Meet Luci MacNair: Actress, Writer & Singer

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

Hi Luci, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
I have many quotes that influence my life on the daily. I have a whole wall in my front room covered from floor to ceiling with framed quotes from people that I admire, or with words that move or inspire me in some way. I have a mini version ‘wall of quotes’ in my bedroom as well. (Seems eccentric perhaps, but I love these walls very much). I have filled my home with joyful words.

Quotes are very important to me. Maybe because my love language is words of affirmation or maybe because seeing one can change my mood, but mostly, I believe, because when someone’s words resonate with me, I feel less alone. I feel more seen, more connected to the world, In quotes, I have found that my hopes, my dreams, my feelings and my truths are not only mine, but in fact bigger than me. That I myself am a universal being. Words have become mirrors for something deep and important within me that perhaps I was unable to voice myself or that I was unable to put into words myself.
Words are our most powerful tool as human beings. This is why freedom of speech is so important. One’s Words is one’s power.

“That is part of the beauty of all literature. You discover that your longings are universal longings, that you’re not lonely and isolated from anyone. You belong.” -F. Scott Fitzgerald

It is vital that each of us feels we belong in the world and feel safe to be ourselves because we are, each of us, universes that bring to this world something unique and beautiful and important. Each of us make the world what it is and each of us have the power to help this world be a more loving and beautiful place. That is the power of the collective individual.

As an artist, quotes influence my work a lot. Quotes from those I admire have inspired me to keep going, to dig deeper, to trust my own voice. Lyrics in my music have been influenced by quotes, I have used quotes in plays I have written, and in brainstorming projects. Quotes have helped me in my life to trust myself more and in turn to then be able to trust my ideas and my art.

It’s hard to choose just one “favourite quote’. I find myself constantly inspired by so many. So, today, I’ll choose one from Vincent Van Gogh who said, “There is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.”

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am an actress, singer, writer and producer. I’ve worked on feature films, short films, television, as well as theatre. Both my undergraduate and Master’s degrees are in theatre. I got my Master’s from London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

Theatre is actually where I fell in love with the craft of storytelling. My mother loves to tell this story about when I was five and struggling in school. I was very, very quiet- nearly silent- and I struggled with reading. My teacher at the time had the foresight to put me in the school play. I was “ladybug.” That little play in first grade (I was young for my year), absolutely changed everything for me. It was from then on that I started reading and excelling in school.

That story is a good place to start with my artistic journey because the journey is and was anything but easy. For one, after my stage debut as “Ladybug,” I took a very long break from theatre and instead played soccer year around. I was a very serious soccer player for many years. It wasn’t until High School, when I saw a video of Bernadette Peter’s playing ‘The Witch’ in ‘Into the Woods,’ that I felt the pull to perform. Funnily enough, I went on to play ‘Jack’ in ‘Into the Woods’ a few months after that at a local community theatre.

When it came time for University, I said goodbye to soccer and chose to study theatre full time. I was very shy and very quiet though as a freshman and ex-soccer player. I didn’t start auditioning or get brave with acting until my senior year. I did little projects here and there throughout my time, but I got bold during my senior year. I committed fully to acting then and moved back home to Los Angeles and pursued it with gusto. I fell into writing and producing and creating content. I love storytelling and am grateful to be participating with so many aspects of it.

For most of my childhood, I was very quiet. A quiet observer. It took me a long time to find my voice and it has really been a journey, one that I am currently still on. I have been on a quest for my voice (as a woman and as an artist) and it is a beautiful, hard, exhausting, exciting artistic journey with so many ups and downs. I would trade nothing for the path I have lived so far. As hard as it’s all been, it has been extraordinary as well.

I have, time and time again, used stories from my life to create art. This has proven to be so rewarding for many reasons. I have written and produced films about pieces of my life and am currently writing two plays using my personal stories. I love collaborating and I come at art with my whole self and my whole heart. I am also a singer. My stage name is scotland mac and my EP is releasing soon– this year!

