From Comedy to Nightbitch: Adrienne Rose White on Acting, Producing, and Empowerment

Adrienne Rose White is a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry. With a career spanning roles in front of and behind the camera, Adrienne has carved her path as an actress, writer, and producer, delivering captivating performances and powerful stories. From her early days with Mira Mira to her acclaimed comedy series Quirky Female Protagonist and her latest role in the highly anticipated Nightbitch alongside Amy Adams, Adrienne's versatility and vision continue to inspire. In this exclusive interview, Adrienne shares her journey, lessons, and the impact she hopes to have on audiences.

Nicolle:  Congratulations on your role in Nightbitch! How did you prepare for your character, and what was it like working alongside Amy Adams?

Adrienne: Thank you! As soon as I booked the role, I bought the book that the script was based on. Rachel Yoder’s novel was a wild ride, and reading it was my favourite part of preparing. Acting opposite Amy Adams during her iconic monologue was extraordinary. We had already run the scene several times before capturing her close-up, so I thought I knew what was going to happen. I was wrong. Amy brought an unparalleled rawness and vulnerability that left me on the verge of tears right in the middle of her take. That woman is truly at the pinnacle of her craft. Working with her was a masterclass in acting.

Nicolle:  You've had a diverse career, both in front of and behind the camera. What draws you to take on multiple roles in the industry as an actress, writer, and producer?

Adrienne: I started writing and producing because I love acting, but I didn’t love the roles I was going out for. So rather than wait for those roles, or waiting for someone to pick me, I decided to start creating them. That approach drew the right opportunities for me and drew me to people who take on multiple roles. Like Nightbitch! Amy’s not just starring in it - she read the book and decided to option and produce it. Mari didn’t just direct it - she also wrote the script. And it’s one of the best scripts I’ve ever read! I think taking on multiple roles gives creatives more ownership of their vision and autonomy, and I am about that life! 

Nicolle: Your comedy series Quirky Female Protagonist received great praise from critics. What inspired you to bring the character of the ‘Straight-Laced Bestie’ to life in this project?

Adrienne: What inspired me? The part of me that loves to be right. Kidding! Kind of. Aliee Chan (who plays Quirky Female Protagonist) wrote the pilot episode for QFP, and when we read it aloud together, we both agreed we had to play these roles and bring it to the screen. With my arts/creative friends, I tend to be the straight-laced person in the group, so it was really fun to play a character who says all of the subtext aloud that I usually kept to myself!

Nicolle: After producing Quirky Female Protagonist, you optioned Safe Space and later co-created Barrister's Ball. What was the biggest learning curve for you in shifting between comedy and drama projects?

Adrienne: I discovered that I didn’t have to keep the “comedy” label that had taken me so far. I love making people laugh, but that became a box that I put myself in. Working with Bianca and Ted on Barrister’s Ball helped me break out of it. We all contain multitudes.

Nicolle: How did the collaboration with Cedric the Entertainer and Eric Rhone for the CBS pilot Untitled White/Chan/Case come about, and what was it like working with such renowned industry figures?

Adrienne:  Ced is the G.O.A.T. of network comedy, and Eric is such a brilliant producer - they are always looking for new angles and opportunities, so crafting the project with their guidance was such a gift. Unfortunately, the show was at CBS in 2020, which was an incredibly difficult year all around. But I put together that team - our showrunner Chris Case, my creative partner Aliee Chan, Ced, and Eric - and that proved to me that truly anything is possible in this industry if you follow your path, which is what Ced and Eric have always done. I had no TV credits at the time and got the advice multiple times I needed to start at the bottom as a writer’s assistant. Instead, I put together a team to sell a show I could star in, write, and co-executive produce. Don’t tell me magic isn’t possible.

Nicolle: You were recognised by WhoHaha as a Comedienne to Watch in 2020. What did that recognition mean to you, and how has it impacted your approach to comedy?

Adrienne: It meant so much, especially after Elizabeth Banks commented on one of my videos! It made me share my comedy content more. I had - OK, I still have - this strong desire to make something perfect before I share it publicly. But that whole experience made me realise that the more I share, the more like something is going to hit, and the better I get at the craft. I can’t thank her enough for that.

Nicolle: Your journey began with Mira Mira in 2014, a short film that you both wrote and starred in. How did that early project shape your path in the industry and your approach to storytelling?

Adrienne: That movie was like grad school for me. It was my first foray into crowdfunding, into making my videos (beyond the documentaries and animations I made in college). It taught me I could trust my intuition: I had a dream about chasing myself through the streets during Carnival in Brazil… and the next day my roommate at the time invited me to go to Brazil for Carnival! I booked the ticket before I even had a script. Then I wrote it. Up until then, my education always focused on planning and analysis, but Mira Mira taught me how to be spontaneous and learn to trust my instincts.

Nicolle:  As a Harvard alumna and a graduate of the Atlantic Theater Company Conservatory, how have your educational experiences influenced your creative vision and approach to the craft?

Adrienne:  Harvard and Atlantic have made me diligent when I prepare for a role and when I dissect a script.  Harvard cultivated my intellect, and Atlantic expanded that capacity for analysis and helped me bring my body into the equation with Suzuki training, voice, speech, breathwork, and the Alexander Technique. They gave me incredible practical tools for this career that can feel so hard to pin down - emotional and ineffable.

Nicolle: You’ve taken on roles across various genres, from The Witch Files to Another Girl. What motivates your choices in these diverse roles, and how do you approach each project with fresh energy?

Adrienne: I always come back to telling the truth. I make choices that feel true to that character and that script. I love to empathise, to put myself in that character’s shows and put their perspective. It’s like going into a whole new universe, and that keeps it fresh. And it works for every genre!

Nicolle: What can audiences expect from Nightbitch, and what message do you hope viewers take away from the film?

Adrienne: Expect a comedy for women and a horror film for men. Takeaway for women: even as you go through big life transitions or lose touch with yourself, you can ALWAYS tap back into who you really are. For men: see all the little things and big systems that keep women away from who they are? Great. Now be the best ally you can be for the women in your life.

Adrienne Rose White’s passion for storytelling and commitment to authenticity shines through every project she takes on. From redefining roles for herself to creating opportunities for others, her multifaceted career is a testament to the power of trusting your instincts, breaking barriers, and staying true to your voice. With Nightbitch set to make waves and a growing portfolio of compelling work, Adrienne is undoubtedly a creative force to watch.

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Nicolle Knapova is a little bit of everything. She is a freelance translator, content creator and social media executive for The C Word Mag. She loves indie music and is always browsing through Spotify to find the next amazing artist to obsess over. Her love for storytelling means she’s always writing something and she’s not afraid of any genre. Her biggest dream is to be a published author. If she’s not writing her fan fiction, she’s writing her poetry and sharing it on her Instagram @elisecaverly.