Interview with “Buddy Games: Spring Awakening” actress Carmel Amit

Hi Carmel, please tell us a little about you?

Hello. A little about me.

I was born in Israel. I spent two years in Australia when I was 6 years old. My family immigrated to Canada in 1994.

I’m an actor. I direct theatre and I teach acting. I run an acting coaching business called Garage Tapes with my husband. I’m a mother to an incredible 12 year old boy. Nature lover, hiker, camper. I love to cook and feed people. I’ve recently started learning how to grow vegetables in my garden. This has been extremely rewarding. I love to play music with my husband.. I have a gorgeous young Malinois and 16 year old tabby cat and I can never get enough time in the sun.

Describe yourself in 3 words?

Passionate, Loyal, Nurturing.

How did you get started into acting?

I proclaimed that I wanted to be an actress from a very young age but I don’t know where this idea came from. I was never exposed to theatre or any type of performance for that matter. It was like a deep knowing.

It wasn’t until my early twenties while dabbling in acting that a fond acquaintance said to me, “If you want to take this seriously you need to be in New York and you need to study theatre”. Two weeks later I was in New York applying to theatre schools and shortly afterwards I was accepted to the school of my choice and moved to New York.

It was in theatre school that I discovered a passion for acting and the theatre. Being in a rehearsal room, researching, asking questions, looking at the world from new and different perspectives, learning about different people, places and cultures and just playing brought me immense joy.. I am fascinated by the human condition and acting gives me an avenue to explore that.

How has this changed your life?

It changed my life because I followed my intuition and now I get to live a life that makes me really happy. I get to do what I love every day and that’s really special. It’s not an easy path but I’ve stuck with it and it has payed off.

What is the best and worst part of being an actress?

Worst part is the uncertainty. But I’ve gotten used to it and am now very comfortable in the space of not knowing what’s coming next. It’s a creative space. Possibilities are endless.

The best part is the work itself. Time doesn’t exist when I’m in a rehearsal room, digging deep, experimenting and playing. I have so much fun at my work whether I’m on set, on stage, in a rehearsal room, teaching a class or coaching a client. I simply love it all.

How do you prepare for a role?

It changes from role to role. But a bulk of it for me is research. Asking questions about the character, their relationships, world views, the time period, the political climate, their upbringing etc, The more information I can sponge up in the early stages the more I have to draw from when I’m following my intuition.

I’m a very physical actor. I like to play things out and feel how scenarios fit into my body, my spine and my breath. I’m lucky to have a husband who is also an actor so we can prepare together in this way.

Tell us about your role as Phoenix in the comedy Buddy Games: Spring Awakening?
Phoenix is a fun and lovable villain. That’s how I see her. She means well but she lives life at full throttle and maybe has a few screws loose. That’s all I can really say. You have to watch.

How did you get the role and how challenging was the casting?

The first audition was a ton of fun. I loved the role immediately. Any opportunity to play someone larger than life and “out there” is a win. I worked hard on it. After that I had a callback with Josh Duhamel over Zoom. He laughed, said he loved what I did and that was it. Then I got a call from my agent that I booked the job. I was thrilled.

So… this one was an easy and stress free process.

How was working with actor and director Josh Duhamel and alongside the other talented cast?

It was a delightful experience. Josh was welcoming right from the get go. We chatted on the phone before my first day on set. He would send me updates on the cool locations we’d be shooting at. When I got to the set he was quick to introduce me to the boys and he helped me feel very comfortable.

As for the other talented cast. They were hilarious. Clearly friends outside of the project. Plus it was a sequel so there was an easy going and fun rapport amongst them. They all made me feel totally welcomed. I was in awe of their comedy chops and loved watching them re-write bits on the fly and riff off one another.

So much fun.

What other projects have you been part of that were significant to you?

My first role was in Ang Lee’s film, Taking Woodstock. This was 6 months after graduating from theatre school. It was a big deal for me. I played a key member of the historic theatre troupe, The Earth Light Players who worked near the famous Woodstock Festival of 69. I worked for 6 weeks. We were on location in New Lebanon, in upstate New York. It was truly like being part of a 60’s avante garde theatre troupe. The group became very close. It was a memorable summer and job. I would love to work with Ang Lee again. I was so green at the time.

What kind of roles do you like or would like to play and why?