There have been many obstacles on my artistic path, a lot of them. I have been a “starving artist” for a large portion of my career, having to work a day job in addition to creating my art. What has helped me the most is always remembering to tune-in to my “knowing” about myself rather than my fears and to constantly empower my belief that I can make a different decision or reinvent myself at any time. I make a habit now of reminding myself that ‘success” is much more than what the industry would have one believe and that age really is ‘just a number.’ I also really subscribe to the idea that living my life and loving people and participating in the world as ‘human being’ first, rather than as ‘artist’ first, has made me a much more open, braver, connected, deeper, truthful artist– one able to witness and learn from people and one able to feel and be in my own humanity and then from there, create art accordingly.

And when I feel overwhelmed, which definitely happens, I try to remember what writer Glennon Doyle says, “Just do the next right thing. One thing at a time. That’ll take you all the way home.”

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 would start in the valley actually. At Sweet Butter Kitchen to grab Lavender lattes (Yes, I know how “LA” that sounds”). Then I would drive them through Mulholland Drive, stopping at the pull-over space nearing Coldwater Canyon Rd. where we could take in the beauty for a few minutes. Then I would drive them to Santa Monica– the beach, where we could grab food and sit on the pier for a while. Probably ride the Ferris wheel as well. Put our feet in the water and people watch.

Then I would drive them down beautiful PCH to the 10 to get to LACMA and the food trucks around there for lunch. Stop in and see the art for a while. Then of course, go walk around Hollywood. Stop in at Amoeba Records and walk the Hollywood strip and stop in at all the vintage stores along the way, definitely stopping in at Iguana Vintage clothing, one of my favorites.. Then I would take them on a ‘Star-Sighting Tour’ or one of those tourist buses because I think sometimes it is super fun to be a tourist in one’s own city anyway. Plus, it’s a quick way to learn fun facts and the history of Los Angeles as well as covering a lot of the beautiful bits of LA– like Beverly Hills and Rodeo drive and all that in one big swoop!

Then I would drive them to the observatory because it is seriously one of the most beautiful views of Los Angeles and also just a gorgeous place. All of this though has been leading to the real event. Having dinner at my most favourite restaurant in the whole world called ‘Chinese Friends,’ in downtown. My family has been going there since my mom was ten! It has the best food ever and I highly recommend it. It’s this small, lovely place run by the kindest family. They have been working there FOREVER and are always excited to see us. They are the very best. The food is absolutely delicious. Don’t go on a Tuesday though, because they are closed! You can stop for Mochi after at Phoenix Bakery across the street.
Then maybe I’d go to see a film, maybe at archlight. And that would be the day! Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people that come to mind because I have been blessed to be surrounded by so many remarkable people. Today though, I want to shoutout Nikki DeLoach, who is an absolute gorgeous actress and an even more stunning human being.

She is my chosen family and someone who has helped me trust myself as an artist and as a woman. She is someone whom I trust and admire and will until the end of time. We have been through a lot of hard and beautiful times together. We have witnessed the line of life and death together. We have laughed and cried through the best and the worst of times together. She is a true friend and confidant. She let me in, she allowed me to really witness her and love her and by doing so, has taught me the profound strength of vulnerability. Something that I have, in turn, been trying to trust in myself more.

Nikki is one of the strongest and gentlest human beings I have ever met. She’s the type of person that influences all around her to be more loving, more kind and more themselves. She could have easily chosen to be bitter or angry with the world, but instead is intensely patient and incredibly kind. Her bravery is her superpower. She is a constant advocate for love and learning and for helping the world become a more equitable, heart-centered place. She inspires me everyday.

Website: scotmusic.uk

Instagram: @lucimacnair, @scotmusic

Twitter: @lucimacnair, @iamscotmusic

Image Credits
Joss Ryder Photography, Crystal Schull Photography, Lidia Crisafulli Photography, Casey Ryder Artwork