We were lucky to catch up with Givan Onuaguluchi-May recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Givan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I’ve wanted to be an actor for as long as I can remember. When I was a kid, I wrote musicals with my mom and performed them at our church. People came from far and wide to see our plays. The feeling I got from that was irresistible. But back then, I couldn’t see acting as a feasible career. I didn’t act again until I was 18 years old. Once I finally came back to my first love, I knew I wouldn’t leave it again.
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?
I’m an actor, writer, and director.
I started acting professionally back in 2022, signing with my first agency. Since then, I’ve played roles in numerous plays, shorts, and feature films.
A few of my more prominent roles were:
– Terrance in “Cuttlefish” (2026) directed by Arman Taheri
– Elijah in “A Light Amidst Ashes” (2025) directed by Rose Davis
– Roman in “Temperance” (2025) directed by Francisco Ramos
On the other side of the camera, I’m beginning to direct and star in my self-written work. My production company Navigate Pictures has already produced one award-winning short film, LIFE INSURANCE. We are also slated to complete another short, as well as a feature. They are as follows:
– “LIFE INSURANCE” (Short Film) directed by Givan Onuaguluchi-May (released on YT)
– “SPACE” (2026) directed by Givan Onuaguluchi-May
– “LIFE INSURANCE” (Feature) directed by Arman Taheri
On the writing side, I have shorts, features, pilots, and even books in the works. Writing is my main form of expression outside of acting.
What sets me apart is my dedication to not only the craft, but the business. I constantly do all I can to research and learn within this industry. With that knowledge, I uplift others that are struggling with things that stumped me in the past. Once you start climbing the ladder, it’s easy to outstretch a hand and help others up as well.
My short film “SPACE” will start filming in October, and the crowdfunding will be live soon. You can follow @navigatepictures on Instagram for updates on that and all other projects!
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
The biggest struggle in the creative industry is that nothing is linear. It’s also the hardest thing to understand from the outside. At a 9-5, years of work equate directly to pay and seniority. But in acting, or other creative fields, hard work and perceived success do not go hand in hand. Because of that, peers of creatives often struggle to understand taking the risk of foregoing a more traditional job. The best way to support creatives through this is to celebrate the wins, and grieve the losses. Just like anyone else.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect for me is seeing how my work influences others. Whether it’s my writing, acting, or directing, seeing how people interpret and relate to my art is what gives it true life. If even one person is affected by each project I make, I’ll be content.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.instagram.com/navigatepictures/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/givan.may/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@givan_may?feature=shared
- Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@givanomay?_t=ZP-8yUzfme7Eit&_r=1
Image Credits
Thomas Angeletti, Samantha Hairston, Maya Solganik, Michael Paradise