Meet Erin Nolan

We were lucky to catch up with Erin Nolan recently and have shared our conversation below.

Erin , so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

Imposter syndrome is a funny thing. When I saw this question, the familiarity and importance of talking about this subject made me excited to discuss it, but I was also immediately met with my own feelings of imposter syndrome kicking in. As someone who still deals with it frequently, I could hear- “who are you to answer this question? You haven’t won that battle!” But I’ve come to learn it’s not something that has to be defeated in order to not let it win.

I’ve achieved some of my proudest accomplishments while feeling completely unworthy and sometimes unready for them. Imposter syndrome is simply fear at its core- and sometimes that fear is your mind trying to protect you from potential failure, telling yourself you’re not ready and then taking yourself out of the game completely. Imposter syndrome is loud, but it doesn’t deserve to get the final word. You don’t have to feel ready to do it anyway.

Fear convinces you that playing small is safe, but that is finding comfort in a cage. It’s okay to acknowledge your uncertainty, but you don’t get to decide whether you’re worthy. If you’ve been invited into the room, there’s a reason. You will always bring something to the table that no one else does.

So I try to remind myself, it’s OK feel the fear, the doubt, the imposter syndrome voice telling you you’re not enough. But do it anyway. Some of the best experiences lie just beyond it.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’ve been working professionally as an Actor and performer for over 10 years. I love immersing myself in a character’s story and exploring their mind and heart, their personality and quirks, their relationships and history, and their world.

At its core, acting and storytelling is about connecting with others. I see it as a deep privilege (and also perhaps, an important responsibility to some degree) of actors to hopefully encourage viewers to embrace empathy, and to share stories and perspectives that help us understand ourselves and each other a little better.
And sometimes, it’s just about laughter, excitement, and momentary escape from our own thoughts and troubles. Which is no less powerful, cathartic or important.

Throughout my career I’ve been lucky enough to be a panelist at both San Diego Comic Con and LA Comic Con, something 8 year old Erin buried in her piles of X-Men comics never imagined she’d be invited to one day. In 2021, I was honored to receive a Best Supporting Actress award for my role in the short film Reset from a local film festival. Right now, an incredibly fun feature film I had the honor of starring in (Bears on a Ship, directed by the wonderful Eduardo Castrillo) alongside an amazing cast is having a limited theatrical run in movie theaters across the U.S. and generating buzz amongst the indie horror community. I feel incredibly lucky to have had these opportunities and recognition on top of the joy of being part of making stories to share.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

For my acting journey, being prepared to the best of my ability is always the quickest path to confidence. Studying the script and full scenes as much as you can, researching the character’s backstory, and understanding their choices will give your work depth and clarity. It’s what transforms lines into lived experience.

Finding a supportive community is also so essential to a surviving and sustainable career in the acting world. Whether it’s family, friends, mentors or peers you meet along the way… these are the people you should be able to turn to for inspiration, support, and extra guidance when you need it most. This makes a world of difference especially when navigating the ebbs and flows of the film industry.

Last but certainly not least, especially when you’re first starting out- truly just going for it. Even when you don’t feel completely ready, pushing beyond the fear and doubt and putting yourself out there to give your best anyway is so crucial. You don’t need to have complete confidence before you begin. Sometimes the act of starting is what unlocks everything else.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

Something I’m always trying to remind others, is that self-care is not just optional– it’s essential! Especially as actors who are delving into the psyche of another person, one who may be deeply troubled or burdened, it’s so incredibly important to learn proper techniques to do so through training and self care. I’m the big proponent of self care within my family and friend group, always running around reminding others to take the time for it! Burnout is rampant in our society, and can be especially destructive to the spark that fuels our creativity as artists. It’s ok to take breaks, spend time to talk with friends that uplift and recharge you, immerse yourself in nature, find artistic inspiration to rekindle your drive… doing things that renew your energy and spirit are all so vital to not only your creativity and career, but your life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.erinacting.com
• Other: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm7089044/