by Kristine
This page is based on the original at http://www.angelfire.com/anime3/ryokogirl1226/burchard/interview.html and appears here with the kind permission of Kristine.
October 28th, 2002 - 12:45 EST
It's been a while since I've started my Petrea Burchard tribute and not too long since I updated the look. Well, approximately after a year since doing the original layout, and months since doing the current layout, I now bring you the second part to my Petrea Burchard tribute.
You've heard me speak of luck on finding information about her in the first part. Well, it turns out, thanks to a little twist of fate and encouragement to break away from my own little shyness, something amazing (and unexpected) has happened! Not only did I email her telling her that I enjoy her performance as Ryoko, but I asked Petrea if I could interview her for the website and she kindly accepted my offer!
In my interview, I asked her about Ryoko (of course! - well, we can't forget about that, now can we?), but I also was curious to know more about her career outside of the recording studio as an actress and her future plans. I had fun doing the interview (reading her answers was even more fun) and it wasn't hard coming up with questions I wanted to ask. I've always wanted to ask her these questions, however I didn't want to cram it all into one email.
As you read the interview, you will probably pick up the same impression I've gotten from her since the first time I've spoken to her: For one, she and Ryoko are two different personalities, but like Tenchi said about Ryoko from in the 12th manga, "she's an honest soul." From reading her answers, I found her to be very profound! Aside from that, Petrea's truly one of the nicest and most intelligent people I've ever spoken to! When I told her my very own "big dreams", she's given me so many answers that I've been searching for a very long time and I have to say that I've already learned a lot from her - things I will never forget! So, not only did I get a chance to interview a terrific actress with such determination who works her hardest, but a wonderful person as well!
Once again, I'd like to thank Petrea for accepting my offer, for being inspirational in her advice and points of view, for her generousity, and for enjoying her role as Ryoko on Tenchi Muyo! Now, here's my interview with Petrea Burchard! Enjoy!
Q: Before, you told me that it has always been your dream to be an actress. I was also wondering if you always knew that you make that dream of yours come true?
A: Most of the time, but not always. It's a tough career and there have been times when I thought I'd give up and try something else. I've done that--strayed from the path of the actor and tested different possible careers. But acting is the thing I love, so I came back.
Q: When you started your career, was there a role or character that you always wanted to play and have you played that character yet?
A: I was strongly influenced by Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," and when Franco Zeferelli's film of the play was released I spent my allowance to see it several times! I wanted not just to play Juliet, I wanted to BE Juliet. I've gotten to play some of Shakespeare's greatest parts: Cleopatra, Tamora, even Julius Caesar. But I've never been cast as Juliet, and I'm sure I never will be.
Q: Did you ever have to do any research or study one of your character's personality before performing it onstage?
A: Always. That's part of the actor's job, and part of the fun. For playing Cleopatra, for example, I found all sorts of historical information about the Romans and Egyptians that fascinated me so much I continued to study long after the play closed. For a more modern character such as a doctor, I wouldn't go as far as to go to medical school--but I'd want to hang around a hospital for a day or two to get the feel of the atmosphere.
Q: From your experience, what is the hardest, easiest, and most enjoying thing about being an actress?
A: The hardest part is just getting the work. An actor's life is about 90% job-hunting. You have to get very good at marketing yourself, interviewing and auditioning. It's one of the reasons why they say that if you CAN do anything besides acting, you should. You have to really, really want it.
The easiest part is, strangely enough, the research. For me, anyway. One thing you have to do for research is watch movies and TV. What could be easier than that? I also love to read, so any reading I have to do for a part is fun for me.
The part I most enjoy is the acting itself. Once you're on the job, working with the director and the other actors, you let it flow and do the work of acting. It's a wonderful feeling.
Q: We know how the world of art and theatre is constantly changing. As your career moves on, do you always find new experiences or challenges that you've never done before?
A: That's one of the most wonderful and terrifying things about being an actor. The business always changes, and you must change with it. You can't rest on your laurels and relax with success, you have to turn it into more success by constantly keeping up with the world. It can be scary, but I think that basically change is good. It keeps you young!