Right now I’m inspired to do more comedy. It’s a ton of fun to play outside the box and have permission to be wild.

Also, I would like to work on projects that are connected with my Israeli background and Jewish heritage. It’s a dream of mine to work in Israel, on Israeli productions. I would love to perform in my native tongue, Hebrew.

If you weren’t acting, what would you be up to right now?

I would own a small goat farm and learn to make cheese. I would chop my own wood, learn to build. Become more proficient at growing my own food. Survival skills.. Ya know. I didn’t grow up with these skills and I would love to be able to give my son a bit of that experience and knowledge.

Which fictional character would be the most exciting to meet in real life?

The genie in Aladdin… For obvious reasons.

Can you name 3 actors/actresses you would love to work with?

Meryl Steep.
Daniel Day Lewis.
Leonardo Dicaprio.

What is the most rewarding part of your work?

Doing what I love every day and teaching my approach to the craft to other people.

What’s your advice for the newer actors?

Train with many different teachers.

Create opportunities to perform live as soon as possible.

If you really want it, keep going. It can be a long road but the rewards are huge.

What would you say are the greatest lessons you learned so far in this business?

Do good work. Come prepared. People remember you and good relationships matter.

How would your best friend describe you?

I asked my husband. Who’s totally my best friend. He said I am nurturing and warm and stubborn.

If you are a book, what would be the title of the book and why?

Tell the Truth.. At All Cost!

Cause I am brutally honest with the people closest to me. It’s mostly a good thing. But it’s not for everyone.

What advice would you give to your younger self and why?

Get serious about your career sooner. I feel like I wasted a bit of time in my youth. Considering I knew what I wanted to do, I could have dove deeper sooner.

What book should every entrepreneur read?

Rich Dad Poor Dad made an impression on me many years ago. But I don’t read many entrepreneur books so I’m sure there are better ones out there.

What’s next for Carmel Amit in 2023?

Right now I’m in rehearsals for a play with Vancouver theatre company Pi Theatre. It’s called Truth & Lies and it examines what it means to believe in something, in someone, in a new world of social media and partisan propaganda.

What is your favorite healthy food?

Oooo that’s hard. I really love Mexican street tacos. Are those healthy?

And your favorite cheat food?

Buttery and savoury pastries. I rarely cheat.

What is your own definition of happiness?

Spending time with my family in the outdoors. Watching my son passionately learning something new … or just laughing really hard.

If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?

My grandparents. I want to hear their stories. I wasn’t close with them. They all passed by the time I was 11 and I wish I’d known them better

Best advice ever given?

“Nobody cares!”

Actually this was advice given to someone else that I’ve adopted. A fellow student in theatre school was a new mother at the time. She was struggling, naturally. The workload plus a new baby plus lack of sleep and who knows what else was weighing on her. One of our instructors lovingly said to her, “Nobody Cares”. What she meant.. I think.. was that no one was going to give her a free pass just because she was having a hard time. If she wanted something bad enough she had to work for it despite the obstacle. I’m happy to say this woman is now a thriving actress and mother. She didn’t let anything stand in her way.

I adopted this advice later in life when I had my own struggles as a young single mom.

Where do you see yourself and your career in 5 years from now?

I finally buy my dream ocean front property on the Sunshine Coast or one of the Gulf Islands in BC.

I’m on a long running series and no longer have to hop from gig to gig and still have time to spend time with my family. Too much to ask?

What is your favorite song to belt out in the car/for karaoke?

Make Your Own Kind of Music ~ Mama Cass Elliott. It’s our family song. We all get really into it.

What do you think of Social Media?

It has value. It can expose me to good ideas and inspirations. But it’s also highly addictive, especially to young people and I think that’s dangerous. I honestly stay off it as much as I can. I’d rather interact with people in person.

Where we can follow you?

I’m on Instagram @carmel.amit

Speed Round:

Book:Moby Dick. To this day I have not been able to finish it. I’ve tried many times.

Quote:The Truth Will Set You Free ~ Jesus

Movie: Anything with Meryl Streep

Tv Series: Fauda or Fleebag.. I know so different

Favorite Food:Anything Mediterranean

Travel Destination:Anywhere in the Mediterranean

Sports Team: The Blue Jays. I went to a game once with my husband. It’s all I know.There were dollar hot dogs. It was weird.

Thank you Naluda Magazine. I had a blast answering your questions.