Rayisa Kondracki – Wynonna Earp

By starrymag | June 10, 2016

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

Q) How was Constance Clootie originally described to you and how did evolve from there?

A) That’s a great question. The writing is so great on the show and Emily [Andras] is so great that even the character descriptions are so wonderful. I remember reading the breakdown and thinking, “This part sounds incredible.” They specified they were looking for a “blonde ice queen, she turned heads and was a seductress.” It was just filled with juicy adjectives that as soon as I got the breakdown for the audition I was really excited. Then, she did change a lot episode by episode. She grew and there were more layers, which is kind of as good as it gets. When you get a part that keeps changing and growing then you are lucky in that respect.

Q) How do you bring those many layers of nuance from the page to screen?

A) I have to give credit to the writers. It’s an amazing group on the show who make every character so rich and three dimensional. You have this amazing dialogue. The dialogue on the show is so incredible. And you are acting alongside these very talented and dynamic actors. Then, you have these amazing costumes and you are in really beautiful locations. So, it all kind of really nicely comes together. I feel like a lot of the work was done for me and I just sort of had to play along.

Q) Everyone seems to get along so well together and it shows on screen.

A) I think I can honestly say this is the most fun I’ve ever had on set. It’s the most fun I’ve had playing a part and that does come down to the writing and it does come down to this entire team they have put together. You can see it on Twitter. You can see how engaged the cast is with the fans and how much they love the crew and care about the show. I arrived on episode five and I was kind of just joining this amazing team.

Q) Speaking of Twitter, have you been enjoying the instant fan feedback during the episodes?

A) I’m new to Twitter. I joined last year for a grant application and wasn’t using it very much. I remember the first time someone tweeted to me about “Wynonna Earp.” It’s been really fun and exciting to be a part of it. To get that immediate feedback is something I have never experienced before and also I’m watching the show as someone who is a part of the show, but also as a fan and I’m loving it more and more every week. After working with these people, to see the actors on screen I’m very engaged with it on both levels. It’s great because there was so much heart in the making of it and it’s really great to see the follow through of that with the reception for it. I’m really happy and lucky to be a part of it.

Q) You all seem to have bonded so deeply.

A) We ate meals together and you’re all sitting around. You have Melanie [Scrofano] and Tim [Rozon] arguing over who is going to get more dessert for the table. It was a very lovely working environment. It was just so fun! I wish I could think of a better word, but it was just so fun. These people are just as funny in real life and I think that’s why it works. It is a balance between really good acting, really good writing and really good people. So, it all just comes together. I think they are all really besties and love each other, which is amazing to see.

Q) We talked a bit about the writing. What may be some of your favorite moments or lines from filming “Wynonna Earp?”

A) The table salt was probably one of my favorites. When I read that oozie scene I couldn’t believe it and then to say, “Mommy’s back boys.” It was not something I’d ever expected to say holding an oozie wearing a fur coat and a fur hat. So, that’s probably one of my favorites. It’s also some of the really subtle lines like, “No matter how you bring a child into the world it sucks the life out of you.” I love Constance because yes, she’s a powerful witch, but she has an amazing sense of humor. She’s so quick on her feet. She’s so witty! I wish I had a little bit more Constance in me.

Q) Did you get to add anything to your portrayal?

A) That’s a good question. I don’t think that there are any rules. I feel like the writers and directors were very open, but I didn’t personally feel like I needed to add much. I felt like it was all there on the page. I was given an awful lot to work with so I didn’t do an awful lot of improvising. In the salt, right at the end, the director of that episode let it roll for I don’t know how long. I just sat there talking to myself and crying. Other than that, when you are given such good writing I didn’t feel I needed to add much to it. She felt very full and rich as a character that I wanted to respect the writing and just play with what I was given.

Q) You mentioned your wardrobe. Talk about how that plays into the character.

A) It really, really helps. I’m 5’3. I’m really different than Constance (at least I think I am). So, as excited as I was to get the part I definitely was a little nervous. I can’t tell you how much it helps to put on crazy high heels and a big pushup bra. This big fitted dress and jewelry really informs how you behave. Jennifer [Haffenden] gave me this amazing ring that was really quite heavy and the hair and makeup team did my nails every week. I was using my hands a lot more than I would, just tiny little things that are really dictated by the wardrobe. I think this character more than any other that I have played – I can’t give them enough credit. I just think they are absolutely amazing. I wish I looked as good as Constance does.

Q) Did you take a lot of photos of yourself in wardrobe?

A) I did! I was constantly sending my friends and family pictures from my trailer saying, “Look at what I’m wearing this episode,” or “This didn’t even make the cut, but look at how amazing these are.” The wardrobe fittings were so much fun because it was amazing to see where she was taking the character. I initially thought that because she was a witch that she would wear black. I just didn’t expect her to be so bedazzled and lavish. It really took it to the next level for me. I thought it was really fun.

Q) It is very interesting how a wardrobe informs a character. We never think how it transforms you.

A) It’s so interesting because at the end Constance is this witch with these powers, but what happens to a witch when she loses her powers. She doesn’t raise her voice very often, only for the one chanting because she has this confidence, this secret and this power on the inside so she doesn’t really have to show all of her cards. That’s what is so interesting about where we left her at this point because those powers are gone. Now, she’s just this witch in the sand. I think that contrast for her story was really fascinating. Witches get lonely, too.

Q) There is always a chance to return.

A) I thought it was a really fun place to leave her because you never know…I had so much fun playing her that I hope she comes back.

Q) For the witch language, was that specifically written into the script or did you come up with it?

A) It was written into the script. Constance is a Hungarian witch, but the chanting is in old Roma so it is an ancient dialect of Hungarian. It was absolutely written in so as soon as I got the part I was put in touch with a vocal coach. She would tape the lines for me in Hungarian and send me an English translation. Then, I would have Skype Hungarian lessons. And I would tape it onto my phone and listen to it when I was walking down the street or going for a run. No doubt, everyone thought I was crazy walking down the street talking some random language. [laughs] But I thought it was also a really cool aspect to the character because I met with a few witches as well and they talked about the fact that witchcraft is actually work. So, I love that Constance does her witch work in Hungarian because it immediately changes things. She’s all sass, witty and designer clad, but when it comes to chanting spells something else turns on inside of her and it becomes a bit more serious because it is hard work. So hard that in the last episode she faints and I love that. I love the authenticity of that.

Q) Are you still tuning in to see “Wynonna Earp?”

A) Of course! I’m absolutely tuning in every week. I can’t wait to see the end and how it all plays out. A friend of mine just entered the show. She started last week, Natalie Krill. So, we often watch together and I’m excited to watch her storyline begin now and see what happens with Doc, Waverly (Dominique Provost-Chalkley) and Wynonna. As I said, I have grown to love the show more and more so I’m a fan and I watch every week. It’s really exciting and I just feel really lucky to have been a part of the season.

Q) There is quite a lot of great fan art as well.

A) I can’t get over some of the pencil drawings of Wynonna and Waverly. It’s a very, very talented fanbase! It’s amazing! I can’t draw. I always wished I could draw. I won’t be posting fan art because I don’t think anyone would appreciate it. Their work is very impressive to see.