About Renée
Renée Hewitt has been performing for over 30 years in productions with a great variety of genre and medium. Although primarily based in live theater, she’s done voiceover work for radio, tv, and video games. Most of her career has been in the San Francisco Bay Area in such theaters and venues as American Music Theatre, San Jose Stage, and the Great America Theme Park.
Since arriving with her family in Southern Oregon 19 years ago she’s performed many characters, the most notable being: Annie Sullivan in The Miracle Worker, Aldonza in Man Of La Mancha, Guenevere in Camelot, Kate in Dancing at Lughnasa, Ouiser in Steel Magnolias, and Rona Lisa Piretti in The 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee. Renée’s directing credits include Les Miserables and Spamalot, both at The Camelot Theatre in Ashland, Oregon.
Renée’s training includes 20 years of jazz and tap dance and fifteen years of professional voice training in the Bay Area. She has on-going training with Ellie Murray and is attending the Summer Training Congress at San Francisco’s American Conservatory Theatre. Although not listed here, Renée will often develop new skills with other industry professionals for specific roles as the need arises to meet the artistic vision of the author or director. For example, learning how to play a new instrument, developing a new accent, etc. are routine in her acting career.
Where it all began…
I remember at age four playing the Princess in “The Princess and the Pea” in my next-door neighbor’s back yard; singing Close To You by The Carpenters to my Barbie Doll as I walked down the street. At age 13, my friend and I made special T-Shirts so we could play back-up singers in Rich Girl, with choreo, for Hall and Oates. I remember being given solos in my Elementary School choir and being nervous but also excited because I loved singing so much. I was confused when the other kids would make fun of the way I sang. I guess I opened my mouth really wide, but how else was I supposed to sing?
My heart was overwhelmed when at the age of 12, my dad and I rode our bicycles into Jackson Hole, Wyoming and I saw the Grand Tetons for the very first time. I spent my honeymoon there and later returned to share it with my sons. I’ll never forget the thrill of winning a hard-fought race in competitive swimming. The satisfaction of knowing that all my hard work had paid off. As satisfying as hearing the laughs, groans, gasps or stunned silence from an audience that feels what you’re feeling…because of all the hard work.
What inspires Renée?
A compelling story told well. Actors being vulnerable and honest. Discovery. Someone giving their time to a neighbor, even when they don’t have any. An unexpected smile. A helping hand. Selfless love. Sacrifice for someone who doesn’t “deserve” it. Triumph over injustice. Beautiful music; whether it be jazz, rock, classical, musical theatre… it all converses with my soul faster and deeper than anything else. The sounds of the forest…a river…the trees in the wind. Majestic mountains. An amazing sunrise, and sunset. People collaboratively creating. Learning new things. Humility.
