We recently connected with Rachel Novak and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Rachel, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
There’s a joke in the acting community about vacationing. When an actor is at home, little to no auditions. When an actor goes on vacation, they are flooded with opportunities! I didn’t take this joke seriously until I took a trip to Wisconsin. That one week away, I received ten auditions. One of those auditions was for Big Oak Ranch, more on them later. Typically, an audition would be your standard scene. I say something, my reader says something, so on and so forth, we close the moment and I submit. This audition was different. I was asked to play a car accident scene. I’m sitting in my parent’s living room thinking, “How do I…mimic a car accident?!” I gave it a shot, and it was the most uncomfortable audition I have ever done. A month later, I’m notified that I booked the role! I couldn’t believe it. I come to find that Big Oak Ranch is a Christian social service organization in St. Clair County, Alabama. They are “A Christian home for children needing a chance.” I got emotional reading about the thousands of children they have served who have faced trauma and suffering at such a young age, and because of Big Oak’s mission to teach the love of Jesus, they help children grow up to be upstanding individuals. I am in awe of their work for the community, and it was a blessing to be involved in their storytelling.
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?
Hey there! My name is Rachel Novak. I’m a Wisconsin born actress that loves to be outdoors with my husband Zach, watch funny movies, and invest in my acting craft/career for the glory of God. I’ve appeared on Lifetime, Oxygen True Crime, VH1, YouTube, and multiple commercials across the Southeast. I typically play older high school students, victims of abuse and/or murder (so many fake black eye photos,) and young moms. I started in theater as a kid, but once I got into high school I stepped into modeling and film within the Milwaukee and Chicago markets. After high school, I decided to move to Atlanta to further pursue film and television. What sets me apart from others is the intentionality behind what projects I chose to invest my time in. As I’ve grown more skilled in acting, I’m more comfortable saying no to projects that don’t align with my core values. I want to be confident in the work that I do, so I think approaching my characters with a grounded and faithful mindset will lead to breakthrough content that I pray others will enjoy. I am grateful for the opportunity to be consistent in my seven years I’ve been an actress in the Atlanta market because of the support from my family, friends, and employers. Thank you to all who have stood by me! Check out my website at www.rachelnovak.net
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the joy of living vicariously through various human experiences. I believe all humans are created with intrinsic value, and even though we all hold unique perspectives, there’s a through line of similarities within each person’s lifetime. With that in mind, the fun part comes when I get to decide how to express the human experience.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
A particular goal driving my creative journey is to be an actress in more faith based content. To me, it’s about serving God, the church, and growing in my Christian faith. Overall, I am so grateful that I get to choose this goal as a creative.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.rachelnovak.net
- Instagram: @iamrachelpears
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/racheljoannenovak
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-n-56600986/
Image Credits
Robbie Glen Photography, George Hunter, Lifetime, The Christ Hospital, Oxygen Network, Kesley Bou, Jim Stone