We had the exciting opportunity to talk to Shelley Regner from Pitch Perfect and discuss her new role in New Dogs, Old Tricks, D Cappella and how she broke into the industry. To learn more about this talented star, check out the interview below!
You’re from Baton Rouge, how did you get involved in the world of acting? Was it something you always knew you wanted to do?
I grew up being on stage. My mom started me in dance classes and dance recitals when I was four years old. My older sister was always performing in summer theater camps and school musicals, so I followed in her footsteps and started participating in school plays and musicals as early as 5th grade which naturally progressed through middle school and high school and branched out into the community theater in Baton Rouge. I didn’t know that acting was something I wanted to pursue professionally until I got to college. I took a year off of acting my first year in college to figure out what I wanted to do with my life, and I realized that my passion wasn’t fulfilled when I wasn’t performing, so I decided to pursue my life in acting during that time.
People may have seen you before in the Pitch Perfect trilogy, how did you get involved in that?
I had recently graduation from LSU in the spring of 2011. The film industry was booming in New Orleans during that time, and a new musical film called “Pitch Perfect” was holding open auditions at my alma mater for singers. I truly thought I was auditioning to be an “extra” for the film. I had no prior film experience, I was just trying to get my career going post graduation. I was waiting tables in Baton Rouge, I moved back home to my mom’s house to save up money to move to New York eventually to become a broadway star! I signed up with about 70 other people to sing for the casting director. I sang Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” and got called back about 2 more times before getting cast as “Ashley” to fill out the rest of the Bella group and the rest is history!
What drew you to the role of Liz in New Dogs, Old Tricks?
I actually auditioned for three different roles in NDOT, but I definitely had the most fun reading for “Liz.” I think that’s really what drew me most to the character was that she’s just that, FUN. She’s the type of person that says what she wants to say without thinking of the consequence first which is pretty opposite of who I am, so it’s always fun to dive into the characters who exhibit qualities that are very different from yourself.
Briefly describe your character, Liz in the show. Can you relate to her?
Liz is that friend that everyone has who is always down to have a good time no matter what. She’s the seemingly crazy, care-free, party girl, but underneath has a heart of gold and is willing to help her friends through times of crisis. Although, her idea of helping is usually going out and meeting new boys.
What did you love most about working with this cast in particular? What was the vibe on set?
Filming with this cast was such a fun time because filming truly felt no differently than just hanging out with your friends. The laughter was all genuine, we had the best time joking around and trying to make each other laugh during and between takes. Candice trusts her actors very well, so many times she would let us film takes that we were allowed to improv and it was a blast. Lot of laughter always on set.
You’re in Disney’s acapella group “D Cappella” -did you discover your love for acapella through Pitch Perfect or was it something you always loved?
I grew up singing in choir and on stage, so I always had a love for music itself; but I never had any a cappella experience prior to Pitch Perfect, so I would say that I discovered a new love for that particular genre of music and the ability of the human voice and the new capabilities of my own voice. Being part of Pitch Perfect was more of a “hollywood” version of being in an a cappella group, where we learned the music and performed as a group, but we recorded all the songs before filming so we always had that kind of safety net of the recordings while performing the songs. In D Cappella, we are a true a cappella group performing Disney songs live with not back up instrumentation. It’s been a challenge for me learning how blend perfectly with 6 other group members in a live setting, even for as long as I’ve been singing. It’s true that each group must find their own “sound,” and when you do it is quite a rewarding and victorious feeling. I’m excited for everyone to see D Cappella on tour in 2019.
What is your favorite Disney song to perform?
My favorite Disney song to perform currently is “I Wanna Be Like You” from the Jungle Book. Deke’s arrangement is very Doo Wop, Andrews Sisters vibe, I love singing the harmonies in that song with the rest of the group.
Be sure to keep up with Shelley on all social media!
Instagram: @shelleyregner
Twitter: @ShelleyRegner
And don’t forget to watch her new show, New Dogs, Old Tricks exclusively on Amazon! Let us know what you love about Shelley in the comments below!
