Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rachel Frawley. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Rachel, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
One of the best things about being an artist is that everything is an education. My formal training has always been immensely important and valuable to me and I try to take every chance I can to continue it. I was fortunate enough to be able to make theatre my focus in college, and since then I’ve completed a Shakespeare apprenticeship, taken on-camera and studio acting classes, signed up for workshops, masterclasses, etc. I’ve been lucky to study with some of the most skilled and inspiring teachers and coaches I’ve ever met in Atlanta.
But aside from traditional training, practical experience has taught me so much. There are some things that just wouldn’t have clicked for me until I tried them, repeated them, and felt in real time when they failed and succeeded. Working with the many talented artists in Atlanta is always a gift; finding those people that inspire you to work harder and be better is some of the best instruction! And then off stage, off camera, life experiences have been their own learning opportunities. I feel like we don’t always get reminded as artists that in order to tell good stories, we need to allow ourselves to live full lives.
As far as learning obstacles…I’ve always put a lot of pressure on myself. It’s really hard for me to not want to do it the “right” way. Especially early on in my career, I feel like often I was doing it for someone else–to prove myself to someone, or earn their respect, or impress them, or get that validation that I didn’t value as much when it came from myself. That has been some of the hardest stuff to unlearn (and I still have work to do). But consistently, the most growth I’ve made, and the best I’ve felt about my work, has been when I’ve been able to put aside that pressure, whether internal or external, and find the joy in the work. I think one of the most essential skills an artist can cultivate is finding your voice and learning to honor it. When you can combine that with flexibility and an open mind, that’s when real growth happens.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
I’m an actor, writer, producer and teaching artist in Atlanta. I did my apprenticeship with the Atlanta Shakespeare Co. In addition to performing steadily in Atlanta’s theatre scene, and working as an indie film actor and voice actor, I have narrated over 30 audiobook titles with Lantern Studios (formerly ListenUp), and was a producer for the Weird Sisters Theatre Project for their 2017 and 2018 seasons. During the past decade, I have taught and directed theatre camps, classes and master classes for the Shakespeare Tavern, Aurora Theatre, Spruill Performing Arts, and the Company Acting Studio. Awards include Suzie award winner (featured actress in a play 2016), Woodie award (Stage Door Players Best Ensemble Cast 2018-2019 season) and Audie Award nominee for my narration work. I’ve also been a blogger since 2013 for Cast It Talent, writing articles on my experiences as a professional actor and advice to emerging artists. I have trained and continue to train in intimacy work, and recently completed my first gig as an Intimacy Coordinator. I’m currently a producer, writer and actor for Tipsy Tales, a correspondent writer and actor for In Person Live, (a new sketch comedy show) and am working on writing and producing a musical with SB Hester for Synchronicity Theatre’s “Stripped Bare” series.
As far as how I got here, my family, friends, and incredible Atlanta artistic community have been such a source of support, inspiration and instruction. I think a lot of artists will resonate with the feeling that we have to be really stubborn sticking with this career and fighting for it. I’ve been very lucky to work on enough projects along the way that have felt empowering and really worth it. Some for the material, some for the people attached, some for the experiences. Occasionally, magically, for all of those things.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
There are so many ways to support and advocate for the arts–fight for program funding in schools and community centers. Learn about the existing organizations in your community that provide support and aid to artists on an individual and organizational level. Donate to, support and uplift organizations that consistently prioritize hiring and uplifting diverse and under-represented voices, and hold those that don’t accountable. Be informed and aware of how the candidates you vote for protect the arts in your community. And listen to the artists that are the most active in uplifting other artists when they say what they need. And the fun part–actively engage in your artistic community! Go see live theatre, music, art shows, that’s a great way to support artists and the community.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The thing that keeps me coming back is the stories. On a selfish level, sometimes I feel like there are so many sides of myself I’ll never get to experience or express, and as an actor you get to live them all and then some. There’s something that’s so beautiful in learning a character, or writing for them, or even directing and teaching them–because you have to find some truth in them, some way to love them almost. Even the awful ones. If you judge them the performance rings false. That exercise in empathy is fascinating and compelling and sometimes deeply uncomfortable.
I know how much stories have meant to me in my life. They inspire and teach, protect and relieve. Some of the most impactful moments as an artist have come when I realized someone made a connection with my work or a project I was part of. Someone felt seen or understood or uplifted. I think stories hold such an important place in our cultural growth–the silly stuff just as much as the heavy stuff. Being part of that in whatever way is always rewarding.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rachelfrawley.com/
- Instagram: rachelfrawley
- Twitter: rachel_frawley
Image Credits
Sarah Beth Hester Daniel Parvis Lola Scott Bret Wood