Meredith Van Cuyk grew up in theatre and on stage performing in Columbus, Ohio. Where acting was not a career choice. Meredith was always involved in theatre programs at school. Programs such as summer programs, and at well known companies in the Columbus theatre scene. “I was also a competitive Irish dancer and did several other dance disciplines. So being on stage was second nature to me. I moved to LA when I was 17 and I actually did not have plans to be an actor. One thing led to another and I found my way back to my roots. And from there decided the direction I wanted to go with my career”, say Meredith Van Cuyk.
indieactivity: What acting technique do you use?
Meredith Van Cuyk (MVC): I’ve trained several styles in my life. The style I train now, and will for the foreseeable future, is Method. I use the Ivana Chubbuck Technique. I train with Ivana in her Masterclass and trained with her personally for Woman In The Maze. This technique is deeply rooted in our human experience. It uses objectives and substitutions as the force that drives the scene.
How did you get connected to the project? Did you have to audition? If you did, would you still have got the part?
Meredith Van Cuyk (MVC): I submitted for the project on a casting site and received a request to audition. And, I remember I was in Ohio at the time (I grew up in Columbus but live in LA). And, I had a flight that day from Columbus to LA. I had my bags packed, and ready to go in the car. And I had the audition down solid. I was in the zoom meeting queue and the auditions were running behind. And, I waited as long as I possibly could until I had to leave for the airport. I started panicking.
Official Trailer for Woman in the Maze (2023) stars Meredith VanCuyk Directed by Mitesh Patel
There was no way I’d be able to make my flight if I waited any longer, so I switched gears and did a self-tape audition – I believe I just did one take- then RAN out the door and emailed the audition to the casting director on my way to the airport. I received a callback at the CD’s casting studio in Hollywood a day or two after I sent in the audition, but it was the same day I had a booking in a beach town about 2 hours away. With the grace of God I wrapped on set and made it to the casting studio JUST. IN. TIME. I then received a Director’s callback with the whole production team, and had a chemistry read with Joey (who plays Owen in Woman In The Maze).
Let’s take this project you did; how did you prepare for such a role: the cast, the physicality, the terrain, the climate, weather and the demands of the project?
Meredith Van Cuyk (MVC): I went to several horror escape rooms around Hollywood and LA – BY MYSELF – for the sake of experiencing true terror. Many places had a strict policy against doing escape rooms solo, but I was able to convince them once I explained my situation. I broke down this script more times than I can remember. The final script was version 13, so you can only imagine how much work I put into every beat of that script. Breaking down scripts is absolutely one of my favourite parts – I LOVE intense deep thinking, connecting the dots, reading between the lines, determining my objectives and throwing myself into the life in the script. I also trained with my coach, Ivana Chubbuck, to further personalize every single moment.
As one of the cast on the project, how did this ‘choice’ work for you?
Meredith Van Cuyk (MVC): I don’t think there would’ve been any other way to pull this film off if I didn’t prep the way I did. In the bulk of the film, I go through a million emotions and physical traumas at a million miles per hour, and being extremely specific about everything I was thinking, saying and doing gave me the ability and freedom to fully experience every moment organically.
How do you create the character from a script into a person?
Meredith Van Cuyk (MVC): I first read it through several times and picked apart the character, Gabbi, v.s. me, Meredith. I leaned heavy into our similarities. I then found what I was fighting for, as Gabbi, throughout the whole script, and each scene had to lead up to that. Then I personalized everything, every moment, and every other character so that I was fully living my truth through this script.
What part of the story challenged you when you read it? What drove you to get on the project?
Meredith Van Cuyk (MVC): The dual role. Finding justifications for why both Gabbi and the Replicant were fighting for what they were fighting for, and having to switch between the two from take-to-take was a challenge I’ve never experienced before. I had to have both character’s work and choices down solid to be able to do that.
You’re not new to indie films. What do you enjoy about the work that keeps you working?
Meredith Van Cuyk (MVC): I enjoy the creative atmosphere. It seems more like a more raw and real collaboration between everyone involved, where “visions” are fueled and new ideas are encouraged.
Give an example of a direction you received from the director during the production?
Meredith Van Cuyk (MVC): Mitesh and I were very good and open about bouncing ideas back and forth. Most of the direction I received was about changing up one of the lines, or to try some different actions. We had a great time collaborating!
How did you collaborate with your cast members from scene to scene?
Meredith Van Cuyk (MVC): I had a couple scenes with a character named Tabitha and several scenes with another character named Owen. None of us knew each other, so I took the initiative and facetimed the actress who played Tabitha for run-throughs (all of our scenes were via facetime) and called the actor who played Owen to meet before we got on set. Once we were on set, we were able to run-through our scenes before the takes. The actor for Owen and I had FANTASTIC banter and we were able to play off of each other very well. We had a lot of fun changing things up and trying new ideas, or going with the in-the-moment flow of whatever the other actor was throwing our way.
As the main cast in the film, describe the feeling of responsibility that you shouldered. Were you scared? Or did it fire you up? What scenes were difficult to shoot?
Meredith Van Cuyk (MVC): I felt a HUGE responsibility – to the production, to the other cast members, to the whole crew, to my team, to myself, to every part of it. I think I felt every emotion that was humanly possible. I was scared, anxious, thrilled, giddy… and honestly doubtful that I could pull everything off but I trusted myself to do so. It was an interesting juxtaposition. There was a moment in the film where I was going to put an exercise into play, and it was very daunting for a few reasons.
#1 Being able to pull it off #2 Putting myself in the mental state to do it #3 Dealing with the aftermath of it. I have been trained to do a “fear of dying” exercise where you basically manipulate your mind to put your body in the physical and emotional state of feeling like you are about to die. Let me tell you, it’s very effective. There is a fine line between having the reaction and still being in control, and having the reaction and your mind believing that you are in danger. I went all out and crossed the line while filming, and had to deal with getting myself out of that state after we finished the scene.
What did you take away from the film production?
Meredith Van Cuyk (MVC): My greatest take away was to not be afraid of going ALL OUT emotionally. It was scary. It was emotionally draining at times. But man, it was SO worth it. I threw everything I had in me at this, and I’m confident in the choices I made and why I did them.
What do you like most about the director, and his/her collaboration with his/her team?
Meredith Van Cuyk (MVC): I loved that the director, Mitesh, and I could freely bounce around creative ideas and expand on the character more. Mitesh also has a fantastic cinematographic eye, and he and the DP, Bernie, worked so well together to create a beautiful film.
What is next for you?
Meredith Van Cuyk (MVC): While the strike has shut down most of Hollywood, I am continuing to train both acting and skill sets. I’m working hard on developing myself right now and being intentional with my time, while having my greater goals in focus. I’ve also got some exciting releases that’re coming out soon! Looking forward to what the future holds!
What advice do you give actors regarding what you learnt on the project?
Meredith Van Cuyk (MVC): Just be YOU. Don’t worry about the “acting”, don’t worry about all the fluff around you. Be there, be present, be organically you. There is only one of you. Embrace and enjoy that.
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