Today we’d like to introduce you to Jess Nurse.
So, before we jump into specific questions about what you do, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I fell in love with acting when I was about eight. There was a semi-professional production of the musical “Annie” being done in Boston. I played an orphan — no lines, no name — but was mesmerized by the older actors and how they marked up their scripts and got “into character.” I became a full-on theatre kid from middle school onward and ended up applying to NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and getting in. After I graduated, only a full week after finishing, I road-tripped across the country to set up shop in Los Angeles and pursue this crazy career.
Great, 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?
It’s an incredibly difficult industry. There’s a feeling when you start out that you are one in a million people pursuing this thing, and that can take a toll on your self-worth. Remember that half the battle is knowing what you bring to the table. That you are a wholly unique individual and your artistry will stand out if it is true to you. Additionally, create a network of people that you admire and trust. No matter what happens, you can always turn to these people for their opinions, collaboration, and help.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I’m an actor and writer. My first big break was recurring on ABC’s “Scandal” and later co-starring opposite Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin on “Grace and Frankie.” I was also the lead role in the 2018 reboot of “WarGames”, an MGM digital series. I played Barbra on Project Greenlight’s comedy “Everyone I Love is Dead” — In the film world, I’ve been in festival favorites like “M.F.A.” (SXSW) and “Pale Blue” (Cannes Diversity.) As a writer I created the web series “Roof Access” and wrote the short film “Stay Here” (SOHO Int’l Film Festival) — I’m incredibly proud to focus my work on female-driven stories and place diversity at the forefront. I’m passionate about seeing projects through that weren’t around when I grew up. There are so many more diverse stories to be told and so many underrepresented voices to be heard. I want to be apart of that change in Hollywood.
There’s a wealth of academic research that suggests that a lack of mentors and networking opportunities for women has materially affected the number of women in leadership roles. Smart organizations and industry leaders are working to change this, but in the meantime, do you have any advice for finding a mentor and building a network?
Networking! Oh, I’m sure there are lots of secrets to it. But I will say this. Go to the party. Go to the event. Go to the show. Strike up a conversation with someone. Stay present with them. Be curious. Be genuine. Be authentic. Stand behind your passions. Connect. I’d rather be that person than the one whose goal is to hand out 50 business cards by the end of the night.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jessicanurse.com
- Instagram: @jessisnotanurse
- Twitter: @jessisnotanurse
Image Credit:
Everyone I Love is Dead “Screenshot”, Stay Here “Screenshot”, Grace and Frankie “Screenshot”, WarGames “Poster”
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