We had the good fortune of connecting with Niko’a Salas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Niko’a, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
Yes, “Knowing is the Enemy of Learning” – Tom Chi.

This quote means everything to me. I want to think I took this approach to life before I ever heard of Tom Chi, where looking at life with curiosity and ambition is the goal, as opposed to the opposite. As you might know, an actor who says they don’t need class is likely not a very good actor. Even A-list celebrities train with teachers for their roles. A growth mindset vs a fixed mindset has helped in every area of my life, especially when building connections and relationships. I don’t immediately disregard people’s opinions if they are of a different generation, or seem at a glance like they wouldn’t have something worthwhile to say. I listen and if I disagree, I’ve learned what to not do for myself. I’m constantly learning from others, which is also key for any creative pursuit since creativity consists of mixing new thoughts with old ones, I’m always in the market for new ideas and perspectives.

Our world is ever-changing, and I find it fascinating to ever move and shift with it. Especially while creating art and stories.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m an actor, writer, and creative, with some extra emphasis on “creative”. I went against my acting teacher’s wishes and out of two schools I was invited to, I chose the training program targeted at creative efforts over the more prestigious specific acting program. Acting grounds my artistic world and I’ll never be able to stop, but I could also never be only an actor. I write scripts for stage and screen, books, and children’s books, I make art, physical and digital, I play bassoon, recorder, piano, and ukulele, and of course compose music for all, especially on my midi keyboard. I puppeteer, write poetry, choreographing fights and dances and of course, I love filmmaking, which can include all my interests.

My influences include Donald Glover, Taika Waititi, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt to name a few, amazing creatives who could never just be one thing. I’m so happy to be creating and collaborating on so many beautiful stories all the time. If you think we would be a good fit, please feel free to email me. Nsalas810@gmail.com

Getting to where I am today, where I’m represented by a SAG-AFTRA franchised talent agency and collaborating on a myriad of different projects was not the easiest journey. I have struggled and still work two part-time jobs to help pay for my life while I continue to create the art I love. One of the most beneficial lessons in retrospect is taking time to learn about the business side of the entertainment industry. You can be the greatest actor in the world, but if you don’t know how to look and act/communicate professionally, you’re going to be seen as an amateur no matter how amazing you are. Invest in well-reviewed acting classes to learn the business as well as the craft.
I want the world to know that stories are essential for all humans; we are made of stories, and every adventure we have or thing we do, is a story that will likely be shared with others. Without the stories we create, we would only work, live, and die without enjoying and truly experiencing the ride we are and can be. I aim to continue creating wonderful stories for the world filled with heart and meaning, to help people laugh, feel, relax, and love until my story is over.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

Well, you have to visit the Georgia Aquarium, it’s a beautiful AZA-accredited aquarium that everyone should see at least once in their lifetime.

While visiting Atlanta you have to go to Hattie B’s Hot Chicken – Atlanta East, it’s amazing. Also, Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q is awesome.

An ultimate must go though, is the Krog Street Market, everything there is amazing. Go check it out with an empty stomach and time on your hands. Also, make sure to walk to the beltline after to get some ice cream and see some art.

Make sure to check out what’s happening at the Pullman Yards, the Museum Of Illusions, the High, the Botanical Gardens, and last but not least, make sure to find at least one Tiny Door…

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

Well, let’s start at the beginning and go down the list shall we?

My mother, Susan Reit de Salas, has believed in me even before I did. Words cannot truly explain how astoundingly amazing she is.

Everyone in Pathways at Mt Abraham Union High School, helped me understand there are many ways to learn and be successful in the world without going through the traditional schooling routes.

Award-winning actor, teacher, carpenter, and mentor Steve Small, helped me understand acting can be a beautiful life, not just a hobby, through his teachings at the Addison Repertory Theater.

Erik Nielsen helped hone my love for music composition and brought me to a place where I am comfortable creating music for others the way I always wished I could.

Jon Jory, the legendary co-founder of Actors Theatre of Louisville, and one of the fathers of one-act plays, taught me more than I could ever have hoped for as an actor at the Santa Fe University of Art and Design. “Variety is written on the wall.” “Charm and $3.50 will buy you a latte.”

Cristina Duarte taught me that no matter how strange or abstract a script is, as long as you focus on the character’s story, it will come together.

Wendy Chapin taught me that the character is always trying to “Win!” Which brought beautiful clarity into my scene work.

Jeremy Carmen Rayburn, taught me the basics of writing sketch comedy, which has helped me time and time again, when finding the humor in writing scripts, and also in performing.

Lynn Goodwin, with a BA from Yale University, an MFA from Columbia University, and an advanced certificate in Screenwriting from UCLA, is the single greatest director I have ever had to privilege to be directed by in “The Aliens” by Annie Baker, put on by Ironweed Productions. Every time I have learned a script, I think about how she helped me understand the meaning behind every word, and how I should always perform for myself and not for others.

Allison Gardner helped me reignite my love of “play” within acting, which is everything.

Jayson Warner Smith helped me learn to trust the performance within me, even when I can’t see it at all. He was very right.

The Kick The Ladder community has helped me expand my already bouncing creativity to new heights with their brilliant game and beautiful kindnesses.

Alex Javo, helped me motivate and believe in myself and has helped me find amazing film opportunities.

Michael Cook taught me everything you can imagine about how to kick ass in a self-tape audition and I have booked and am booking all the time because of his guidance at Drama Inc.

There are so many more people to credit, but these are a few top players for me.

Website: https://www.nikoasalas.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nsalas810/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/niko.salas.31

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClzD_aBqsjvOudpe3c7r0zA

Other: https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/nikoasalas https://app.castingnetworks.com/talent/public-profile/a6b14b32-37c7-11ed-a1a7-473d9b683bc7 https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7899568/ https://www.tiktok.com/@nikoasalas81o? https://soundcloud.com/nikoa-salas

Image Credits
https://www.slingshotsphotography.com/ https://theundergroundcorrespondents.bandcamp.com/album/social-static https://robbieglenphotography.com/gallery/theatrical/ https://www.instagram.com/rowinhernandez/ https://www.instagram.com/sardiusstudios/ https://www.instagram.com/alexjavo/ https://studioprimetime.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral https://watch.troma.com/category-new-releases/videos/the-raker-house

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