We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tula Gout Ruiz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tula, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

As human beings, we seek for a meaning in our lives, for something strong enough to keep us going in hard times. People find devotion, a necessity of having something or passion for something. For me what kept me going, and still keeps me, was passion for acting.
Since I have a memory I’ve always been amazed by movies and the world they create, the stories that are told, the messages that are delivered. For me it was a beautiful immersive experience. As I grew older I realized that acting was an actual job and became deeply interested in it. I saw the impact that performances, movies and theater had on people, how it sparked conversations, and made us look at the world and society in different ways, which is something that increased my interest in acting.Actors are storytellers that use their body, their voice, their emotions, their mind to tell a story, and make it as realistic as possible. They embody other persons in order to tell a story that will hopefully touch the audience and give a message to them.
I was very lucky to experience the process of creating a tv show many years ago, and as I walked around the sets and saw the actors working, immersing themselves in the world and the story they were creating, I felt a deep connection and admiration to their craft. I realized then for the first time that acting was my future career.
Devid Ackert said “Actors are some of the most driven, courageous people on the face of the earth. They deal with more day-to-day rejection in one year than most people do in a lifetime. Every day, actors face the financial challenge of living a freelance lifestyle, the disrespect of people who think they should get real jobs, and their own fear that they’ll never work again. Every day, they have to ignore the possibility that the vision they have dedicated their lives to is a pipe dream. With every role, they stretch themselves, emotionally and physically, risking criticism and judgment. With every passing year, many of them watch as the other people their age achieve the predictable milestones of normal life – the car, the family, the house, the nest egg. Why? Because actors are willing to give their entire lives to a moment – to that line, that laugh, that gesture, or that interpretation that will stir the audience’s soul. Actors are beings who have tasted life’s nectar in that crystal moment when they poured out their creative spirit and touched another’s heart. In that instant, they were as close to magic, God, and perfection as anyone could ever be. And in their own hearts, they know that to dedicate oneself to that moment is worth a thousand lifetimes.” When this quote was introduced to me it spoke so profoundly to me. It describes exactly the feeling I feel whenever I’m acting. Every time I get up and perform I feel that electricity and trills running all over me. I’ve learned so much throughout my failures and achievements since I started. I’ve seen the improvement not only in my performance but also in my confidence. And with that I know that I have tasted life’s nectar as he said and it is because of that, that I embraced the journey that comes with choosing acting as my path, despite what others around me said, and I couldn’t be happier.
I’m extremely lucky and grateful to have parents who encourage me and do everything they can, so I can follow my dream, my passion. Thanks to them, acting is no longer a dream but my reality.

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

I’m a Mexican educated in a French school, now living in New York. Growing up in Mexico City has given me a richly diverse swath of experience to draw from. Growing up in a city of 8 million people, I’ve observed the fortunes and misfortunes of my people, the crime and the beauty of my streets, and the multitude of faces that tell our stories. This only allowed me strength to go out and share my story, my roots and my culture to the world. Thanks to the French education I received I was able to explore different cultures, histories and knowledge, allowing me to open my mind and curiosity. This gave me many tools to move to a different country and be open to experiencing as many faces of life as I can, in hope to be able to bring this into the future characters I’ll do and the stories I will tell.
I realized that one big reason why I love acting so much is because I believe that there is a relationship between life and art which is complex. This complexity is wrapped around exploration, interpretation, and dialogue, making the relationship between life and art enduring , passionate and powerful. Life imitates art, drawing inspiration from real-life experiences, emotions, and societal issues. Artwork has the power to reflect, critique, and sometimes even shape society. It even goes as far as to function as a mirror that reflects the human condition, allowing us to explore values, beliefs, and struggles. With this, life and art influence each other in a never ending loop of creation and reflection. Making history everlasting and challenges the past present and shapes possibilities of the future that can serve as a warning..
I am truly proud of everything I have accomplished so far and making my dream reality.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me one of the most rewarding aspects of being an actor is the fact that it truly is my passion and being able to wake up and to do everyday something that I love so much and brings me so much happiness is truly rewarding.
Another thing is the conversations and rehearsals that go into creating a scene and a character, that process is truly beautiful. Every scene I’ve been in is like magic. The way stories and characters that I’ve done and been part of come to life, progressing in each and every rehearsal and the journey they take through my craft. Seeing and shearing that journey is beautiful and I’ve learned so much from it.
Lastly the reaction of the public after your performance is truly special. They way you are able to provoke emotions to someone, deliver a message and a story that could speak deeply to that person is very special and rewarding.

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

Becoming a working actor is my main goal as well as shearing my craft on the screen and on the stage. I hope to pass a message and/or share a story that could spark conversation and could move people.
Another big part of what drives my creative journey is my younger self. I remember how for her it was all a dream and aspirations that kept her going and now we both managed and worked hard to make it reality. I know she would be proud of me and what I’ve accomplished as I am proud and truly thankful to my younger self that no matter how tough things got or how hard this career is she never gave up.
One more is my little sister who gives me so much love and looks up to me. She gives me strength and I want to give it back by showing her that dreams do come true and to not give up.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_gout.tula_/
• Other: website
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