In Conversation with Actress Nicole Coleman – NYC

Nicole Coleman is in the interview seat this week. I was impressed with the body of her work, the quality of her education and the intelligence behind her work. I had often heard about intelligent actors, and I finally met one in Nicole. Read further…

Hi, My Name is Nicole and I have always loved acting since I was a little girl. My first play was in the 2nd grade when I played the angel that appeared before Mary in my school’s Christmas Play. Once i became older, I auditioned for a magnet/fine arts school called Davidson Fine Arts and was accepted to their prestigious program. I studied ballet, creative writing, and of course Dramatic Arts. I performed in at least two productions a year. Upon Graduating high school I decided that I was serious about pursing a career in Acting and decided to follow my dream. I was accepted to Howard University’s Theater Arts Program, received various scholarships both artistically and academically and graduated with the highest G.P.A. in my class. 

I knew however that I needed more training so I applied to Mason Gross School of the Arts to pursue my masters in Theater. I graduated with a scholarship and was fortunate enough to score a legit agent and commercial agent thru my showcase. I am a proud member of Actor’s Equity as well as a recent member of S.A.G. & A.F.T.R.A. It has been a slow and steady journey for me to pursue my dream and I am building my resume slowly but surely. I started acting because I wanted to tell stories and affect people with my words  like my late mother did. She was a minister who had a profound impact on people’s lives. I always admired her courage to tell the truth and make a difference in people’s lives. 

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So when I was old enough I started making my own mark on people’s lives by creating and participating in theater with a message. It’s not an easy journey to pursue acting but if you love it, your gift will make room for you no matter what.

How you describe your acting?
Nicole Coleman (NC): My acting is based on the Meisner technique. I react to what I am given in a truthful manner. I truly allow my surroundings affect me to the deepest level possible, whether it’s visual, spoken, or audible stimuli. I live in the moment truthfully and try not to manipulate my actions or reactions, I just let them happen naturally or as realistically as possible. However, I do love character work, it gives me the opportunity to step outside of MYSELF and truly involve into another person living in a different world. When I have a chance to do character work, I jump at it enthusiasm!

How did you get into acting?
Nicole Coleman (NC): I realized I loved to act when my second grade teacher asked the class what the word complain meant.  Instead of me answering the question, I had to act it out.  Once I did my interpretation of complain everyone in the classroom understood my definition, including the teacher.  I loved the response and I love the feeling it gave me on the inside.  I felt like I was saying something to the world using my entire being (voice, body, life experiences) and it felt great to share this with others.

Did you study acting?
Nicole Coleman (NC): I studied acting in middle school and High school in a fine arts setting.  I studied with Kim Bey at Howard University, Al Freeman, he played Elijah Muhammed in Malcolm X, and I studied with Deborah Hedwall (a respected stage and film actress in New York, who studied with Uta Hagen first hand) and I also studied with the late, great Israel Hicks- an amazing director who directed many August Wilson Theater productions.  People think acting comes naturally and some aspects of it do, but I think it’s very important for the Actor to constantly hone their craft and get as much training as possible.  Especially when it comes to voice, speech, and proper use of your body (alexander technique).

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Do you operate on instinct when you are acting?
Nicole Coleman (NC): Of course I do.  Usually when you trust and follow your instincts, acting becomes so natural and realistic.  That’s why I love living life to the fullest, because the more you live, the more you learn and experience.  The journey of life prepares you for acting in many ways.  I use this and techniques from the Meisner Method.

Briefly describe a few wrong impressions actors have about acting?
Nicole Coleman (NC): Many actors believe that once they have completed training that the learning process of Acting is over, but they are so wrong. Just like an athlete, you must constantly exercise your instruments. This includes voice work, body work, and learning different techniques and approaches when it comes to different types of acting; stage, tv and flim, commercials are all different and require different techniques to execute them effectively. Also many actors believe that this is a glamorous career to get into. The truth of the matter is that this career requires so much humility and perseverance. You will constantly hear No and it’s not because you lack talent, it could be as simple as your hair color not being right for the part. There are so many uncontrollable factors when it comes to booking a job in this profession, so don’t overwhelm yourself with doubt and negativity, do your best work and have a great attitude and eventually Your time to shine will come!

Do you often take courses in acting to increase your craft?
Nicole Coleman (NC): I take classes at one on one for voice over work as well as auditioning techniques for commercials.  I also think it’s great to take classes that are not directly Acting related such as Zumba or Ballet, any artistic outlet can be free and open up your mind, body, and spirit to creativity.

What books do you read?
Nicole Coleman (NC): One of the best books I’ve read is by Angela Bassett and Courtney Vance  “Friends a love Story”  both of these amazing actors share their journey in a very open and honest way and it inspired me tremendously.  I also read the Bible it continues to give me faith and a wonderful spiritual foundation.

