Meet Aline Salloum | Actress

We had the good fortune of connecting with Aline Salloum and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aline, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
My creative journey started intuitively and organically even though I was a shy child and this career wouldn’t have necessarily been predicted for me. My draw to acting came from an instinctive place rather than a calculated or inherited one. In this art form, I have found ultimate joy within the excitement and certain courage within the challenges. However, deciding to make my passion a profession is a daily conscious choice that comes with a will to overcome numerous obstacles. More often than not, finding this path is the result of a unique and particular revelatory moment, but the choice to stay is definitely an ongoing journey.

What appeals to me the most about my work is that it’s a human art form that offers countless opportunities for exploration as well as activism. It provides me with means to ask questions, exchange information and find answers. Acting is where my artistic passion and my need to actively examine and provoke the world around me unite perfectly.

I get to study humanity through the exploration and embodiment of characters and stories. I get to experience the past, present and future from multiple perspectives; political, social, psychological, physical, emotional and more. The work can be very fulfilling and therefore is worth fighting for.

Needless to say, the rush that comes with performance is an undeniable pull that keeps you going back for more.

My creative career is where I find myself working most efficiently. It is my calling and where I hope to make a contribution to the world around me.

Tell us about your art. What sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about? How did you get to where you are today professionally? Was it easy? If not how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way? What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I’m very stubborn and professionally that translates to having a strong drive and determination. Being an extremely passionate person allows me to completely immerse myself in what interests me. I’m always ready to put in the extra effort and time to improve my skills and knowledge. What I’ve learned, is to dive right in when I find myself leaning towards hesitation. I no longer fear what I haven’t yet mastered and that has been giving me a lot of power to try and to persevere. This was a very important and necessary lesson for me. It freed me and made room for so much more possibility and learning within my craft.

I am an actress and creative, most drawn to socio-political themes in performance that challenge the current state of affairs and status quo. I’m extremely proud of my identity as a Lebanese woman. My country and my gender both have a history of struggle and of overcoming tyranny. Representing, advocating for, and following the example of these two elements of my identity has become my occupation. They’re my most important stories to tell, especially considering where I’m currently based and located. This is what I want to present to the world. At a time when there isn’t enough exposure to this cocktail of intersectionality, I hope that putting stories on stage and screen might get us closer to a more equitable and just experience in reality.

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?
Note: This has to take place in the summer for it to work out.

We would definitely hit the parks. Writing, sketching, and a picnic in Prospect Park. A concert at Herbert Von King Park’s amphitheater. A movie screening at McCarren Park.
A walk across the Brooklyn bridge is always a magical experience. We can stop in dumbo and sit by the water.

This would make us want to go to the beach. First choice would be the People’s Beach at Jacob Riis Park. Brighton Beach on a hot day to enjoy a swim with calmer waves is also a great option.

We would visit as many museums as possible in the city to gather information and inspiration.

For food, it would have to be a different type of cuisine every day since NYC has so much to offer.

Drinks would have to either be on rooftops to catch the views or in the prohibition era style bars because you just have to experience going through a phone booth and ending up with a cocktail!

Afternoon walks through Manhattan and Brooklyn to experience how all the different parts of the city mold together to make it the special place that it is.
A day trip upstate to go on a hike and have dinner in the town nearby.

A concert at the Bowery Ballroom.

And last but not least, off broadway theater of course!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’m thankful for every person I’ve learned from, and that’s a lot of people. I thrive on positive reinforcement, and any support and encouragement I’ve received till now has contributed to my journey.

I have moved countries three times in my life and every time I’ve landed somewhere, I’ve been lucky to find myself in the company of a mentor guiding me in my creative career. I have three mentors that have had a massive impact on my life and continue to. They have informed my work and presented me with incredible knowledge and opportunity. I am very grateful for their generosity and support. Dr. David Johnson who I met in high school in Geneva. Lina Khoury who I met in university in Beirut. And Barbara Rubin who I met in acting school in NYC. I know my path would’ve been completely different if they hadn’t believed and invested in me.

Finally, my parents definitely have had the biggest influence on me and what I’ve been able to achieve. The field I’m in can be very tough to maneuver. It takes a large sense of self worth to keep going and my parents are definitely responsible for mine. They have always showered me with love and support while also making sure my feet stay on the ground. That has equipped me with a solid base for a career that requires you to be empathetic and simultaneously demands you have thick skin. You have to withstand a lot of no’s for every yes as an actor while also performing a balancing act of daily survival and climbing a pretty high career ladder. I pick myself back up after every obstacle, because I was made to believe that I deserve to keep going. That credit goes to my parents. I would not be here without them, literally and figuratively.

Website: https://www.alinesalloum.com/

Instagram: @alinesalloum13

Image Credits
Photo file name: Gratitude. Photographer: Russ Rowland. Photo file name: 2018-2019_NY_Company_SPRING_AWAKENING. Photographer: Mark Wyville. Photo file name: 2018-2019_NY_CompanyPlay_APeoplesGuideToHistory. Photographer: Mark Wyville Photo file name: Meltdown. Photographer: Alia Haju Photo file name: IMG_9803. Photographer: Alia Haju Photo file name: Misanthrope. Photographer: Alexa Hoyer