Meet Sofia Gregory: Actor & Writer

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

Hi Sofia, can you tell us about an impactful book you’ve read and why you liked it or what impact it had on you?
I recently read a book titled “The Wisdom of Anxiety.” A friend recommended it to me after we had a conversation regarding our shared interest in the way the mind operates. We’ve both found ourselves and the people we know experiencing an increase in their day to day anxieties, fears, and worries. I began to wonder why and so I picked up the book. I have always thought that social media is wonderful in the sense it brings about connection and introduces us to new topics and people (like the purpose of this magazine/column). However I also think that social media can be extremely harmful to our mental health. Plus, living through a pandemic where social isolation and loneliness were prevalent did not help. This book, written by Sheryl Paul, explores where that feeling of anxiety comes from and also presents the point of view that maybe, just maybe, anxiety can be a good thing.
At the beginning of the book, Paul discusses something she refers to as the “dark night of the soul.” For her this was an awakening. It was a time in her life where she felt like everything was going wrong, all the things she had planned for were not happening and she felt at a loss. In other words, she had hit a wall. It was at this point where Sheryl felt the most connected to her truest desires. Going through the “dark night of the soul” helped Paul realize that she needed a change. Although it was not easy and she experienced severe anxiety and even depression, this wave of change helped her grow into the individual she is today. She would not have become that person or learned the lessons she did without those difficulties.

Furthermore, I think this idea can be very inspiring to artists. This past year during the pandemic I felt a lot of uncertainty surrounding my life and career in the arts. When everything shut down, I felt extremely disheartened as an actor and worried there would be no end in sight. This book helped me to return to a place of interconnectedness. Throughout the book there are writing prompts to encourage the reader to form their own opinions about the material and relate it to oneself. These prompts helped me to not only break down what was at times a very dense read, but also make sense of myself. The book gave me hope that things would get better. It helped me visualize what I really want out of life and how I can bring those goals to fruition.

Namely, I want to act, write, and create work that shines light in dark situations. I aim to make art that makes people reflect on their own reality and spark change in their lives. I am presently working on developing a dramedy series loosely based on the events and experiences of my life. I hope people can relate to the ridiculous nature of the series’ circumstances and at times frenzied behavior of the protagonist. I intend to shoot the series in a low budget way with some of my dearest friends who are also actors and filmmakers. I then intend to pitch the series and hopefully one day reshoot with a bigger budget. As an actor, I firmly believe you have to forge your own path and to do that, you must make your own work.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
When I was growing up, my parents always encouraged me to follow my dreams, but also kept me grounded with the knowledge that dreams take hard work. As artists they knew first hand how difficult it can be to turn your dreams into a reality. Thanks to them I have always been a particularly driven individual, but everyone goes through periods of self doubt.

Up until recently, I never really understood when my parents would say life can get in the way. Bills, rent, day jobs, and so on can make your dreams feel like a distant wish. Being an actor, I found myself questioning a lot about my career when Broadway and film production temporarily shut down due to Covid. But if there is one quality I inherited from my parents, it is tenacity. My mom passed away when I was in high school after battling a terminal disease known as ALS. Watching her go through this at a very young age instilled a strength in me that will never falter. Both my parents, but especially my mother, were incredibly positive during this time. They constantly found ways to find light in a heavy situation, and my mother taught me how to be brave and not give up even when it feels like the world is against you.

As an individual I feel like there is nothing I can’t get through and this is something I have found to be important in the acting industry. People will tell you “you’re not this” or “too much this”, “too old”, “too young”, “not what we’re looking for” — you can not listen. You have to keep going, keep submitting, keep showing up because one day it will pay off. If people won’t cast you, cast yourself. At the start of the pandemic I produced and acted in a web series written and created with some friends from college. Lately I have been working on developing a dramedy series loosely based on my life. Finding ways to laugh through difficult situations is something my family has always emphasized as being important and I think a deep part of who I am today. My favorite genre is dark comedy because of how it reflects on situations one might consider too painful to discuss. In conclusion, I think a great way to show people the kind of work you want to be a part of is to start developing projects that you are passionate about.

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?
Funnily enough, I’ve actually just had a couple friends move to Los Angeles from the East Coast and ask me to show them around LA. The first thing I did was take them to the beach. In my opinion the best beaches are in Malibu. Some of my favorite spots are El Matador, Point Dume, and Broad Beach. El Matador is a beautiful location with a ton of caves that make you feel like you’re in another state, sometimes even another planet. Point Dume has an amazing overlook of the Pacific, and when you stand up there, all your worries seem to melt away. Broad beach is, of course, a great place for swimming and surfing.

As far as eateries go, growing up in the valley I have a soft spot for Ventura Blvd. It’s my go to for thrift shopping, food, and drinks. In fact I’m currently working at a restaurant called the Tipsy Cow on Ventura, off Kester. It is a great spot for American food and beers, plus the happy hour is daily! I also love the Los Feliz area. On Franklin avenue there are a bunch of hip spots such as the Bourgeois Pig, a neat coffee shop with games of pool and a jungle theme.

Another thing I love about LA are the hiking trails. Some of my favorites include Fryman Canyon, Nancy Pohl Overlook, Wisdom Tree, and Eaton Canyon. A pastime my friends and I also love to engage in is finding different views of the city. We typically find spots off Mulholland drive. I love to be outdoors and seeing as Los Angeles is surrounded by so much nature, I think that is something I would really highlight for any individual looking for new and exciting activities. Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My dad, without a doubt, for his endless support. Not only has he been an incredible single parent these last few years, he has also always been an inspiration for me as an actor. I will never forget when I was little and my dad went off to shoot a film in Mexico leaving my brother and I with my mom. I wanted so badly to go with him, but I was far too young and far too wild. When my dad came back from the trip he brought me a marionette doll, which I still have to this day. I remember thinking how cool the doll was, but even more so, how cool my dad was for making a living as an actor and continuing to chase his dreams. Both my parents were actors and I have always wanted to follow in their footsteps. Thanks to my dad, I was able to study acting in New York at a private university. I am forever grateful for him allowing me to do this and supporting me on my journey. I look forward to the day I am able to pay him back for all he has done.

Website: https://www.sofiagregory.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sofia-gregory-31217911b/

Image Credits
Sydney Jaro