We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Heather Renee Wake a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Heather Renee, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

Earlier this year, I embarked on a magical and wonderful adventure performing in a first-of-its-kind immersive show called Castle in the Sky—the brainchild of Tracy Phillips, Denna Thomsen, and Kristin Cambell-Taylor of Under the Rose Productions. These fabulous women poured all of their creative talents into this project. Dance sequences, authentic period costumes, dynamic character development—it was absolutely an actor’s dream working with them.

In Castle In the Sky, audiences were transported back to the 1920’s as party guests of the highly revered and infinitely complicated James Oviatt—a real person from history. In fact, the “party” takes place at the very penthouse Oviatt once owned, that still remains in Downtown Los Angeles. There were eight different characters with eight different personal journeys happening simultaneously throughout various rooms of the penthouse, meaning no two audience members had the exact same experience. Anyone who’s been to Sleep No More in New York can probably imagine how it worked.

I played Vivienne, aka “Vivi,” a Hollywood starlet who, shall we say, thinks the night will be full of bawdy, harmless fun (and maybe a naughty dance or two) but instead has her entire existence shattered, especially when it comes to her relationship with men. You never know if the show might come back so I don’t want to spoil anything…but rest assured, Vivienne washes herself clean by the end.

Theater was my first passion, but I hadn’t really pursued it since moving to Los Angeles a decade ago. Then, for the past couple of years, I really struggled to feel a sense of connection to my craft. No matter what on-camera class I would take or coach I would book or new strategy I would implement, I just felt lost, defeated. Finally I decided to get back to basics. Part of that was doing voice work with Ryan O’Shea, who specializes in Fitz Maurice and Organic Intelligence techniques. I was rolling on the floor inviting my body to tremor, making “fluffy sounds,” all those things you’d see the weird theatre kids doing in school. Things I used to do as a weird theatre kid.

I write this little backstory to provide context of where I was at spiritually by the time the audition for CITS came around. I had been working in new, yet familiar ways for a few months at that time, and slowly but surely starting to feel alive in my practice again. That spark was beginning to glow once more. I had even wondered if I could make space in my life for the stage again. And lo and behold, the film and television industry shuts down, and I am asked to read for this new play I’ve never heard of…and the next few months of my life become an unexpected, pivotal turn in my artistic journey.

I’ll never be able to fully encapsulate everything this show has meant to me. But it really did change everything.

Getting to put my entire soul into bringing something to life. Basking in the rich history of the Oviatt Penthouse. Playing glorious, sacred pretend with truly inspiring castmates at the top of their game, and audiences eager to lose themselves in a powerful story. Feeling a sense of belonging in a sea of strangers. That iconic black and gold dress! All these memories—and more—have made me more confident than ever to go dream big, and to go after those dreams.

Heather Renee, 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’m an actress” is the simplest way to answer that question. But artist would be the most accurate label, I think. 

My story isn’t all that unique, in that during childhood I found art to be an effective escape from a very toxic environment. As I grew up, I discovered that art isn’t just a way to protect yourself from life, it’s a way of life. The thought of having a vocation, some kind of sacred purpose, having to do with artistic expression thrilled me in ways I still can’t fully quantify. I know many can relate to this. 

Though acting is the art form that most compelled me, that still most compels me, like many actors I have had to learn how to not be so singular in my focus so that my creativity and joy don’t suffer when the jobs don’t pour in. But luckily, I have gotten to the other side of that, and relish the opportunity to branch out artistically through writing and directing. Plus I don’t hesitate to simply follow my creative whims when they call. Just last year I randomly signed up for a Heels dancing class, and I swear it was a fated choice that allowed me to prepare for my role in Castle In The Sky in the best way possible. Identifying and treating myself as an artist, rather than solely an actor, has better allowed me to become the person I had always wanted to be.  So, to answer your question: I “do” a lot of things. I’m an actress. I’m a writer—both for my own projects and professionally as a staff writer for Upworthy. On any given day I might be taking MOCAP classes, belting it out at karaoke, shooting a horror film with friends, seeing the latest immersive exhibit, or trying to tend to my artistic spirit in some other way. My most immediate goals are developing a psychosexual drama about one of history’s lesser known serial killers (cause why not?) and producing/directing a short film by the end of 2024.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

We are all privy to the ways in which our current society does not support artists. So going against the status quo and being diligent about going against the grain is necessary.

For instance, it’s easier than ever to buy some generic piece of “art” off of Amazon. You have to go out of your way (though not that much, in the internet age) to find something that an artist made with their own two hands. But not only is this item far more unique, odds are this person carved out time between their day jobs and family duties and whatever else was going on in their life to bring that piece to life. Not for money, but because they value what it does for their souls, and for yours. And your purchase is a stepping stone to being able to produce even more of those good feelings. Or maybe they’re one of the lucky ones and only make art for a living. You get to help them keep doing that. That to me sounds like a much better return on investment.

The same goes for seeing a movie that isn’t a blockbuster, finding a lesser known television show with zero recognizable faces, going out for a live music or theater show, joining Patreons for content creators who you admire and respect.

I think everytime we can intentionally put our money towards what truly inspires us, it upholds the truth that art is sustenance. The same way you pay money in exchange for food that gives you life, you pay for something beautiful or joyous or fascinating that someone else created because it gives you something life affirming in return. It says, “I believe in a world where art is valuable.” And if history has taught us anything, the strongest belief wins.

There’s also something to be said about how when you aim to simply create more community, art tends to follow. Really the two go hand in hand. Both bring people together, both are vital for our wellbeing and evolution. And both require a little bit of extra effort to cultivate thanks to certain rules set in place. But in nurturing these things, we maintain the greater parts of our humanity. 

So here’s that little nudge to start that book club, to find a meet-up group based on that weird hobby you want to try, to not stay at home for the fifth weekend in a row. Conjure up art within your own life, and the world will change too.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I think it all comes down to a quote by one of my favorite authors of all time, Madeleine L’Engle, who said “we are all born a witch. We are all born into magic. It’s taken from us as we grow up.”

I want my creative journey to be about uncovering, exploring, and coming back into communion with this magic that I know is my birthright. And I hope that my work also helps others do the same.

And that doesn’t have to just be childlike wonder, as the quote somewhat alludes to (even though I really am a big kid). I also take it to mean accessing a sort of primal freedom that exists beyond time, space and societal constraints. That same connective tissue that exists in all great art, penetrating the collective human psyche and reminding us of our shared emotions.

As for how that happens or what that looks like, I have learned to be open-minded. It’s much more fun that way anyhow.

Contact Info:

• Website: IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5316097/
• Instagram: @heather.renee.wake
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@heatherwake8490/videos

Image Credits
Featured image taken by Don Hannah Photo one: An image of Heather Renee Wake playing Vivienne in Castle in The Sky, photo taken by Paula Crichton Photo two: undisclosed video game Photo three: a still from Lucky Shot, directed by Christopher Sheffield Photo four: a still from Bite the Ground, directed by Christopher Sheffield The following four phots are taken by Don Hannah