Check Out Nikki Neurohr’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikki Neurohr.

Hi Nikki, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I got my start right from the gate – childhood. I grew up in a not-so-great home environment where it wasn’t always so easy to be seen or heard. There was a lot of toxicity between my parents while they were still together and my sister always had health issues which required a lot of focus – so I found myself doing a lot of escapism through movies, television and my own storytelling devices. These narratives were my comfort and safe space and the showcasing of them was my chance to be seen and heard.

My mom used to get calls from the school about me making up stories all the time. I was always quite the storyteller. At first, it was seen to be an issue. In high school is where acting became more serious for me. I found that this area of creative performance/storytelling really made me tick; I loved embodying another person and telling their story with real emotion – it was (and continues to be) catharsis for me. Plus – on stage, it’s impossible not to feel seen or heard. My inner repressed child was gleeful to have a career on stage.

I studied acting at Point Park University’s Conservatory of Performing Arts after graduating high school till 2015 where I learned that being a full-time actor is a lot more than loving acting. There was a harsh world that I wasn’t ready for at the ripe age of 20. I needed to take a step back after that harsh realization, and I took a big one. I left the conservatory and decided to pursue other creative outlets including: fashion design, MAGICIANARY (yes, I’m serious), and eventually production. I ended up taking an internship with the Jerry Springer show as a production assistant because why the hell not? It got me out of the shit town I was stuck in and tossed me right into the belly of the beast of daytime television creation. It was the best decision I ever made. I moved just outside of NYC and worked my butt off for two years. It was in that work that I found the courage to go back. I started auditioning again and managed to book a few cool tv show gigs during that time (Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Billions). After my stint with Springer, I stayed in the NYC area and took a few different odd jobs ranging from more production assistant gigs, a corporate marketing job, modeling gigs, trivia host, brewery assistant and MORE – all while never stopping auditioning. I started writing again, starting with sketches for comedy shows, troupes and short films. I went back to acting school in 2021 – American Academy of Dramatic Arts, my dream school as a teen, and actually got the education I was looking for as well as incredible support from my peers and instructors.

Nowadays I have a resume that past Nikki would sob over. I’ve worked on films, televisions, commercials and stages across the country with incredibly talented people who strive to do the same thing I do – tell stories! I have successfully written, produced, directed and starred in a feature film. I took myself from a literal-small-town-girl-in-a-lonely-world situation and made myself into something that I am damn proud of. How did I get here? By being a self-starter and figuring it out on my own. By believing in myself. Abd never ever stops. It has taken literal time, blood, sweat and tears to get here and I wouldn’t have made it without this self-perseverance and the encouragement of my supporters. I would be nothing without my husband and life partner – and I will forever give credit to my immensely artistic mother for being my #1 fan – and my circle of friends or “chosen family” is one I wouldn’t trade for the world.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Oh my gosh, NO! The road has been bumpy as hell. My childhood was an emotional struggle – there was/is alcoholism in the family and that made for a rocky home life. Lots of fights, stuff kids shouldn’t see or hear on a routine basis. My sister also suffered from chronic illness, addiction as well as depression (along with the lot of us). I had to grow up pretty quickly in order to survive. My mom got us out of the ugly home life situation as best she could, but there was still damage left, ya know? There’s been a lot of pieces to pick up along the way to get to where I am. I could go on and on about the bumps in the road – but I don’t wanna take too much of your time. We can save that for next time. The major thing is, I’ve healed from these traumas – used them in my art to turn them from painful uglies to sentimental beauties. I’ve grown and come through it all. As my late grandfather, a tough man-made son of a bitch named Earl, would say – I figured it out. I’m not grateful for the battle, but I am proud of the fight.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I kind of do it all. It’s actually pretty badass (Sorry if swearing isn’t ok). I’m an actor, model, writer, director, producer, designer, and muser! In 2022, I wrote, produced, directed, AND starred in a dark comedy feature called “Baggage Claim”. It’s about a type-a tight ass brother and his slovenly stoner sister who haven’t spoken to each other in three years having to road-trip back to their hometown in order to identify their abusive mother’s body. I’m so proud of this thing and I cannot wait to share it with the world. The story revolves around addiction, family drama, coping with the past, and all the joys of being stuck in a car for six hours with someone you low-key hate. I can’t wait to share it with you. We filmed the thing in Pittsburgh this past July/August and it was absolutely a ride to remember. With an incredible cast, some truly stellar crew members, and a story that is really going to hit people where it hurts – well, again, all I can say is again – can’t wait to share it with you! Other than Baggage Claim, I’m working on writing a few other things at the moment including a gritty horror flick that oozes fearsome feminism (don’t we love?) and an episodic piece about modern relationship dynamics. Ooh! I also get to return on stage this January 13th,14th and 15th at the Alumni Theater Company in Pittsburgh playing Kimber in the incredible play Stick Fly written by Lydia R. Diamond. The show is being directed by Tru Verret-Flemming and rehearsals are coming along fabulously. Tickets can be found at https://www.alumnitheatercompany.org/.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
The food is the best by FAR and the traffic can go suck eggs 🙂

Contact Info:

• Website: https://nikkineurohr.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikneurohr/?hl=en
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Nikolobe_Ultra?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
• Other: https://littlepinwheelproductionsfilms.com/

Image Credits
Cory Green Kevin McNair Stephen Emmerich Julian Peeples