One of the best aspects of filmmaking is the people you meet. I got to work with actress Rebecca Huey on Providence and was blessed by her sweet and gentle spirit. I was even more impressed when I discovered all that she has endured, and yet out of the depths, she rises as a beacon of light and love.
When did you develop an interest in acting?
I always knew as a young child I loved being in front of a camera. In 1992 when I was in seventh grade I begged my parents to take me to Lansing, Michigan to attend an acting and modeling training school to help me begin to develop those skills for several years all through school. In 1998 I left Michigan to compete for a week at an IMTA(International Model & Talent Agency) Competition in Los Angeles, California through my agent at the time. I competed with 200 plus people of different ages. In LA I landed a few of my talent auditions with The School for Film and Television, New York City, NY AKA The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. I even got to be in the same room to perform with Katie Holmes (before Dawson’s Creek aired on the WB Network) and listen to her speak about IMTA and how she got to where she was. It was at the IMTA competition that I landed my auditions to move to NYC in the summer of 98′ to start my acting career.
Tell us about your experience at the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts.
My experience while attending the Summer of 98 Acting Intensive at the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts was one I will never forget. It was a gift to be able to work and train underneath some of the “Best of the Best” coaches and teachers in the acting industry such as Joe Pierce, Rawleigh Moreland, Beth McGuire, Nancy Lushington and many more.
It was during that summer all acting students were given the opportunity to audition to further our careers by auditioning for a two year misery conservatory acting program. I was so excited, leaping for joy. I studied hard my script so I could audition and move on.
It was two weeks before graduation in New York City that would change my career and my life for many years. I attended a party on Wall Street with some other friends. I made the mistake of leaving my drink unattended and within 15-25 minutes after drinking that drink, I experienced all these terrible things happening to my body. I told people something was wrong with me. Some at the party put it off as I was just drunk, when I wasn’t. There were even others shoving whole pieces of bread in my mouth telling me to swallow them right before I blacked out. I was able to spit out the bread and can remember telling God and them that they were going to kill me.
I woke up approximately twelve hours later, and I knew what had happened to me. I knew I was drugged, woke up de-clothed and alone in an unfamiliar bed.
I managed to make it back to my dorm, missing classes for two to three days because I was terribly sick, scared and alone. All those at the party kept their distance from me as if nothing happened. I never went to police, school coaches or teachers, but one teacher knew when I made it back to movement class something was wrong with me. I can remember her telling me, “Rebecca what happened to you? You are looking green.” I lied, covered it up, and buried this for many years.
I failed my audition in front of the panel of judges to move onto my two year conservatory program. I left for home burying it all after graduation, not knowing who did this to me. Feeling devastated, crushed and a failure after all the time. money and years spent training. And what was I going to tell my family, my parents or my friends? God knew it would take me years before He got a hold of my heart.
Anything else?
In 2013 God began do a work in my heart to help me heal, love and forgive those whom did this to me in 1998 even I didn’t know who. It was letting go to trust God through Deuteronomy 4:29 “But if from there you seek The Lord your God, you will find him if you look for Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Sometimes as believers we are used to comfort hiding all the bad. I knew how comfortable I was giving God my heart, and I was ready. As I let go and gave it to God I had to in order for my past to break into my future by letting everything go and trusting God. I kept thinking, God I don’t know, but I trust you.
Today I don’t have to search or look for those people. I know where I stand with God and what He is doing in my life. God will take care of them. God’s word tells us to “forgive them Father for they know not what they do,” Luke 23:34. I pray for them all the time. I am now free in Christ to live and be all I can be for Him this time around.
What has been your most memorable role?
My most memorable roll was working last year with Christian Music Artist 6th Day Made on a film set in Holly, Michigan. I played a lead roll as wife to Actor Antonio Mireles in an upcoming not yet released music video.
What would be your dream role?
My dream is bring to life a movie one day that has profound life touching, heart changing impact like Mel Gibson’s Passion of The Christ. I would be blessed, honored and humbled if one day I got to work closely with these Directors/Actors: Mel Gibson, Katie Holmes, Greg Robbins, Christopher Shawn Shaw, Susan Shearer, Jenn Gotzon and Stephen Baldwin.
Tell us about your recent film work.
My recent film work is playing the role of Store Clerk in the redemptive romance Providence, a love story forty years in the making coming to theaters in February of 2016.
What do you do when your not acting in movies?
When I am not acting in movies I am using my God gifted talents as an Entrepreneur working on bringing to life children’s products that will help them grow and develop. I am a Mom of two kids, owner of Education Creation LLC with a Trademark called Cursive Kids. I attend Flint Central Church of The Nazarene, and two huge inspirational people to me are Stormie Omartian and Joyce Meyer. I’m a Michigan theater captain for faith based movies. Recent movies include Beyond The Mask, Persecuted and Doonby.
It is also my passion to help where God places me in His ministry field to be an inspirational speaker and become more involved in helping to bring more awareness to trafficking.
