Meet Courtney Latrice | Actor

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

Hi Courtney, what makes you happy? Why?
What makes me happiest is being connected to stories. I love storytelling in all its forms — the ones I live, the ones I tell, and the ones I notice in other people. Acting has always felt like my way of paying attention to life. Throw me on a stage or on someone’s set and I’m in my happy place. It feels like purpose and play at the same time.

I also love how it shows up in the everyday moments. Conversations that keep you hanging on every word, café hangs, wandering through bookstores (although that might be just a me thing) but ultimately, giving myself space to dream bigger. Happiness for me also comes from a good book and a mocha latte, so there’s that.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art comes from curiosity, truth, and honestly… a little chaos. I started out as a singer, but after seeing a production of Sweeney Todd I said, “Yep. I’m doing this. Whatever it takes.” And apparently I meant it, because I moved to New York with no job, no savings, and absolutely no idea what I was doing. Most of my meals were ramen or dollar-slice pizza, and I spent my days refreshing Backstage and Actors Access like they were stock tickers. Shoutout to the New York Public Library system for the free Wi-Fi and a place to set up shop without having to buy anything. I didn’t know the blueprint (wasn’t even aware there could be one), so I just took classes — rather obsessively — and figured it out one tiny, chaotic step at a time.

The journey has been wild. I’ve signed with agents, been dropped by agents, and even had the moment where I logged into IMDb and saw a blank space where my agent’s name used to be (le sigh). I’ve dodged scammy workshops, had an agent who eventually went to prison, performed for three people and for sold-out crowds, and lined up at Ripley-Grier before sunrise for EPAs. And if you think waiting in a digital line is work, try getting your name on the top of a physical list with frozen fingers and praying they transfer the unofficial list instead of starting a new one after hour two. I got my SAG card, my Equity card, and a lifetime of “is this real life?” stories along the way. Through all of that, the one thing that never changed was how much I genuinely love the work.

The biggest lessons I’ve learned are to show up and to protect your peace. Showing up sounds simple until it’s not. You have to be present even when it’s uncomfortable, even when you’re tired, even when everything in you wants to disappear. Half of making art is being undeniable in the room and in yourself. The other half is protecting the thing in you that makes you you. No one tells you that the highs are sky-high and the lows can feel below sea level, and that’s on top of regular life life-ing. There’s constant rejection, constant questioning, constant “am I enough?” energy. You have to guard your joy, your curiosity, and your sense of self or this industry will drain it.

What sets me apart now is that I bring all of those twists, losses, wins, and lessons with me. I know what it feels like to build from nothing and to keep going when the path makes zero sense. It made me resilient, grounded, and honestly a better storyteller. I also had to learn how to find stillness in the chaos, which was a gamechanger for me. It shifted the way I build characters, the way I deliver even the wild one-liners in those hard-to-get co-star auditions, and, more importantly, the way I protect my peace.

What I want people to know is that my path hasn’t been linear or easy (and I’ve missed every milestone I ever penciled into a planner, bless my heart), but it’s mine, and I’m proud of it. I’m excited for what’s ahead, and I’m walking into this next chapter with more clarity and more confidence.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m back home-home in Chicago now, so I would want my best friend to get a mix of really good food, cute little cozy hangs, and all the things I love about my city.

First stop is always Bourgeois Pig Café. It is the cutest, most old-vibey spot that somehow manages to be a café, a wine bar, and a speakeasy depending on what time you show up. And yes, we are going all three times in one day. Then we would wander through a bookstore like Semicolon or Myopic because that is simply who I am as a person.

Excuse my biased opinion, but food-wise, Chicago is top of the heap. We are hitting it all and saving the classics like deep dish, Italian beef (yes, we are getting it dipped), Harold’s, and Uncle Remus for the end of the trip because that is a commitment. We would do Virtue, Pequod’s, or a good brunch at Wildberry or Batter and Berries. One night we would dress up and go somewhere a little fancier, maybe Aba or Girl and the Goat, just to feel cute and sip something nice.

I would definitely take them to a show because theatre is such a big part of this city. We would hit one of the bigs like Steppenwolf, Lookingglass, or the Goodman, but honestly the smaller theatre companies are the ones really giving us what we need. My faves would be something at Definition Theatre, Timeline Theatre, Remy Bumppo, or Theatre Wit. We would also absolutely do a night at Second City because seeing a live comedy show in Chicago is basically a rite of passage. At some point we would do a lakefront morning, because how can you not, followed by a museum afternoon. The Art Institute is always a good idea. Always.

And in between a fully packed schedule, we would explore neighborhoods like Pilsen, Hyde Park, and Andersonville. There is an amazing thrift store in Andersonville called Brown Elephant and it is everything. Then we would end one night with a cozy wine moment at a neighborhood spot like Apero.

And of course, we are doing jazz. You cannot forget the cute jazz spots or a random live show. Andy’s Jazz Club is always a good time, and Chicago makes it so easy to stumble into good music without even trying. There are artists everywhere you turn.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout goes to my circle, especially my family. They’ve been a steady source of love, support, and encouragement through every season of my life. I’m grateful for the friends, mentors, and teachers who helped me trust my voice and stay committed to the work, but my family is the foundation. They’ve always made space for my dreams, even when the timing or the path wasn’t clear. Their belief in me has meant more than they know.

Instagram: @courtneylatrice

Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6491192/

Image Credits
Jeff Kurysz