This week, I am thrilled to introduce to you my new friend the one and only ‘Keona Welch’. I really just met a her few weeks ago, but I discovered her to be a great person. I couldn’t wait to interview her to show you guys. She is so much fun, hardworking, interesting and good looking too. Knock yourselves out.
Keona Welch (KW): I was born and raised in Washington DC. I lived a couple childhood years in Maryland and Virginia, as most have from DC because we are so close. Richmond and Crofton. My first theatre experience was in the 5th grade. I played Juliet for the Folder Shakespeare theatre/library in DC. The first time I did a film was actually, my first year in New York after graduating college. A very short low budget Indie. Doubt you will ever see it. I still haven’t Lol.
My first professional T.V gig was Law and Order. Some industry consider it your official graduation into the Professional Pool of New York Actors. After that, I was contacted by a Director in L.A., who still keeps in touch about my moves here in the City. I’ve lived in New York since 2008 and Have done every venue of Acting; TV, Film, Theatre, Commercial, and Voice-over. I never would have thought that after that little 5th grade play would be this.
indieactivity: How would you describe your acting?
Keona Welch (KW): I don’t know. People say its natural, Smart, sometimes funny. I just try to keep it honest for myself. I’m close to a lot of Directors and Writers that I’ve worked with. I like to think they know how badly I have wanted this career, and that I can do the work. I always ask questions, and I will sit in on other rehearsals if I can. I’m just extremely grateful, and humbled by everything that’s happened so far.
How did you get into acting?
Keona Welch (KW): I used to first write music. I saw an episode on Janet Jackson’s life when I was like 8, and at the end of the ‘Again’ video, I felt a burning in my heart, that I wanted to do that. Write music and sing. I started writing for my sister and I for a singing group, ‘Sister’s Rhythm’. Lol. Yea. That’s what I thought I was gonna do. But I was introduced to Acting in the 5th grade play and got the same feeling. I knew I had to do that too. So I worked hard at it, and still wrote, and found a freedom in the creating of worlds from my self. I know that I was born to do this. Ever since I was a little girl I knew I was meant to do something, something from my heart and experiences. Giving the world gifts through my self. And that’s what I do.
Did you study acting?
Keona Welch (KW): I went to Duke Ellington High School of the Arts In Washington DC. In 2010-11, I studied a year in London England under Mike Alfreds at the Globe Theatre. I am a graduate of the Rutgers University B.F.A Acting Program.
Do you operate on instinct when acting?
Keona Welch (KW): Yes. I’m impulsive. And I’m not gonna lie. There are times when I can’t figure out a moment. I can’t find my way. I am very hard on myself. I can smell my own crap. At Rutgers, they taught us about ‘pinch-ouch’. The thing that’s done to you, that you can’t help but react to. It’s simpler. When I’m trying to act in a moment, it doesn’t really work. I can’t really feel anything. But the quieter I am with my Self; the more vulnerable I am, and more pure, rich, interesting, and honest those instincts can be.
What acting technique do you use?
Keona Welch (KW): At Rutgers, I was trained under Meisner. “pinch ouch’. It’s a technique that is used to help with ‘Moment to moment’; responding honestly and openly to other Actors on stage. I’ve learned a lot of different techniques though. I like to think that I have an invisible chest filled with everything I’ve ever learned, and I reach for it and take from it whatever I need when I need it.
Briefly describe a few wrong impressions actors have about acting?
Keona Welch (KW): It’s about how you look most importantly. Some people believe this, and sometimes, like a dance, it works. But I think some actors are getting to tide up in what they look like. So much that people don’t want to look like real people anymore. But maybe I’m talking about something else.
Do you often take courses in acting to improve your craft?
Keona Welch (KW): No. I should. That’s money tho. And I’m still paying off my Student Loans for the classes I took in college. lol. But I think if you can, you should. Keep the rag wet. I personally attend a lot of theatre (heavily discounted or comped). But I like to see Everything, if I can. All srands of Arts even; music, dance, galleries, museums, I like to read A LOT of poems, etc. I try to stay inspired. I go to my closest acting peers for advice and help with auditions. I no longer go to my mom. DON’T DO THAT! LOL
What books do you read?
