Today we’d like to introduce you to Yuliana Sleme.
Hi Yuliana, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started as an actress in a Caribbean Mexican island. I really loved performing, and thanks to the lack of opportunity I my high school, I went and found myself a new member of the local theatre company. And so I had my first job!
Being in New York and being able to practice my profession is something that young girl could have never imagined! I am where I am thanks to hard work, yes. But also thanks to friends and family who have supported my every day need. And the community of latinos within the entertainment industry! They are all incredible and such an inspiration to me.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been a bumpy road for sure! Staying booked is a miracle. At first I don’t think I really knew what I was doing with my self tapes. I would take them too seriously. I think I now have a more relaxed approach to them.
There are HUNDREDS of auditions an actors ends up doing in just a couple months. We can’t be flawless and pour our entire soul into every single one of the. Which would end up taking HOURS for only one take of one audition. And I think that’s what I didn’t get at first. It was truly not sustainable. Especially when you never hear back.
Now, after years of practice, I’m able to very more intentional and efficient with what I choose to lead with for each audition. And of course, after all this time, I can activate mannerisms or emotions more easily.
All this to say that the audition process is a daily skill that takes time to master.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
In my work, I find I am often booked for the bubbly and silly characters, or the depressed/deeply wounded girl. Those are my biggest hits when auditioning hahaha.
I am most proud of begin able to adapt to theatre, film and commercial. They all have something every actors desires for their career. and it’s a great way to exercise our “acting muscles”.
I believe that what sets me apart is my love for learning and understanding the world, people and experiences. I’m also very organized and give my career the respect it deserves. Every day looks different for an actor. Some days you have 5 auditions due the next day, other times you’re filming all day, or there’s fittings, rehearsals, meetings. But also there are times where there’s apparently “nothing” to do other than wait for the next audition. So it’s important to have daily habits that ground you and keep you focused. Which is why I try to be as organized and professional as I can be. It’s art, but it’s also a business, time management is a vital habit for this lifestyle.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
The way I take risks, is by getting out of my comfort zone.
For example, I am not… the best at accent work. My forte is behavior. I think. But accents? HARD for me to do. Mostly because English is my second language.
So recently I decided to do an accent for a character I was working on in a play. I was very scared and felt silly trying. I wanted to represent that aspect of the character correctly. But after weeks of just doing it as best I could, I found a new version of the character that made more sense for the play..
Younger me, would have never even tried that. So I am happy I’m at a place where I feel that I can try!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://yulianasleme.wixsite.com/website
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yulianazsz/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yulianazahia/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl8K8Ehm4C_1q9HKTqN1AHQ
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10882598/
Image Credits
Headshots by Andrew Steinman