Today we’d like to introduce you to Nana Ponceleon
Hi Nana, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
When I turned eight, the living room turned into my stage. Hours would slip away as I danced and sang in front of the TV like a rock star. I dreamed of becoming a singer and dancer. I taught myself to dance.
At nine, my mom got me to the best traditional flamenco school in the state. Each class felt like a performance because I was always in my flamenco dress, my hair pulled back into a sleek ponytail and the castanets clicking in my hands. I felt in heaven. But life had other plans; frequent moves disrupted my journey, forcing me to leave behind the dance I loved.
With each new city came different activities. I did gymnastics, learned to play the piano, picked up the cuatro, a traditional Venezuelan string instrument. I played very basic classical guitar and even experimented with the electric guitar and organ. Sundays I went to mass in my Catholic school, where I played and sang in church. I wasn’t particularly fond of attending mass, it was singing and the sound of my guitar resonating in the sacred space which made me return every Sunday.
My passion for dance has always been a constant in my life. I took jazz dance classes in Caracas, Venezuela, and later, during my college years, I found myself taking classes at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Broadway became my second home; I attended every show I could afford, sometimes returning to see the same musical two, three, or even five times.
Yet, I pursued a degree in Business Administration with a minor in computer science. My mother’s advice on what I should study overshadowed my own desires and my passion for the arts became relegated to a hobby. But deep down, the dancer, the singer, the artist within me longed to shine.
After graduating, I worked briefly as a programmer before transitioning into the business world. I remained in the corporate sector until it all came to a halt when I decided to resign because my personal life was taking a toll.
After resigning, I took on some freelance business consulting, thinking life would be easier. However, I found myself working just as much as before. Then a friend suggested I relax by taking weekend acting classes. He believed I was very artistic and was sure it would help lower my stress. And it did!
The moment I walked into the small black box theater on the first day of class, I knew I had come home. That workshop culminated in a presentation of a play, and I was in absolute bliss. One class led to another, and a couple of years later, I moved with my daughters to New York, hoping to give them the same opportunity I had to study abroad, especially as Venezuela was becoming increasingly dangerous to live in. I also wanted to give myself the chance to return to school and formally study acting, because it was too late to become a professional dancer or singer.
Now, almost 15 years later, I have participated in more than 38 film and TV productions, over 10 plays, and numerous commercials. I have also become a speaker and a balance and restoration coach, having done a TEDx Talk, endeavors that stemmed from my project “Act Feminine,” whose mission is to create a world where men and women collaborate, cooperate, and co-create their shared world together.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I don’t think anyone has ever had a life where their journey was a smooth road. I am no exception. And I am aware today I am totally responsible for most of the bumps on my road. As you probably read before, I didn’t study arts, drama, music, or dance in college. Instead, I studied Business. I can’t say I didn’t enjoy it but it certainly was not my first choice of career. I worked for big corporations like Microsoft for 12 years in sales. I learned many skills, met many wonderful people, and accomplished financial success. I had more than I ever dreamed I would have, the beautiful family, the huge house, the lifestyle, and the success many people never have.
However, life sometimes has other plans for you. Maybe the lessons I needed to learn eluded me in my young days, so the universe sent the message loud and clear. After I resigned and moved to New York in search of new life for us, for me; my marriage ended, my girls went back to Venezuela because they never liked New York, and I became a struggling actress after deciding to pursue acting as my main career. All my assets were tied up in Venezuela, I made lots of financial mistakes and had to start all over again.
The first years of my career I managed my own career which I believe benefited from my business expertise without realizing it. I learned to read an audition invitation and feel if it was really right for me or not. I had one of the highest rates of success in terms of percentage of audition versus landing the role.
But my thoughts of not being good enough, “maybe my mom was right and this was a mistake” haunted me for years. The first years of my acting career I took a step forward and two back. It has taken a lot of introspection, healing wounds, and forgiving to get to where I am now. I know the way to get here, was the way I got here and any other way would not have worked for me.
Understanding my passion was for me to defend and embrace not something my mom needed to greenlight for me has been one of the biggest learnings. Also becoming aware that no one can hold me back but me and no one can propel me forward but me has been the most empowering lesson too.
Another struggle of my acting career has been the fact that I started as a mature woman. I was always the oldest lady in the room in every acting class. I really never minded because I enjoyed it so much I forgot how old I was. But when I found myself alone thinking about my new life, my age and the fact that I started later in life has always been challenging. What has helped me has been the fact that I have a young spirit. I still feel and act like the young woman in my twenties full of dreams and poetry in my heart.
Today, I meditate. I do traditional yoga. I continue to learn everyday and know I am on the path I have to transit to get to where I need to be.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Today, I work as an actress, a speaker and a coach. I am an actress who specializes in dramatic roles. I am proud that I landed the role of the mother of Francis, one of the main characters in the venezuelan feature film “La Clase” after the very first audition I had done in my life. My second audition landed me the role of “Karla” in the Venezuelan blockbuster “La Hora Cero,” which won many local and international awards and was featured on HBO.
And more recently I became an award-winning actress for my lead role as ‘Mother’ in the play “My Mother’s Severed Head,” produced by Bruce Willis and performed in New York at Theater Row on 42nd Street.
I am also very proud to have become a TEDx speaker in 2023 with my talk “Masculine and Feminine Energy is A Balance” which has over seventy six thousand views at the time of this publication.
I am also a proud acting teacher of elementary school kids. They have become my pride and joy. Seeing these young girls and boys blossom and embrace art passionately is one of the most fulfilling experiences I have today.
My life ever since I was a little girl has been a life of change. We moved constantly because of my dad’s job, so I had a new school, new friends, new neighborhood, a new life every couple of years. Adapting to the environment quickly became one of my super powers. It still serves me well today and possibly until the rest of my days.
I feel what sets me apart in my acting career is the vast and varied life experiences I have had, which I use all when working on a project. Also the fact that I am curious and I continue to learn everyday. I learn about my craft, about the human spirit and life in general.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I like most about LA is the scenery. The mountains, valleys, and the vegetation remind me so much of my home Venezuela. The architecture is also familiar and beautiful. Of course, another fantastic aspect of LA is the weather. I have never felt so at home in any other place in the US. I have also had the privilege to meet amazing people who I feel very proud to call my “friends”.
I don’t think I will be very original in my answer about what I dislike the most, traffic. Spending a huge amount of time while driving in constant traffic is not my favorite way to spend my day, especially considering gas prices are probably one of the highest in the country. My only consolation is the fact that I have always loved to drive. I enjoy cruising along while I either listen to good music or listen to a good podcast or audio book.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nanaponceleon.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nanaponceleon/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nana.Ponceleon
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NanaPonceleon
Image Credits
Profile picture by Maximiliano Aponte – https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxaponte/