Keona Welch (KW): Geez. I feel bad. I don’t read a lot of Actor Books. I’m very critical and can over-think so if I read ‘how to’ books all the time I’d screw me up. But, everyone’s different.
Great books I read at Rutgers are:
- ‘How To Be A Working Actor’, by: Marilyn Henry
- ‘Letters To A Young Poet’, by: Rainer Maria Rilke (I LOVE THIS BOOK!!)
- ‘Life Paint and Passion’, by: Michele Sassou and Stewart Cubley
- ‘The Audition’, by: Michael Shurtleff (**)
Many of my teachers and mentors have written books as well:
- ‘Different Every Night’, by: Mike Alfreds (**)
- ‘Alexander Technique’, by Glynn Macdonald (**)
- ‘The Alchemy of Voice’, by Stewart Pearce (**)
To think of it, I need to revisit some of these books. Me? What’s on Keona’s list? My favorite book is ‘The Giver” by Lois Lowry. I also really liked ‘The Coldest Winter Ever’, by Sister Souljah. I read it like forever ago in 3 days. Right now I’m reading ‘Without Reservations’ by Alice Steinbach. It’s not an Actor Book. It’s about a woman who falls into enhancing human experiences, while traveling the world alone. I really like it. It’s pretty sweet. I’m living vicariously through her, these cold NY days. Lol. I also like romantics, and mysteries, but I can read almost anything. I read books for my own pleasure really.
I like books that get past your head, into your soul. I LOVE Chicken Soup Books!
How do you keep in shape as an actor?
Keona Welch (KW): I do not smoke. And I don’t really drink. I’ll have red wine and maybe a cocktail with some friends. But not often. I do voice-overs now so I have to be careful. I also got sick from a bad mojito situation over the Summer. So yea. Don’t think I was really built for it. Lol. I write, I draw, I sing. I make funny videos. I hang with friends and family, I see plays and films, I visit museums, I shop, I eat well, I laugh, I cry, I joke, I’m volunteer to read to kids at schools. I try to listen more to people then I talk. I live my life.
What physical exercises do you to keep in shape?
Keona Welch (KW): I do exercises that make me feel good. I don’t like feeling like a gym-head. It stresses me out. I like hot yoga, cycling, walking. I trained hard for a running marathon this Summer and that was GREAT! I like to dance. I also love steam rooms, hot tubs, manicures, and boat rides. I exercise the space in my mind, as well as my body. It’s an intense career. And if you work hard you should play hard.
When you are offered a role, what do you do?
Keona Welch (KW): I read the script once through in a quiet place. I research for my role and the world it lives in. I memorize my lines by rote, so that I keep impulsive (out of my head) in rehearsals. When I get to rehearsal, I make a choice and meditate on my objective right before I attempt to execute it. I let the Director take me from there.
How do you take a character in a scrip to a believable person?
Keona Welch (KW): I’m naturally a very compassionate person, and I try to approach roles with the no judgment; respect as I do with any person. I go through me and my character’s similarities. I go through our differences. I make sense of the differences. It begins to make total sense to me. So much sense that I can’t NOT make sense of them. I memorize the lines. And when the curtains go up, or the director yells Action, I breathe through the telling of our truth.
How do you remain fresh on a film set?
Keona Welch (KW): Relax. Breathe. Do what it takes to be comfortable and easy for you. I meditate on what my intentions are in the scene I’m about to do. Some people listen to music. I like to be cozy, it keeps me relaxed. If you’ve done the work, you shouldn’t stress. I close my eyes and imagine my heart smiling.. 🙂
What thing helps your character during a production?
Keona Welch (KW): Respect for all involved, and the parts they play for the success of the production. Everybody has their own Artistic Process. And Everybody wants it to go well. The Actors, the Tech Crew, Director, Writer, Producers, Costume, Hair and Makeup, Audience. Everybody. Unfortunately, they’re are situations that seem to prove otherwise, but I try to always stay positive. That is the ball I pass.
Explain a choice you took a production?
