Words by Carol Wright | Photos by Sergio Garcia
We got to chat with Ramona about her passion for acting and writing as well as her experience playing Mona Wu in Legends of Tomorrow, a show that takes place in the DC Comics universe.
Did moving around a lot as a kid have any influence on you wanting to be an actor?
Yes, it did. Moving around wasn’t always easy, especially as I got older. I started acting in plays first. Being a part of stories made me feel like everything would be okay. Stories had a beginning, a middle, and an end. Like Tennessee Williams would say, ‘What the truth ought to be.’ So, acting was where I felt I’d find security.
You credit Playhouse West as the place where you learned to be an actor. What was one of the most valuable lessons you learned there?
When we showed up late for class, our instructor would charge us a dollar if he was in a good mood. If he wasn’t so chipper, he’d kick us out for the day. Some students would try to sneak their way in or say they didn’t have the dollar. In response, our coach would yell, ‘Is your integrity worth a dollar!?’ It was a place where I became an adult. I learned I didn’t want the easy way out. I learned to work hard and be dedicated. I always tried to be honest with myself and others.
Were you a fan of DC Comics before joining the cast of Legends of Tomorrow?
I love the DC universe. It’s so much grittier and darker than Marvel. Both worlds are fantastic but the villains in the DC universe are probably my favorite.
What drew you to Mona Wu? Can you relate to her in any way?
Mona Wu gave me an opportunity to be a part of me I wasn’t able to show on screen yet. That was super exciting. I relate to her a lot. I really look forward to growing up with her.
What’s your favorite aspect of working on the show?
The amazing people! The creativity of the show also lends itself to amazing set pieces, costumes, writing, and storylines.
You’ve worked on a lot of diverse projects. What do you look for in a script before you decide to audition for a role?
Does it speak to me? Does it challenge me? Do the people in the project challenge me? Does it make me feel things? Do I understand the character? Do I understand the circumstances? Does it spark a fire in me? Is it fun?
Outside of acting you also write. Do you hope to write scripts in the future?
Absolutely.
What advice do you have for aspiring actors?
It’s acting. Not thinking… not sitting… not wishing or dreaming. Acting. Do it. Make it happen. No one has the right answer. Just get there.