Lena Hall
Lena Hall is a Tony-Award winning, Grammy nominated American actress, singer and songwriter who can currently be seen in the Sci-Fi Drama, Snowpiercer. Season 2 is running now, and you can catch a new episode on February 22nd on TNT at 9/8c. Lena stars as Miss Audrey, the night car manager and cabaret performer who also serves as the train’s empath and healer.
Gown by DOBS NY
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Haight-Ashbury in San Francisco, CA.
Did you always want to be an actress? If not, when did you know it was the career path you wanted to pursue
I have been a ballerina from the minute I was born, and being a ballerina is a type of acting. My first appearance on stage was when I was 3 years old. I grew up in a family of dancers, so it was unavoidable. When I was a teenager, I wanted to be on TV and in the movies. I was in a musical theater after school program that taught me the ropes of that side of the business, but ever since I was younger the dream was to be doing TV/FILM. There was a point in high school, however, where I wanted to be an accountant, then a lawyer, then a psychologist. My parents encouraged me to pursue the arts.
Gown by DOBS NY
Asymmetrical Leather Gloves by Eleen Halvorsen
Choker by HvnterGvtherer
Earrings by HvnterGvtherer
Rings by Neroloosh
Shoes by Pleiades
What do you do in your spare time?
In my spare time I run my Patreon page and produce my podcast called “That Song Reminds Me Of…,” is about how certain songs spark strong memories. Sometimes the memories are so palpable you feel like you are there again. I have a fascination with how music triggers emotions and memories.
I am also very into interior design and still want to pursue it (even if it’s a hobby) or loop it into my performance career. Interior design and architecture are another form of creativity, and I love that you get to live in the art piece. Currently, I am designing and renovating my house in Connecticut. I also help my friends creatively organize and make a space feel cohesive. I love creating a room that someone LOVES to be in and look at.
Tell us about your role as Miss Audrey in "Snowpiercer.”
There is a lot to unpack with her. She is an empathetic person, who deeply feels for everyone on the train. She runs the cabaret and performs there as well. Her role is to help the passengers of Snowpiercer with the grief of a massive loss. She also helps the passengers escape the confines of the train walls through hypnosis to help with the claustrophobia.
Hand Manipulated Silk Top by Eleen Halvorsen
Jacquard Flare Skirt by Yeohlee Teng
Earrings by HvnterGvtherer x Hogan McLaughlin
Cuff by HvnterGvtherer x Hogan McLaughlin
Shoes by Pleiades
Can you relate to Miss Audrey?
Absolutely. I am a performer and connect deeply to my audiences when I am on stage. Singing is a form of hypnosis and a way for any listener to heal or feel relief from the stress of life.
Do you enjoy tapping into so many of your talents on screen?
I love it and I am so honored they included them. Maybe they’ll let Miss Audrey interior design some of the train cars, ha-ha!
We hear you wrote and performed an original song for season two of "Snowpiercer." Tell us about it.
I feel lucky that "Snowpiercer" asked me for multiple songs. Most of them are covers, but they also wanted one original song. I sent a bunch of demos I had from a previous project that had been stalled a few years ago and they picked one. It’s exciting to have new original music coming out. It’s spawned the energy to work on a full-length album of all originals, which I am doing. The song that will be featured on "Snowpiercer" is called "Meant For This," and it’s about a dysfunctional relationship. The song was written in English, but I performed it in French.
"Meant For This" will be released on Monday, February 15th everywhere, and it will be featured on Episode 5 of "Snowpiercer," which airs on Monday, February 22nd.
From Kinky Boots to Hedwig and the Angry Inch, to "Snowpiercer," which was your favorite production to be a part of?
Hedwig was the most life changing because of the Tony Award win, and it was the hardest show I have ever done, so it will always be high on that list. "Snowpiercer" is a true dream because of my teenage self-jumping for joy that my most impossible goal is coming to fruition. Not only am I on TV, but I am playing a character that I love to play, as well as being challenged in all aspects of what I do.
Blazer by Yeohlee Teng
Hand Manipulated Silk Dress by Eleen Halvorsen
Necklace by HvnterGvtherer
Earrings by Neroloosh
Rings by HvnterGvtherer
Midi Rings by Neroloosh
Shoes by Pleiades
What are the biggest differences between performing on stage and working on a television or film set?
How the story is told. On stage you tell the story from start to finish, eight shows a week. With film and TV, you do small bits of the story and sometimes out of order. It’s more of a puzzle piece to put together in your head to figure out how to make point A and point D match when you still haven’t filmed points B or C.
If you weren’t in the entertainment business, what would you be doing right now?
I would have my own show on HGTV! Ha-ha.
Did you ever want to pursue anything other than acting?
I want to pursue everything, but I need 10 more lives.
What are your biggest takeaways from Covid-19, professionally and personally?
It’s been a huge hit to the entertainment industry and to what I do for a living. The arts have always been pushed aside as something that isn’t necessary and doesn’t need to be saved. But the arts, in my view, is the most important part of our everyday life. Do you listen to music? Do you watch TV? Do you read books? Do you look to entertainment as a form of everyday stress relief and escape? Imagine if you took away all the arts in the world. The arts help kids learn, find passion, get focused, and learn to be creative no matter what profession they choose. The arts help people think outside of the box and, with COVID; that is so important right now.
Moving forward post-COVID, are you still interested in working on Broadway?
I miss Broadway every day. I miss my community. I miss the audiences. I miss being there live. TV/Film is a dream, and I will continue to pursue this dream until I can achieve the highest level. But I will always and forever go back to Broadway, to my home on the stage.
Blazer by Yeohlee Teng
Hand Manipulated Silk Dress by Eleen Halvorsen
Necklace by HvnterGvtherer
Earrings by Neroloosh
Rings by HvnterGvtherer
Midi Rings by Neroloosh
Have you ever considered being behind the camera and expanding into directing, producing, or writing?
I am writing a few projects right now that I hope to help produce as well. As far as directing, I would love to direct a stage production.
Is Lena Hall your stage name? If so, how did you decide on it?
My real name is Celina Consuela Gabrielle Carvajal (the J is pronounced like an H). It’s a shortened version of my first and last name Ce - (Lena) and Carva - (HALL). I come from seven generations of performers from the Philippines, so I had no intention of changing my name professionally until I found out that Carvajal was actually a stage name taken seven generations back. My real last name is apparently Garcia. After I found that out, I felt my ancestors would be incredibly supportive of the name change. So, I changed it professionally to Lena Hall and the rest is history.
What is your motto in life?
Being grateful for what you have will only make what is coming that much sweeter.
Social Media?
Instagram: @lenarockerhall
CREW CREDITS:
Producer/Director: Yueyao Li
Photographer: Joey Wang
Talent: Lena Hall
Fashion Stylist: Elanur Erdogan
Makeup: Cici Chang
Hair: Yu Nakata
Tearsheets: Caitriona Moran, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview: Maya Wilson, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
