Meet Nancy Rumagit: Actor & Writer

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

Hi Nancy, how do you think about risk?
One of my teachers told me, “If a part scares you, then you have to do it.” He was talking about acting, but I’ve started to carry that with me in my life as well. Life just becomes a little bit duller without dipping your toes into the unknown, you know? Even just a little bit of it. It’s still hard to do, of course. I constantly find myself in situations where I am just sort of making it up as I go, which isn’t comfortable, but I’ve learned that as uncomfortable as that feeling is, it’s also where I learn the most. It’s a bit weird in that sense. When I’m not really under pressure I find it’s easier to be lazy and unadventurous, which is no fun at all.

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 am a storyteller. It was around when I was 17 I realized that I wanted to write and act for the rest of my life. If I’m being completely honest, I barely have any idea what I am doing most of the time on stage or when I am writing. I keep doing this because I just truly love it so much. I’m about to put up a play in late February, and people like to ask me, “How are the rehearsals going?” And I always reply with, “Fun!” Which may sound stupid, probably. It’s like what Rodrigo de Souza says in Mozart in the Jungle, perhaps, “You say amateur as if it was a dirty word. Amateur comes from the Latin word, ‘amare,’ which means to love. To do things for the love of it.”

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?
Oh, gosh. There are so many places. I love bookstores. I love long walks. I love the farmers market. Parks. Gardens. But if I am being completely honest, I’d probably bring them with me to do the most ordinary, mundane things. We’d get up in the morning and go for a walk around the neighborhood, maybe stop by the plant nursery I go to and get a commemorate cactus or succulent for their visit. Bring them grocery shopping with me and then have us attempt to make a meal without burning something. Watch a movie on my projector. There’s this bar in Hollywood that I adore, and if the museums were open, I’d obviously take them to The Getty. It’s probably my favorite museum. I’d take them to LACMA as well. I remember there was this room in one of the buildings where usually children and their parents go to, and they give you a piece of paper and all the crayons and markers you need, and you could just go nuts. I’d definitely take them there, and I’d put our masterpiece on my fridge or in my room. Hikes are a must, and though I don’t particularly like beaches because I hate when I get home and find that I’ve brought half the sand home with me, I would still take them to one. Venice Beach, probably. We’d take the bus there even though it takes forever, but then you get to see the city. Farmers Market on Sunday, just to walk around and buy some flowers… I mean I’m pretty boring like that to be honest, but those are the things I’d do. 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?
My friends. I am surrounded by the most honest individuals a person could find. I have a tendency to be lazy and take things for granted, and they always call me out on this. They keep me grounded and moving, even if it means they gotta drag me along the way for a bit. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be in LA right now. I’d be at home, not working, lying in bed, watching movies and dreaming of being in one, instead of actively trying to achieve that. They’re honestly a big part of why I get up every morning and work. I love them.

Website: shrunkenorange.tumblr.com
Instagram: nantjj // pylemap
Twitter: nantjjr

Image Credits
Blerim Gjoci, Adam Leene, Nicole Mairose Dizon, Maud Guerard, Brandon Figueroa, Jonathan D’Ambrosio