Actress and author Rachel Atterholt trained at the Fort Worth Actor’s Studio. Her acting resume includes roles in stage productions of classics like It’s a Wonderful Life, and The Wizard of Oz. Her films include Marsha R. West’s Piecing it Together and more recently, Whit Whitman’s upcoming comedy-horror Smokee, which has a cast of several talented young actresses, some of whom who have previously graced these pages.
Rachel has had a passion for fantasy narratives and writing since age six, and she has recently had her first fantasy novel, Waning Moon, published. She says it’s been a work in progress for about two decades and she’s extremely excited and proud to finally share with readers her written works of characters and mythology near and dear to her. It’s the first of what is planned to be a five-book series entitled “The Full Moon Chronicles.”
Read on to find out more on Rachel’s recent and upcoming film and literary projects in the following exclusive interview.
RACHEL ATTERHOLT: Of course! Thank you for having me. And thank you! Waning Moon has been a work in progress for about two decades, so I’m very proud of it. It combines so many of the things I love; magic, mythology, supernatural creatures, mystery, and characters who feel like they’re in way over their heads. It’s also the beginning of a five-book series, which makes finally sharing this first chapter with readers even more exciting.
CHRIS: Do you have any more written works currently close to publication?
RACHEL: I am working on the sequel to Waning Moon, titled Waxing Moon, along with the rest of the series and a few other fun stories. You may be seeing a horror or even a western soon.
CHRIS: You have a role in Whit Whitman’s Smokee. Please tell me about your character in that one.
RACHEL: Yes, I play a character named Tori. She and her husband are on this retreat as a last try to save their marriage. Tori is holding everything together and trying to deal with not only her husband Ben’s gambling addiction, but her own personal struggles as well.
CHRIS: It looks like it must have been a lot of fun working on Smokee. Will you be doing any more films projects with any of the other cast or crew members from that film in the near future?
RACHEL: It was an absolute blast. I can say I’ve never had such a wild, busy, and fun week as I did shooting this film. As of now, I don’t, but I keep in contact with a bunch of my fellow castmates, especially my bunkmates and I would love to work with them on something in the future!
RACHEL: I think I prefer dramatic horror, but there’s something so ridiculously fun about comedic horror, especially filming one.
CHRIS: Do you prefer working in front of the camera or behind it?
RACHEL: I definitely prefer in front of the camera! But I have learned lots of different roles and aspects behind the camera and it’s given me such an appreciation of what everyone does.
CHRIS: What are some of the behind-the-scenes roles you have had on films?
RACHEL: I have worked as a boom operator and a script supervisor, and have been a makeup artist.
CHRIS: What would you say is your favorite film genre?
RACHEL: I think my favorite genre is definitely horror. There’s so many aspects in the genre, and so many ways you can convey emotions, struggles, and lots of important issues impacting people.
CHRIS: Is there anyone in indie films, on either side of the camera, you have not yet worked with, but would really like to work with?
RACHEL: I would love to be in anything A24 (A US indie entertainment film and TV production company) related for sure! I have been following Kane Parsons and Curry Barker since they started on YouTube so it would definitely be a true dream to work with them! Also I adore my Fort Worth Actors Studio people, especially Nathan D. Myers, Daniel Cole and Richard Blake, so doing something with them would be epic.
CHRIS: Hmm, not the first time I’ve heard Curry’s name mentioned when I’ve asked actresses about directors they would like to work with. So, have you written any screenplays?
RACHEL: Not yet but it’s one of the things I’m learning and would love to do in the future.
RACHEL: I have a pretty eidetic memory and am used as the IMDb basically for my family and friends. I don’t usually forget plot details, which leads to me guessing most plot endings.
CHRIS: Wow, sounds like I would welcome your skills at the magazine here. So, it looks like you are quite a concertgoer. Who are some of the most memorable artists you have seen live?
RACHEL: I love concerts so much and am so lucky to have gotten to go to some pretty cool ones. I think my most memorable ones are the Eras Tour, Hella Mega Tour, and Florence and the Machine. I’m also excited to finally see Phoebe Bridgers in a few weeks!
CHRIS: Halloween is drawing near and it will fall on a Saturday this year. What are your plans?
RACHEL: Definitely decorate my Halloween tree and light some candles and be a little witchy for sure! I want to dress up, but don’t know what yet. Maybe something Iron Lung related as that’s a pretty set hyper-fixation of this year.
CHRIS: With that, I will thank you again for doing this with me, Rachel. In closing, any shout-outs to anyone?
RACHEL: I would like to shout out everyone who worked on the set of Smokee and my bunk mates Vanessa and Destiny, who I just had a blast with. Also Fort Worth Actors Studio and the Myers for teaching me all these years and giving me the confidence to be doing this job.
CHRIS: Oh, just one last question. What is a favorite movie quote you frequently use?
RACHEL: I think my favorite and one I use so often in my life is from Samwise Gamgee, “There’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo, and it’s worth fighting for.”
Rachel’s most recent demo reel
See more of Rachel at her official website and her IMDb page. Also soo her fantasy novel, The Waning Moon, on Goodreads.
About the author
Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Chris flirted with the music business there and in Nashville before joining the U.S. Army and serving in South Korea. He remained in Asia for several years afterwards, teaching English, traveling, and covering the regional entertainment scenes. A former Xanga blogger ("Xangan"), Chris is still in a mindset between Seoul and San Francisco. Besides Idol Features, you can also catch his writings in the print edition of the monthly magazine, Effective.
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