Today we’d like to introduce you to Romy Nordlinger

Hi Romy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

I’m an NYC based Actor, Writer, Teaching Artist and Audiobook Narrator. In other words, I’m a storyteller. I believe that the sharing of our experience of being human – our frailties, strengths, joys, fears, triumphs and terrors – helps to bring light to our human condition, and leads us to empathy, awareness and empowerment. Nothing will replace the human voice, the human touch, the human word, and the human heart. In a growingly virtual and isolating world, stories are the cornerstone of humanity.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

The arts are not for the faint of heart – any artist who has really dared knows that. By just putting yourself out there you are exposing yourself to criticism, to rejection to ‘failure’ and also to resounding joy. The joy that is not bought or sold. The joy that comes from knowing you raised your voice. That you took time. Took space. Believed that you deserved to take that space. And told a story, painted a picture, wrote a book, a play, a poem, a film – that spoke about a truth you knew in your gut needed to be told. And that, in some way small or large, helped someone else feel less alone. More empowered by knowing they aren’t the only person that is feeling or has experienced something similar. The challenges in being a creative artist are almost too hackneyed to repeat:

How do you find the time to create art that can often pay nothing or very little in an increasingly commercialized world? How do you keep your stamina, your sanity, your drive to keep on doing it, even if some days precious little seems to come back to you? How do you keep your focus when a million links are asking to be clicked, emails to be answered, boxes to be checked? How do you find your worth in a time when being ‘liked’ is literally and figuratively the all and the everything? How do you stay inspired and courageous?

I wish I knew the answers and somedays are easier than others, but I do know that for me, the sharing of the question is the beginning. By speaking aloud and acknowledging that the question actually EXISTS to begin with, helps to dispel the myths and fears that are associated. To know we’re not alone. That there’s a world of people striving, and failing, and flourishing and getting up and doing it again – every single day. And some days it’ll make sense, and some days it won’t. That the ‘doing’ is the everything. The courage of facing the blank page or slate or ‘likeless’ moments. The courage to go at it anyhow. As Nietzsche said ‘If you have a ‘why’ you can bear almost any ‘how’. Some days it’s just remembering that the why you started to begin with was rooted in something real, and beautiful and strong. That longed for expression. That runs in you like the sap sustains the tree. Upward and onward. It is a part of you.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?

My critically acclaimed solo show about silent screen star and LGBTQ trailblazer Alla Nazimova, “Garden Of Alla” has been performed at The Kennedy Center (Washington D.C/ Tonic Theatre Co), Theatre West in Los Angeles (nominated for a Los Angeles Outer Critics Circle Award and Robby Award (best play, actress, video and sound design), The Firehouse Theatre (Richmond Virginia), and internationally at The Edinburgh Fringe. In New York the show has played to sold out houses at The Cutting Room, Theaterlab, The Players Club, Dixon Place, HERE Theatre & Theatre 555.

My other plays include “The Feeling Part” (Playwriting Collective, LoNYLa) “Sex & Sealing Wax” (Estrogenious Festival, MITF), “Broadville” (Source Theatre, Clurman Theatre), “Lipshtick” (New York International Fringe Festival, Dixon Place), and “Amazing Grace” and “NYSeeing” @ Nuyorican Poets Café.

As an actor, I’ve appeared in many Off, Off Broadway and regional productions. Some of my TV credits include guest and co-starring roles on Bull, Manifest, FBI and Law & Order (Officer Talbor). I’ve also had starring and featured roles in many independent films.

My original short film, that I wrote and acted in, “The Feeling Part” is now in the festival circuit and has been (gratefully) receiving many awards for best short film, best actress and cinematography. I’m in the process of writing the feature version of the film.

Currently I’m the proud recipient of a 2023 grant by The Lower Manhattan Culture Center to develop and perform my play “Mother Of All Choices”, a three woman exploration of the complexities surrounding the external and internal limitations on our bodies and choices. How do they limit us and how do they set us free? Do we even have a choice?

As an award-winning, bestselling audiobook narrator I’ve recorded over 370 titles. As a teaching artist I’ve used theater as a learning tool to teach literacy and self-awareness to underserved communities in every borough of Manhattan for the past 15 years.

Member of Dramatists Guild and League Of Professional Theatre Women.
www.romynordlinger.com

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?

I love sitting on the subway and looking around, seeing and just knowing, that we’re all so many different types of people, shapes, races, ages, and we’re all on there together, making it work somehow. It is the greatest melting pot in the world, the greatest experiment gone right.

I love collaboration, the energy of artists working together and collaboration in a non-competitive way. I like sharing. I strive to remain present in my interactions with people – whether it be a smile shared with a stranger on a street – or in a rehearsal room or shoot where the actors/directors/producers give each other the space and grace to listen and respect each other’s ideas. Not only is it a more creative working environment, it’s a safer and better place to be. Whether or not the ideas end up utilized. And the work is always better. I like the lack of ego that allows someone to let in another’s viewpoint. I think that kindness, real kindness – not a dialed in smile – is the most important thing there is in life. In art and in life. Compassion and empathy is everything.

I don’t like people who know ‘the price of everything and the value of nothing.’ People who don’t really listen. The need for power.

I appreciate individuals who base their opinions not on popular public opinion, but on their own terms. I’m inspired by people who are not intimidated by the admission that they may have been wrong – and I also appreciate it when I can do that myself. It’s not easy and I’ve slipped but I try to maintain kindness in every aspect of my life. You never know where somebody is in their own life, what they’re dealing with day to day, and we’re all dealing with so much. We have a huge affect on one another. A small kindness, or an exchange of niceties that are seemingly innocuous, are often resounding and make a huge difference. I like people who think on their own terms. I always appreciate writers who aren’t afraid to edit their work. It’s challenging, but nine times out of 10, the work is better for it. I love finding the humor and light in any situation – and love, love, love a laugh that comes straight from the gut – and sharing that laughter with a friend.

“The purpose of human life is to serve and to show compassion and the will to help others.” ~ Albert Schweitzer

“To thine own self be true.” – Shakespeare

“Do what you want, want what you have and be who you are.” – Forrest Church

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.romynordlinger.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nordlingerromy/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/romy.nordlinger
• Twitter: @romynordlinger
• Other: https://gardenofalla.com/ and imdb.me/romynordlinger

Image Credits

Charles Chessler Photography

Carlos Hernandez Photography

Bryan Hamilton (Film Stills) Director Of Photography

David Wayne Fox photography