Quincy Fouse – No Stuntman

Words + Interview By Tyrone Davis

Quincy Fouse is an actor and music artist originally from Indianapolis, IN (my hometown). He and I discussed his upbringing, what he loves most about our city, his roles in the superhero film, “Logan” and the CW’s, “Legacies” and more. Our city has a lot of talent that doesn’t always get the look it deserves so we are always happy to give those people an extra push. We wish this young man the best.

What was life like growing up in Indianapolis?
I was a really shy kid in elementary school. Most of my experience with the city began in high school when I was doing indie shows, beatboxing all over and experiencing the music and arts scene. “Naptown” is one of the most talented places I’ve ever known and it saddens me that it is so difficult for those individuals to reach the industry out here. I plan on doing something about that later in my career.

Name 5 places people visiting Indianapolis should go to get a full scope of the city and what it is about.
The Broad Ripple Village: My high school (Broad Ripple Magnet High School) was in the heart of it. It is complete with night life, great food, boutique shopping, the park and it is connected to the Monon Trail! I’ve had some of the best times of my life after school experiencing this culturally rich environment.

Yats: A Cajun creole, etouffee-based restaurant I worked at with my father to raise the money to move out to LA. If you hit the one on 54th and College Ave., tell Mr. V (the owner) I said, “Hi!”.

Longs Bakery: BEST DONUTS EVER! I don’t care what you have to say. Go try some first and see if you still wanna fight me.

Tibbs Drive In: A golden drive-in theater living in nostalgia. Back then, if your friend just got their drivers license, y’all were going to Tibbs, haha!

The Monon Trail: I used to ride my bike from Mass (Massachusetts) Ave. downtown to school in Broad Ripple and Zen out from the amazing scenery, from the trees to the local art!

How did you get into acting?
I attended an acting workshop in Ohio, thanks to my family friend and gym teacher with hopes of beatboxing my way into entertainment. But, when I held that script and truly felt that vulnerability for the first time, I fell in love. I’ve been building upon that relationship ever since.

There has been a lot of controversy in the city surrounding the closers of public schools. How do you feel about Broad Ripple Magnet High School for the Arts & Humanities closing in 2018?
Heartbroken. It was one of the only opportunities available to youth like me to cultivate their talents and passions to change and progress their lives for the better. In May of 2017, WTHR Channel 13 news even covered me showing how much spirit was left in the school when I ran the theater class and saw one brilliant performance after the next. It made no difference. I’m not going to pretend to understand the circumstances why, but I do understand that closing down the school hurt the rising arts community.

Indianapolis as a whole has produced quite a bit of talent. The issue is that majority of that talent has had to move elsewhere to reach their full potential. What was your process like getting into film and television? Did you have to relocate as well?
I’m so thankful to Greg James with the LA Kids Acting Camp and Sheila McPherson (mother to Shannon Brown who played young Lucious from Empire) because they made so many opportunities for me and it was still such a strenuous process that I couldn’t imagine it without them. But yes, I had attended a showcase in New Orleans to get an agent and manager interested in me, then went back to Indiana to work to make the money to move out by teaching dance class at CFI #84, working at Yats and helping my mother out with her massage therapy business. It was A LOT! 

What were some of the obstacles you faced early on while trying to get booked?
The grueling bus rides every day from South Central to where my auditions and class were (usually in the Valley). Being away from my family and taking on more adult responsibilities but then keeping an unjaded disposition in the room. Also, keeping my mental state positive despite my surroundings and working on my relationship with God.

Sometime last year, we spoke with actress Kirrilee Berger, who played Amy Bishop in “K.C. Undercover”. Did you get an opportunity to work with her at all?
Nah, I actually didn’t work with anyone, lol! My storyline had my character as a YouTuber that Kamil would watch to get dating advice. I did get to meet the cast though! They were dope!

Tell us about your experience working on the film, “Logan” as Nate Munson.
It set the precedent for what I knew the business could be and it was beautiful. Watching legends all around me and then being able to work with them made me fall so much deeper in love with my career. That moment locked it in 100%.

That film is your first major film credit on IMDb. How did landing that role feel?
It was SO fast! I couldn’t even process it until I rode a horse bareback up to Hugh Jackman and waved Then, it was awesome.

