Meet Lisa Roumain | Actress

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

Hi Lisa, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
When I was 8 or 9 years old, my beloved Aunt gave me a collection of little art books, and she told me that she knew that I would love them because I was an “Artist.” I remember searching the pages of these books, over and over again, looking at images by painters like Picasso & Van Gogh, and they filled me with endless wonder, questions, and insecurity. I didn’t understand why she saw that in me. Did I really have a way to somehow contribute as an artist, and what did that actually mean? Labeling someone an “Artist” felt like such a big honor & curse, like you had to make beautiful things by letting others see inside of your heart. It was scary, but it planted a huge seed. Through the years, the moments where I felt the most myself, always had something to do with art, creativity, and storytelling. My nature was always to be a watcher, as I was a bit shy and felt like I was on the outside of things (I still do!) I’ve always been fascinated and tortured by trying to understand people, to feel a deep connection. My first love was books, then dance, and films. They gave me a way in to character’s inner lives, and helped me understand myself and others in such an intimate way. Inhabiting characters as an Actress made me feel like the large inner life I had could finally come bursting out in ways that it was unable to in real life. It gave me a place where I could channel my empathy, curiosity, and fears. I found that taking risks in that space was so exhilarating and rewarding, and that all of the little pieces of me, dark and light, could have a place to go. Ultimately, the most beautiful thing, is that I have the honor of making truly soulful connections with other artists, and that process can be incredibly magical.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
When my eldest daughter, Skye, was in Kindergarten, the teacher asked what her Mom did for work, and she enthusiastically replied “She’s an Auditioner!” When the teacher told me that, I laughed so hard, but it punched me in the gut and I cried later when I was alone. I think one of the things I’m most proud of is just the fact that I’m still here, grinding through and dreaming about what’s next. It has been a very long, bumpy path. One that seemed to go absolutely nowhere for a very long time. I had an incredible amount of groundwork to lay, and it was HARD, it’s still hard and the work never stops or gets easier. The result is mostly not in my control, so I have to appreciate the process and savor it. Now, I love this work a million times more than I did at the beginning, and it holds infinite magic and wonder for me. I think this business can be extremely toxic to some, and it can cause people to become very jaded and guarded. Which is the antithesis of the process of an Actor. So, I’ve made a conscious effort to try to always lead with an open heart, put in the hard work daily, and to risk showing what’s inside of me, even if it may not seem to fit or work, even if it’s terrifying. I realized years ago that I didn’t seem to perfectly fit anywhere, and that I couldn’t possibly figure out what anyone wanted or needed, so I just had to follow my gut on what felt exciting and fulfilling to me. Once I started putting out what felt honest to me, things started “clicking.” That shift has empowered me to find ways to be braver. I wrote my very first screenplay over quarantine, after trying and failing for many years to get anything down on paper. The process of writing has been so challenging and rewarding, and sharing what I write feels even scarier and more vulnerable than I’ve ever felt in acting, but that is the sweet spot. I hope that my daughters will somehow be empowered in their own lives through seeing my experience, and that they understand that nothing is truly lost in the journey, that the practice of something can be the heart and soul of everything.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite thing about LA is that you have access to SO much variety. You can ride horses on a remote mountain trail, hang out on miles of beach, or drive 2 hours for snow or desert. I have had the honor and pleasure of watching passionate people in my local community build really special places that have meant a lot to me. I love going out to breakfast, my local favorites are Gasolina Cafe, Topanga Living Cafe, or Juicy Ladies. One of the best taco stands you will find is in just south of downtown Topanga, called La Chingona. All of these also happen to be run by bad ass women. My family and I love to take a day trip to Los Olivos, where you can ride bikes through the wine country. If I’m in West Hollywood, I have to hit M Cafe, it was a must on days where I would jump from one audition to the other. I’ve always loved Abbot Kinney in Venice, there is always a new interesting boutique or pop up, and great ice cream trucks, and food at Gjelina or The Butcher’s Daughter. My daughters and I are dying to get back to the Pantages or Ahmanson for a good musical too!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
In the last year and a half of madness in the world, one of the most profound and beautiful gifts was the support and creative inspiration I found in my acting community, particularly from the BGB Acting Studio. The studio did an incredible job evolving their instruction through the virtual space, and really deepened what already made them so special. The focus is always on being present and true to what is happening in the moment, good or bad, without judgment. This awareness was so important throughout this pandemic, and those moments in class, with those students, gave me the strength and perspective I desperately needed, not just as artists but as human beings. There were moments on Zoom that cracked me open and jolted me awake, it stops my heart to think about all of those faces in boxes sometimes, how something so strange can become the sweetest sight you’ve ever seen. Also, the process of self-taping paved the way for even more connection, as we now have to work together to get auditions done. I always found the process of auditioning to be very lonely. But now, we have to reach out to our trusted community to take part in the preparation and audition, and we are doing some of the best work we’ve ever done while supporting, challenging, and cheering each other on. It’s so rewarding to have spent 4 + hours on FaceTime reading with my best friend, and finding out that one of us got a callback or booking, knowing that even through we were fried and delirious, we kept pushing to finally find the scene, and it paid off. We did that together and it’s the coolest feeling. My daughters, Skye & Sierra, have helped me book many jobs and it’s so sweet to share that process with them! Not a day goes by that I don’t feel intense gratitude that I have the love and support from my family & friends, who’ve helped me push through the difficult moments with their encouragement and belief. Every time someone invites me to join in on telling their story, my heart is theirs. It’s such an honor to be trusted in that way, and every character and project becomes such a treasured part of me.

Website: Http://www.imdb.me/lisaroumain

Instagram: @lisaroumain

Twitter: @lisaroumain

Other: https://vimeo.com/73914608

Image Credits
Over the shoulder shot 1- Bjoern Kommerell Black and white shot- Sonalii Castillo Green shirt: Kate Romero