Interview with Chere' Hemphill

It was during a Drama Class I had taken while in High School…..I believe I was in the 10th grade. We had gotten our syllabus and I saw how we would be bringing different characters to life and just the excitement of being or portraying something else gave me so much joy! And from then on I knew “I’m going to be an Actor”. Now prior to that I grew up watching the stories like Young and the Restless, Bold and the Beautiful, and As the World Turns. From a little girl I would say “oooooh I wanna be on TV and I wanna do exactly that!”

Fashion at its Finest!#Atlanta #Fashion #Walkfashion #Chere #RedCarpet #Designers #saysomething #GetYourTickets pic.twitter.com/R3ROrpNbsg

— Chere’ (@chere4sure) December 4, 2015

Did you study acting
I remember taking my first acting class at The Company Acting Studio in Atlanta, GA. This came after being embarrassed at my very 1st audition. Because just like most people starting out, I thought “AWWWWE I can do everything Angela Bassett did when she played Tina Turner. All I gotta do is watch the movie a few times”. Well needless to say “I needed training” and the Casting Director was not afraid to tell me. So I enrolled and the exercises and homework they gave me really made both excited and thinking twice about how much prepping goes into acting! So it wasn’t enough to just WATCH other great actors like Denzel Washington, Meryl Streep, Angela Bassett and Queen Latifah. I had to also study their stories of preparation and methods of execution…… and that meant taking classes for the rest of my career.

What acting technique do you use
I use The Chubbuck Technique by Ivana Chubbuck Author of The Power of the Actor. Her technique has been used by many of Hollywood’s great actors & directors like Halle Berry, Eriq La Salle, Eva Mendes, Jessica Biel, Tasha Smith, and Catherine Keener (to name a few). I love how her 12 steps really help you break down the character and assess the different levels of the objectives to bring out what’s already inside of you to make this character breathtaking! Her technique encourages you to take risk and not play it safe and find out most importantly WHAT IS IT THAT YOU WANT from this scene.

What wrong impressions do actors hold about acting
When an actors says “I am or I can be the next “such and such”! Acting is not trying to be the next anybody, just be you! You can’t bring what someone has already brought to life in a scene, nor should you want to. Acting is NOT trying to do a character like your fellow actor, it’s YOU bring the character to life.

Do you take courses to improve your craft
I constantly stay in different classes and workshops that come up

What acting books do you read
The Power of The Actor, by Ivana Chubbuck

How do you keep fit as an actor
Mentally I read and write/journal. Physically…..well let’s be real I could really do better in that area.

When you’re offered a role, what do you do next
I immediately begin to research the character more in depth. And yes, I read the script several times in different ways until it feels real to me. And it some cases I may have a coach

How do you take a character in a script to a honest, believable and breathing person
I simply become the person on the paper. Find out what it is she wants overall and achieves it by any means.

How do you stay fresh on set
Minimize all small talk and laughter and remain in character with all communication to all on set. Even if it’s the make-up artist, if my character is rude and nasty then Im rude and nasty to them……but it’s not to be taken personal.

Describe a memorable character you played
I played a Psychiatrist in a short film and it was EVERYTHING to me! I feel like I do this with my friendships anyway. Everyone comes to me for advice, so it was really rewarding to play this role for a true crazy patient. The film was called “Nervouse” by Marques Trusoul Year: 2012

Explain one creative choice you took on set
I remember one time I was on stage playing a drunk and I had to point at one of my cast mates, but I couldn’t really remember my line fast enough so I pointed to someone in the audience and accused them of helping me with a crime. LOL they were all so shocked but the director loved it and told me to keep it for the rest of the shows!

What do you want most from a director
Freedom to bring what I have to offer to the character

What actors do you long to work with
Will Smith

Why
Because I love how he portrays all of his characters! And I love how he takes risk

What advice would you give to actors
Stay in classes and don’t be discouraged by the “No, not this time”- You will not always here YES

Briefly write about your career
There’ is a Toledo, OH native and a graduate of Calvin M. Woodward High School. She also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, but has always had a strong passion for being a Model/Actress & Host. Having never been to Atlanta and a single mom, relocating to the South with no friends and family, Chere’ found hard times and tough struggles. But she has sustained through Christ and continued to press forward trusting and believing in everything that God has for her.

Thus far her accomplishments come with classes taken at The Company Acting Studio, Actor’s Breakthrough, Premier Actors Network and with Stellar Actress Tasha Smith. She has played supporting roles in several Gospel Stage Play’s, Television Appearances, Independent Films/Web Series and Talk Show Host.

Chere’ resides in Atlanta, GA with her husband and beautiful daughter.