Keona Welch (KW): I just did a new play called ‘Blacken the Bubble’ with The NYC Movement Theatre Company. I played a Rapper named Chocolate in the duo ‘White Chocolate and Chocolate’. The director, Johnathan Mcrory, once gave me the note to make Chocolate talented with hints of why she will never be famous. Chocolate is now a fierce dancer, but a student in an Anger Management class. She has angry outbursts in her raps, and hates when people don’t clap. It scares the people who hire her. Lol! It’s now one of the funniest parts of the play, and it works well with the secret about ‘White Chocolate’ 😉
What is the most memorable screen character you played?
Keona Welch (KW): So far, the rape victim I played on SVU. It was a smaller role, but it was the first time I actually felt I understood how to work on camera. I had the other L&O done, so I knew what to expect. But, I also did a short film by Kiandra Parks in Delaware, called ‘The Riot’. Actress Pernell Walker (Pariah, The Butler) Played my mom. The film took place in the 60s, and was about a young teenage girl who ends up pregnant, and is forced into a dangerous and illegal abortion at the back of a beauty salon. The scene was so scary, and I doubted I could do it. What if I couldn’t hit my mark? What if I couldn’t live up to what was necessary? What if I couldn’t do it? I was laying on my back, and all I could hear was “Alright you guys, this is the last scene we’ll shoot.
Thank you all for your talent, hard work, and sacrifice for this film. Let’s take it home”. In my mind, I knew I couldn’t get in the way of this. I needed to be honest. I needed to give in, to tell the truth. F it. As the direction was given to the other Actors to pry my legs open with tools, I took a breath, closed my eyes, and dug deep into this girl who just wanted to be loved by her mother. Before you know it, I didn’t know what I was so afraid about, or why I was even scared in the first place. I just remember Pernell and I exchanged this look of trust and understanding for what was needed. And we got the shot.
What do you want from a director during a production?
Keona Welch (KW): Complete trust. Don’t belittle me. I have the curse of often being the youngest on set or in a play, so I think Directors feel they have to talk down to me. Please respect, and take me seriously as a working professional.
How do you prefer to work with a director during a production?
Keona Welch (KW): Mutual respect, and I appreciate any questions or notes that my director has for me to make the play/film better. It is important to me to ‘get it right’.
Do you get offers from film industries like Hollywood, Bollywood or Nollywood?
Keona Welch (KW): Lol. Not yet. But, I have been offered to work on more Indie Films around the City. I recently have been getting closer to booking bigger budget films. But- I would LOVE to work in a Hollywood, Bollywood, or Nollywood film. I could totally play Catwoman’s teenage daughter, Katrina! Lol! And I can also play a girl who’s father was from India, but she was born to an urban Black mother in America, and she leaves America to go find her father in India, and why he left. Then she falls in love with some cute Boy, whom she’s forbidden to mary, so they run away to Nollywood!!! Bahahahaha! Hollywood! I just made it easy for you! Lets go! Lol
What do you think an actor can do to get into the film industry?
Keona Welch (KW): Network in that environment. Get experience in Student Films. Have your Agent or Manager get you in for the Auditions. Perfect your craft.
Whos is your favourite actor?
Keona Welch (KW): There are many Greats that I respect, learn from, and look up to. Cicely Tyson, Meryl Streep, Sophie Okonedo, Toni Collette, Kimberly Elise, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Angela Bassett, Ruby Dee, and a lot of people you wouldn’t even know.
Why is this actor your favourite actor?
Keona Welch (KW): These are humble, hard working, strong, fearless Actresses in an industry dominated by men. They hold their own. Are always vulnerable, honest, and never just another pretty face. They take s* to new levels. And their range is powerful. They also started as young as me, and never gave up.
What advice would you give actors?
Keona Welch (KW): You want my advice? Its not a race. It’s a marathon.
Live your own life. Mind your own business. Don’t gossip. Don’t scheme. Be kind. Love yourself. Be good to yourself. Find other things you like to do besides just acting. Be a complex human being. Have compassion for others. Do what keeps you happy. And most importantly, do what YOU need to be done to perfect your craft. ***Manage your money well***
I’m a youthful vibrant person that can play heavy roles. I’ve played young confused teen trying to find her way in the world. Single mom that will make a way in the world. And young woman that will have her way with the world.
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