My first professional role was on London’s West End – initially playing Little Eponine, before progressing to Little Cosette. I was in the cast for nine months, watching and learning from incredible performers who were so fun and generous with their time, and who I still admire today.
Katyana, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I have always been a hard-worker, and I attribute a lot of my work ethic to the incredible people that were my support system and mentors growing up. My family instilled in me a ‘go-getter’ attitude, not only encouraging me to actively work for my own dreams, but modelling it themselves. I owe a lot to my childhood acting and singing teachers, who taught me to harness my passion and develop the skills I needed to get to where I wanted to go. Throughout childhood I continued working professionally, including in the opening cast of the West End Revival of “Oliver!”. I was even lucky enough to have been given direction by producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh when he was visiting a rehearsal (an exchange I very excitedly told my family about, and that I cherish to this day!). Those early roles and experiences shaped who I am today, and brought me some of the lessons I value most. I have a firm belief that a creative or artist cannot work alone, and that we are only successful when we truly come together. For me, that doesn’t just mean collaborating on stage, but creating a working environment that is kind and selfless; helping each other out for a common goal. I learned from leading actors who demonstrated the responsibility that comes with such a role, and I strive to embody that attitude in every job I take.
As school and ‘the real world’ started to loom overhead, I took a step back from performing professionally and pursued academics. My love of performing was always intertwined with a love of literature and writing, so I got my Bachelor’s degree in English Lit and Creative Writing, and my Master’s degree in Writing from Warwick University (UK). Of course, you couldn’t keep me away from the stage, so I was an active member of the musical theatre club and comedy troupe! I performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival three times, including as a writer/director.
I worked a number of part time jobs during that time (ranging from a soap factory, to coffee shops, and even as a medieval wench!), but most significant was as a Drama Camp teacher. I love working with children and young people, and watching them flourish as we worked towards their final performance was a true privilege. I later got my teaching degree from Oxford University (UK), and combined all my experiences into teaching English at a prestigious boy’s boarding school.
When the pandemic hit, I started to re-evaluate how I was feeling both personally and professionally. I loved my students, and I really enjoyed the work; but teaching had never been my dream. I found myself looking back with more than just nostalgia at my performing days. I desperately missed the joy of playing and exploring a role, and the burst of creative energy. When the opportunity arose to move from the UK to Los Angeles, there was not a doubt in my mind that it was time to return to my life as an actor.
I enrolled in some classes to resharpen my skills and got straight to work! I started 2023 playing Ramona in “Little Me” in Manhattan Beach, where I met some wonderful friends and collaborators. From there, I joined Theatre40 in Beverly Hills, and was cast in back-to-back productions of “One Moment of Freedom” and “Towards Zero”. Performing with Theatre40 is such an immense privilege; and I’m so grateful to all of my castmates and crew. The caliber of work done at Theatre40 is outstanding, and I’m so proud to be a part of the company, and to call the members my friends. I recently closed “The Manor”, Theatre40’s most successful show; and at 19 years, the longest running show in LA! It’s such a fun and unique production, and was my first Equity contract which was very exciting.
Last year I also co-founded and produced Cabaret23, a musical theatre cabaret where performers can come and test out new material or old favourites, in a welcoming and supportive environment. In July 2023 we raised funds for PieceByPiece, a charity that provides free mosaic art workshops to those who have experienced unhousing or economic insecurity.
I also starred in a number of short films, one of which was included at Pasadena International Film Festival.
When I’m not at work, you can usually find me at the movies, or Disneyland! You might also see me trying to build my action-girl status at the climbing wall, which is something I’ve always wanted to be good at!
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Make ’em laugh!
It comes back to how I feel about the responsibility of being a performer; I’ve always felt a strong desire to make people smile or entertain them in some way. I think that still includes drama or ‘serious’ work; it’s just a different, bittersweet smile as they think about a show or film that meant something to them. Some of my most joyful work has been on drama. Hearing what a character or show has meant to an audience, and having that same feeling myself, is a privilege. That being said, I have always felt a strong pull to comedy, and feel a real purpose when I have the opportunity to bring people laughter.
I’m also just so passionate about theatre and filmmaking; the physical creation of an entirely new world is fascinating to me. I used to watch Behind-The-Scenes DVD extras all the time as a kid because I can’t get enough of learning about the craft of performing and different approaches to a role or production. In that regard, I don’t think my creative journey will ever be complete.
But if we’re talking current goals, I am determined to be spattered head to toe in blood in a horror-comedy. I just really love the genre, and it’s always been a dream of mine to be a gory Final Girl. I think it would suit me!
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
There’s always something to learn, or someone to learn from, and I love that about this industry.
Discovering new characters and finding pieces of myself within them. Collaborating with castmates on how to make a scene really sing. And don’t even get me started on the technical side of a production! The work done by the crew never ceases to amaze and interest me.
Like I said before, I’m a strong believer in working together on all fronts. Everyone has something amazing to bring to a production, and something to share – and that includes the audience. I think for me the most rewarding aspect of working with a cast and crew (the collaboration and camaraderie) brings the ultimate reward of creating a community. Even if only for the duration of a performance, you have a shared experience that everyone can both give to and take something from.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.katyanarockercook.com
- Instagram: @katyanarockercook
- Other: https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/KatyanaRockerCook https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13352572/
Image Credits
Casey Durkin David Muller