Entertainment Scoop ~ Interview with Actress, Producer & Screenwriter Rachel Schrey
Rachel Schrey is one of four leading ladies in the recently released Summer of ’67 movie (read the TBAP movie review, as well as the interviews of Mimi Sagadin, Bethany Davenport, and Sharonne Lanier). Dealing with breast cancer, this sweet, level-headed and softly-spoken woman showed deep faith, admirable resilience and discipline before, during, and after the shooting of Summer of ’67. Her story is as fascinating as her sunny personality! Speaking with TBAP on how she tackled the recent storm in her life, as well as a bit about her journey so far into the entertainment industry, Rachel shares content about her life that inspires faith and trust in God in anyone who would draw close enough and pay attention. Take a look!
Miranda ~ Hello Rachel! Delighted to have you visit TBAP today. Please tell us a bit about yourself. Also, how did you become a Christian?
Rachel: It’s great to be here! Thank you for having me! Well, I’m originally from Williamsburg, VA, and my husband and I moved from there to Nashville about two years ago to pursue careers in the film industry. I jumped into acting classes, and after about a year, I was able to transition out of my full-time day job to balancing part-time work with acting jobs. I was blessed to grow up in a Christian home, and I’ve always had a strong relationship with the Lord.
Miranda ~ You had surgery eight days before you appeared on set for the filming of the Summer of 67 movie. What inspired the strength to appear on set so soon as opposed to letting the role go, or requesting more time to heal? Also, how would you describe your reaction to your diagnoses and how did you deal with it?
Rachel: In my mind, it wasn’t really an option for me. I knew that the role of Milly was for me, and there was no way I was going to let it go. When I got the diagnosis and was discussing surgery options with my doctors, I let them know about my plans to be on set and asked them if we could work that out. (Actually, I wasn’t really asking them, I was telling them, I had to be on set on such and such a date!) They said that I would be technically able to work after a few days post-op as long as I wasn’t lifting anything heavy or exerting myself. Part of the way I dealt with the diagnosis was to keep as much normalcy in my life as possible. I probably pushed it a bit, but sticking with the plan to be on set and being ready for my role was one of the main ways I achieved that feeling of normalcy at that time. I sort of had this desperate survivalist mentality. Keeping my head down and plowing through and tackling the role was how I determined in the very beginning of my journey that I wouldn’t let cancer beat me. And it truly, truly helped. I’m convinced this film and the timing of it was a God-send.
As far as how I dealt with the diagnosis after the film, it was harder. The reality of what had happened to me started to settle in. It was pretty traumatizing, and it took months of talking with close family and friends, prayer, journaling, other forms of writing, and time before I experienced physical and emotional healing. I stayed in the Word almost daily, and found that the more vulnerable I was with my story (something that was extremely difficult in the beginning), the freer I felt. Now, writing and blogging is one of the best ways for me to process what happened and hopefully encourage anyone else who is going through a similar difficult time.
Miranda ~ You’re somewhat of a newlywed! Huge congrats! So far, what would you say is the difference between being married and being a single in a serious relationship?
Rachel: Thank you! I’m so blessed to have such a truly amazing husband! That’s a great question. I would say planning your finances together. Thankfully, we have really good communication about that, but it’s definitely a big change to have to consider the other person or your family plans as whole before you decide to spend money on something. But, it pays off to be as disciplined as you can be and stick to your budget. It brings a lot of peace! 
