Meet Emily Nedvidek | Actor & Apartment Locator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Emily Nedvidek and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Emily, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
I think the pandemic taught me how to live without theatre, and I was able to create a really fulfilling life without acting. I used to accept any job or role that was offered, and now I’ve become much more selective when auditioning. I have to love the role or the show more than I love my life at home, which is a high bar. The best advice I’ve received about picking projects was from Jen Acker. She told me to follow the 3 P’s: people, project, pay. When I was a younger actor, I only needed one of the Ps to be satisfied; I’d take any job that was offered. Until recently, I would accept a project if it satisfied two of the P’s, so I might take a project if I loved the people, even if the pay was subpar. I’ve discovered recently that I am approaching a place where I need all 3 P’s to be fulfilled in a project. If I’m not excited about the project and people, and I don’t feel that my time is being fairly compensated, then I feel more drained than fulfilled by the project. I think passion is cyclical and burnout is real, and right now I just really love the life that I’ve built in Atlanta, with or without theatre. I’ve talked to a lot of artists lately who feel the same way, like there’s a little bit of collective post-pandemic burnout happening in the industry. We’ve all learned how to have fulfilling, well adjusted lives without theater (and what it’s like to have a weekend! Or free time!), so everyone is a little more hesitant to give that up if it’s not 100% worth it.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a licensed real estate agent who specializes in apartment locating with a firm called Smart City Locating. It is the first survival job I’ve had that I’ve truly enjoyed, and that utilizes my talents and skills. I’ve found that actors are really great in this job because we’re very good with people (and rejection). It’s very remote and flexible, and my bosses are incredibly supportive of my acting career. To be honest, I got my real estate license because I watched a lot of Selling Sunset and thought it looked fun, but it’s turned out to be a very lucrative and fulfilling day job. It’s made me value my time a lot more, which goes back to me being more selective about the projects I take on.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live right across from Ponce City Market, so I would start by showing them PCM and the Beltline, and stopping at breweries along the way. I would also take them to my favorite hot dog spot, Red’s Beer Garden! I love sports, so depending on the season I would either take them to an Atlanta United or Braves game. Mark and I are also big fans of 4D movies (it’s our guilty pleasure). so we may subject a visitor to that experience as well. It’s so dumb but so fun.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I never would have had the courage to pursue a career in acting if it hadn’t been for my parents and my family, so I need to thank them first and foremost. Jen Acker has been a mentor and best friend for me for the past few years, and I owe so much of my Atlanta success to her. I also want to shoutout my wonderful fiancé Mark, who is the kindest and most encouraging cheerleader I could ever ask for.

Website: www.emilynedvidek.com

Instagram: @enedvidek

Image Credits
Sydney Lee, Robby Owenby, Casey Gardner Ford