Q: Let's talk about your character, Ryoko, for a minute. First of all, what was it about her that grasped your interest that made you audition for the role?
A: I didn't know which role I was auditioning for when I taped several different voices and sent my tape to the producers. I didn't know anything about Tenchi or anime except that the producers were nice people and my friend Matt K. Miller was playing the lead. But once I got to know Ryoko I knew I had lucked out. As an actor I love to play all kinds of emotions, and Ryoko gave me that opportunity--her emotions are all over the place.
Q: When recording the English dub, do you and your co-stars sit next to each other with your scripts in front of you and record each scene or do you each go into the recording booth separately and record your lines?
A: We began the series trying to work with two people in the studio at once. But it turned out that it was much simpler to record separately. I usually see the actors only coming and going at the studio.
Q: Did you or any of your co-stars have any idea how popular Tenchi would be in America when you started recording the English dub?
A: I'm sure we had no idea! I was pleasantly surprised when I found "Tenchi" dubs in the video stores, and it was shocking when I got my first fan mail. I loved it.
Q: You know that Ryoko is an extremely popular character in the series, because of countless reasons listed by fans. As her voice, what do think that Ryoko has that sets her apart from the other characters and creates this big impact on anime/Tenchi fans?
A: I think it's the fact that she can't hide her feelings. She's absolutely ridiculous when it comes to love. She's lewd and sexy, and at the same time childish. She pouts and frets when she doesn't get her way. But when she has to fight for something, she's a warrior and her vicious side comes out. I think we all wish we could be as open with our feelings as Ryoko is.
Q: This is an odd question, but I am curious to know (even though my site is based on Ryoko and Tenchi's relationship). When you read the script or watch the series, do you ever wonder what Ryoko sees in Tenchi? Exactly what is your own opinion on her love for him?
A: Good question. I think what Ryoko sees in Tenchi is someone who cares for her, and to her that means the world.
Q: You just went to your first anime convention. How did that go?
A: It was fun! I met some wonderful fans and it made me feel great that people are still interested in "Tenchi Muyo" and Ryoko. I was honored that people wanted to meet me.
Q: I also read in an interview from the Anime Dreams website that you are a writer. Are you working on a novel or movie script or anything?
A: Always working on something. I've finished the first draft of a novel (a romantic comedy in a historical setting). I also write articles. It's a new direction in my career. I majored in writing in college, but at this point I'm a beginner again, and I enjoy it.
Q: You've studied Shakespeare and have done a few of his plays. Of all of them you've read or performed onstage, which is one is the one you enjoyed the most?
A: Back to "Antony and Cleopatra." Cleopatra is a marvelous role--in some ways she's like Ryoko in that she wears her heart on her sleeve--she's sexy and childish and vicious all at the same time. She was an incredibly powerful woman. An exciting thing about the part was that in Shakespeare's play the people are larger than life. They live through and create wildly dramatic events--but the historical truth is even more dramatic. They were AMAZING people.
Q: So, are we going to be seeing your very own website soon? How's that idea coming along?
A: AAARGHHHHHH!!! I need to create a website and I'm such a novice. I love to learn new things, but this is one of those things I'm having trouble finding time for. So the answer is yes, you're going to see a website. And soon? Well, it depends on what you mean by "soon!"
Q: My final question for you is this - going back to the subject of dreams: For you, do you still have any that you are hoping to achieve in the future or do you feel that they all came true? And I know that you've told this to me before, but for your other fans, what would be your best advice for anyone who has big hopes for the future?
A: The first part of the question: dreams...
I feel like I haven't achieved most of them, and I'm always striving! I hope I always strive to better myself. But I've achieved some dreams: first and foremost, I'm blessed to have a wonderful marriage, and I'm surrounded by supportive friends and family. I also count myself fortunate to be a working actor, making my living in a tough business. But I still hope to work more in film and television, and there are some theatrical roles I still want to play!
The second part: advice for the future...
Believe in yourself, like yourself. It sounds simple but it's not. If you're going to achieve your dreams you have to be happy first, and you're the only one who can figure out how to do that. All of it is up to YOU. No one else can or will do it for you. Learn how to drown out the world's outside influences and hear your own heart.