January 2011 Interview with theindiestry.com
Actor Monk Inyang: Cultivating His Craft in ‘The Big Apple’
by The Indiestry Exec Donisha A.
Rebirth: Actor Monk Inyang is bringing honest emotions back to movies, television and theater.
New York (The Indiestry)—Fans, fame and money come with the territory for Blockbuster actors. However, for up-and-coming actor Monk Inyang, acting is about the true essence of the craft.
The Newark, New Jersey native’s appreciation for acting started like a number of things do—with a crush.
“I was about 16 and there was this girl that I liked and she was in the Drama Club at my high school,” said Inyang.
“She kind of told me to come with her to the club, so I went to the club and watched rehearsals,” he continued. “The teacher asked me if I wanted to join, and the next thing I know I was in ’The Crucible’—that was my first play.”
What began with a crush blossomed into love—a love for acting that is.
“As I started doing more things I started realizing how I could express myself while performing,” said the 24-year-old actor. “When I went off to college I started thinking that maybe I could do this for a living.”.
Inyang performed in two plays while attending The Pennsylvania State University. He graduated from Penn State in 2008, with a bachelor’s degree, but it was not in theater. It was in economics.
“I majored in economics because there is no way that my parents would have me go to college and be a drama student,” said Inyang with a chuckle.
~”If You Can Make it There, You Can Make it Any where”~
After graduating from college Inyang headed to New York to gain more acting experience.
“[In the summer of 2010] I performed in a play called ‘Happy Hour’ in New York,” said the actor. “It was a group of small sketches put together in a small theater on 45th Street. We had an ensemble cast of comedic performers from New York. It was a really good learning experience for me…performing in front of a small crowd in New York. Before that I was used to performing in front of small crowds in a forum at Penn State. It really showed me that I had what it takes. I’m not saying I’m the best, but I can hang with the other actors.”
The once shy actor said that through acting he was able to come out of his shell. “I’m able to read people better,” Inyang said.
“I interact with people a lot easier,” he continued. “It’s kind of like a split personality that I have while performing. I’m still kind of laid-back and shy, but it’s completely different than before.”
Inyang has enhanced this “split personality” by taking Meisner Technique classes at William Esper Studios in New York. Developed by Sanford Meisner, the Meisner Technique recognizes that believable acting is created as a response to real situations and human emotions.
“Meisner Technique stresses living truthfully in imaginary circumstances,” said Inyang. “Whenever you are doing something you are not acting like you are doing it, you are doing it.”
“Meisner Technique works on getting you to the point where the blocks that you normally have in your body that keeps you from reacting to everything—it breaks those down so that when you act, you are able to access that in you. So, when something happens in the script it is really happening to you.”
The list of Meisner-trained actors is extensive. It includes Grace Kelly, Robert Duvall, Sandra Bullock, Jeff Bridges and more. Currently, Inyang is in his second and final year of the Meisner Technique program.
“[The Meisner Technique] really affects everything about your life,” said Inyang. “ Now I notice when a person is being phony.”
~Putting in the Work~
Inyang said that a “do-it-yourself” attitude is necessary to overcome the lack of roles for minorities.
“I think that there are a lack of quality roles overall, but it gets worse for black men, and even worse for black women,” said the actor. “I feel that if it is not there you have to create it for yourself. You can create your own material that speaks to your own strengths, and put it out there.”
Inyang says he respects the work of actor Will Smith. “He is super successful and super talented,” Iyang said.
Another one of Inyang’s favorite actors is Idris Elba. “I saw ‘The Wire’ and I was like ‘Oh my God, this is great,’” said the actor. “I always felt like [Elba] is very believable and dynamic. He has a fiery characteristic about him that makes you want to watch, and keeps you interested in what is going on. When he yells, it makes me feel like I don’t want to be the other guy that he is talking to.”
Inyang’s film credits include “89C,” “DEA Raid,” “Forgiveness” and “No Woman No Cry.” The young actor shows no signs of slowing down.
“I do have a supporting role in a feature comedy called "I Don't Want to Kill Myself" that should be releasing soon,” Inyang said. “I also have another role in a short that should be released in the summer.”
The actor recognizes that a number of performers may be in it for the fame and glitz, but he appreciates acting for other reasons.
“I really enjoy being a different person, telling another person’s story and being truthful to that person’s story,” said Inyang. “I want to be able to tell those stories about my neighborhood and about people’s everyday story as best as I could.”
Inyang has goals that he would like to accomplish while in New York.
“Now that I’m taking classes I realized how unprepared I was,” said Inyang. “I want to start a Web series and keep auditioning for stuff. I think I’m going to stay in New York and collaborate with some other actors. Maybe I’ll form a production company and put some good work on film that I can show my kids someday.”
