Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Phylicia Wissa. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Phylicia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
The confirmation to pursue a professional career as a an actress in film and television came through a series of moments in my personal life. To begin, my name was, and still is, the catalyst. When my parents first immigrated to the United States of America from the Democratic Republic of Congo (D.R.C.), they did not speak English fluently, and attending Adult School to learn the language presented another obstacle, due to there only being a Spanish-to-English option at the time. My parents loved watching American television shows and films, however, they had a particular affinity towards The Cosby Show and the exquisite Phylicia Rashad, who portrayed the show’s matriarch. When I was born, which was at the hospital on the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Vermont Avenue, my parents named me after her. Hearing this story as a child, created a desire for the performing arts. I would watch hours of television after school and whenever I could squeeze it in after homework. I enjoyed the sit-com’s of the 90’s, with shows like Martin, Frasier, Living Single, Family Matters, Mad About You, etc. I would study and try to recreate memorable scenes or characters from said shows. I witnessed how these programs impacted people and American culture. I also realized the immediate effect storytelling via film and television had on people. It touched them deeply, personally. It carried them through life. Whether it was a joke or an episode of social commentary, it lingered in their memories. I knew I wanted to be able to do the same with my gift of performance. Creating a connection with people or an audience through storytelling is a goal I strive towards.
When I discovered this could be an actual career, I did all I could to acquire information and guidance. Whilst in middle school, I was in an academic program called the Junior Cadet Police Academy. It was a fast-track program to join the Police Academy and eventually joining law enforcement to some capacity. I let go of the desire to perform and focused solely on my academia and excelling in this educational institution. However, the acting bug gnawed away at me and I couldn’t ignore it. I decided that I would complete the program and switch my focus to laying the foundation of a film and television career. I attended Hollywood High School’s Performing Arts Program, study the careers of some of my favorite actresses to learn what they did, what schools they attended, and how they execute their performances. From then, I’ve continued to pursue this passion professionally and have yet to look back!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
For all of the folks who have not read about me before, ‘Hello!’ I am an actress and content creator born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. I grew up in a Congolese( D.R.C.) household where multiple languages, such as French and Lingala, were being spoken. I attended the world famous Hollywood High School’s Performing Arts Program, which solidified my desire to pursue a career in this field. I would later take my talents to the Big Apple a.k.a. New York City and study at the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts and the New School University. I’ve been very blessed to work on television shows such as, CBS’s S.W.A.T., CRIMINAL MINDS, Netflix’s PRETTY SMART & SANTA CLARITA DIET, Hulu’s THE OBITUARY OF TUNDE JOHNSON, and IT HITS YOU WHEN YOU KNOW IT on Amazon Prime. In addition to the television and film space, I have worked on YouTube’s ALL DEF DIGITAL platform in various sketches and web series, such as 40 Rock (alongside Tony Rock and Erik Griffin). I have also directed and wrote my own short film ‘XXV’, which you can find on Vimeo and my website, www.phyliciawissa.com
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
As a society, artists are the heartbeat. We are the pulse. In order to keep our creative ecosystem thriving you must allow the space for art to thrive. Funding for the arts as a creative and productive outlet for children is imperative. We need to fund their creativity in spaces where they can express themselves and release all of their thoughts, emotions and opinions in ways that boost their confidence and expands the possibilities for their imagination. I see a lot of the younger generation glued to devices or not as engaged in activities. It worries me because there is so much for them to explore and discover which in my personal opinion helps to inform a person of who they are. The arts help to cultivate that expression.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist would have to be…when the check clears! I’m JUST KIDDING!! In all honesty, it is the fact that I get to play and connect with people of all different walks of life. Art is a universal language that connects us all. When I screened my short film ‘XXV’, I remember this beautiful older woman from Argentina approached me afterwards. We began chatting. During our conversation, she revealed to me the crossroads she was at in life; experiencing a divorce, moving to a new city, etc. She shared that she was so moved by the characters in my film and their stories and told me that my film was not just for a younger audience, but that folks in her age group/generation were experiencing the same thing. This interaction with an audience member of my film gave me the gumption to stop limiting my art, to let it live and be.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.phyliciawissa.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/phyliciawissa
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/phyliciawissa
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/phyliciawissa
Image Credits
Courtesy of : Ronnie Marmo of Theatre 68 Tiffany Gilbert Studios Getty Images Paul Smith Photography Luzolo Kheba