Meet Morgan O’Sullivan | Actor, Writer, Director and Artist, (they/he)

We had the good fortune of connecting with Morgan O’Sullivan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Morgan, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Nothing risked, nothing gained; I really do believe that. I also believe in balance wherever possible, and taking time to make healthy decisions. However, if life has taught me anything thus far, it’s been that at some point you just have to jump. That’s just the nature of life: there’s only one way to find out if something is work the risk, and that’s by doing it. To me, it’s less about the outcome and more about paying attention to what my needs are and my instincts are telling me. It’s more about not having to wonder, “what if,” ten years into the future, and answering the call when it comes.

When it comes to my career as an Actor, risk taking is a terrifying necessity. I have certainly discovered that everyone has an opinion about what the, “right path,” is, about how you’re supposed to look, act, speak, dress, etc. But it was only when I stopped listening to other people and took the risk to be my most authentic self that I actually saw my career take a huge leap. Ultimately that’s the thing they’re looking for when you enter those audition rooms. They want to see that you’re ready to take risks and do something no one has seen before.

In my personal life, I try to remain open to what “taking a risk,” can offer. I regularly ask myself, “if I don’t do this thing, say this thing, make this move,” (whatever it may be,) “will I regret it tomorrow? What about in a year? What about when I’m at the end of my days?” If the answer is yes, it’s time to pull myself up by my boot straps and do the thing.

Risk taking is about honoring your most authentic self and your deepest desires, and that to me, is worth everything.

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.
I’m a Los Angeles based, Non-Binary & Transgender Actor, Director, and Writer whose work is heavily intertwined with the mission to spiritually, emotionally and mentally heal our culture. My dream is to create radically safe-spaces for necessary conversations about gender, sexuality, mental and emotional health, specifically in relation to the transgender experience, and to continue to decolonize the theatre and film world in order to tell the most authentic stories possible.

I am proud of my work in no small part because it is so deeply informed by the work I’ve done in therapy and recovery. It has not been easy, but I feel certain that I can say I practice what I “preach.” I don’t ask things of my audience that I haven’t asked myself already, and as an artist I am armed not only with the tools given to me by my training, but in understanding myself. In short, I got to where I am today because of persistence in the industry, but almost more importantly by facing my own shortcomings, going to therapy, and holding myself accountable in my healing.

Theater and Film, rehearsal spaces, are not therapy; these are not substitutes for medical intervention in relation to mental, emotional, or physical distress. If I could share one thing about my story, it is that my art is informed by my healing, not by my suffering or my trauma. There’s a really toxic narrative that artists are or should be looking for pain and suffering as if it’s a muse – but real craft comes from being in the drivers seat around your story, not letting your story take you for a ride.

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.
The Santa Monica Mountains! Specifically, Sandstone Peak – what an incredible hike. If you can make it to the top by sunset, it’s the place to be.

Moonlight Rollerway in Glendale: there’s nothing that some neon lights, some glitter, disco and some roller-skating can’t fix.

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?
I would love to give a shoutout to the Act Now Community: it’s LA’s only LGBTQIA+ Acting Class, and it’s taught me so much already. That community is an extraordinary example of what it means to take the risk and prioritize yourself, embrace your identity, your fear, and take up space. Thank you so much to the Now>Ever Artists community for lighting the way.

Website: morganrosullivan.com

Instagram: @___mx_morgan

Other: redseedfilms.com frankieshortfilm.com

Image Credits
Travis Emery Hackett