Welcome! I’m running a series here on my blog Interviews With Professionals! where I’m specifically focusing on those in the acting industry! We have a great guest list lined up, so be sure to check back often for new interviews!
Today’s special guest is Rhayne Thomas, a very talented actress! So without further ado, let’s begin the interview!
Tell us your name and how long you’ve been acting!
Rhayne Thomas and I have been acting for over 45 years!
What’s your story? What inspired you to end up in the exciting career of acting?
I am a Blues Vocalist by trade and because I could sing, I also ended up getting roles in musicals. As time went on and the internet came about, people saw I was an "Actor" and would hire me for parts or speaking engagements but once they found out I was a vocalist, they would hire me for live gigs, events, fundraisers, singing the National Anthem for teams and events and so forth.
As a voice actor in general, what types of roles do you portray the best and why?
I usually portray funny voices and singing voices because those fit my character.
We have other actors and voice actors who subscribe to this blog. What piece of advice would you give to someone just starting out in these careers?
KEEP!!! GOING!!!!!
The audience is interested in learning about the education path of various actors. Did you go to school for acting or did you study something else? If something else, what did you study and did you find it useful as an actor?
I went to the High School of Music & Art in NYC as a vocalist and in college I minored in music because my family thought that was "a stupid career" so I majored in Human Services and Social Sciences at Hofstra University.
Do you think it’s required for an actor to have a degree in this field in order to purse it as a career, or is it possible to self teach?
I think it depends on your goals. If you are looking to be an opera singer or Broadway performer, you should probably get a degree from a music school so you have technique trainings under your belt. I always believed that the more I knew, including WHO I knew, the more advantage I might have in the field.
Any special tips or “hacks” for getting into character?
Stay focused, practice and stay humble. KNOW YOUR CHARACTER!! RESEARCH!!!!
What would be your dream role?
I have three dream roles; I'd like to sing with Lisa Simpson while she plays her sax, be a voiceover on Nickelodeon, and sing the theme song for a James Bond movie.
What role are you the most proud of that you’ve done so far?
One of my proudest roles was playing "Effie White" in Dream Girls in an outdoor Virginia production with a live orchestra.
If you are currently cast in a role or have recently completed a role, tell us about it!
I am blessed to say that I have been, and currently am, asked to be in several principal roles this year and a couple of them are roles I have played before. My most recent roles: Elsie Hickam, mother of Homer Hickam from the movie, October Sky, Spirit McCoy at TWV in Hatfields & McCoys, Madam Duverack from cult classic movie, Paradise Park and, I can be seen and/or heard in tons of digital and television commercials.
Optional Bonus Question: We have a Christian community subscribed to this blog as well who like to hear about inspiring stories involving walks of faith. If you have a story you’d like to share about this, either related to acting or not, please feel free to do so.
I have been a voluntary cancer and breast cancer spokesperson and fundraiser since 1976 and that has opened a lot of doors allowing me to perform because I am passionate about the cause and those who fight it. On July 15, 2021, I became a 10-year breast cancer Survivor and that opened up more doors because I kept telling myself to "do the things" I had been telling other Survivors to do for years! It was my turn to "walk my talk" and, as a result, I was invited to "Walk the runway in NYFW 2017" and perform at "NYFW 2018" as well as being featured on billboards, bus stops and commercials all over Arizona where I received my treatment. I am the author of 5 non-fiction funny books to inspire others to be their best while laughing at themselves, and one of the hosts of “Laughing, Loving And Alive!" podcast. I am asked to be a keynote speaker at many events, invited on global podcasts, films, newspaper articles and more, so you never know where your blessing may come from while you are blessing others. I always tell others "If you're not praying, you're worrying and if you're worrying, you're not praying" because Faith and fear cannot coexist. I KNOW it's because my FAITH is WAY bigger than my fears that I am able to push through every day because I know GOD has more work for me to do so I gotta keep pushing!
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