Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Eleny Reyes. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Eleny thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Growing up, my mom worked in the industry and was an actress for Novelas and Spanish Soap Operas. I would always sit in the living room and watch her rehearse with her coach. It was so entertaining. The craft seemed so fun. There’s one moment that I will always remember. It was waaaay past my curfew, but an episode she was in for a very famous show was airing that night. So, my sisters and I hid behind the couch to watch her. We were caught in the matter of 2 minutes but, she let us watch with her. We sat on the couch and watched our mom on TV. It was so cool to us. She played a doctor. It was just a couple lines but it meant the world to watch her on TV. I knew in that moment, I wanted to pursue this craft.

Eleny , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

As you may know, getting into this industry is not easy. I am still finding my way. I did theatre and musical theatre in high school and fell deeper in love with the craft. I knew i didn’t want to go the traditional way and go to college. I wanted to dive in and work with coaches who were already in the industry. So, I started training. I worked with various Studios such as Michelle Danners Studio, John D’Aquino, Lisa Picotte, etc. A few months ago I decided I wanted to go further. I really wanted to study under some professionals in London. I looked up the best acting courses in London and found one. Actors Studio UK in Pinewood Studios. If you’re not familiar with Pinewood, that’s where they film all the big movies. Going to London was not easy. I had never traveled alone, never gone to Europe. It was the scariest thing but i felt very brave. It was the most amazing experience. I met incredible people, worked with such talented coaches, and left feeling so much more confident in my craft.
I won’t lie, from time to time, it does get a little hard. You start to doubt yourself and feel like you should’ve gone in a different path like everyone told you to. But, that’s when I remind myself that I am doing exactly what I have always wanted to do and I am no where near where I want to be yet, but it’s one step closer. I feel very proud that I chose a career that would make me happy.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an actor is finishing a project you’re so deeply proud of and seeing it all come to life. Being able to portray a story/character with such ease and moving people. That’s all I ever hope for, being able to move people with my work. Telling the stories that matter and deserve to be told.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Training is the best resource in this career. When I was younger I didn’t really understand how important it was. I had a natural talent for acting and I thought “well that’s it, I’m good” but no. You can be extremely talented and yet have no technique and not know the basics. I learned that the hard way. When I was put on a set for my very first short film, I realized there were so many thing I had yet to learn. Training is for everyone. I have learned that you should never stop training, no matter how successful you are. That doesn’t mean spend hundreds of dollars in classes. You can find so many by researching online, you can also see what you have locally. You should also be reading. Books like ‘Acting in Film: An Actor’s Take on Movie Making’ written by Michael Caine. You should also read plays. That is something you will always hear. Familiarize yourself with plays.

Tip: have a notebook full of monologues you know by heart. You never know when you’ll be asked on the spot in an audition to perform something for them that isn’t in the script they gave you. It is always good to have something memorized. that you can recite.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: elenyreyes
• Other: Tik Tok; elenyreyess

Image Credits
The first main picture was taken by Viviana Garcia (Viviimage Photography).