Meet Marili Kateri

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marili Kateri.

So, before we jump into specific questions about what you do, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I originally had aspirations of becoming a professional dancer/choreographer in New York and on Broadway. Taking dance classes naturally led to acting classes which unearthed another level of my passion and skill for performing that I never knew I had.

I was living in Maryland. While attending undergrad focusing on a degree in Communications, I took acting classes regularly outside a university setting in the evening and on weekends. As my training and experience slowly grew I eventually got an agent at a local agency called Cima Talent. This was where my real acting experience began and where my valuable knowledge of the business was gained. My experience turned from pro-bono gigs to well paying regional commercials, national and regional commercial print, several industrial film jobs and theatre credits. I got most of my experience living in the DMV before moving to Atlanta.

Once my experience peaked for that market, I decided to make the jump and move to the Hollywood of the South because it was exciting to me and I had not yet worked this market. I also knew the amount of amazing work and opportunities here were growing rapidly. I knew that I was ready to be consistently auditioning for the bigger TV and film roles and wanted to take part of that rapid growth. So far, I’m really feeling Atlanta.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Acting is not a career of instant stability and security in the initial stages and those initial stages can last for years before you’re able to live off your acting work. In order to sustain yourself as a working, training actor, you have to have a job(s) that will support your way of life and find a balance between that and your auditions and bookings.

You have to find your own stability and security in the meantime. A flexible decent paying job(s) is the key. Finding one is a huge challenge.

Secondly, dealing with the plethora of opinions that will get thrown at you in this business can be hard. In the end, it’s all opinions and opinions are based on emotions which are fleeting. The only opinion of yourself that matters most is your own because you present yourself to the world according to that. Never attach your self worth to any kind of external rejection. Especially after giving your 100% best.

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I’m an Actor. I work in TV, Film, Theatre, Commercials, and print. I’m professionally trained to convey emotions under imaginary circumstances, fictional and non. I entertain people by providing visual stimulation and exploring the emotional depths of the human psyche.

I am most proud of all my accomplishments, really – big and small. They all have shaped and impacted my growth as a person and as an artist. Which really are one and the same, aren’t they?

Recently I just wrapped my first featured film where I’m starring as the lead. It’s a sci-fi film called” HARMONY” directed by Zack Gross of Hand Me Down Films (www.HMDFilms.com). I play Sophia Gonzales who is a military ground soldier on deployment when rebels launch their first major attack on cities throughout the U.S. She gets wounded in battle as her company is forced to retreat and is moved to the rehab facility called HAROMNY to recover. There, some eyebrow raising things happen..

Also, a short film that I played in called “RIVERMENT” (www.RivermentFilm.com) directed by Shayla Racquel (www.ShaylaRacquel.com) has been doing exceptionally well in the independent film festival circuit for over a year now. We just got word that Riverment was accepted into the 2019 New York Latino Film Festival next month! Super proud and excited about that!

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Well, success is a non-linear path. It’s always under construction and in a constant state of evolving. It is infinite, really. Essentially for me, success is achieving whatever goals you have set for yourself that make you happy and that makes your life more enriched. I think once you feel that, you’ve been successful.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.MariliKateri.wix.com/Actress
• Email: CimaTalentManagement@gmail.com
• Instagram: www.Instagram.com/Marili.Kateri
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/ActressMariliKateri
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/MariliKateri

Image Credit:
Brian Jones – http://headshotsbybrian.com

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