Written by Alina Rose Armstrong
Natalie Rebenkoff emerges as one of the most passionate and driven young actors. Just four months after graduating from New York University, she is set to star in an Off-Broadway production of The Nursery, an unpublished play by Clifford Odets. Her dedication to her craft and considerable achievements reveal Natalie as not only a gifted talent but also a hardworking and focused artist.
Early Inspirations and Influence
Born in Hermosa Beach, California, Natalie began her artistic journey in the world of dance, studying ballet and tap. Over time, her passion for dance evolved into an undeniable love for theatre. Growing up with a mother who was a costume designer and an uncle who was a musician, she has drawn inspiration from her family’s creative background throughout her life. To that end, Natalie emphasizes that her pursuit of theatre is largely due to the overwhelming support, acceptance, and love from her parents. She credits them with helping to shape her artistic identity and instilling her value of creativity.
In addition to participating in school productions, and even a regional theater production of Annie, Natalie began training with Lea Folden, who studied the Meisner technique under Bill Astor. Through Lea’s guidance, Natalie came to understand acting as a profound practice. She became enamored with the idea that the art she loved most could resonate deeply with people and impact audiences in meaningful ways.
Advancing Her Craft
Natalie applied to NYU to further her acting career, first training at the Experimental Theatre Wing before ultimately transferring to The Institute. During her time at ETW, she developed a deeper understanding of her body and the practice of self-connection, discovering her passion and talent for writing along the way. After two years, seeking to expand her craft and deepen her understanding of acting, Natalie chose to explore a different approach by studying The Method, looking to complement her training in Meisner and experimental theater.
Natalie found The Method to be entirely “eye-opening,” emphasizing her appreciation for the active, sensory-based approach. She discovered that incorporating her personal experiences into her work brought forth a level of vulnerability and depth she had never experienced before. She further felt that, for the first time at NYU, she encountered teachers who genuinely cared about her well-being beyond the classroom — who had her best interest at heart. Teachers like Tim Crouse and Robert Ellerman encouraged her to explore her passion for classic playwrights, allowing her to enrich her understanding of the craft and ultimately fall in love with the works of authors like Clifford Odets and Tennessee Williams.
In addition to her training at the studio, Natalie participated in two LSTFI productions — Jaclyn Backhaus’ You on the Moors Now and an original play, i’m sorry for your trouble, crafted specifically for her selective Practicum class. She also actively sought out open call auditions in the professional world, even landing a minor role in the film Don’t Look Up, featuring Leonardo DiCaprio and Meryl Streep.
Bringing The Nursery to Life
Producing and starring in The Nursery represents a pivotal milestone in Natalie’s artistic journey, showcasing her dedication and passion for bringing meaningful stories to life. After receiving the script from Robert Ellermann to perform in class, Natalie fell in love with The Nursery. As graduation approached and she worked extensively on the material in class, she began to consider what she more could accomplish with the play. Determined to bring this unpublished work to life, she reached out to the Clifford Odets estate, knowing the piece had never been performed before. Keeping her expectations low, she considered the request a long shot. However, after several conversations with Natalie about the material, the family recognized the genuine and talented person she is, ultimately granting her the rights to the play.
Set in the 1950s, The Nursery centers on an upper-middle-class couple, Phil and Ruth, who must confront the deep-seated issues in their troubled marriage. As repressed emotions from their grief-laden relationship surface during a crucial conversation, the strength of their love is put to the test. This never-before-seen original work by Odets delves into the intricacies of love, loss, and marriage, illuminating the bonds that form when we bravely share our pain.
Natalie emphasizes that the play “remains highly relevant for women today, as it poignantly addresses the complexities of relationships and the struggles women face within them.” In an era where discussions of emotional vulnerability, equality, and the dynamics of love are increasingly prominent, the play highlights the often-overlooked emotional labor that women undertake in their partnerships. She ultimately hopes that the play will serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of mutual understanding and support in a world that often encourages silence and compliance.
Natalie stars as Ruth alongside Cameron Monaghan, known for his roles as Ian on Shameless and the Joker on Gotham, who will portray Phil. The play is directed by LSTFI alumna and recent NYU Tisch graduate Stella Diji. In collaboration with Point 5 Collective and the Lee Strasberg Creative Center, the production premieres October 10-12 in the Sam Theater at The Flea.
