Daily Inspiration: Meet Arely Araniva

Today we’d like to introduce you to Arely Araniva.

Hi Arely, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey began at the age of five. I played a Daido in a holiday show at my elementary school. There was something about being on stage and being creative that felt so natural to me. The decision became very easy to me. I was going to be an actor. From the get-go seemed like all the odds were against me. I was the daughter of immigrants (El Salvador), whom regardless of all the education they had received in their native land they were fairly new to the USA and did not know how to speak English. Supporting their 5-year-old on this dream didn’t seem realistic at the time.

Young me understood that but felt it was still possible even if I had to do it myself and wait, wait to learn how to how to make this dream come true. Every theater/acting class I was able to take and every community and school theater/acting production I was able to be part of I was. Graduated from HS and broke my parents’ hearts and received a BA in Theater Arts from CSUN. I say broke their hearts because for immigrant parents who have sacrificed everything becoming or being an actor was a dream that most likely won’t be reached due to not being born in the industry and coming from a country were the industry does not exist. Teacher, lawyer, and anything else would have been realist but not actor. Well Actor it was. Once again auditioned for every single play I could for at CSUN, but I experience a reality I never did in grade school. I was a Latina a black Latina at that, roles and opportunities were less and less.

However, I was able to shine in my own way. Luminarias, Real Woman Have Curves, Gorilla theater, are only a few of the productions I was able to take part in. Following graduation, I joined Teatro Sinergia at the Frida Kahlo theater were to this day is home. A place where I have been ablet to show case my talent and be part of the best of Community theater in Los Angeles. Latino Theater. I have been part of Las Mujeres de Juarez, Pastorela, Slaves, Pancho Villa, Fartufo, and Frida Kahlo to mention a few. I was able to sign with an agent (Alvarado Rey Talent), been a guest star on several tv productions, and worked on several national commercial. Still chasing the dream.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not a smooth road. This business is very difficult and demoralizing at times. You get no more than yes. Roles for Latina woman (although changes are happening) are hard to come by, and those for Black Latinas are even harder. Most of the time it’s not based on talent but more what you look like and well at times it has felt like nobody knows that black Latinas exist and therefore you don’t fit what “they are looking for”. It feels like this from other Latinos too. It’s like we are a hidden secret. Constantly proving to your own people and to other who you are and why your worth the risk. As woman get older in this business, our chances also get smaller, but I constantly remember 5-year-old me. I was in this for life so here we are. Still chasing the dream.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an actor. I specialize in comedy/improve it’s my thing, but I am definitely no stranger to drama, it comes easily and naturally to me. I am known in the Los Angeles Latino theater Community. Been part of the biggest LA community plays such as Woman of Juarez. Been seen in several national commercials and take part in several independent films. Proud to be one of the few who began this journey at the age of five who’s still in the game. This business is easy to quit it’s hard to keep on keeping on.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
A fan of every self-help book out there. Anything to remind myself I am worth anyone’s time and an opportunity. A believer in therapy. I believe that in order to be the best version of oneself, one must stay in therapy. Whatever form of therapy is up to the individual.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: arelyaraniva