Welcome to the first of our Q&A Blogs, where we chat with people with disabilities working in all areas of the entertainment industry. We are thrilled to announce that our first guest is the multi-talented actor, writer, singer, dancer and disability advocate- Rachel Handler.
As an artist and activist, Rachel is best known for her role as 'Peg Leg Doris' on AMC’s “Interview With the Vampire”, but her talents are not restricted to acting. As a writer, her accolades include the AT&T Underrepresented Filmmaker Award, Best Writer (and Best Actor) in the Disability Film Challenge, and she was also named as the winner of the Sundance Co//ab Monthly Challenge for her script, “The A Doesn’t Stand for Accessible.”
Here, Rachel candidly talks about her journey in the industry...
Q. So, where did it all begin? Tell us about your background in the entertainment industry?
I started out performing in community theater in South Jersey; my family supported my love of singing from such a young age. Nothing could beat the joy I felt when I was performing! Of course now I realize that what truly made me so joyful was storytelling and creating a sense of community and shared wonder with my family.
Q. What inspired you to develop a career as an actor
I have always been a people pleaser, so when people told me they liked listening to me sing…I went with it! I started my career as a musical theater artist and grew as an actor from there.
Q. Has having a disability impacted your progress, and if so, how?
When I became disabled in 2012 I quickly realized that authentic disability representation was sorely lacking from all aspects of entertainment. I also started facing discrimination in auditions for musical theater. So I began writing my own screenplays and transitioned from doing mostly musicals to mostly TV/film work.
Q. Can you tell us about a good and bad experience you have had on set, related to having a disability?
A few years ago I was playing a role that had nothing to do with my disability on a TV series. When I arrived on set using crutches, the entire crew seemed stunned, like they'd never seen someone with a physical disability before! I felt so uncomfortable; everyone was staring and offering to help in ways that only hindered my ability to do the work. I think of this day on set and cringe, but I hope that the crew at least became aware that people who use crutches can work in this industry without slowing down the shoot.
A great day on set was when I shot a scene for Interview With the Vampire and the crew was prepared and ready to help me with a tricky physical action - running across a wet street wearing a peg leg! Since we'd had an open line of communication my leg was built properly and comfortable for me to do this, the costume department helped make sure the clothes would be appropriate to the action and the director was clear in his vision so we only had to do a few takes before we nailed it.
Q. In your opinion, what is the biggest change that needs to happen in the entertainment industry to improve disability inclusion?
I think more writers with disabilities need to be hired as showrunners and assistants, I think more directors with disabilities need to be given funding to make films, and I believe actors with disabilities should be considered for ALL roles (not just roles written with disabilities). I'm shocked that disability is still not considered diversity in many entertainment industry opportunities. I hope perspectives shift to include disability in all diversity initiatives and the industry will start to see disability as an asset, not an obstacle.
Q. What would be your ideal role if you could pick any?
I would love to play Amalia Balash in the musical She Loves Me! I would also love to be a series regular in a single-cam comedy/dramedy like Not Dead Yet.
Q. Is there a particular actor that has inspired you?
I think Marlee Matlin is an incredible actor who has truly been paving the way for deaf and disabled artists. Anita Hollander is also an incredible mentor who has been working towards better representation for artists with disabilities across all platforms - film, TV, theater - for decades as a union delegate and president.
Q. What advice would you give a person with a disability starting out in a career similar to yours?
Listen to your gut, find your community and follow your passion.
Q. What's next for you? Do you have any upcoming projects you can tell us more about?
I recently played Ani in Cost of Living at Philadelphia Theatre Company, produced a short film for the Disability Film Challenge, and acted in a film with Alice Kremelberg. It has been a wonderfully busy few months! I have a few films in film festivals, so I will be going to those to promote my short films, and I am in pre-production for another film I wrote called The A Doesn't Stand for Accessible. It's about how inaccessible the MTA is (NYC's subway system) and how little is being done to improve accessibility, even when there are millions of dollars being spent on renovations.
You can follow Rachel on Instagram on @bionic.brunette
Her IMDB page is HERE
And her website is HERE
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