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.
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.
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.
emma's FAVORITE BOOKS
The Savage Detectives by Roberto Bolaño, Endless Highway by David Carradine, On Literature by Umberto Eco, Daily Rituals by Mason Currey, What Goes On by Stephen Dunn, Bossypants by Tina Fey, I Must Say by Martin Short
emma's favorite movies
Nights of Cabiria, Love Liza, The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie, Lord of the Flies, Band of Outsiders, Up
emma's favorite records
Calamity by Sharon Jones, Mary Mary by RUN DMC,
emma's favorite places IN new york city
Food: Croissanteria, Olmsted, by Chloe
Hair Salon: David Dieguez, Cristian Mazza
Shop: Limited to One, Reformation, COS, American Two Shot, The Row, and vintage stores
Any show at Saint Ann's Warehouse, BAM, The Park Ave Armory
Museum/Parks: MET Cloisters, Brooklyn Botanical Garden
Gallery: Jack Shainman Gallery, Garth Greenan Gallery