BWW Blog: Sarah Osman - An Interview with Fredi Walker-Browne

Earlier this month I had the pleasure of taking Fredi Walker-Browne's three day workshop at my school, the OCVTS: Performing Arts Academy. Being able to take such an informative class on the entertainment world was eye opening and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to take this class at my school as both a freshman and senior. When learning about show business and casting I found myself reflecting on how big the performance world is, and how thankful I am to be apart of such a crazy yet thrilling field.

While she was at our school, I had the amazing opportunity to interview the performer, director, producer, and teacher- Fredi Walker-Browne.

Question: In one sentence, describe how you feel about being a working actor.

Fredi: I am proud to be a working actor.

Q: Were there ever any points in your career in which you felt like you should stop working?

Fredi: There were points where I felt like quitting, but not like I should stop working. I mean, stop working doesn't make sense. But there were definitely times when I felt discouraged and felt like quitting.

Q: What has been your greatest challenge in your performance career?

Fredi: My greatest challenge was learning the Xhosa language for Lion King!

Q: If you could change one thing about the entertainment industry, what would it be?

Fredi: Oh god, if I could change anything about the entertainment industry I'd make it more about art instead of money!

Q: What is your favorite style and field of work? (i.e. Theatre, film, television, commercial, voiceover, etc.)

Fredi: My favorite... I love directing above all things. And I really don't care what genre, I love directing film and stage, and so far as performance- I really enjoy and like them all. I mean, there's voiceovers. Theatre's the hardest. Theatre's just hard on the body so film is easier, but I like them all though, let's face it!

Q: When and how did you know you wanted to pursue a path in the performance and entertainment world?

Fredi: I knew when I was fourteen that when I got into high school, my freshmen year of high school, I joined basically the theatre group or the "Glee" thing as it were, and that's when I knew.

Q: What was your experience playing Joanne in Rent? How did it feel to originate the role and what is it like watching other performances of that character?

Fredi: Oh wow, the whole Rent thing was very bittersweet because of Jonathan's loss but creating a role was my dream. I mean that was like, I wrote that down in my journals!- that when I got to Broadway it would not be in the chorus, it would be creating a role in an original piece and that is exactly what happened and it was amazing. And now over the years to watch others do it is, I mean that is very cool! To actually have created a prototype is just, I don't know what can I say, it doesn't get cooler than that actually.

Q: You have played a wide range of roles in your career, what was it like to play Rafiki in The Lion King? What are two completely different and enjoyable roles you have played?

Fredi: Rafiki is the most special role I think I'll ever do. And I don't know- I play a lot of the same kinds of roles. You know, I play a lot of goddesses, and earth mothers, and shamans, and voodoo priestesses. Then I play a lot of lawyers, and a lot of lesbians, and a lot of teachers, and you know I'm obviously all over the place when it comes to that spectrum! I find it very interesting that some people only see the urban, hip, or harsh, or stern teacher type, or whatever, and other people see the whole African earth goddess, caribbean, voodoo mom. So I tend to be seen on both ends of those spectrums and now I'm trying to actually get some of the stuff in between.

Q: You currently inspire students under your workshop program and classes; what is it like teaching aspirational and upcoming performers?

Fredi: I love teaching, I really do. My whole family is nothing but teachers. From even when you could get killed from teaching. It's important and I love it and it's my duty to pass on what I know to the next generation.

Q: What do you plan your career to be like in 10 years?

Fredi: Love this question! I would love to be taking home an Oscar for best original screenplay, and directing my own films, and have my television series going by that point. That would be awesome sauce!

Q: Do you have any advice for those looking to pursue a career in the entertainment industry?

Fredi: Yeah I have lots of advice for those looking to pursue the career, that's why I'm doing workshops! So you guys should come and hear it and see it and there'll be a book. The workshop's turning into a book so there's lots of advice, trust me!

Q: Tell us about any upcoming projects you are working on!

Fredi: Upcoming projects- I'll be directing Ain't Misbehavin' at Axelrod PAC this summer and I'm coming out with a movie called Sidney Hall directed by Shawn Christensen and that's coming out sometime this year! I'm not sure when.

Make sure to follow Fredi Walker-Browne on Twitter here (@fwbrowne) and like her Facebook page here (@fredi.walkerbrowne) !

-Sarah Osman

Image from 2017 BroadwayCon

Follow Sarah on Twitter here and Instagram here (@theSarahOsman). Don't forget to like and share!

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