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7 Questions with Emmy: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Interview
CP24 Interview for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
About
About
Beatrice Schneider is a Canadian film, television, voice and stage actor. Projects premiering in 2024 include Imogene Herdman in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Kingdom Story Company/Lionsgate/Dallas Jenkins), Willa (recurring) in The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh (Amazon Freevee/Sony Studios/Vijal Patel), Abigail in Tales from the Void (Screambox TV, (Toby Poser and John Adams), Young Klara in Littlemouth (Darius Films/Jonathan Sobol), Pigtailed Girl in S4 Ep.2 of The Boys (Amazon Prime/Karen Gaviola), Young Paige in Paige Darcy: Reluctant Detective (Melissa D’Agostino and Matt Campagna/Highball TV). She is currently preparing to test for her black belt in karate and is represented by Newton Landry Management in Toronto.
Press
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
“His cast — especially Greer, Holmes, Wright and Schneider — are all sparklingly funny and genuine.”
“Schneider is excellent in the story’s most complicated role, showing that Imogene is hungry for a reason to be vulnerable.”
“Leading the pack is Imogene (a wonderful Beatrice Schneider) who manages to keep things and her siblings together while being one of the biggest culprits in their devious acts.”
CINAPSE.CO
“Surprisingly it’s young Beatrice Schneider, the eldest Herdman Imogene, who steals the show with her emotional journey to discover just who Mary was, as she becomes fascinated with a painting of her in the church foyer. It’s her attempt to unlock Mary’s journey, through relating her own struggle, that delivers the unexpected heart and soul of the piece.”
“(Beatrice Schneider) and the few glimpses we get into the reality of her situation are by far the best part of the film.”
“Grace, played by Judy Greer, and Imogene, played by Beatrice Schneider, are probably the most compelling characters in the film. Like her name suggests, Grace is more willing to give some grace than other characters. Her realization about the Herdman’s becomes your realization about them, too. And then you see a lot of layers to Imogene. Yes, she’s a rascal. But she also cares deeply about her siblings and has to be more than just a kid for them.”
“Judy Greer has a nice, juicy leading role that she sinks her teeth into. She’s natural and genuine here. But, Beatrice Schneider, Molly Belle Wright and Kynlee Heiman have the most substantial parts.”
BREAKFAST ALL DAY MOVIE REVIEWS
“The actress that plays Imogene, the eldest Herdman, Beatrice Schneider, is awesome, she is so good as she finds just the right tone, cause she’s gotta be this like tough, bossy, tomboy- and then to see her transformation as she is asking really smart questions about the story of the birth of Christ and the story of nativity and all that…”
“Greer and Beatrice Schneider (who plays eldest Herdman Imogene) are the MVPs herein. The former because she’s landing incredible feats of tonal balance, and without them, the whole thing wouldn’t work. The latter because she’s a transformative point for the film and the community. And together, they’re making the emotional center of this piece, now 52 years old, work for a whole new generation of audiences.”
“Fleshing out Robinson’s book to feature length, a trio of screenwriters have beefed up the role of Herdman’s ringleader, Imogene (Beatrice Schneider, The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh). While the Herdmans, for all their swagger and anti-social behavior, have always been portrayed as empathetic to Mary and Joseph as impoverished outsiders, this version shows that Imogene relishes the opportunity to play the Blessed Virgin because it will give her a chance to enact the sweet, serene person that Imogene herself never gets to be. It’s a choice that makes this Pageant as much about the art of acting and performance as it is about seeing the Christmas story from a new perspective.”
RAISED ON POPCORN WITH GRANT
“..the Herdman’s led by the sinister Imogene Herdman played in I think a star-making turn from a young actress named Beatrice Schneider, who is very, very good here.”
“I want to shout-out Beatrice Schneider who plays Imogene Herdman. She is a very talented young actress- this is the first thing I’ve ever seen her in and she is really good here, like genuinely really good here. Kind of underplaying it too, like she does a good job of making this otherwise, kind of cardboard, on paper kind of cardboard bully character, a really, human being with like dimension and, you know, and integrity and strength beyond her years. This kid has talent, so like you know good for you kid.”
THE COLLISION
“I think all the kids in this are good but for me is Beatrice Schneider because she is fantastic in like the pivotal role of Imogene who is like the oldest and like the undisputed leader of the Herdman children. And really I can say enough, you know, positive things about her in this movie. I think despite being a relative newcomer as an actress, she just brings so much, like you know, mature depth and I think heart to the role. And just has this very magnetic presence when she is on the screen.”
