Meet Emma Ramos

“It all started in the theater. Now, she lives in New York as an actress and comedian. In the beginning, Emma Ramos wondered what happens to the actors and people behind the scenes one a production is over. From then on, she emigrated from Mexico to pursue a life of art and comedy in the States. With a limitation to what kind of roles that she’d be able to play, Emma took advantage and started to write and produce online videos. ”

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Jumpsuit: Enkyu, Shoes: Dolce Vita Nate Leather Sneakers — *Jumpsuit: Enkyu, Shoes:* *Dolce Vita Nate Leather Sneakers*

ON HER MORNING ROUTINE

As an actor, every day is different. When time allows: I wake up and "look at the clouds before the iCloud.” I got that tip from Liz Plank. I do 10-20 minutes of online meditation with Tara Brach, my friend Raúl Esquer recommended it. Exercise with Dance Body online or go to a yoga studio close to home. Water with apple cider vinegar. Vitamins: Beauty Concentrate for Skin from A COMPLETE and LifeInfused Supplements.

on her background and interest in politics

I was born in Culiacán, Sinaloa in Mexico. I cried, wrote poems, and questioned life too much. I studied Business Administration and Communications then I worked for the Mexican FCC and founded the first Public Radio Station in Sinaloa. I learned how to contain, retain, and thrive. Politics holds the thread of who we are as a society at any given moment like how we tell stories, who's in command, and how society divides itself when power shifts.

on getting into comedy and acting

My move to the US was inspired by Yoko Ono. I saw her musical Lennon and in that moment, I was moved. I was enamored with that ensemble and their commitment. I kept asking myself where will these actors go next. What is that world behind the wing of the theater? I was enchanted by costume changes, light, and music cues. I'd been working nonstop and that space felt more alive than any success I had in the corporate world.

In my second year of grad school, I moved in with Negin Farsad. That was my defining moment. This very smart woman who majored in Political Science and Theater Arts would shoot videos, write jokes, and speak Farsi over the phone to her parents. I had my "sí se puede" moment. She is a great supporter for my sketch comedy show I created with Irene Sofia Lucio called BUTS.

Trench, Yang Li Men ; T-Shirt, Vintage ; Choker, Vintage YSL ; Pants, Sonia Rykiel

“I was at Sundance last year to workshop Paola Lazaro’s play and TV writer Mauricio Katz recommended to read Roberto Bolaño’s The Savage Detectives. I’m so grateful. It reminded me of the Mexico I know. Every location is described in such detail. I can see it, smell it, and live it again. This is a story of two modern-day Quixotes in search of a mysterious writer who disappeared in post revolution Mexico. It reminds me of the time I wanted to be a poet. The characters are so rich. Phrases that stay with me: “For a long time I walked like If I was in a different country, feeling I was drowning and nauseous...Realism is never visceral. Visceral belongs to the oneiric world.” ”

— on her favorite book

on her acting education

The New School for Drama, Labyrinth Theater Company and INTAR are the reason why I didn't pack my bags and headed back to a better life back in México. Before moving to NYC to study Acting (MFA), I was still Miss Corporate America, I'll never forget my first day at NSD watching my peers move around the space and act like monkeys. I cried internally. I was not alone anymore.

on finding a place in entertainment

I was fresh out of grad school when a show called 666 Park Ave came out. To my surprise, the idea of having a Latina woman play one of the tenants on Park Ave was impossible. No one would believe it, unless I was the help. This gave me the impetus to create my own content.

I made a satire of this experience and sent it to a festival with my friend Mando Alvarado. That is my advice: Don't wait. There are not enough jobs for all of us right now. Efforts are being made: Broadway Video has Mas Mejor and Gina Rodriguez and America Ferrera are producing shows that feature the Latinx community. Keep training and get involved in projects with intelligent narrative.

on her tools for work

Tina Fey's Bossypants and Martin Short's I Must Say. To learn lines, I use Line Learner Lite. I discovered BroadwayHD, a streaming service for Broadway and West End shows so I don't have to go to the Lincoln Center Library. The library is still a great resource.

on preparing for a shoot

Research is my best friend. The number one thing to prepare for a shoot is to protect your health. Get your sleep, stay hydrated, and be physically flexible. You will need to be agile and those cameras can see it all.

“I rely on my MFA training. In theater, the lights can fall on your face, but you can still carry on with the show. For TV, I think of it as a puzzle. It all starts with questions: is it single-cam, multicam, who’s the writer and network, a pilot or an episodic, who’s directing and producing, and most importantly, the story. Then I have a better hold on how to attack the script and present choices that will better serve the story. You are adding to the mix, regardless of your number on the call sheet. It’s a photographer’s medium. Magic happens in different stages: pre-production, production and post-production. In that chain, everyone involved is adding. The ship can sink if someone in that chain sucks. ”

— on preparing for a scene

on her beauty routine

A COMPLETE Facial Youth Moisturizing Cream, Youth Preserve Deep Cleanser, and Peet Rivko. They are simple, cruelty-free, do the job, and not heavily scented. They fit my budget and take care of potential problems. At night: wash face, lots of water and Tara Brach. I have a love-hate relationship with makeup. I made a sketch about it: MakeUp Tutorial. If I have to pick brands, it would be Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder, NARS Lip Gloss, and MAC's Studio Waterweight Concealer and High Shine Cremesheen Lipstick. I also recommend Blistex Lip Medex Lip Protection, Sisley-Paris Phyto-Blanc Mask, Saje Chamomile Smile Lotion, Thank You Farmer Sun-Project Water Sun Cream, and Trader Joe's Nourish Antioxidant Facial Serum.

on her haircare tip

One day while being rushed to leave the apt I used aloe vera instead of my regular hair oil by mistake. My hair screamed: thank you, Emma. I have no idea if this is good for you, I just know I am loving it.

on her style and shopping habits

I love Japanese designers (Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto) and Mexican designers (Yakampot, Ricardo Seco, Ale Carlin, Lorena Saravia). I try to look asymmetrical and simple. It reads like hobo-chic and sometimes it reads like clown. I'm proud of both. I was told today my look could be Neve Campbell in Party of Five and I dig it.

“I get my records from Limited to One in the East Village because they have rare contemporary records. Sharon Jones was an American soul and funk singer. She was called the female James Brown. This is one of her promo singles, Calamity. Jones experienced breakthrough success relatively late in life, releasing her first record when she was 40 years old.”

— on her favorite record