We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Naya James Sonnad. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Naya below.
Naya, we’ve been so fortunate to work with so many incredible folks and one common thread we have seen is that those who have built amazing lives for themselves are also often the folks who are most generous. Where do you think your generosity comes from?
It comes from a fundamental understanding of the fact that there’s more than enough of everything for everyone. Especially in 2024! People who profess that life needs to be a zero sum game in a time where we can share things at the literal touch of a button are psychotic.
To be human is to belong to a community, and to function in a community is to share, collaborate, and give-and-take. NOT to hoard, compete, or take more than your fair share. This is so basic, but in this society we’ve lost our way. We have so much apocalyptic messaging and manufactured scarcity that it’s easy to get caught up in the nonsense. When this happens to me, I have to remind myself that it’s coming from a highly flawed and toxic value system…and look to real-world examples of generosity that are so inspiring.
My father was a physician in an underserved rural area, and he tended to everyone in town regardless of their ability to pay. My partner has a little brick and mortar in a time where small businesses are being eaten alive by corporate algorithms, yet he still goes out of his way to donate to community events and platform underrepresented local brands and creatives. I have a wonderful network of artists who are tremendously giving and supportive despite often struggling themselves.
And these are just people who I know! Saying nothing of everyone out there volunteering their time and talents, healing those who are suffering, and generally cleaning up the messes caused by selfish exploiters.
Most of the very generous people I know aren’t rich…that’s because they’re reasonable. Why would a reasonable person want to live in a world of hierarchy and exploitation instead of one with health and abundance for everyone? Which is why it’s all the more urgent that instead of hero-worshipping those who have accumulated vast wealth, we instead need to seriously question their motives, morality and sanity.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m a writer, actor and producer, long time New Yorker and dorky theater kid.
At the moment I’m particularly excited about my new play Tipping Point, which was nominated for this year’s Susan Smith Blackburn Prize for Playwriting and is a finalist for Best Play at the Austin Film Festival. Speaking to some of the themes in our generosity conversation, I love this play because it argues that the worse conditions become in the world, the more we need to find strength in numbers and support each other.
And two really fun screenplays, one centered on a disenchanted stay-at-home-mom who escapes suburban sadness by entering the world of Rock & Roll (awesomeness ensues); another I’m co-writing with the fabulous Lu Bellini about a coven of 500 year-old witches.
Much of my work is in the realm of speculative fiction. Dystopias abound…but never completely without hope. I worry a lot about the state of things. But I’m also tremendously grateful and filled with love for people, places, animals, you name it. As long as we see how beautiful and joyful things really are, we have a chance to make it. And to fight those who want to tell us otherwise. Does love conquer all? Not quite–sometimes you need a pitchfork. But it conquers a lot!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1. You are who you roll with–there are billions of people out there; be with the ones who bring light and joy into your life so you can turn around and do the same for others. Dump the toxics! You don’t realize how spending time and energy on bad relationships saps from your creative passion and motivation until it’s too late.
2. Open a Roth IRA. Seriously. Contribute to it immediately. Literally any amount of money.
3. Read books. Sorry I know that sounds glib, but making time to read actual books is one of the best ways I’ve found to understand life and people. If some situation is overwhelming, guaranteed there’s a book out there where someone has dealt with the same thing and taken the time to work through it then write about it for the rest of our benefit. Reading their stories will help you feel empowered and less alone.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Always! My whole job is about collaborating. Lately I’ve been looking to connect with filmmakers who prioritize visual and audio storytelling; coming from the theater much of my work has been dialogue-based so it’s a good way for me to expand my horizons.
And I continue to love working with theater artists who appreciate seeing speculative/sci-fi on stage. Our ranks are growing : )
Other creatives who will be at Austin this year, give me a shout!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nayajames.com
- Instagram: nayajames.com
Image Credits
Jules Slutsky
Liz Devine
Theresa Rose
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