THE COLLISION (WRITTEN REVIEW)
“All the kids perform well, but the clear standout is Beatrice Schneider, who is fantastic in the pivotal role as Imogene (the oldest and undisputed leader of the Herdman children). A relative newcomer, she has a magnetic presence every time she’s on screen.”
“The movie’s power comes in large part from the performance of Beatrice Schneider who plays Imogene. Imogene has had to take on the weight of raising her siblings. In one moment of self-doubt she looks at a painting of Mary who she describes as beautiful and pure, and wonders how she could ever be that. A lot of characters grow and change during this movie, perhaps none more than Imogene, and it would be easy to play the character as disjointed and inconsistent, Schneider manages to find the cohesion so that the audience can fully embrace the journey her character goes on. The epilogue for her character brought several tears to my eye.”
“The other standout is Beatrice Schneider. Playing a tough kid with inner vulnerability in a realistic manner is difficult. The young actress absolutely nails that dynamic, making sure we care about Imogene even when she’s at her worst, behavior-wise.”
“It helps that Schneider (“The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh”) gives the most interesting performance in the movie, peeling away the layers of this supposedly tough-as-nails young woman.”
“Beatrice Schneider has a real spark as Imogene Herdman, the eldest and most vocal of the Herdman clan.”
FLICKERINGMYTH.COM
“Beatrice Schneider’s Imogene stands out as the oldest and most mature (underneath all the bad behavior, which is mostly acting out in defiance that people see them as a problem and don’t necessarily care) and, depressingly, a pseudo-mother to her brothers and sisters…”
“Beatrice Schneider is a genuinely special find, convincingly driving home the emotional beats.”
“The actors chosen to play the kids (Beth as well as the entire Herdman clan) were exceptional. I wasn’t familiar with any of them from their previous roles, but fully expect to see them again as they were all incredibly talented. I’m particularly excited to see where Beatrice Schneider (Imogene Herdman) goes with her career as she was exceptional!”
GAZETTELY
“And really, this film belongs to its cast. Judy Greer illuminates Grace with a beautiful balance of wit and wisdom. You feel her every emotion, from exasperation to delight. But the real standout remains Beatrice Schneider’s Imogene. This young actress portrays a complex soul with raw charisma. Her evolution, confronting pain while grasping at hope, stays with you.”
“Imogene especially evolves credibly thanks to nuanced writing and Schneider’s innate warmth. Her softening is subtle, never trite. We come to understand, not condemn, her walls that hide deep scars.”
“Stellar performances, particularly Greer and Schneider.”
“Imogene really feels like the main character as she easily has the most depth and best represents the story’s themes. Schneider is a talented young actress who had an emotionally heavy role to tackle, sometimes without dialogue. It’s a very sweet and natural performance that greatly elevates the more dramatic scenes, particularly at the end. Developing her and her siblings’ characters a bit more would have made these scenes even better.”
PATHEOS
“The child performers are nothing short of remarkable, especially Beatrice Schneider as Imogene, the tough and scrappy ringleader of the Herdmans. Her transformation from bully to spiritual seeker is captivating, and it’s impossible not to root for her. Watching the film for the second time, I was struck by the raw emotion in the scene where Imogene cries—it’s a powerful moment that captures the essence of grace and redemption and the beauty of a softened heart.”
“Led by a never-better Judy Greer and a terrific young performance from Beatrice Schneider, this is an uncommonly terrific family comedy.”
“Much of the sincerity of the film comes through the eyes of Imogene (Beatrice Schneider), the oldest of the Herdmans and their protector. She’s tough on the outside but slowly reveals a softer side through the desires she never had in life. Her character development is the best emotional throughline and something that brought a tear to my eye at its conclusion.”
“Imogene finds something personal in Mary’s story, giving the role the emotional heft it deserves. Schneider’s plaintive face is the film’s superpower.”
THE PEACH REVIEW
“The best part about the film is the showing from the youth. Performances by Wright, Schneider, and Billingsley-Rodriguez were phenomenal. The rest of the Herdman clan, Gladys (Kynlee Heiman), Leroy, (Ewan Wood), Ralph (Mason D Nelligan), Claude (Matthew Lamb), and Ollie (Essek Moore) were terrific. The trove of young talent is what makes this movie better than most…”
“Beatrice Schneider shines as Imogene, the intimidating, fiery ringleader who relishes the drama of the pageant.”
The acting is fine all around, with Schneider making a particularly strong — and yes, moving — showing as Imogene.
“Each of the kid actors is superb, especially Beatrice Schneider who plays Imogene, the leader of the Herdman siblings.”
