Mathilde Dehaye

 

I was born in Belgium, in a small city called Liège. My interest might have been the result of a combination of a bunch of things really. I started taking dance classes when I was two years-old, followed by music, singing, violin, painting, and improvisation classes, besides performing in a film as a child and in many school shows all throughout my youth. I can remember cherishing my relationship to my senses from an early age on. Feeling different emotions, understanding them, playing with them, communicating them and through them. I got a great kick out of observing people and impersonating them. I felt such a rush from performing, such freedom in self expressing anything I wished to explore and share. I also think the stage felt like a safer place for me to have an opinion, besides being a sweet escape to my own existence by being in somebody else’s shoes. It made me feel closer to people in a way too. My Russian grandfather did Equestrian vaulting and performed in a circus in London as well as in a couple of films, so maybe the pull towards entertainment originated from him as well. My German grandmother on her end was an adventurous woman to say the least. My mother is what I would call a poetic lady, my father is a funny guy and my sister was my companion in crime who first inspired my desire for dancing. So I am unsure if there is one more defining factor over the other, and if there truly is one, maybe it’s just destiny? Or perhaps simply a combination of nature and nurture.

 

-I believe we are all born creators. Born creators and born to create! 

When I moved to New York it was important to me to train intensively so that I could acquire a «system», I felt strongly about and could rely on. Something besides my talent and passion. So I studied and learned from different techniques and approaches in different schools, from a wide range of fantastic teachers. But The Method definitely spoke to me the most. The Lee Strasberg Institute truly was a home to me while I completed my course there, a place where not only did I feel safe and supported, but where I could also freely investigate, experiment, and grow. If I could have I’d have stayed there forever! Then there’s the school of life, of course. I am attending those classes every day, so I am still studying and learning in that sense.  

-In my opinion, the craft and the stardom are two separate things even though they tend to intertwine. My primary focus is on the craft. 

Whether more or less people will be touched by the projects I take a part in is beyond my control. So I choose to concentrate on staying authentic and on what I can do on my end to be the best version of myself in all aspects.

Not all great artists are known and not all known artists are great… I strive to be great. 

-That’s a tough question to answer at this time about the entertainment industry during the current times. Right now, I am in the US, and we’re still very much impacted by the coronavirus pandemic’s repercussions, so the industry isn’t functioning as it used to function prior to the pandemic and no one exactly knows how it will keep on evolving. However, I do believe that the collective’s imagination has been on fire lately. The desire and need for creativity is at a peak right now, perhaps as a result of the current situation, as a matter of fact. We have to find ways to adapt, slowly but surely put new plans into motion, take risks and chances… No virus will ever kill creativity, quite the opposite. People will keep on coming up with ideas and act upon them. Plenty of marvelous projects are being put together as we speak. I am very hopeful. 

-I find castings to be thrilling, whether they’re in person or via a self-tape, whatever the part. If I prepare well, then give it my all, and finally handle the post casting properly, then I am in a good place and it’s gratifying. Making the best of however much time is given to me to get ready comes first. Then tackling the audition with the main goal of sharing my own version of the character’s truth with another human being while working with whatever they give me on their end comes second. And when that moment is gone, I take notes then let it go and move on. Easier said than done sometimes though… I can still get frustrated right after a casting, or upset about some parts I didn’t book, as ridiculous as that is. It’s a tough industry, and the casting is part of it, that’s no secret to anyone. So having the right mindset, approaching the experience as an opportunity for being seen rather than being judged, is important for me to keep in mind. Trusting myself, the process, and all parties involved are key to me. 

I approach new offered roles mostly with enthusiasm, joy, and gratitude. I wish to tell as many moving stories with as many inspired creators as I possibly can, so every opportunity to do so is warmly welcomed. I usually know very fast how I feel about a character and how badly I want to be part of its story. If my mind and body start to be agitated by some tingling or grip I feel inside my guts during the first read of the material I’m provided with, soon later I will be screaming, and that right there is a really good sign!

-My greatest artistic achievement so far? I don’t know. In terms of what specifically? It depends on what I choose to value when I define « the greatest artistic achievement.» 

I’d say there’s been a few artistic achievements I am proud of for what they are worth, each one being the greatest of its own time at the time it occurred. Maybe one specific achievement I would value more today for x or y reason couldn’t have existed without the previous achievement, so for that matter, they were both equally great.

« Greatest, worst,…», it’s all a matter of perspective, isn’t it?

-My life is my ultimate art, it’s never on pause, it never stops, not as long as I am alive. And even then… but that’s a whole other topic I won’t tackle for now. So there is nothing parallel to the arts in my life. They are it. Art is it. It all leads back to that, it’s all part of that. 

-I’m not sure if I am in the position to advise anyone per se, but if I am to share what I am confident about, it’s to first and foremost and always be yourself.  Know and embrace who you truly are, have faith, don’t let anyone or anything make you doubt your very special beauty and your many unique gifts, and be courageous enough to be willing to share those with the world. And don’t forget to enjoy the ride, because it definitely is a roller coaster! 

-Regarding equilibrium  between private and professional, I… don’t make one (Laughs)!

-Currently, I don’t feel that I am personally directly facing any challenge specifically related to gender in relation to my profession, no, although I am very much aware of the challenging situation we’re all in together globally in terms of gender in the entertainment industry… a battle which takes many forms. 

What I would say is that we have to keep on believing, keep on working hard towards establishing ourselves, keep on supporting each other, and the situation will keep on improving too as a result. Faith, patience, and persistence. Major changes tend to take time, but in this case they’re already in motion, so I am optimistic. 

-About my current and future projects: Stay tuned!