We were lucky to catch up with Jetta Juriansz recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jetta, thanks for joining us today. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?

I’m pretty sure the first time I was paid to act was in an anti-smoking campaign that I booked when I was 17 or 18.. In the audition, I didn’t even know how to hold the cigarette correctly (all of my reference points were from high school and community theatre productions of Grease.) I don’t think I was really convincing as “addict” (heck, I don’t really think I was convincing in Grease either.) But if there intentions were to steer people away from smoking, I certainly did that by making it look so painfully uncool.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am an actor and comedian who’s been in the industry for 10 years. I moved to LA when I was 19, and then this year I moved to NYC! I love story telling, and I love silly things that have heart. Most recently I was in the CBS Showcase, Station 19 (ABC) and S.W.A.T. (CBS). I’m on a Maude team at UCB NYC (Petty Crime) and originated the role of Ali Mills in the pre-Broadway premiere of The Karate Kid the Musical.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

When I was in theatre as a high schooler, everyone would talk about acting for film like it was a completely different beast. All I would ever hear is “you gotta do things so small” and “when you’re on stage you’re acting for the back of the house and on camera they can see EVERYTHING so don’t do too much”. And that made me really overthink my choices when I started acting on camera. I was always worried I was overacting, so my performances started as super wooden and not human. It took me a while to realize they’re not so different and to just be myself. Acting isn’t just two modes: big or small.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

The best thing you can do as an artist AND as someone who wants to support art is to witness, support, and actively participate in as much art as possible. Even if you think it’s not your taste or not relevant to you – that’s even more a reason! See as much art as possible. I always recommend seeing live drag, sketch comedy, improv, music, cheap theatre, and new works. You will learn so much. Also – see your friends stuff, for goodness sake!!! Donate to their thing, show up to their shows. Share it, like it, comment on it, be in it!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shmetta/
• Youtube: https://www.YouTube.com/jettajuriansz/