“At its heart, though, this is a story of sanctimonious self-described Christians needing to learn the real message of the Christmas story, and on that level Jenkins absolutely delivers—particularly with Beatrice Schneider as eldest Herdman kid Imogene doing lovely work conveying what it feels like to be a rejected outcast.”
KCRW – PRESS PLAY WITH MADELEINE BRAND
… I actually really did love … Beatrice Schneider, who plays Imogene, she’s like the heart and soul of the film, and provided most of the best moments.”
“While all six of the children that play the Herdmans are great too, it’s their oldest sibling Imogene (played by Beatrice Schneider) who stands out. Aware of how much the town looks down on her family, she seeks a fresh start. Playing Mary in the pageant, and getting to be someone else, is that fresh start.”
“Beatrice Schneider (The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh) as Imogene Herdman, the leader of this pack of delinquents, plucks a few heartstrings when she reveals why she desires to be a part of the pageant. There’s also a definite sense of a child who grew up too fast, hardened into something jagged by a rocky road.”
“Imogen, especially, becomes empowered by Mary’s tale. The young girl, who secretly wants to be considered delicate and pretty like popular girl Alice (Lorelei Olivia Mote), comes to realize that resilience is its own kind of beauty. Schneider’s performance as the unruly preteen, whose rough edges mask a softer and more sincere side, makes it easier to buy Imogen’s transformation.”
ROGERS MOVIE NATION
“Beatrice Schneider impresses as Imogene, the oldest Herman, the toughest and the ringleader. She insists on playing Mary, and makes the necessary threats to the town Miss Prissy, Alice (Lorelei Olivia Mote) to ensure that happens.”
CHICAGOREADER.COM
“The movie’s true standouts are its two young leads: Beatrice Schneider as Imogene Herdman and Molly Belle Wright as Beth Bradley. They both bring context and depth to roles that could have been played at a much more surface level, and you walk away from the movie wanting to see more from both of them.”
“Greer has always been likable and entertaining, but this is the best performance I’ve experienced from her.
Young actresses Wright with a super expressive face and Schneider with a ton of sass, offer natural performances and really make the film work on all levels.”
INSESSIONFILM.COM
“And, of course, Beatrice Sch[n]eider, who gives her character, Imogene, well-rounded characteristics in what is arguably the most challenging role in the film—she needs to be funny, abrasive, and deliver accurate, poignant moments that resonate.”
“However, there were other moments where some of this got to me, especially scenes involving the eldest Herdman, Imogene (Beatrice Schneider), who is her siblings’ de facto leader and has assigned herself the role of Mary (actually, she threatens any other kid who wants to audition for the part with bodily harm). There is something about Schneider’s reluctant embracing of Mary’s story and her refusal to accept some of the things that go on surrounding the birth of Jesus that make the film insightful and funny. Her performance starts out as a generic bully and transitions into a thoughtful young lady curious about her place in the world and the lessons of religion and faith.”
ENTERTAINMENT RUNDOWN (JACKIE K COOPER)
“Especially Imogene who is played by a young actress named Beatrice Schneider- she’s great in the film.”
“I love the actors, especially the children, and the parts they play, and like I said Beatrice Schneider who plays Imogene, she just won my heart.”
WAS IT GOOD
I really enjoyed the character of Imogene, I thought she was great. The actress who played her really did a great job and I enjoyed this character a lot and seeing her, (specifically the arc that she went on), and I was really touched by the actress’ performance. I believe her name is Beatrice Schneider and I think she did a really good job with this role and like I said these characters are great.
SUNSHINE STATE CINEPLEX (ALAN FRENCH)
“However, his two core performances from Wright and Schneider are phenomenal. With the two of them shining in every scene, they make the rest of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever fall into place.”
Up front snippet from Rotten Tomatoes: “It’s touching and funny—a new must-watch holiday classic. Greer and her young co-stars are very good, especially Beatrice Schneider. I enjoyed it.”
From the review: “Both Wright and Schneider are respectively very good as the antagonists who, as you can guess, will become closer by the end of the story, maybe not BFFs; that would be a Christmas miracle.”
“These kids feel like real kids. Beatrice Schneider, in particular, who plays Imogene (who wants to play Mary in the pageant) is awesome! She is so good. Cause she’s tough and she’s mean but as she gets into the role and asks questions about Mary, asks questions about the manger, you see that transformation and it’s totally believable.”
NEXT BEST PICTURE
“Even though Schneider is still so young, she takes on her role with poise.”
