Meet Yasmin Pascall | Actor, Martial Artist, Dancer

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

Hi Yasmin, how do you think about risk?
For many years, I was taught that I had to wait for someone to open a door for me and tell me I was worthy of being in the room. I have found that the only approval I need as an artist and human is from myself. I am invested in unleashing the inner child; that bold, honest. and relentless light inside of us which hasn’t learned the “rules” yet. My martial practice, Aikido, has been teaching me to give all. Fear can make oneself hold back one’s energy and boldness under the guise of self-preservation. It begs the question: what am I preserving myself for? Am I afraid of what will happen if I allow myself to be container-less and free? I feel that this applies to risk, love, joy, and many other aspects of life. If I only give a little, I will receive a little. I have booked more jobs and devised work that I never imagined possible when I gave myself the permission to be expansive and play how I wanted to. My advice to anyone, as they continue on their journey, is this: jump off the board, cannonball yourself, and make a splash! Because why not?

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a multi-disciplinary creative based in Brooklyn, NY. I grew up between Chennai, India and California. When living in India, it was very important to my family to travel. I spent a lot of my school breaks exploring various countries in Asia and Europe. The wealth of life I had the pleasure of experiencing is what made me fall in love with people. Many of the qualities I hold dear about my artistry come from the incredible warmth, color, large energy, boisterous honesty, hard work, and gratitude I encountered. Hence, why I am especially passionate about lifting up stories from underrepresented communities, as well as exploring the political and provocative nature of art. I am enjoying how this industry is expanding to include people from all over the world, as well as, light up their stories.

I am very grateful to have been working consistently in film and theater. As a martial artist, certified stage combatant, and dancer, physical storytelling has always been a very alive part of my work. These mediums have been a driving force in my life and have taught me so much about practice. I believe that everyone must have a practice, something that demands curiosity and challenges oneself to keep digging deeper. Humans have a desire to be seen, understood, and not alone. That’s why we turn to art. We are looking for ourselves within it. It is so beautiful to feel awake and open within a story I am bring to life, to be a mirror. I am finding that consistency with these practices allows myself to clean this mirror and see clearly. I am so excited about the future collaborations and discoveries that are to come!

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.
There is Oh So Much stuff to do in Brooklyn. The city is your oyster. There is so much to enjoy: sunny days in Prospect Park, turmeric lattes at Room 205, cruising through art galleries in Gowanus, salsa dancing in Williamsburg, Ethiopian food at Ras Plant Based, etc.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I dedicate this to my parents and Melody.

Website: www.YasminPascall.com

Instagram: @yasminpascall

Image Credits
Dash Kolos, Emma Fabilli, William Lacey, Jonathan Barbee, Giancarlo Abrahan, and Thomas Brunot