Meet Tula Gout

We recently connected with Tula Gout and have shared our conversation below.

Tula, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

Growing up I was a very shy person. Every time I had to talk in class or do a presentation I would struggle and immediately turn red. So becoming an actress was quite contradictory to this behaviour. Despite this I knew that acting was my passion and the one thing I truly enjoyed doing, it brought me great happiness and a purpose in this life. Because of that, despite the nerves I would act in my highschool theater.
When I came to New York and started studying at Lee Strasberg theater and film institute I had the same feeling for the first few weeks but I quickly realized that I was doing this for me. I was leaving what once was my big dream (go to NY and study acting) finally I lost the nerves and started to go up and perfore whenever I could. I realize that if I was going to make a mistake I would learn and be better from it, and that that would only improve my acting. My love for acting only grew deeper and stronger that finally there was no shame or nerve that could stop me from doing it.
When I read Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke it was such a beautiful revelation and connection to what he said in those letters. I felt so seen and things I could put in words were suddenly there. One of the things he said that spoke to me deeply was “Perhaps you will discover that you are called to be an artist. Then take the destiny upon yourself, and bear it, its burden and its greatness, without ever asking what reward might come from outside” This is precisely what I did, I had discovered many years ago my passion for acting and so when I came to new york I took that destiny upon myself as Rilke said and decided to take and bear it’s burdens, greatness and everything in between making sure to experience and live the most of it. I developed so much confidence and self-esteem. I decided to trust my path and go along with it.
I as well became deeply appreciative of my younger self who allowed herself to dream so big and worked hard in hope to one day make that dream reality. With that I realize that she (my younger self) would be so proud of what I have accomplished and I know she would love the woman I have become. This as well gave me so much self-esteem and love that I embraced and remind myself of this almost everyday.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m an actress born and raised in Mexico currently based in New York City. I came to New York following my passion and my dream to study acting here. Even if I’ve been here for a while, talking about it still feels so surreal.
What I feel the most excited about is to share my passion. Even though it is terrifying, I’m truly excited to go into the professional world and put myself out there. I can’t wait to be part of a project and share my talent with not only the production theme but also with whoever will watch.
Something new that I’ve incorporated into my artistic path is writing. Since I was a child I remember creating my own stories and world and fully immersing myself into them, which is where I discovered my love for acting. But recently I decided to try to take those stories that I dream of telling and actually write them.Going into writing has been amazing and I’ve become so excited about the process and I hope to develop them and be able to bring them to reality.
I’m as well currently preparing for Lee Strasberg’s final presentation of my two years that will take place in a couple of months.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Determination is definitely one of the qualities I have. It is thanks to that that I never gave up despite what people might have said about my chosen profession.
A quote from the NatGeo tv-show “Mars” said “We dream is who we are” . I was lucky to find passion in acting at a young age and know that that is what I would hope to do when I grew up, that acting would be my dedication.
Another quality of mine I say is my sensibility. I think for many people this always seemed bizarre and maybe immature but for me this truly keeps me grounded to reality. Part of why I chose acting was because I hope to make projects that hopefully have a message or spark a conversation about our society, our world, what we could be or what we are. As Toni Morrison said “ In times of dread, artists must never choose to remain silent. This is precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear. This is precisely the time when artists go to work. We speak, we write, we do language. That is how civilizations heal.”
Lastly, one more skill is the fact that I speak three languages. Not only this has opened me the doors to so many different countries and cultures but also possibilities to meet and talk to many people. And I’m certain that it will open many possibilities to work in these languages I know.

I would advise people early in their journey to not give up, to trust their path and to not compare theirs to others. Even in this profession is a hard one you have to believe in your passion and talent and keep on going. Even if it might sounds very cliche it is true and it’s what help me and still does thru my journey.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

The most impactful thing my parents have done for me is help me follow my dreams. They have not only encouraged me and supported my passion but helped me make what was once a dream now is a reality.
Both my mother and my father have inspired me to never give up and keep on fighting. As fighters themselves they showed me to work hard but with passion and love, to chase after dreams and to never give up.
I feel extremely grateful that they support me and follow me through this journey. And I know they are proud of me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: _gout.tula_