We were lucky to catch up with Haviland Stillwell recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Haviland , thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I think learning to be an artist is often about unlearning thought patterns that hold you back, and on allowing yourself to fully embrace the things that perhaps made you different from the start, and use all of those unique qualities to express yourself, to bring your perspective to a story or a character. because no one is going to see it like you see it! I have never been a conformer stylistically, but as an actress, the pressure is definitely on to look or act or be perceived a certain way — which always seems to change, based on trends and whoever is the one making decisions. So, I try to think of being an artist as being a bit separate from being a business person — which is challenging, because obviously artists are both! But, learning to quiet the negative noise and focus on your own inner voice is ideal. It’s also been really important in my experience to have collaborators in your life who cheer you on, who inspire you. As a child actor and young adult actor, I listened to everyone and gave a lot of people’s words and opinions too much weight. Not everyone deserved that placement! Trust your gut, and trust the people who really know you and who are rooting for you.

I am sometimes too much of a results oriented person — great in circumstances when you need to deliver and deliver fast, not as great when you’re looking at the full picture, and big dreams you have become big expectations. I have been told more than once that I am a machine. But even machines have feelings! Wait…do they? Actually yes they do — I’ve played several ai robot characters and they all have had intense feelings and journeys. Ha! Anyway… what I’m saying is, the process is important, too.

MANY times the life and career of an artist is not linear. As a younger actor, I never fully celebrated my wins. I was so hard core about just checking accomplishments off my list, and when I achieved something, I rarely celebrated it like I should have. I told myself, “ok, great! Now onto the next thing!” I’m learning more now that life is a lot more fun if you focus on the fun. If you’re working so hard just to check things off of a list, it’s easy to get burnt out and lose the thread altogether. Focusing on fun makes every single character I play much more full. Yes, I’m an actor and I am here to analyze behavior and words to bring truth to imaginary circumstances and in an ideal sense, to change hearts and minds and make people feel more connected and less alone… but also, I’m an entertainer. And if I’m not entertaining myself first, then why?

Haviland , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am an Actor, Singer, Director and Producer, who works in TV, Film, Voiceover, and on Broadway. I am also very dedicated to my work on social media, which involves character work, advocacy and education, and interacting with fans and brands. I’m in and of myself a constant development, and I love what I do — not just the result of folks liking the projects when they’re out there, but in the creation/making of projects with so many crazy talented artists and technicians.

I’m probably most well known as the voice of Raquelle in Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse, but depending on where I am and who I’m interacting with, people know me from different things. My TikTok base is very into my animated and video game characters, like Audrey Bourgeois in Miraculous Ladybug, Faybelle Thorn from Ever After High, and The Mariner from Fallout, and they love making videos with the sounds I’ve created. But just this week, someone in person said she loved “Single Ladies,” which was the first TV show I had a recurring role on over a decade ago. Tosca Musk’s Passionflix has a really enthusiastic fanbase, and my character Professor Pain in her film Gabriel’s Inferno is pretty iconic. Around the holidays especially is when folks are really excited to talk to me about my character Georgia in Santa Jaws. (If you haven’t seen it…you’re welcome, It’s ridiculous in all of the right ways.) Essentially, I have been really fortunate to play a bunch of Queens, and I love working!

Other career highlights Include performing on Broadway in Fiddler on the Roof with Alfred Molina and Rosie O’Donnell, and Les Miserables, with Lea Salonga and Daphne Rubin Vega, singing live on both the Oscars telecast and the Tonys and releasing two solo albums, and being the voice of dozens of brands and characters in video games like Call of Duty, League of Legends, Fallout4, and Arknights, and animated series such as Monster High and Screechers Wild.

On camera, I’ve done a variety of TV series and Films, Including Ava Duvernay’s Selma, Magic Mike XXL, CSI:NY and the upcoming feature Feathered with Bruce Dern and Dot Marie Jones (which I also produced with my spouse, Reed, who directed and wrote it). Our company, Team Stillwell, Executive Produced Under the Influencer, a thriller which was selected for the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. We are also co-Producing an upcoming Broadway show, created the short Literal Nightmare, and the upcoming short, They Kiss.

I am a NYU graduate, and I’m now based in Los Angeles with my spouse, my mom and our 4 animals (major animal lovers!).

If you’re not already following me, I invite you to join me on the socials! (Havilandstillwell.com / instagram @haviland / TikTok @havilandhaviland )

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Oh, I think anyone who is in the film/TV/theatre industry and has made it through the last 5 years and is still plugging in is incredibly resilient!!
Show people are tough stuff. We have to sustain ourselves though all the highs and lows — physically, mentally, financially, politically, spiritually, and on and on. My mom was in the industry, so growing up in it, I was always well aware that work could be pouring in or fully a desert, and most of the time, somewhere in the middle. Most of it involves having a really strong inner voice and drive to continue to create. I’ve certainly had my challenges, but what I have overcome has helped to shape the kind of person I am. I know how resilient I am, and I really applaud all of my friends and colleagues who are hanging in there. We are built to make stuff! We do crazy things to get the shot or hit the note. The show will go on, because it must. It must!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Using my voice to wake people up to new perspectives, making people feel included, heard, more connected, and keeping it engaging and entertaining. I love making people smile. I also really love the development and creative process, being part of the whole thing; I love researching – reading, asking questions, and learning by listening. Inspiration can come in many forms and life is full of it. At the end of the day, with all that’s going on in the country and the world, like Harvey Milk said, “you got to give them hope.” And knowing that I have the opportunity and ability to do that for people through my work… that’s my North Star.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.havilandstillwell.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/haviland
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hpstillwell
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/havilandstillwell/
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/teamstillwell
• Youtube: https://YouTube.com/havilandstillwell
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/havilandstillwell
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@havilandhaviland?_t=ZP-8yDUEHbTT3e&_r=1

Image Credits

Cameron Rice, photographer