Meet Emily Nash: Actor & Coach

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

Hi Emily, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I had been working pretty steadily as an actor in New York City for several years, and I started to gain major traction in commercials. Commercials are notoriously difficult to break into and find consistent work in, given their competitive nature, but I somehow managed to carve out a place for myself in that world. Once the pandemic hit, commercials were one of the only facets of the entertainment industry that remained completely intact. I began casually coaching a few friends on their commercial material over Zoom, and one of them strongly suggested that I start my own commercial coaching business. I realized that while there was a plethora of acting coaches in New York City and elsewhere, no one was singularly focused on coaching acting for commercials, so I decided to claim that spot for myself! I started my own business, Emily Nash Commercial Coaching, a few months ago. It’s been so rewarding to get to flex my creative muscles in a brand new way while also helping other actors around the country!

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I’m an actor who works on stage and on screen, and above all else, I love collaboration. Acting can be a very lonely profession, because it often requires you to live inside your own head in order to access your artistry and creativity. The times I’ve been happiest in my career are the times I’ve gotten to create work with other incredible artists, be it helping to develop a new musical or play, goofing around on set, rehearsing a new song with intricate harmonies, or discovering new layers to a scene in class.

I’m proud that in my years as an actor, I’ve prioritized creating work with people I love, instead of simply waiting around for jobs to land in my lap (though I’ve tried that route too). I developed an original cabaret show with my good friend that uses musical comedy to destigmatize anxiety and other forms of mental illness. I recently began working for NCo Creations, a bicoastal performing arts and education corporation dedicated to spotlighting new works. I’m continuing to coach a variety of actors around the country on their commercial material, empowering them to take the next step in their careers. I’m going back to school in the fall to earn my MFA in Screen Acting. Beginning these endeavors wasn’t easy– it required a lot of trial and error, fear of failure, overcoming imposter syndrome, and accepting help from friends and family. I learned that as artists and as people in general, we’ll never fully know how to do something until we take a massive leap and try it. The learning is in the doing. It’s not always glamorous– it involves a lot of flailing around until you get it right. Failure becomes an artist’s best friend. I wish more people understood how much failure all artists have endured, no matter what stage of their career they’re in. Now I think of all my failures as badges that I can wear with pride, because they’ve gotten me to where I am now.

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.
First and foremost, I would give them a little culinary tour of my neighborhood in Brooklyn. I think I’d have to dedicate an entire day to eating and drinking at all of my favorite neighborhood spots, from my favorite iced latte and bagel sandwich, to my favorite tacos paired with a spicy margarita, to my favorite sushi in a cup (yes, you read that right). There are so many amazing restaurants in Brooklyn! I’d also have to take them for a leisurely stroll through beautiful Prospect Park, and maybe a visit to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens and the Brooklyn Museum. At some point, we’d have to go into Manhattan so I could introduce them to my amazing hot yoga studio in the village, and then we’d travel up to midtown to see a Broadway or Off-Broadway show. If we were really feeling crazy, maybe we’d even go see a late-night comedy show. In New York City, you can’t go wrong with food or entertainment, as far as I’m concerned. It’s all pretty unbeatable. Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would be absolutely nowhere without the support of my friends. Life is already difficult to manage on a good day, and when you throw a global pandemic into the mix, it can get unmanageable at times. My friends have consistently been there to reassure me of my worth and provide clear, rational perspectives I never could have discovered on my own. I’m so grateful to my friends near and far who continue to provide me with love, encouragement, and undying support!

Website: www.emilyknash.com / www.emilynashcoaching.com

Instagram: @emilykatenash @emilynashcoaching

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/emilykatenash

Twitter: @emilykatenash

Facebook: facebook.com/emilyknashactor

Youtube: youtube.com/user/emknash

Image Credits
John Noble Barrack Russ Rowland Cory Antiel Productions Kate Mitchell