Throughout it all he has learned valuable lessons about the acting business.
“You gotta enjoy the little things,” said the actor. “Most of your day you spend not acting.You should look at [acting] as a blessing and another opportunity to show someone what you have been working on.”
The Newark, New Jersey native’s appreciation for acting started like a number of things do—with a crush.
“I was about 16 and there was this girl that I liked and she was in the Drama Club at my high school,” said Inyang.
“She kind of told me to come with her to the club, so I went to the club and watched rehearsals,” he continued. “The teacher asked me if I wanted to join, and the next thing I know I was in ’The Crucible’—that was my first play.”
What began with a crush blossomed into love—a love for acting that is.
“As I started doing more things I started realizing how I could express myself while performing,” said the 24-year-old actor. “When I went off to college I started thinking that maybe I could do this for a living.”.
Inyang performed in two plays while attending The Pennsylvania State University. He graduated from Penn State in 2008, with a bachelor’s degree, but it was not in theater. It was in economics.
“I majored in economics because there is no way that my parents would have me go to college and be a drama student,” said Inyang with a chuckle.
~”If You Can Make it There, You Can Make it Any where”~
After graduating from college Inyang headed to New York to gain more acting experience.
“[In the summer of 2010] I performed in a play called ‘Happy Hour’ in New York,” said the actor. “It was a group of small sketches put together in a small theater on 45th Street. We had an ensemble cast of comedic performers from New York. It was a really good learning experience for me…performing in front of a small crowd in New York. Before that I was used to performing in front of small crowds in a forum at Penn State. It really showed me that I had what it takes. I’m not saying I’m the best, but I can hang with the other actors.”
The once shy actor said that through acting he was able to come out of his shell. “I’m able to read people better,” Inyang said.
“I interact with people a lot easier,” he continued. “It’s kind of like a split personality that I have while performing. I’m still kind of laid-back and shy, but it’s completely different than before.”
Inyang has enhanced this “split personality” by taking Meisner Technique classes at William Esper Studios in New York. Developed by Sanford Meisner, the Meisner Technique recognizes that believable acting is created as a response to real situations and human emotions.
“Meisner Technique stresses living truthfully in imaginary circumstances,” said Inyang. “Whenever you are doing something you are not acting like you are doing it, you are doing it.”
“Meisner Technique works on getting you to the point where the blocks that you normally have in your body that keeps you from reacting to everything—it breaks those down so that when you act, you are able to access that in you. So, when something happens in the script it is really happening to you.”
The list of Meisner-trained actors is extensive. It includes Grace Kelly, Robert Duvall, Sandra Bullock, Jeff Bridges and more. Currently, Inyang is in his second and final year of the Meisner Technique program.
“[The Meisner Technique] really affects everything about your life,” said Inyang. “ Now I notice when a person is being phony.”
~Putting in the Work~
Inyang said that a “do-it-yourself” attitude is necessary to overcome the lack of roles for minorities.
“I think that there are a lack of quality roles overall, but it gets worse for black men, and even worse for black women,” said the actor. “I feel that if it is not there you have to create it for yourself. You can create your own material that speaks to your own strengths, and put it out there.”
Inyang says he respects the work of actor Will Smith. “He is super successful and super talented,” Iyang said.
Another one of Inyang’s favorite actors is Idris Elba. “I saw ‘The Wire’ and I was like ‘Oh my God, this is great,’” said the actor. “I always felt like [Elba] is very believable and dynamic. He has a fiery characteristic about him that makes you want to watch, and keeps you interested in what is going on. When he yells, it makes me feel like I don’t want to be the other guy that he is talking to.”
Inyang’s film credits include “89C,” “DEA Raid,” “Forgiveness” and “No Woman No Cry.” The young actor shows no signs of slowing down.
“I do have a supporting role in a feature comedy called "I Don't Want to Kill Myself" that should be releasing soon,” Inyang said. “I also have another role in a short that should be released in the summer.”
The actor recognizes that a number of performers may be in it for the fame and glitz, but he appreciates acting for other reasons.
“I really enjoy being a different person, telling another person’s story and being truthful to that person’s story,” said Inyang. “I want to be able to tell those stories about my neighborhood and about people’s everyday story as best as I could.”
Inyang has goals that he would like to accomplish while in New York.
“Now that I’m taking classes I realized how unprepared I was,” said Inyang. “I want to start a Web series and keep auditioning for stuff. I think I’m going to stay in New York and collaborate with some other actors. Maybe I’ll form a production company and put some good work on film that I can show my kids someday.”
Throughout it all he has learned valuable lessons about the acting business.
“You gotta enjoy the little things,” said the actor. “Most of your day you spend not acting.You should look at [acting] as a blessing and another opportunity to show someone what you have been working on.”
