Today we’d like to introduce you to Meg Reynolds
Hi Meg, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi, thank you so much for having me! I started performing pretty young, from the moment I could talk actually, I’ve always loved telling stories through song, words, dance, any creative medium where I was using my body and soul felt incredibly fulfilling and right. I started taking classes, workshops, theatre camps, anything I could get my hands on where I was able to express myself the way I did best, through story. It was, honestly, so addicting. The adrenaline rushes, the connection to humanity I felt while telling stories. It grounded me in the best possible way. I knew what I wanted out of life so early, and it’s not changed. I guess I’m lucky in that department. My entire childhood and adolescence was on the stage, I could never get enough. I have a very supportive mom who saw that fire within me and she did as much as she could, within our small Kansas City theatre scene, to make sure I had that outlet. I also was able to work with some incredibly talented and wonderful people in KC as an adolescent and really attribute a lot of what I’ve learned to them.
I then decided to move to Los Angeles about a year after finishing college, and it was the best thing I could have done for myself. LA is a tough city, but I never gave up my passions. I started studying acting for film again with the very same acting coach I had at fourteen years old in Kansas City, (Brian Cutler) and he’s been amazing, helping me find confidence I had lost in myself and the wisdom and encouragement to work as hard as I can to achieve my dreams. And I am so lucky to now have a true community from that studio. That’s where I find myself today, supported and loved by my community and more confident than I’ve ever been in who am I and the work that I do. I also married a wonderful guy (who I also met in Kansas City as a teenager) and together we are working to build a production company and make art that is meaningful and we can be proud of.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been the smoothest road since coming out here, I’ve had my own ups and downs and so has the industry. But I’ve managed to carve out a life I am proud of out here. On top of that, this industry is a hard one to break into without strong financial resources and I found myself losing focus in jobs that I needed in order to survive. It was challenging, balancing work, life, and my passions. I moved out here pretty much on my own with whatever I could fit into my small sedan, and I am so proud of myself for taking that huge step and betting on myself. But it’s still been a journey, of finding who I am and my confidence after some difficult experiences and relationships in the past. Because of this, I had to adopt an attitude of fierce determination and resilience. It’s been my saving grace, knowing I have that inside of me. And life will always have it’s challenges, I’ve just learned how to face them without giving up.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have the most training as an actor, I received my BFA in theatre arts, with an acting emphasis from Stephens College in Missouri. I am really grateful to that education, it taught me so much about myself and got me deep into the technical side of creating. I am also a singer, model, writer, and an aspiring director. I am currently working on a short film with some friends and have developed a love for screenwriting. I have a deep appreciation for the arts and am most happy when I am creating.
I was recently in a short-film, a fun sci-fi project where I was really fortunate enough to be able to play with a fun, larger than life character, it’s called The Red Market, and is currently making the rounds at festivals. I’ve mostly worked on comedy as a professional in LA, but I have a passion for the classics and was fortunate enough to work on both a Greek Tragedy, and Shakespeare masterpiece back in Kansas City on the stage. I also, fortunately, have met some really incredible and talented people who have brought me onto some projects I can’t share yet, but I’m so grateful to have been able to work alongside some really creative and hardworking professionals in this industry. I pride myself on being a chameleon though, no role is too challenging, it’s just a new person I get to know and embody, and I think that’s really special. However, my overall passion is storytelling, in pretty much any medium. I am challenging myself to be the best human I can be, and trust the work will follow.
I know that my experiences are important and they were, and are tough to overcome, and I want to share them with the world. I have a unique perspective on things in that I am incredibly optimistic, the industry is tough right now, but that doesn’t mean I will ever give up. Because I won’t. My passion, drive and talents set me apart and I trust that I will be able to carve out success for myself, I’m just still figuring it out like the rest of us.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I love to read!! I find it’s another really good creative outlet for me, whether I’m rereading the same book for the fifteenth time, or picking it up for the first. I especially love fantasy, fairytales, and anything about marginalized communities telling their stories of overcoming adversity. It’s relatable and puts me in a thoughtful headspace. I am currently reading ‘Women Who Run with the Wolves’, by Clarissa Pinkola Estés, in addition to a few other books in rotation on my nightstand. I also keep going back to Yuval Noah Harrari’s ‘Sapiens’. That book changed my life and my perspective on the world and human history. It’s fascinating.
I also recently started listening to ScriptNotes, a podcast hosted by Craig Mazin and John August. It’s been interesting learning more about the other side of the industry, and as an aspiring writer, it’s so helpful having that resource and learning different ways people write, create and navigate this business, because it is a business.
I also have a wonderful husband, who challenges me constantly to think critically about the media and art we consume, and while not a resource, I have found how important it is to surround yourself with passionate people who also want to create. I have a wonderful community at my back too, which might be the biggest resource I have. Knowing wonderful, creative people who are so supportive and loving. I try to lean on them when I can, it’s not easy, but surrounding myself with friends, colleagues and family is my most precious gift.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @megathene
- Other: [email protected]
Image Credits
Main photo with pink background was taken by Kobe Levi
Headshot with black shirt and blonde hair was taken by Joe Funk
Still with pink hair was from the short film Red Market, written and directed by Christopher Matthew Spencer
Other actor in Cinderella photo is named Abilene Olson
