You may recognize this talented actress from her roles on the adorable hit series Gilmore Girls, Anne Heche's Men in Trees and Shonda Rhimes' uber-popular Grey's Anatomy. Her name is Emily Bergl and she is a force to be reckoned with in a tiny body and a huge heart. Bergl is currently in Seattle starring in the Stephen Gyllenhaal (yes, Maggie and Jake's father) film Grassroots. Also starring in this Seattle-shot and based true-story film are American Pie's Jason Biggs, Joel David Moore, Cedric the Entertainer, YouTube sensation DC Pierson and Tom Arnold.

I joined Emily on the set last week to discuss Grassroots, her performance at the Can Can and that little rumor regarding Desperate Housewives.

Can you tell us a little bit about the filming of Grassroots?

I really didn't know much about the story of Grant Cogswell before taking the role, but was fascinated to learn about the story afterward. The thing about this movie is that not only is our story grassroots, but our method of filmmaking is grassroots. This is something that is truly independent. It's funded by people who are passionate and who have put up their own personal money.

I have been outspoken about my support of President Obama in the past. I believe that he hs truly been the most successful grassroots candidate in U.S. history. I think that we tend to forget it now that he is in power. He was elected because people rallied with him and behind him. He was encouraged. I was with his campaign early on because of being from Chicago and knowing a lot about him. So, I think we need to see more of these types of stories because I think that as a country we are in a place where people are so jaded politically. People need to remember and know that they can make a difference and that they should go out there and advocate about the things that they believe in.

You recently performed at the Can Can here in Seattle. What was that experience like for you?

I am also a cabaret performer and when I found out that I was going to be coming to Seattle, I thought 'why don't I do my show here?' and there is this amazing venue which is really where my show would have been set because I do a lot of music from the 1920's and 30's and it just feels like a place of that era. We've actually incorporated it into the movie and now my character is also a cabaret performer and we're going to have some great behind-the-scenes footage of her doing the show. My character in the movie actually wears glasses, so I actually took out the glasses and did a couple of numbers in the glasses. So, I actually performed as "Theresa" for a couple of them.

Had you ever been to Seattle before this film?

I did a show up in Vancouver, B.C. for two years called Men in Trees and when I needed my America fix, I would come down to Seattle and I absolutely fell in love with it. So, to be honest with you, just the fact that this movie was shooting in Seattle alone was reason enough for me to want to come do it.

The great thing about working in Seattle is that people aren't jaded about the movie industry. People see that we are making a movie and they are just so happy that we are making a movie in Seattle! The entire crew is also so enthusiastic. I've rarely ever been on a film set where I've felt that everybody is here for the right reasons.

What are some of your observations about Seattle?

I'm really fascinated by Seattle culture. It's just such an amazing mix of anarchy and relaxation, and yet, it's the city that birthed Microsoft and some of the biggest franchises in the world. So, I really think it's this amazing combination of people thinking outside of the box and capitalizing all of the capitalistic forces that they have at their fingertips.

It's probably all of the coffee we drink when it rains during the winter months! Makes us more creative.

I've heard that Seattle is a really raunchy city, too, because of all of the rain. You all have to stay indoors, drink coffee and have all kinds of nasty sex. That's what people tell me anyway..

You are originally from the Chicago area, but have become a transplant in New York and also live and work in Los Angeles. What draws your mind to Seattle? 

I am originally from Chicago and we are all very proud of our city and I have since become an honorary New Yorker and I can say the same thing about New York. The thing about Seattle is that people are so proud of their city and how it's maintained. They care about what people think of it and want to make sure that visitors have a good time here. Seattleites are excited to tell you where you should go, what you should do and see beyond the Space Needle and other touristy sites. I love to come here because I like to be in places where people care about where they live and take a sense of ownership in it.

So, can you tell us a little something about that Desperate Housewives rumor circulating the net?

I can neither confirm nor deny the Desperate Housewives rumor, although I may be starting work on that on Monday. I am very excited because my character is a housewife so I am actually going to be a desperate housewife. She is really desperate so it really is an apt description.

(Editor's Note - Since our interview, Emily has confirmed the rumor and has indeed started on the set of Desperate Housewives!).

Photos in this story by Kelley Van Dilla.

Grassroots Twitter - http://twitter.com/GrassrootsFilm

Grassroots Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/GrassrootsTheFilm#!/GrassrootsTheFilm

Grassroots Official Website - http://www.grassrootsthefilm.com/