Meet Nina Concepcion: Actor, writer, comedian

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

Hi Nina, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
My favorite quote (which can also be an affirmation) is “working actors work whether they are working or not.” I think this can also be applicable to other art forms, but for me as an actor this is so important. Work begets work. If I were to sit around, waiting for auditions to come in, I would go absolutely crazy. I am the best version of myself when I’m in the work – whether someone’s calling me into an audition or not. Creating my own projects, writing, being in class, being in community with other actors – all of this is so important to me. I believe that you receive what you put out. If I’m putting out creativity, if I’m enjoying this journey and creating my own work, I know work will come to me. I have said work so many times in this paragraph.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The thing I love most is writing for myself and for my friends. If I couldn’t collaborate with people I love, I don’t think I’d want to do this. There is nothing more exciting to me than being on set with friends, bringing our ideas to life. As an actor, I think sometimes it’s easy to forget our own agency. It can feel sometimes like our career is in the hands of so many other people, but that’s not the case! I love stepping into my power as an actor and writer, and creating my own projects. Short films, comedy sketches, writing movies and pilots for myself; all of this is what gets my heart racing and gets me super excited.

There are so many challenges that come with being an actor and writer. I think one of the biggest challenges I work hard to overcome is the comparison game. Comparing my journey and my career to those around me; that’s a sure-fire way to feel really bad about myself and to sit in negativity. It brings NOTHING good. Whenever I can feel myself start to compare my journey to someone else’s and feel those negative walls closing in, when I start telling myself mean lies like “you’re a failure” or “you’re too far behind”, I return to the work. I free-write some pages in my journal. I practice a self-tape. I goof off in front of the camera, playing around with a character. These things help nourish my soul, help me be the best version of myself as a person as well as an artist.

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?
For breakfast, we would definitely hit up the vegan Frogtown bakery “Just What I Kneaded.” The most delicious treats & one of my favorite small businesses in Los Angeles. For dinner, we’d go to Dumpling House on West 3rd Street in Koreatown. The most delicious dumplings you’ll ever eat in your entire life. We’d also hike at Fryman Canyon, my go-to hike! And for a snack we’d hit up Shappy Pretzel, the best pop-up soft pretzel in the biz! Seriously, check out Shappy Pretzel. As a native Philadelphian, there’s no better soft pretzel in Los Angeles. Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
When it comes to acting, Rachael Drummond has been such an incredible mentor to me. She has also directed my short film, and is someone who constantly encourages me and answers every question I have when it comes to acting as well as the business side of acting. She’s also talked me off many a ledge, and I’m so thankful for her guidance.

Another shout-out I would love to give is to Scott Rodgers. I have been studying screenwriting with Scott over the pandemic and learning how to translate my ideas into feature-length film scripts. His classes and the community he cultivates have been so inspiring. If you can take a class with him, do it!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nina_concepcion/

Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5551702/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0