Rising Stars: Meet Ny’Ea Reynolds

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ny’Ea Reynolds. 

Hi Ny’Ea, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
Ask anyone in my family and they’ll tell you how much time I spent letting my imagination run free in my room, in the backyard, in the car, and at school. Since a child, I’ve always had a deep love and appreciation for the arts. At twelve years old I decided to write, produce, direct and act in my first play with all of my closest friends. That’s when I knew what I was put on this Earth to do…or one of the many things I was meant to do, at least. I tapped into acting and received professional training from Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit in high school. Once I went off to college, I took some time away from the craft for my first two years and started exploring other interests like modeling and stepping into various campus leadership positions. For my last two years, I honed in on all things film and took various classes in production, editing, and screenwriting. I even started my voiceover career, thanks to one of my professors who encouraged me to pursue it my senior year. At that time, I really wasn’t sure where I wanted to be in the Broadcast Cinematic Arts world, I just knew I had a degree in it. Fast forward to the present, after spending my first three years, post-grad, figuring things out, I’ve been blessed with an abundance of opportunities to share my gifts and passions as a full-time creative. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road to where I am right now has definitely been a little bumpy and can sometimes still be confusing along the way. I spent many years questioning if I really could live up to other people’s definition of success. I had to face my fear of rejection when I got turned down for internships and other opportunities that I felt I was ready for. Many times, I thought my path needed to look like what I saw on my timeline or on tv. I constantly wanted to fit a certain image when all along I was meant to take up space not fit in it. That’s why for a period of time I almost avoided my destiny because I’d convinced myself that if it wasn’t done a certain way then it wasn’t meant for me after all. Thank goodness I didn’t listen to that voice in my head for too long… 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a woman of many hats these days and I’m so honored to wear each of them. As a commercial/film actor, producer, and voiceover artist I’ve appeared on spots for Amazon, Pandora Music, Mejier’s, ABC Warehouse, and various independent films, to name a few. I’m also currently a House Manager for Detroit Public Theatre and have directed in three theatre festivals in Detroit. One of the most recent positions I’ve taken on is Lead Creative Director for ForHer Cosmetics, a black-owned vegan beauty brand founded here in Detroit. Every day I have the chance to express my creativity in ways that have never been seen before. I truly feel like this is what makes me uniquely me, and I can’t wait to see where my imagination takes me next. 

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
The film and television industry, as well as many other industries, must shift over the next five to ten years to accommodate the needs of the world we are living in now. People are tired of being overworked, underpaid, stressed, and rushed for time. My friend and I are literally always having the conversation of what needs to change and how we can be contributing factors in these efforts. My long-term goals are to start my own production company and television network while bringing in new voices, new stories, and new workplace standards overall. I won’t go into specifics at this moment because all of these thoughts are still a work in progress, but I believe there are others out there who are building the same vision as we speak. I can’t wait to work with them one day. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://nyea505.wixsite.com/portfolio
• Instagram: @nyea.lynnae and @n.y.e.a_

Image Credits
Daniel Square
Gary Jay
Cy Abdelnour Productions
Jimel Primm
Daniel Square
Nya Williams