We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Laila Matuk. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Laila below.
Hi Laila, so happy to have you with us today and there is so much we want to ask you about. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others developed certain skills or qualities that we are struggling with can be helpful. Along those lines, we’d love to hear from you about how you developed your ability to take risk?
I’ve been lucky enough to have been challenged.
When I was thirteen years old, I faced what at the time seemed like the most crucial decision of my life: Should I join the Theater Club of my school and act hand-in-hand with people above my grade, from freshman to seniors, and expose my vulnerabilities on the stage in front of hundreds of people that knew not even my name, or stay safe by blending into the crowd and survive my high school years without ever making a fool of myself? Dear reader, I must admit, both sounded equally thrilling back then. Granted, this would not be my first time on the stage, as my experience with the dance team made me fall in love with the performing arts, yet this was different. My dear dance teacher, Carmen Plascencia, was the first to challenge me. She invited me to join a national dance competition…no biggy. Although it was a small part, I was very hesitant to dance in front of more than a few audience members, but guided by her hand and encouragement, I took a leap of faith and said yes. We won first place. Yet, I was guided the whole way. I had her invitation, her choreography that I just needed to passionately follow, and the words of encouragement she shared with the team when we needed them the most. This time, I was on my own. This was a challenge I would have to take blindly, as I didn’t know anybody on the other side of the school and all my friends opted for laying low at least the first year. Inscription dates were closing in on me, and as I was about to pass on the opportunity, the Theater Club put on a show. They put on the most creative, professional, and entertaining show I’ve seen done at the school. I saw freedom on stage and peaking backstage, I saw a community, holding hands to calm their nerves. And all of a sudden, I didn’t feel alone anymore. I felt the opportunity to be part of that slipping through my hands and I ran into the principal’s office to sign up for the club. Little did I know, that was the easiest challenge I would face from now on. Carlos Quintanilla, the renowned and respected theater teacher in the school did not allow for excuses. No matter how young, shy, or inexperienced you might be, you could create and you had a story to tell. Every day of the Theater Club was filled with challenges that constantly challenged my willingness to take risks. “Create and present a character by the next session; step into improvisation games on your own, and be willing to make a fool of yourself; come up with a scene and then write a script based on that; let’s write a play from scratch and everyone will write their character into it!”, were just some of the nerve-wracking challenges for a thirteen-year-old to discover her voice, what she is capable of, and take risks. Then, just when you are comfortable with the challenges the teacher gives you, say hello to a new one that will bring new challenges. Javier Ibarreche, my last high school theater teacher not only challenged me as an actor as I have never been challenged before but made me also discover my abilities to coordinate, administrate, and eventually, work as a producer.
If it weren’t for them, I don’t know where I would be standing today. I don’t think I would have jumped at the opportunity to move to another country, a crazy city like New York, and pursue a Bachelor in Fine Arts, produce three plays in one year, or co-write an award-winning screenplay if my ability to take risks wasn’t fostered like that. All I can say is I’m glad that little thirteen-year-old girl who felt she was facing the biggest decision of her life, decided to take the risk
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I was born and raised in Mexico City but moved to New York City three years ago when a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity knocked at my door to study a BFA in Acting For Film. As I honed my skills in front of the camera, I fell in love with all the parts it takes to do a production. I’ve delved into almost all the behind-the-camera positions a set has to offer. For example, I’ve worked as Production Assistant, Production Design, Assistant Camera, Wardrobe, Makeup, and Set Decorator, all so I could be on set learning from others. Aside from my love for acting and fictional writing, I also discovered a passion for producing and adapting my writing skills to the screen. I couldn’t say goodbye to the theater. I wanted to create a community similar to what inspired me in my childhood, so I opened The Pioneers Theater Club at my university. As the president, one of my goals was to put on at least one production before I graduated, but with the support and enthusiasm of an artistic and vibrant community, I’ve managed to do much more than that. I produced and stage-managed Kate Hamill’s adaptation of “Dracula”; produced and starred in the club’s first original play, Pedro Fassa’s “Filth”; and produced and intimacy coordinated the second original play, Juniel Aeriel Maldonado’s “Spoon-Fed.”
As for transitioning my writing skills to the screen, I’m beyond grateful to have found such an incredible co-writer like Lily Malm. We wrote “Scent of Marigold,” a feature screenplay that has been in festivals like the Austin Film Festival, won Best Feature Drama at the Big Apple Film Festival, made it into the Top 5 of Final Draft’s Big Break and made it into The Red List as one of Coverfly’s Top 20 ranked scripts of 2023.
I’m getting close to graduating in April 2024 and stepping into the real professional world. I can’t wait to find the next production to work, whether as an actor, writer, or part of the production team.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The first thing that comes to my mind is discipline. It is necessary not only to be able to start projects and see them all the way through to the end when things get hard, but it is especially important to have self-discipline. I believe holding yourself accountable for the challenges you set yourself will then, in return, inspire you to take on more challenges when you see the results of your effort. People let opportunities go because they weren’t inspired or professional enough, and I believe it comes down to discipline. I think something simple to develop or strengthen discipline is setting a routine – either in the morning or at night – and sticking to it. As long as it is something beneficial, it can help you get into the habit of consistency.
Another very important thing is having empathy for others. It is crucial to remember that everyone is going through their own battles. It might be hard to remember sometimes, especially when you are going through stuff yourself, but I’ve found it is always best to give people the benefit of the doubt. Don’t take things personally because it might be a misunderstanding. A reaction, comment, or even sometimes something as small as a look might not be at all related to you – even if it might feel like they are. I’ve found one lives more at peace when giving people the benefit of the doubt. It also makes you a better team member, and in turn, a better collaborator.
Finally, don’t get too comfortable. When you finally feel you got the hang of things, enjoy that feeling, but don’t get stuck. Don’t leave your comfort zone only to be stuck in a new one. The mere thought of constant change might be daunting – sometimes it still is for me – but it’s change that makes you grow. I’ve realized that whenever I’m facing a role or a project that scares me or fills my stomach with nerves, that’s precisely what I need to do. It might sound counterproductive to go to the very thing a part of you is freaking out about, but try it sometime, and you might surprise yourself with the stuff you can do.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
It’s fun to be working on several projects at a time, but you have to be careful of the sneaky feeling of overwhelm. I found it easier to avoid getting underwhelmed rather than calming myself down. To avoid this, every day, I try to carve time for myself when I’m not doing anything work or career-related. Even if it is a couple of minutes reading something that shuts off your “work brain” or a long bath with your favorite music, having some time where you simply do something for the joy of doing it can do wonders against feeling overwhelmed. As much as I love what I do, I have to constantly remind myself that my career is not my life. There is a lot more stuff to do than becoming near-sided by your work without compromising any goals. Another thing that works for me is writing in high detail my goals for the day. That way, I don’t see the whole challenge as a whole but as a series of multiple tiny, digestible steps. Be as specific as possible, be realistic with your goals, and don’t deviate from the task to start a new one until you are done with the first one (this is the hardest). If everything fails and you are already overwhelmed, I’ve found sharing how you are feeling helps put things into perspective, easing the feeling that everything is on your shoulders at the same time.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lai_matuk?igsh=MXB6cDN2cDcybHlqZA==
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lailamatuk?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
Image Credits
Nikita Kamat, Alexis R. Montesinos, Greg Wallace
