Meet Lara Thomas Ducey of self in Hollywood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lara Thomas Ducey.

Lara, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
After graduating with degrees in Theatre/Film and English from the University of Kansas, I moved to Los Angeles to pursue my writing and acting career. With a passion for both comedy and drama, I have appeared in several independent films and programs on notable networks (TBS, HBO, TruTv, MTV, Fusion, AMC). One recent project received numerous awards and was accepted into 52 international film festivals – including a screening at the prestigious AFI Film Fest. A favorite opportunity from time to time is performing in sketches on late night’s CONAN. As a current associate member of Rogue Artists Ensemble and a founding member of Buran Theatre Company – I continue to act on various stages across Los Angeles and the US.

When not on stage or in front of the camera – I’ve done my fair share of production work. Versed as a Producer, Script Supervisor and 1st AD – I’ve assisted in several projects.

Throughout April and early May – I was on location producing and acting in Alone We Fight, a feature narrative about WWII. I’m also in post-production as an associate producer on the documentary feature, Fatal Distraction. The film focuses on the aftermath of hot car deaths, most notably the complicated story of what happens when one father’s accident becomes a media circus and legal nightmare. Can the legal system really be just when the court of public opinion renders a fair trial impossible?

In terms of writing, I contributed to the HarperCollins published book, Revolution for Dummies: Laughing Through the Arab Spring (2017) by Bassem Youssef (“the Egyptian Jon Stewart”) and Hollywood Between the Stirrups: Recollections of a Tinseltown OB/GYN (2018) by Boyd Cooper MD. Having written a fair amount of short scripts, I am now in the process of writing my first feature-length film.

Outside of the industry, I love spending time watching sports (Rock Chalk Jayhawk!), working with my hands (gardening, arts/crafts, building stuff, baking) and getting outdoors. I love to volunteer with Young Storytellers and tutor kids K-12. In the near future, I’m hoping to plan another solo camping adventure and would love to finally travel to Europe.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Oh lord no. I have heard 100 no’s for every maybe and worked my ass off to finally hear a yes. I still tutor in-between industry jobs to make ends meet – which I love. Sometimes working as an actor or writer you can feel overly self-serving. You can get into your head and let your neurosis really do you in if you don’t stay careful.

So when I work with a dyslexic child one on one to help them learn to read or with an underperforming high schooler to graph y = MX + b, it’s great because it has nothing to do with me. All the energy and focus goes into helping them. Not to mention they remind me that anything worth accomplishing is part of a longer process.

It may take a whole school year to get a student with a learning disorder proficient in something that takes others a couple of days. So I feel like when things come easily, there’s a tendency to take your talent or an opportunity for granted. So I never want to dismiss the twists, turns, rejections, and losses. However – there’s a way to do that without being defeated. Set that new goal, do your best to accomplish it, and get the ice cream when it works out. You earned it.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about self – what should we know?
As an independent worker, I am the business. I’m a jack of all trades, specializing in doing my job with no muss or fuss, and am known for doing it with some sass and a smile on my face. I am proud of making my own opportunities when they weren’t being handed out.

What sets me apart? I don’t think work has to be work, it should be fun. Tell that fart joke. Life’s too short to take any of all this too seriously. Sure we have a task at hand and it needs to be done and done well. But a good artist is not defined by how much torture it took to get there.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Early on, I was afraid to show the cracks and chips. Now I don’t worry about that so much. It’s okay to not know things, to admit faults, It’s human and endearing. I’d put myself out there more just as me, not me I thought everyone wanted.

I appreciate when people let their guard down and say, “Hey. I’m really good at organizing and budgeting but get nervous speaking in front of groups of people.” Great! Let’s have you shine at you, not as someone else. Nothing is more uncomfortable than a square peg in a round hole. I wish I would have afforded myself that same grace when I was younger.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.LaraThomasDucey.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartsnfarts/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BuranTheatre/
• Twitter: https://www.youngstorytellers.com
• Other: https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm3732423

Image Credit:
Alexandra Cooper, Bassem Youssef

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