“Imogene’s character, skillfully portrayed by Beatrice Schneider, provides glimpses into the hardships faced by the Herdman children, subtly hinting at the difficult circumstances that contribute to their behavior.”
“Grace’s interactions with the Herdmans bring light-hearted moments, while Schneider’s portrayal of Imogene adds a surprisingly heartfelt layer. Imogene’s honest reactions to the Nativity story bring a fresh perspective, allowing the audience to see the biblical tale from the eyes of someone unfamiliar with its traditions. Her confusion, and even anger, at the story’s injustices give the character a depth and sincerity that makes her the standout of the cast. Through Imogene’s unpolished curiosity, the film manages to offer an unexpected and moving take on the Nativity.”
EXAMINER.NET (THE NEWS-HERALD – WILLOUGHBY OHIO)
“It helps that Schneider (“The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh”) gives the most interesting performance in the movie, peeling away the layers of this supposedly tough-as-nails young woman.”
“The cast’s charm carries a lot of the load. Greer’s been a reliable supporting player forever, and seeing her shine in a lead role is delightful. Pete Holmes gets some nice moments as Grace’s understanding husband, Bob. But the standout is a comparative newcomer: Beatrice Schneider, who plays Imogene, the oldest and most fiercely protective of the Herdman kids.”
KEITH AND THE MOVIES
““The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” turns out to be a bonafide delight that’s sure to warm the heart of the jolliest elf or the most hardened Grinch. A perfectly tuned Judy Greer is a treat while Beatrice Schneider as Imogene is a revelation.”
‘There is one scene that rises to the top, and it’s when Grace finds Imogene Herdman looking at a picture of Mary and Jesus on the wall. There is a moment of character growth for Imogene as we see her identifying with Mary and how their two stories resonate in different ways. … this moment felt incredibly honest and it did a wonderful job of threading through to other areas of the story, especially in the final scene during the Pageant itself.
“However, the campiness did make some of the performances feel exaggerated, and some of the characters come across as caricatures rather than fully developed people. That said, Beatrice Schneider who played Imogene Herdman, was terrific in her role, with moments of emotional growth that stand out as genuinely touching.”
“Schneider acts with the world-weariness that will resonate with many, with the eldest daughter taking the role of mother and wrangler instead of focusing on her own needs.”
“Schneider had the toughest job: blending a loathsome character to one you empathize with toward the climax. It was an emotional journey, and her performance was the highlight of the narrative.”
“Heiman may chew scenery but Schneider ultimately commands the most viewer respect by the picture’s conclusion.”
SOCIETY REVIEWS
“The standout of this film is young actress Beatrice Schneider in the role of Imogen who portrays a young girl who struggles to see herself having the ability to play someone as humble and sweet as Mary but learns to grow for the sake of her troubled family. “
“The kid actors are incredible. The kid ensemble has the most important job in Christmas Pageant. Beatrice Schneider is the highlight child performance as Imogen Herdman. Imogen is one of my favorite characters from the play because she has a lot of hidden layers.”
THE MOVIE MINUTE
“And then overall, the highlight of the film was Beatrice Schneider who’s quite a newcomer. She’s a Canadian actress. She plays the head of the troublesome family- the little girl. And she is incredible. This girl is going places. I would not be shocked to see her in some really huge films in the next few years.”
IN SESSION FILM
“In between, there are adorable performances from Wright as Beth and Lorelei Olivia Mote as Beth’s friend, Alice. Then there’s Kynlee Heiman, who steals every scene she’s in. And, of course, Beatrice Scheider, who gives her character, Imogene, well-rounded characteristics in what is arguably the most challenging role in the film—she needs to be funny, abrasive, and deliver accurate, poignant moments that resonate.”
“Beatrice Schneider’s Imogene is a particular delight, a tough cookie who we just know, deep down, has a soft centre, while Molly Belle Wright as young Beth and Judy Greer (13 Going on 30) as her frazzled mother Grace, thrust into running the pageant after the regular director breaks both her legs, both impress.”
ERIN UNDERWOOD PRESENTS
“That said, Beatrice Schneider who played Imogene Herdman is terrific in her role, with moments of emotional growth that stand out as genuinely touching.”
“While all of the cast make ideal choices for each character, the performances of Beatrice Schneider (Imogene Herdman), Judy Greer and Molly Belle Wright deliver the emotional aspects of this cherished children’s book that will entertain everyone in the family.”
VALDOSTA DAILY TIMES
“The children are also enjoyable to watch. Beatrice Schneider, Molly Belle Wright, Sebastian Billingsley-Rodriguezand and Lorelei Olivia Mote are engaging and provide plenty of amusing moments.”
