"Do what you need to do to feel okay." - Chatting with the amazing Hannah Rose Rivette!
It is my great joy to introduce to you the very talented Hannah Rose Rivette. Hannah is a professional actress who recently graduated from Emory & Henry College with a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre. During her time there, she performed in shows such as Legally Blonde (Margot), State Fair (Margy Frake), Cabaret (Sally Bowles Cover), Terry's Girl, and Rocky Horror Show (Phantom). She has also performed regionally with Myers Dinner Theatre in their productions of Little Women (Amy March), The Little Mermaid (Aquata), Mamma Mia! (Lisa), and The Unsinkable Molly Brown (Ensemble).
The one distinct thing that I love about Hannah even more than her amazing abilities on stage is the fact that she is an artist who never wants to stop learning and getting better. I really admire Hannah for that. Having the chance to work with her, I can strongly attest that this young woman's future is so bright that it is blinding! I am so happy to have had the chance to interview this wonderful, true triple threat!
How old were you when you knew you wanted to be an actress?
I grew up about an hour and a half north of NYC, so I have been privileged enough to see Broadway shows frequently since I was little. When I was about 8 years old, my family went to see Beauty and the Beast, and I was mesmerized. That was the first time I remember thinking “These are actual people who do this for a living. This is something I can do if I want to”. Although that wasn’t the first show I had seen, there was something about that experience that left me in awe.
Are there any teachers/mentors in your life who truly helped you become the amazing performer you are today?
I have had so many incredible people who have helped me along my journey. This past spring, I had the opportunity through my college to have a mentorship with Tricia Matthews, a Resident Actor at Barter Theatre in Virginia. Through monologues and partner work, we experimented with tools and techniques which allowed me to grow as an actor and as a person. Throughout college, I struggled with trusting my instincts and having confidence in my acting abilities. Tricia created a safe space for me to push myself to get out of my own way and trust in myself. Working with her was a huge learning experience that I will carry through my future work as an actor and as a human being.
Over the summer, you had the chance to perform in two shows, The Little Mermaid and Little Women at Myers Dinner Theatre in Indiana. How was your experience performing onstage during these unprecedented times in society?
Having the opportunity to perform in the midst of this pandemic was such a privilege. Although I was nervous to start performing after being in quarantine for months, the experiences I had during The Little Mermaid and Little Women were absolutely incredible. The support from everyone working at MDT was so strong that you could feel it in rehearsal every day. It was an invigorating experience to jump into The Little Mermaid after months of not performing. The energy and excitement were exactly what our audiences needed; a true escape from their lives and this devastating pandemic.
Transitioning from The Little Mermaid into Little Women was nothing short of amazing. I was so lucky I got to help bring such a beautiful and powerful story to our audiences. Although this piece is on the opposite side of the theatrical spectrum as The Little Mermaid, I found that it was also exactly what our audiences needed. Throughout both shows, it was clear that the world is in need of theatre during these hard and confusing times. I found myself constantly filled with gratitude for the people around me, our audiences, and of course the opportunity to be a part of the productions. There is so much grief, fear, hate, loneliness, and pain in our world right now, and we are all in need of light, connection, and hope; I know theatre is vital to restoring that hope.
Are there any shows or experiences in your career that will always stick out and be near and dear to your heart?
One experience that I will always hold close to my heart is Mamma Mia! at Myers Dinner Theatre last summer (2019). This show was directed and choreographed by Sarah Philabaum. Working with her was a never-ending learning experience. I have now worked with her a few times, but Mamma Mia! was my first time working with her. She has this incredible ability for knowing exactly what a person is capable of and then never allowing them to settle for less than that. She is able to bring out the best in people in such a positive and encouraging way. I left every rehearsal and performance feeling proud of myself and feeling good about the work I was doing. I was at a time in my life where I was putting so much pressure on myself to “be as good as someone else” or “to do things right” that I would forget to find the joy in my work.
Working with Sarah on this show reminded me to take the pressure off of myself and to find joy in the process. This show not only was a blast to perform, but I learned so much about myself through the process!
What advice would you give any aspiring artist in these challenging times?
My best advice right now is to be gentle with yourself. Do what you need to do to feel okay. You do not have to be working on your craft every day. It is ok to take a break for however long you need to recharge. There is no “right” way to be an artist and there is no “right” way to be taking care of yourself right now. Your journey is unique and you don’t need to feel shame for doing what you need to do to stay alive. Just breathe and be patient with yourself.
The simplest thing we can do right now is spread kindness and love to others and ourselves. We are all experiencing varying levels and kinds of pain right now, and the least we can do is remind others and ourselves that we are all just trying to do our best.
To learn more about Hannah make sure you visit her official website at - https://www.hannahroserivette.com