I have always been a performer. When I was a kid, I always made up stories and games to entertain my sisters. When I was 12, I went to my first play. I loved every moment of it. I saw a casting call for their next show, auditioned and landed a supporting role. From that moment on, I had the bug! I performed in local theater and school productions through High School.
I married at 19 and became a Mom at 21 and decided to take a break from acting to focus on my family, only working on productions with my church. In 2015, I was asked to be a part of a National Variety Show and stepped back into the acting world. I have been busy ever since working on several projects. Acting is like no other job! Being able to tell a story that hits you in the feels, make you laugh or change your perspective on something is a privilege and one I adore!
indieactivity: How did you become an actor?
Meggie: I don’t think I ever decided to “become” an actor. I am an actor. Silly voices, crazy stories, little games played with my sisters as a child and now with my children, it simply is who I am. Of course, there is always plenty to learn when you are an artist. I believe acting is reality. If it isn’t believable, then it won’t land. All acting comes from an honest place. Putting yourself in the character’s shoes and telling their story. Whether comedy or drama, if it doesn’t seem real, it won’t entertain. It will annoy.
#BTS of The Substitute. #wrapped #actorslife #onset #domesticviolence #filmlife #actress pic.twitter.com/aK4v5H8YxM
— Meggie Jenny (@meggiejenny) July 20, 2017
indieactivity: What acting technique do you use?
Meggie: I don’t believe this is “one method” to act. Use what you need to make your character real to you. I am blessed to be able to work my emotions very easily, so falling into a character to me is finding where they are and how they would react emotionally to situations. People are emotional creatures. Are actions are shaped by our emotions. When you decide how a character responds emotionally to a situations, making it real becomes easy.
indieactivity: What wrong impressions do actors hold about acting?
Meggie: That acting is simply pretending. Nothing can be pretend or fake. No one likes a fake person. No one wants to watch a fake performance either. When Action is called, become that person! Make them real! A simple mindset shift from pretending to being and becoming makes a huge difference in how your performance comes across.
indieactivity: Do you take courses to improve your craft?
Meggie: I believe you learn by doing. I write and produce my own work and surround myself with diverse, talented people. While I believe training is important, I believe that training come in lots of different resources. Find a workshop or coach. Read several books written by people with proven careers (Michael Caine’s Acting In Film is a fantastic book for those just starting out.) Take a Master’s Class online. Never stop challenging yourself and growing.
indieactivity: What acting books do you read?
Meggie: Michael Caine’s Acting In Film and Jenna Fischer’s The Actor’s Life
indieactivity: How do you keep fit as an actor?
Name: I train 5 days a week with fantastic friends. We tease each other mercilessly, but also are there to encourage and build each other up! This unique little crew of mine includes my pastor and two MMA fighters and they managed to talk me into Jujitsu. My competitive nature kicks my butt some days, but our little crew keeps me focused, not just on my training, but on what really matters. I do what I do because the Lord has gifted me with this talent. It is for His glory. Keeping Him first puts everything else in order.
indieactivity: How do you prepare for a role?
Meggie: I read the script! Seems so basic because it is! I read the story and find out what makes my character tick.
indieactivity: How do you create a character in a script into a person?
Meggie: I find out what motivates her. Why is she doing what she is doing? If you can find out the why, the how comes naturally.
indieactivity: How do you stay fresh on a production set?
Meggie: I simply remind myself why my character is doing what she is doing. For me, it is all about the why.
indieactivity: Describe a memorable character you played?
Meggie: I played Leona Murphy in the film The Substitute this past year (2017). Leona is a victim of domestic violence. She was stuck between trying to protect her daughter, help her husband and not push him over the line again. In our first take, my film husband, who is actually a really nice guy, literally scared the heck out of me. My heart was racing and I was short of breath. It didn’t take much effort on my part to put myself in Leona’s shoes.
Meggie Jenny & Debbie Sutcliffe at BareBones Festival. Nominated for Best Actress
indieactivity: What do you want most from a director?
Meggie: Clear vision and ability to communicate it! I recently worked with a director who was also an actor. He knew what he wanted, could communicate it clearly and saw the details. It made for the smoothest working relationship.
indieactivity: What actors do you long to work with?
Meggie: Tom Hanks
indieactivity: Why?
Meggie: Try to find a bad Tom Hanks movie. You can’t! He is the real deal! He has played such diverse characters and yet they are all so believable. That’s acting at it’s best!progressive and positive person and professional to be around.
indieactivity: What advice would you give to actors?
Meggie: Set your limits early and stick to them. This business can be a temptress. Decide what lines you aren’t willing to cross as an actor now, so you later won’t regret a decision you made in the pursuit of this dream.
indieactivity: Briefly write about your career?
Meggie: Two time Best Supporting Actress Winner and Best Actress Nominee, Meggie Jenny is an American Actress and an Award Winning Producer/Writer who has thrived in theater, television and film. An entertainer her entire life, she started performing in local theater at 12.
In 2015, Meggie starred in the National Television show, Kelly’s Kountry Junction. A few months later, she took on her first film role and has been a highly sought after leading lady ever since.
Meggie recently won Best Supporting Actress for her role in South of Swan Creek as well as The Substitute.
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