Britt Rentschler is an Actress who is best known for her recurring roles as Tammi Buckley on the television show "SIX" and Pierce on "Shots Fired." Britt previously worked on "Daytime Divas" and other projects, which has led to her becoming an established actress.
Originally from Alabama, Britt is an animal lover who supports the rescue and adoption of animals. A food and music enthusiast, she also loves to read and volunteers with the Young Storytellers Foundation to promote instilling a love of storytelling and writing in young children. Britt is also a member of Women in Film, and she openly advocates for gender equality in the entertainment industry.
Having earned her Masters degree, Britt coaches and teaches at John Rosenfeld Studios, while also practicing Reiki and advocating for the Healing Arts. Via an exclusive interview, Britt recently discussed her career, interests, and more.
Characters, acting, and entertainment
Meagan Meehan (MM): What inspired you to become an actress and how did you break into the super-competitive entertainment industry?
Britt Rentschler (BR): My mom told me when I was a baby I used to try to buck off her lap because I seemed to find joy in the falling sensation. And the minute I hit school I wanted to be in every play, to read out loud in every class - I was that kid. So, I think it was a combination of loving the thrill of pushing myself to the edge of comfortability, and the complete fascination I have always had with storytelling.
MM: You have been on some top rate TV shows, so how did those opportunities arise?
BR: When a writer conceives a show, it seems like a miracle that you might meet the vision in their head. My opportunities have come from having great reps who tirelessly submit me to incredible casting directors who have been willing to request and pass on my work, and then job givers (writers, directors, producers) trusting me with their vision. I am always grateful for this. I feel like it's a lot of hard work on a lot of fronts, but also a sweet little bit of fate when it all lines up.
MM: Can you tell us about the characters of Tammi and Pierce and what draws you to them?
BR: I was immediately drawn to Tammi because of her position as a Navy Seal wife, and the dimension the writers gave her.
She is anything but traditional, in what could be seen as a very disciplined world. It was a thrill to explore. Pierce was a piece of an important puzzle in “Shots Fired.” I was excited to be participating in a crime thriller that had a much bigger message, and to join the ranks of Stephen Moyer, Richard Dreyfuss, and Sanaa Lathan, while being invited in by the powerhouse team of Gina and Reggie (the creators) -- that was all a dream.
MM: What other roles have you played thus far and what kind of character would you regard as your "dream role"?
BR: I have gotten to do some fun party girl types for “The Detour” and “Instant Mom” which I love coming in and guesting with. It's such a departure from my everyday life, and there is a lot of room to play.
I like being able to get a little wild. Playing a Russian knife assassin on “Castle” and getting to be a look-alike with Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) was not only a huge compliment but certainly an honor to be embraced by a show that has such a dedicated fan base. My dream role in a scripted series would be any female lead in Jill Solloway's world-- complicated, ripe, and palpable. As for acting in film? Anything Marvel/DC/Action-- or really just any opportunity to be a little bossy, ha! I am a tall woman with fight training, and I'd love to use that on the big screen. Did you see Charlize in “Atomic Blonde?” Gal Gadot in “Wonder Woman?” Taking names, those ladies.
MM: You actively promote gender equality in the entertainment industry, so what kinds of situations would you like to make people aware of regarding that issue?
BR: The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media is one of my guiding lights for information. One of the many findings: a male lead has three times the screen time as his female counterpart, as of the Movies examined in 2015. Geena has a pretty great rule of thumb--if you can go through and change a character name to a female name--bingo! You just made your script less sexist. But women are underrepresented in writing, directing, producing...not just in leading roles. As a coach, I encourage the women I work with to dive in and create--to become the writer and the producer or the director--and I encourage the men to change their male characters to women, and to include more diverse character in their stories.
We have to come in and change the pattern at the ground level with our creativity and our leadership. I am also a member of the Women's Center for Creative Work and recommend supporting their programs to create safe workspaces in our community.
Reiki, animals, and teaching
MM: You also take part in volunteer work for charities that rescue animals and promote reading, so what is it about those causes that are so close to your heart?
BR: Young Storyteller's Foundation is an incredible program that allows you to engage with a public elementary school in mentoring a child, as they write and develop their own play. The stories they come up with are always personal, and it's amazing to see how the students express themselves.
You can also volunteer to be a performer in the "Big Show" which is the event where the child gets to see their play come to life with real actors! This is close to my heart, as I felt storytelling was such a resonating outlet for me as a child. I am also a proud animal rescue mom and would definitely encourage people to donate to The Humane Society (now more than ever) in the wake of the recent wildfires in Northern California and the devastation of the Hurricanes that hit the US this season.
MM: What have been the most rewarding aspects being a performer and what sort of feedback have you gotten from fans?
BR: The most rewarding moments are when someone messages me, or comes up to me after a live performance, and says something like, "I know exactly what that feels like.
I have been there. I can't believe it; I have been through this same thing." To be a storyteller is to reflect back humanity to one another; to let people know that they are seen, and heard, that none of us are alone. Even in its most basic form, let's say, a big blockbuster movie-- purely for entertainment-- someone can look around the theater and see they are not alone, they can feel other people experiencing something with them. That's the power of storytelling. It's the best part. It's what makes this challenging industry worth the go for me.
MM: You also teach acting, so what skills and advice do you offer to your students? Do you find that teaching benefits your career too?
BR: Both of my parents were teachers, and I have loved the connection of sharing learning as long as I have loved acting.
It made sense to me to get my MFA because I knew that teaching would be a big part of my life and a major source of happiness for me. My main focus in teaching is to offer tools to help my students feel present to the moment as it's happening, to be comfortable with their own voice and skin, to explore relationships from many different perspectives, and to feel a genuine connection to themselves and those around them. I would say having those reminders around me on a weekly basis is bound to be beneficial and watching them always inspires me.
MM: You are a Reiki Practitioner, so how did you get into that field and what benefits do you find the healing arts have that more people should know about?
BR: Reiki is a powerful tool for creativity. It helps dissolve blockages that might keep you from fully processing thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Life can be challenging, and we often "tuck" things away, and those things tend to tense up or hide away in parts of our body. Reiki is one way to help dissolve those latent blocks. I found the field because it always felt natural to me to want to connect, and I could tell that I could help change how a person was feeling by listening or caring, simply put-- giving them an "energetic" exchange. And I thought that if that could be helpful, then it was worth pursuing a more formalized training.
MM: Is there anything else coming up soon for you that you wish to discuss?
BR: Sure! I'm really looking forward to the next season of “Good Behavior” which just started airing last Sunday, where I will get to play opposite Michelle Dockery for a few episodes. And coming up next year I will be appearing in the new Paul Giamatti produced AMC series called “LODGE 49” where I get a fun pop up opposite Wyatt Russell. I'll also be appearing as Dr. Sarah Cooper in FOX's new show "The Resident" -- it's been a busy year!
