Megan Henry is currently captivating audiences around the globe with her award-winning performance in the celebrated anthology web-series, In Absentia. A native from Fountain Valley, California, Megan graduated from the University of Southern California, earning degrees in Communications and Theater.
Beautiful and talented, Megan Henry has starred in multiple films and even executive produced the anti-heroine action-drama short film Guardian Angel, earning a ‘Platinum’ award at the 2017 WorldFest Houston. She also achieved a ‘Gold’ award at the same festival for the notable dramatic short, My Name Is Lamar.
Additionally, Megan Henry co-executive produced the short action film, Good Guys with Guns; and has several ventures in the works, including an action-thriller series with CLIO award-winning director/writer Marcus Perry, an indie feature film and a new comedy project.
Currently, Megan Henry gives a memorable performance as Kira in an eerie situation in the “Stranded” episode of In Absentia, winning ‘Best Actress’ at RIO Webfest and a nomination at DUBfest. Created and directed by Jessica Silvetti and Ethan Kogan, In Absentia has screened at 10 International Film Festivals gaining 14 Awards and nominations on the global festival circuit.
indieactivity: How did you get into acting?
Megan Henry (MH): I have always been fascinated with exploring shadow parts of myself, the consciousness of others and to have as many experiences as possible within the confines of a script. Art is so healing and expansive. As humans, our impulse is to create, explore emotion and align with joy.
What helps you create a character?
Megan Henry (MH): Lately, I have embraced the new paradigm that there is no such thing as character. The actor is the character and it’s our own state of being in the imagined circumstance. Completely surrender and commit to the story, dropping down from the mind into heart and body, and see what comes up. Allowing myself to go to uncomfortable places within myself in a scene, is so delicious.
Is there a specific moment when you know you’re fully prepared?
Megan Henry (MH): With this particular role, I didn’t prepare. We spoke about the scene and the vision of the directors/writers. I wanted my experience to be as organic as possible without projection of how the scene should go. The directors are really generous with their actors in this regard. Of course, this isn’t to say they didn’t guide me, but it felt like I really had room to let it fly.
Briefly explain your role in the web anthology In Absentia?
Megan Henry (MH): I play Kira, who is stranded in her car on a desolate highway in the desert. As the extreme heat soars, I begin to experience hallucinations that become entangled with my reality.
What was your first impression of this eerie tale?
Megan Henry (MH): My first impression of the story was is this imagined or real? We create our own reality minute by minute and I am fascinated by the notion that much of what we see and experience is illusory based on perception and projections. I am drawn to stories that inspire the audience to question what is possible.
How do you keep your performance fresh during long hours on set?
Megan Henry (MH): Keeping my performance fresh on set felt very easy as we were filming in 100 degree heat! When the weather is congruent with the reality of the scene, it makes it so much easier to feel my way through. I didn’t have to imagine feeling disorientation.
You’ve been producing and developing projects as well, right?
Megan Henry (MH): I have been producing and developing/writing projects over the past few years. It feels so much less frenetic to not have to wait for outside forces to contribute to my creative instinct. I love to collaborate and really see where the pulse of the idea wants to go.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Megan Henry (MH): The best advice I ever received was to create your own content. Gone are the days where we as artists have to sit around and wait for an opportunity to be creative. Stay saturated!
What do you want to change about the business?
Megan Henry (MH): That is a great question. I study with many energy masters and spiritual guides and I am passionate about ushering in the new paradigm of consciousness that questions, what if nothing is wrong? What if every experience is valid and guides, teaches and heals without needing to be judged? We are all here in the physical realm to find our way back to the center (source or God). In these highly awakened times, I think it really serves to questions fixed points of view and asks, what else is possible? How does it get any better than this? Desire and change is born from contrast. I’m in the process of launching my production company which is heart-centered/service oriented in it’s business model & ushers in a more expansive approach to storytelling.
Who is your creative idol and what do you love about their work?
Megan Henry (MH): Angelina Jolie has always been someone I admire. She is so fearless, gracious and versatile in her work.
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