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

Tatyana, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Have you signed with an agent or manager? Why or why not?

One of the good things that happened during the Strike is that I just signed with an amazing theatrical agency, Eris Talent. I’m so happy. I know most people told me it would be really hard to find an agent during a time where the industry had other important priorities, but i think being genuine and vulnerable really helped with my search. Also, I am so thankful for my dearest friend, mentor, and acting coach, Arye Campos. Without her support and friendship this wouldn’t be possible. Including this interview (hahaha).

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

I started back in Brazil. I did a four year course in an Acting College called Anhembi Morumbi where I got my bachelor in acting. I also graduated from a professional Acting School called Wolf Maya for TV and Cinema and completed their 3 year course. After graduating, I received a scholarship for an intensive class with a very prestigious director in Brazil, named Fatima Toledo, at her Studio. While I was studying, I was part of a theater company where we did several plays, attended festivals, and more. I started doing auditions and booked several short films, feature films, tv shows, and commercials.

When my artistic career was going really well in Brazil, I attended a workshop with Margie Harbor, where at the end of her workshop she held an audition to bring someone to Hollywood and take her intensive classes for free. Out of 160 people, I was chosen, and because of that, I had to learn English in one year so I could attend her classes. At the time I didn’t speak English and I did her audition in my language, Portuguese.

I then got my visa and came to America to learn acting and English. I took her classes, and since then I continued acting. I was part of the Whitefire Theater in Sherman Oaks for 3 years, a Filmmaking group doing several 48hfp festivals, I attended classes at BGB Studios, The Village, and I’m still actively auditioning, and have booked some films and commercials.

Now, I’m here looking to continue to get deep in my work and training even more.

I pursued an artistic career because it is a way to express myself to the world in a way that people would want to see or hear. Being an actress allows you to escape and be characters or people you otherwise would never be. You can find the strength or even the weaknesses inside yourself and bring that to the surface in an artistic and captivating way, giving a sort of emotional release. And having others feel inspired by your work or feel an array of emotions about it can be very fulfilling.

I am proud of my persistence, as I know there is still so much that I want and need to accomplish. I have been in this industry for years, but I still feel like a beginner in some ways. I realized that I need to build my own community of creative people. You can’t wait for others to give you opportunities, you need to make them. You REALLY have to love what you do, because there is no guarantee you will succeed the way you planned in your head, but the process and the journey is what really matters.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I think one of the most difficult challenges that I just overcame, is that after 10 years I will finally be able to go back to my country to visit my family and friends. Since I came to America and made the decision that it is where I wanted to live, make my dreams come true, to succeed, and to have a memorable life, I had to make huge sacrifices and that included not being able to go back to my country. The immigration process took 7 years for me. It is not easy to live in another country, to understand the culture, to speak english, to work, and to be able to have a living without the presence of your loved ones. But thanks to my resilience and support from family, I persevered. I fought, and now, I am overjoyed I am finally going back to Brasil knowing that I now can go back and forth to America any time I want. Thats the best feeling ever. It’s like getting my freedom back.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Definitely. My mission in life is that one day I will help all those who helped me on my journey, in any way I can. I truly hope I can help financially, emotionally, creatively, and inspire many others that need it. I hope my journey can be transformative, vibrant, memorable, positive and entertaining. Life is here to be lived by us.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.tatyanafigueiredo.com/
• Instagram: instagram.com/tatyanafigueiredo/
• Other: www.imdb.me/tatyanafigueiredo

Image Credits
Brian Parillo