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How do you keep in shape as an actor?
Nicole Coleman (NC): Auditioning and taking classes, whether it’s a voice class or even singing classes.  Physically, I try to eat right and get rest and take care of my temple (body) because at the end of the day our body and voice is all that we have.

What physical exercises do to keep you in shape?
Nicole Coleman (NC): I love to do Zumba!

When you are offered a role what do you do?
Nicole Coleman (NC): I scream when I’m offered a role!  Then I try to research the time period in which the play takes place and then I read it about three times and anxiously wait for the other cast members to join me so we can read together and vibe off of each others energy.

How do you take a charcter in a script to a honest, believable and breathable person?
Nicole Coleman (NC): I write an biography in first person, and I read it and memorize it and take on the person’s life, I try to incorporate their truth in my life on a daily basis.  Sometimes I may wear an outfit that my character may wear even if it’s not in the same time period.  Walking in their shoes makes them more real and relatable to me.

How do you remain fresh on a film set?
Nicole Coleman (NC): Breathing and focusing my energy on things that keep me in the moment, maybe reading a book that relates to the film or my character, rehearsing lines, and exercising to keep my blood flowing, simple stretching and aerobics helps a lot!

What thing or situation helps your caracter during a production?
Nicole Coleman (NC): Costumes and makeup help me during a production, once I morph into another person physically it’s easier for me to mentally become that person too.

Explain a creative choice you took on a set of a production?
Nicole Coleman (NC): I had to play a ghetto character once, so I decided to chew gum and pat my head because I need to get a new weave soon.  It was  a minor adjustment but it make a difference and made my character more real.  It also caused the director to laugh and offer me kudos for my choices.

What is the most memorable screen character you have played?
Nicole Coleman (NC): Most of my experience is in theater but if I had to name a role it would be Shana in Father’s Day, 2011- It was a short role but her character was a firecracker and for some reason people tend to cast me as soft characters, nice character, and Shana was loud and outspoken, direct and gritty and i loved her boldness.

What do you want from a director during a production?
Nicole Coleman (NC): When I am stuck in a scene and I am not making organic choices help me arrive at the place I need to arrive at to make the scene work.  I want the director to be prepared knowing the script, the era, all the characters so if I’m lost they can help me find my way.

How do you prefer to work with a director during a prodution?
Nicole Coleman (NC): I like directors who give you freedom to make choices and guide you if those choices are not working.  I like directors who are open to suggestions and spontaneity.

Do you get offers from film industries like hollywood, bollywood and nollywood?
Nicole Coleman (NC): No, not yet.

TAF: WHAT DO YOU THINK AN ACTOR CAN DO TO GET INTO THE FILM INDUSTRY?
Nicole Coleman (NC): Take classes with casting directors and do non paying gigs so they can build their reel and shop them to agents or managers in order to get representation.  Once you have an agent who really works for you and believes in you they will submit you for work that will do justice to your career and help propel you in this competitive industry.

Who is your favourite actor?
Nicole Coleman (NC): Angela Bassett

Why?
Nicole Coleman (NC): Both of their versatility when it comes to acting.  Angela Bassett became Tina Turner in What’s love got to do with it, and then became a bitter divorcee in Waiting to Exhale, and I recently saw her in “the mountaintop” on Broadway and she was force to be reckoned with.

What advice do you give actors?
Nicole Coleman (NC): Keep working on your craft, and persevere, don’t compare your journey to others.  Just continue to pursue your dreams and career, stop acting if you are no longer passionate about it, don’t become a bitter actor, it shows…

Nicole Gant is a member of the Actors Equity Association & AFTRA. In the theatre, she has played Beneatha, in ‘A Raisin in the Sun’, with the Virginia Stage Company and the Actors Theatre of Louisville. She also played Candy Carter in ‘the Living Fat’ with the Cross Roads Theatre.

At Rutgers Theatre Company she has acted Nia in ‘in the Continuum ‘ , Debra in Voir Dire, Carol in At Home, Wren in Approaching Lavendar, Judy in The Rise of Daniel Rocket and in Venus. At the Howard University Company she has played Lily Noreen in Abyssinia; Lynette in Lynette at 3 A.M., Country Girl in God’s Trombones, and Howard U. Touring Company.

In film and television she has played Deryl-The Banker in PNC Bank Industrial, Mother in Warriors Don’t Cry, Shyna in Father’s Day, Militant Diner in ABCs ‘What Do You Do?’, Adoptive Mother in ABCs ‘What Do You Do?’, and Shya in Wrap It Up/Safe Sex. She has a BFA from Howard University, under the chair Joe Selmon and Kathy Bey. She also has an MFA from Mason Gross School of the Arts, under the chair Israel Hicks, Deborah Hedwall.

Her special skills include Southern American, West-African & Puerto-Rican dialects. In movement she is a Certified Actor Combatant, she is a dancer: African, Hip-Hop and modern dances. Her other skills include: typing, swimming, bubble-gum popping, hula-hoop, and cart-wheeling.

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