In what ways do you feel this film was unique to the others in the franchise?
You got to see how human the Wolverine was. It was just a raw emotional rollercoaster ride and I enjoyed every bit of it.

Eriq La Salle and Elise Neal are both veteran actors and played your parents in the film. Is there anything you learned from them each in particular that stood out to you?
I think what I got more from them was a crash course on set etiquette, haha. I wasn’t a problem on set or anything, but they had a lot of set culture in their stories for a green kid to soak up at the time.

I thought the fate of the family was a little harsh for a superhero movie but obviously this film had a different tone. How did you feel about it when you read the script?
When I read the script I thought it was wack we didn’t get to have an invincible Wolverine to kick butts the whole time, haha. But, when I got there and saw the emotion poured into each scene, I understood how powerful the movie was going to be and what the part I played meant, so I was all for it.

Have you had a chance to see “Dark Phoenix” yet?
No not yet! But, I saw that Summer Fontana (young Hope Mikaelson) was in it so I figured I got two job families in one film to go support haha. I’ve just been pretty busy with my current projects, but I’ll get around to it!

Let’s talk the CW’s “Legacies”. Tell us about the show.
Julie Plec’s spin off of The Originals takes things back to school but this time we’re in the Salvatore School and I’m living my best life in that mug!

Considering you’re in just about every episode, how do you prepare?
I actually read my lines, record them and play them back to myself in order to memorize them. It also allows me to test what type of deliveries I feel favor the scene more, though I’m always ready to be pliable for our director.

What do you enjoy most about working on this series?
Definitely the lore. I’ve always been intrigued in different mythologies so it’s pretty cool to have a Gorgon kiss you on the cheek.

Elaborate on “No Stuntman”.
NO STUNTMAN, haha! I have SO much fun doing stunts and I actually did a lot of stunt training when I moved out to LA so I’ve been allowed to do a couple flips on set. So far, I have yet to use a stuntman. My apologies to that guy. I’m just trying to live my dreams.

You’re also a music artist. Tell us about your upcoming project, Son of the Ronin.
My first project SOULSPACE (re-drop coming soon) was the beginning of my production, performance and lyricism. Since then, I’ve found so much more of my voice and sound and this project will mark a new standard for me. It’s going to be imbued with all sorts of “Soul Fro” still though, so look forward to that.

You just released a music video for your single, “I Know”. Break the concept down for us. 
A young man lost in love goes to extraterrestrial lengths for the woman he’s fighting for.

How did you feel about Childish Gambino “This is America” record and music video?
Classic Bino, making a statement that is still within the lines of art being in the eyes of the beholder. I loved it!

Ava DuVernay’s “When They See Us” was released not too long ago on Netflix, has sparked up quite a bit of controversy and has stirred up quite a bit of backlash for a few of those responsible for the injustices of the now “Exonerated 5”. How do you feel about activism via the arts?
That’s what art is for, to be a reflection of life and give otherwise silent perspectives a voice.

What does it mean to you to be “conscious”? 
Without all the social connotation, it is just being aware of what you give energy to and what is giving energy to you.

I’m going to throw a few names out there. Say whatever comes to mind.

A. Rev. Run
Broke me a million times on All About the Washingtons. He’s hilarious!

B. Erykah Badu
Gratitude.

C. Christopher B. Duncan
The moment Peyton Alex Smith yelled at me for not remembering “Braxton’s” name after figuring out my dad on Legacies was from The Jamie Foxx Show, haha.

Tell us something about yourself that most don’t know.
My wallet is currently two rubber bands.

Lastly, as mentioned earlier, Indianapolis has produced quite a bit of talent. I don’t believe a lot of people in the world know this. Name your “Top 5” entertainers originally from the city.
David Letterman, Mike Epps and Ejaaz Collins are the only three on my list.

Follow Quincy Fouse on Instagram and Twitter @quincyfouse.

Photo: Ryan West

Stylist: Gabriel Langenbrunner

Groomer: Simone for Exclusive Artists Using Skyn Iceland and Kevin Murphy

Visited 512 times, 1 visit(s) today

About The Author

Twenty4Seven Magazine Twenty4Seven Magazine is a monthly digital and quarterly print publication founded in 2009. Though we cover a little bit of everything, our primary focus is urban entertainment and lifestyle.

Related Posts

Post A Comment For The Creator: Twenty4Seven Magazine