Today’s guest possesses creative gifts that expand across all forms and all mediums. Fully fueled by heart and passion, Jasika Nicole is an actor, clothing designer, artist, pottery maker, LGBTQ advocate, writer, and the list doesn’t stop there. Committed to pursuing an education in the performing arts, Jasika studied theater throughout her college years before relocating to New York City to follow her dreams of stage acting in New York City. Like many actors, Jasika initially struggled to balance the need for a day job without allowing it to interfere with audition opportunities. Making the decision to focus solely on what she came to New York to do, Jasika left her day job and booked a 3 line role in a Fringe Festival production that led her to get noticed by a producer in the audience - proving that no role is ever too small.
After gaining representation, Jasika began to shift her focus to film and television, with the goal of winning the audition room on personality rather than trying to figure out what casting wants. Landing herself on many sets, Jasika describes her time observing those around her as a “crash course in acting.” Even throughout her thriving career, Jasika admits to having moments where she felt herself on the verge of quitting and questioning whether or not she wanted to continue to be an actor. With self compassion, she describes how her other creative passions have been her saving grace, allowing her to find her way back into the love of acting and reminding her that her self worth is not determined by the number of credits on her resume.
You’ve seen her as Dr. Carly Lever in “The Good Doctor,” Agent Astrid Farnsworth in “Fringe,” among other hit projects such as “Scandal”, “Station 19”, “Underground”, “She’s Out of My League”, “Take the Lead” and the newly released, “Punky Brewster” reboot now streaming on Peacock. Jasika shows no signs of slowing down and shares the many lessons today that she has learned along the way, including how there are no right or wrongs when it comes to process, tips and tricks on how to bridge performance gaps week to week as a series regular, and the importance of asking yourself whether or not this is a role you truly want to play and if it aligns with the kinds of stories you want to tell.
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Credits:
- WRITER: Lizzy Dalla Betta
- SOUND DESIGN: Zachary Jameson
- WEBSITE & GRAPHICS: Chase Jennings
- ASSISTANT: Elle Powell
- SOCIAL OUTREACH: Bebe Katsenes
