Actress Sarielys Matos' career path takes her to Road Less Traveled
Sarielys Matos, 27, a native of Puerto Rico, moved here at 6. She attended Buffalo’s Academy for Visual and Performing Arts, concentrating on dance. When she was required to audition for “West Side Story,” she landed the role of Anita. Thus began her passion for acting.
Matos went on to hone her theatrical skills at Niagara University’s acclaimed acting program, and she now earns her living acting.
She spoke between rehearsals of Annette Daniels Taylor’s new play, “A Little Bit of Paradise.” Road Less Traveled Productions (www.roadlesstraveledproductions.org) is premiering the show starting next Friday and running through Oct. 5.
How do you relate to the situation and issues in this play, which is set in 1924?
Racism and prejudice were more of an issue back then, though we still face them now. My character, Louisa, is Creole. She looks “mixed”; nobody knows if she’s white or black. I have gone though some of that.
I’m usually the minority in the Buffalo theater community. With my characters, I am not always sure if I am supposed to act more “white,” or if I can be myself. I feel like “Where do I fit in?” — just like Louisa’s struggle.
How do you deal with it when you are not sure whether to act “white” or be yourself?
I talk to other actors whom I have a close relationship with. The advice I usually get is to stop worrying whether I am the “usual type” for that character and to develop my character as I think it should.
Making a living off of acting must be tough.
Darlene [Pickering, artistic director of Theater for Change] is a great “agent”; she has many connections. I’ve done commercials, voice-overs and independent films. Right now I’m working on a project with Theatre of Youth director Meg Quinn.
Every actor has fears. I’ve been fortunate to get jobs, but I can’t go on vacation, and I don’t have benefits. There is always a sense of instability. But when I think about doing something outside of theater, I know I would be miserable.
How are you feeling about your current show?
In terms of historical period, it’s a first for me. It’s also scary that it’s a new play — we are originating the roles. We put pressure on ourselves to do the best we can. It’s very exciting. I hope I do it justice.
