We had the good fortune of connecting with Cory Gluck and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cory, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I think risk is an essential part of art and life. As an actor and writer, risk is always present in everything I do. Every audition is a potential rejection and the same goes for every script I write. There’s risk in every great performance and script. People will give you a formula on what’s selling but then buy and laud the risky thing that goes against the formula. I’ve found myself taking more risks in my career and my life as I’ve gotten older. I want to write about subjects that make people uncomfortable, like activism and police abolition. I understand that’s a huge risk because they’re both taboo subjects, but I feel like the most beautiful work lives in risky places. It’s a risk to rip open your wounds, expose them, and be vulnerable, but hopefully your audience loves you for it. As an activist, I’m constantly taking risks in my daily life. There’s the risk of arrest, injury, or even death. I weigh those risks every time I hit the streets and realize the reward of a better world someday is worth it. The risk I took in becoming an activist and creating a community around it is the best decision I’ve ever made. It’s given me strength I never knew I had, a new focus in my art, and an incredible group of friends.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

I think what sets me apart is my desire to tell character-driven stories and open the world’s eyes about activism. I’m most proud of an audio play I recently cowrote and starred in. It’s a fictionalized account of my experience of the first George Floyd March in LA. It represents the moment I became an activist. It was really fun to explore an entirely audio medium and it turned out to be a great way for an audience to experience what it’s like to be on the ground at a protest. I’m currently working on turning it into a season-long fiction podcast.
I got to where I am with a combination of hard work and luck. It hasn’t been easy, but I’m grateful for it. Persistence has been the biggest key to overcoming the challenges I’ve faced. I refused to give up. If something went wrong, I worked harder and tried to find a different way to get what I want. I’ve learned how important it is to always be kind to people. It’s something I’ve always done and believe you should do not matter what. In my experience, most people will help you if you’re kind to them.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I could write pages about this, but I’ll keep it simple. The Roger Room and Melrose Umbrella company would be my go-to places for drinks. The Frolic Room is also always an adventure. Hiking is such an LA thing, so I’d take them on a hike through Griffith Park. A day trip to the secret beach in Malibu, because you have to go to the beach if you’re visiting LA. Food is going to be a tough one for me because there are so many places I love. La Morra for pizza is a must. A trip to La Azteca Tortilleria for the chile relleno burrito. I’d take them to Quarter Sheets in Echo Park, so that we could get a slice of cake from Hannah Ziskin. Assuming they eat meat, we’d go to Bludso’s for some BBQ. Lastly I’d take them to All Power Books, so they could pick up a book or two to expand their view of the world and politics.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many people that have helped me along the way. I’m lucky I have a family that has always supported my pursuing a career in the arts and more recently my work as an activist. Teachers like Larry Moss and Tim Phillips that nurtured my creativity, curiosity, and talent. All of my friends that have been on this journey with me. I’m truly blessed to have a community of supportive friends that are always there when I need them.

Other: Link to the audio play: https://www.coeurage.org/nomad-project-stories/awakening Email: Jamesbondmq007@gmail.com

Image Credits
Grace McCarthy for everything but the pic with the Black Lives Matters sign Emily Knecht for the pic with the Black Lives Matter sign

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.