“The casting is excellent. Especially that of the Herdman children. Most notably that of Beatrice Schneider playing Imogene Herdman. She’s the defacto head of the household. The portrayal of the Herdman children is poignant.”
As mentioned, Greer is excellent, and her journey touching. The actual pageant itself is at times hilarious, what with Imogene doing some “Method acting” and burping the baby Jesus as she’s learned by raising her siblings. The entire church is suddenly delighted and chuckling, much to their curmudgeonly surprise.
What’s most magical is when Imogene suddenly finds herself in that state all actors strive for: channeling. When the audience realizes Imogene has transcendently become a vessel for something far greater than herself, and understand the subsequent healing that will now accompany this little girl for the rest of her life—priceless.
“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” might be aimed at faithful families. But like Imogene Herdman, it may channel something greater than itself, and gift audiences the ability to feel compassion for the unfortunate during this Christmas season, and beyond.
BOUNDING INTO COMICS
“The standout of this film is young actress Beatrice Schneider in the role of Imogene. She portrays a young girl who struggles to see herself having the ability to play someone as humble and sweet as Mary but learns to grow for the sake of her troubled family.”
THE ECHO
“…their leader, Imogene, is given a more fully rounded character than even what she had in the book. She presents a very tough exterior, but every now and again she says something that completely catches you off guard with how sad it is, and by the time her character arc reaches its emotional climax, it feels genuine and earned. In fact, it even moved me to tears. That is a credit to director Dallas Jenkins, best known for the television series The Chosen, for mostly not overplaying the emotions of the situation and to actress Beatrice Schneider, who plays Imogene, giving the single most impressive performance of the film.”
“Familiar faces are not the only reason “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” feels so warm. The film’s child actors comfort audiences with love and laughter. Molly Belle Wright is charming as Grace’s daughter Beth, while Beatrice Schneider gives a touching performance as Beth’s foil Imogene Herdman. The actors for the rest of the Herdman family build chemistry as the remaining performers help boil the plot.”
Tales from the Void
“Beatrice Schneider (Abigail), gives us a stunning performance that constantly interrogates the mood swings caused by grief in such a complex dynamic. This builds a steady foundation for Betsy, who seems to draw from not only Abigail as a child, but also her environment, and this is where Plastic Smile differs from other paranormal doll stories. The tragedy here is that Betsy becomes a vessel for Abigail’s pain, but the doll in turn is reliant on Abigail, forming a terrifying co-dependent bond that we think may be unbreakable. Within that terror there’s a deep sadness borne from Abigail’s need to escape her harsh reality – something she may never have addressed without Betsy which creates a lifelong bond to the doll.”
“Poser shares, “Plastic Smile’s about a girl, her doll, and the woods she’s drawn to as an escape from her brutal home life with a drug-addict mom. It’s absolutely raw, like an open sore, but it’s also powerful because of the hope that resides within this girl, especially the actress we got to play, the young Abigail, who is just like, oh my God, she’s like Superwoman. That’s the gist of the story.”
Adams elaborates on the effusive praise for the episode’s young star, using the quick production turnaround as an example of her maturity and talents. He tells us, “Bea, that’s her name. Beatrice Schneider. We’re always like, ‘Bea, do this, Bea.’ One of my favorite things about working with this kid was, at one point, it was day four, so we had to shoot really fast. We had to get a ton of stuff. The kid moved so quickly, the crew moved so quickly, and everybody was on fire. Nailing really artistic stuff. We love trying to make it already, not just technical, over the shoulder, over the shoulder, over the shoulder, wide. We were busting everybody’s stones racing through this stuff. And then, finally, we’re running out of time. I was like, ‘Bea, just direct yourself through this one.’ She said, ‘Okay.’”
r/TheNSPDiscussion – by PeaceSim
“Beatrice Schneider, who some of you may recognize from a small role in Season 4 of The Boys, is also excellent as young Abigail. She does a great job of conveying Abigail’s good intentions even as she struggles, in the absence of any parental guidance, to make sense of the world around her – a fact reinforced by the two scenes of her playing with a friend who does have the kind of support (her offscreen mother) Abigail lacks. So, all-in-all, Plastic Smile is another strong and intelligently constructed episode.”
MACBETH (CANADIAN OPERA COMPANY)
“This is one of the best performances by the chorus I’ve seen yet…They were also represented by three child actors serving kind of as their avatars. It was a very creepy effect and kudos to those three young actors Hawthorne Wilde Fowler, Mila McQuat, and Beatrice Schneider!”