Today we’d like to introduce you to Gina Nacole.
Gina, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was born in Frankfurt, Germany. At the time of 5 yrs. old, my brothers and sisters were already teenagers. My mother and father wanted to make sure I had activities to keep me busy since I was too young to hang out with my older siblings. My first professional production I worked with an eclectic group of performers, where I was the only kid in the production so I was still surrounded by adults, including my mother who took the stage to sing. The production was called “EVERYBODY HAS A DREAM”. I played the flashback scenes as the younger child of the lead actress, who was a ballet dancer. I had to perform a ballet routine as well as remember all my lines for the first time live on stage. Ever since that show at 5 yrs. old, I have been involved in the entertainment industry as a touring actress, dancer, choreographer, writer, director, playwright, casting, and producer. My work also includes a book called BENEATH MY FLESH, which is on Amazon and Barnes and Nobles. I have also recently produced two short films, in which one starring Carl Anthony Payne from the hit TV show MARTIN, is now on Roku on FAWOC channel. It is a comedy called Voodoo Vine.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has not been a smooth road. At many points in my career, I have faced a challenge of juggling the aspects of being in the corporate world, due to financial obligations versus having the time and money to produce my own work. There are times I have had to make decisions to tour as an actress versus stay in the safety of a corporate career. There was a time when I was signed to Core Talent Agency and I was able to do promotional work as a model with Texas Motor Speedyway/Nascar. Work such as that was consistent and also flexible to where I was able to still do acting, writing, and pay bills. But sometimes you don’t always find that type of work that allows you the freedom to still be in pursuit of your calling. Also, for the past 7 years I have worked as an adjuster. There are times when I have worked 6 to 7 days a week for 12 hour days. So some people have said “where have you been, when’s your next project?” At certain points of my life, I’ve either not had the time, or money to do what I always desire creatively. But one thing I’ve never done is completely give up. I’ve simply had to do things on a time schedule that no one understands but me.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Ginasys Productions story. Tell us more about the business.
Ginasys Productions is the name of my company. I have produced theatrical productions such as A Woman’s Intuition in which one of the shows starred David Ruffin Jr, who is the son of the late David Ruffin of the Temptations. I have also done play festivals such as OUTSIDE THE BOX PLAY FESTIVAL in which I had over 500 entries from playwrights around the world submit their short plays and I chose 6 of those scripts in October 2015 to present in Addison TX. I wanted to show different forms of artwork from different nationalities, cultures, and to give a live interactive theater experience. Some of my material I choose to present is considered edgy and provocative. My goal is to change the idea of theater to those that may not be into theater. I like to present shows in which characters can interact with the audience. I have also assisted with casting in local projects. One of the projects I have casted for is Carter High, which was a feature shot in Dallas, TX featuring celebrities such as Vivica Fox, Pooch Hall, and a plethora of Dallas actors, produced and written by Arthur Muhammad.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t feel as though luck has been anything I have been able to count on. What has benefited me is the blessing of friends, family, and two mentors that I have had in my life continuously. One of my mentors who recently passed away, Shelly Garrett, was most known for the play, Beauty Shop. I toured with him at a young age and I was able to meet and perform with many celebrities. I was able to learn from him and he continuously gave advice over the years. I also met Bernadette Stanis, Thelma from Good Times at that point. Since then she has been like another big sister to me. People that by no means had anything to gain by lending me their ears and their heart. There has also been several other people who were there for me to assist me behind the scenes who I am forever grateful for. Tim Walter, Phazz, Darryl Gibson, Snoop Robinson, Cydni Thompson, Kendra Green, Melody Simington, to name just a few. Other friends and family members as well have made the road a lot easier when I’ve faced hard times.
Pricing:
- 10-15 dollars my book Beneath my Flesh which can be found on Barnes and Nobles or Amazon
Contact Info:
- Email: gina_nacole@yahoo.com
- Instagram: instagram/gina_nacole
- Facebook: voodoovine-ginasysproductions
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