We were lucky to catch up with Rance Nix recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Rance, thanks for joining us today. Can you tell us about a time that your work has been misunderstood? Why do you think it happened and did any interesting insights emerge from the experience?
Close friends and admirers of my work often ask me, “Rance why aren’t you acting more? Why aren’t you on TV again?” My answer is always the same, “Most producers/directors/casting directors at this point in my career, don’t see me the way you see me. You see me as a talented, confident, great actor. Yes, you see I’m different given that I’m 4’6” tall but otherwise, you see that I’m just living my life. Ideally that’s how I hope it will be as it pertains to working in TV/film projects but unfortunately I have not encountered creators who see me and want to work with me consistently just yet.”
Going back to when I first started acting, I’ve always known it would be more difficult to break into the industry as a person with dwarfism. But starting out, I didn’t really have a reference point for booking work so I was coming at it off sheer belief in myself. Fast forward about 10 years later, having worked on some amazing projects (The Kings of Napa; Trapeze USA; Forward Thinking) with some amazing creators (Janine Sherman Barrois; Mark Anthony Green; Abby Burton & Antonio Harper), I’m super grateful. But it’s also been difficult feeling like I’m being perceived the same way that I was since day one. At times I wanna yell, “DO Y’ALL NOT SEE THE WORK!??”
It’s definitely frustrating but instead of resting in my frustration, I’ve been mindful to channel my frustrations into my own work. Since day one, people in the industry have always said, “Create your own work.” I took this to heart and I’ve created some fun projects along the way simply off sheen tenacity. However, in 2024 it really clicked. I realized that because I’ve been acting so long, in addition to tenacity I now have the skillset, tools, and relationships with a lot of talented people to push creative boundaries for myself and to make the work that I want to be included in… so let me lock in on that! Most recently, I released my own athletic commercial titled MILE 10, articulating my acting journey through the metaphoric visual of running. And you know what’s been cool? When I share my work, because people’s perceptions are what they are, some people are low key surprised by the work. Haha it’s kinda fun shaking up people’s perceptions! All the while too, I’m relieving the pressure for the industry to catch on and I’m able to stay patient believing many more great creators and filmmakers will see me and go, “Yeah na, I gotta work with him!”
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Rance and I am an actor from Atlanta, Georgia. I pretty much do it all from acting in television/film/theatre, stand up comedy, improv, and hosting events. My biggest break thus far, was a lead role on The Kings of Napa television series on the Oprah Winfrey Network. Some dream projects for me include: A romantic comedy, a period drama film, and hosting my own television show “Late Night with Rance.”
Most recently, I spent the past eight years hustling in New York City. I initially moved to New York to star in the play Las Meninas as Nabo Sensugali with the New Brooklyn Theatre. After the show closed, I did another play, did an indie film, signed a lease, found a church home and community, and got in a part time job at Warby Parker. I was locked in! And since then, I was in a couple more short films, Trapeze USA and Forward Thinking; I ran a successful viral dating show on Instagram based on the hit Netflix show “Love is Blind” called “Love is Quarantine” during the pandemic; and I produced a few YouTube shows called “Table for One,” “That’s Fresh,” and “Coffee with Rance” all while dabbling in social media content creation as well.
Despite despite my height and despite people’s perceptions, I know that I have something special to offer the world. There is no other actor like me. Ultimately, I desire to create and use my uniqueness and work to positively impact every person that encounters me and my work for the glory of God.
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
I wish I was even MORE a resource for myself, to just be around and keep doing my own thing! A lot of actors are obsessed with getting agents/managers for opportunities. While agents/managers do indeed have access to bigger auditions that the general acting public do not see, looking back I can see my biggest breaks have come not from booking work through my representation, but by being a presence in the industry, doing excellent work, and making just enough noise to where people offer to work with me. As I mentioned earlier though, it all clicked again for me last year and I’m excited to really tap in and see what happens as I create work I’m passionate about!
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
Something I learned the hard way that I didn’t know or expect: acting is not a linear journey. When I booked my first show, The Kings of Napa I thought I was UP!!! It was definitely my big break but it hasn’t really led to another big gig, yet. And it’s been several years now! Whew, that was a hard pill to swallow and it still is at times. I’ve really had to process and come to terms with the fact that in the TV/Film industry it really isn’t always about me or how hard I work. The stars just have to be in absolute perfect alignment and it all comes down to right place, right role, right budget, right producers, right timing. Some actors get a big break and keep elevating. But many, many, many, if not most actors get a big break (***if they even get a big break at all) and have a dry spell. It a tough lesson, but I’ve learned if I really want it, it’s a matter of riding the waves and trusting God. And I want to not only ride the waves but catch a few that take me all the way back to shore!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rancenix.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rancenix/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rancenix/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rancenix/
- Twitter: https://x.com/RanceNix
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVnpn1VQHD7ExbltVao67Zw
- Other: TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@rancenix
Image Credits
All the files are labeled/numbered:
First Headshot: Sub/Urban Photography
1. Noémie Marguerite
2. Paolo Verzani
3. Personal
4. Trapeze USA; Mark Anthony Green
5. Paolo Verzani
6. Personal
7. Personal