We recently connected with Erdem Ülker and have shared our conversation below.

Erdem, appreciate you joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Moving to the NJ/NYC area has been the biggest step of my life, by far. I realized near the end of high school that a lot of my friends would be continuing on with the plan they had set for themselves by pursuing their degrees in college. As the months passed, it kept hitting me that my path wasn’t entirely clear regarding a higher education. I did not know what college I wanted to go to, what kind of degree I should pursue– it seemed hopeless, in a way. I just could not bring myself to commit to something that did not speak to me.

All throughout high school, acting in school plays was the one thing that lit any kind of fire in me. I just yearned for performance– I felt I had so much of this energy bottled up inside from my childhood that I had to express it somehow. Acting was a great medium for that, which led me to want to start exercising consistently, too. The thing was: I did not know how I could suggest pursuing a degree in the arts– I was unsure as to how feasible it would be, especially in Kentucky out of all places. It was woefully apparent that the state simply would not offer me the flexibility that a place like NYC would offer, so that seemed out of the picture.

There I was, graduated high school, having chosen to at least enroll in community college online and start an office job. Before that, though, came my summer break, where I had the chance to visit my aunt in New Jersey. My dad– bless him every day for this– suggested that I go around the city to take a look at potential acting conservatories. Having done so, the idea dawned on us that I should potentially stay there for a month or two to try out some acting classes. It was a scary thought, as I knew deep down that it wouldn’t be some couple-month-long-trip-and-finito. I knew if I took that step, I would find a home there.

I worked the office job for more than half-a-year, and the entire time, whenever I would get a chance, I would keep researching what type of class I would enroll in once I made the move. (Quick shoutout to my former co-worker Charlie: can never forget the conversations we would have on Teams about it whenever we found a gap.) I was a full-time online student, so juggling school, work, online acting courses, kickboxing, and lifting began to take its toll– I knew I had to make a move sooner or later. In the following Spring, the date was set: March 28th, a day after my mother’s birthday. I was glad to have celebrated her with all my people before leaving– I cherish the memory to this day. Mom, Dad, Deniz, Devin, Che, Chase, Hayden, Garett– you all have my endless gratitude for ushering me into the journey on March 27th.

I have adjusted a lot of things in my life these past two years, and I can say, still, that the step I took in moving out here planted the seed for everything good that came since.

Erdem, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Erdem Ülker is a Turkish-born, NJ/NY-based actor represented by The Talent Express. His work includes an Off-Broadway debut alongside Hocus Pocus’s Larry Bagby, a wrestling-theatre clash with Ryan Nemeth, and the lead in the upcoming short Plane-Hopping, set to kick off its festival run this summer. He recently wrapped a run of A Sketch of New York and makes his national commercial debut later this year. He recently modeled for Label in the Alex Soldier x Gallery Chang 2025 event during New York Fashion Week. Erdem sharpens his craft through ongoing training at HB Studio under Lorraine Serabian and select performances with The Actors Studio. Outside the rehearsal room, he fuels his discipline through martial arts and weight training.

…is how I would phrase it in my professional profile, but if we wanted to get a little personal:

I’m an immigrant actor who speaks English as a second language, even if most people can’t tell. That matters to me—because it means I had to learn to listen, to observe, and to work harder just to be understood. I come from a background where pursuing the arts wasn’t the obvious choice—it was a risk, not a plan. For a long time, I didn’t know if the road I was on made sense to anyone but me. But acting was the one thing that consistently sparked something in me, and my physical training helps sustain that.

I didn’t come into this with perfect clarity, but I came with commitment. I worked full-time, studied remotely, trained my body and craft on my own time, and saved up to make the leap. And since moving, everything I’ve built—every credit, every class, every person who’s believed in me—started with that one choice: to bet on the fire I felt.

What I bring to the table isn’t just performance—it’s consistency, curiosity, and care. I respect the work, and I take pride in staying prepared. I’m still growing, always learning, and I try to bring honesty and attention to whatever I take on.

At the end of the day, I just want to carry myself in a way that makes people want to work together again. I realized, especially after my last show, that community is the most vital piece to this process.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I see this so consistently, actually: everybody has a yearning for some type of creative outlet. I find that it’s the people that either expect it the least within themselves or try and shut it out due to their upbringing, but they are usually the first people to recognize the craft for how it brings everyone together. If I were to suggest anything: give yourself time to exercise your imagination— even if it’s during a short walk to work. I recently formed a habit of writing down random ideas and/or flashes of nostalgia on my Notes app, whenever they come to me.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Any type of breakthrough I make, my first instinct is to celebrate with my people and act on generosity: I aim to make that the most consistent aspect of my life and hopefully inspire those around me to do the same.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.backstage.com/tal/erdem-ulker
• Instagram: erdemulker04

Image Credits

Alexander Sun (NYFW)
Sardor Kurbanov (cruise photo)
Jo DiNozzi (Sketch of New York, all black outfit cast)
Christian Briones & Hunter Stratford (Plane-Hopping, handshake still; Austin Daniel Schu, opposite actor, director, writer, editor)
Christian Briones (professional shots)