Liora Kats says that growing up in a rich multicultural environment helped shape her worldview on life. Born in the Netherlands to a Dutch father and a Ukrainian mother, she attended an international high school, which she said further connected her to different parts of the world and ultimately planted the seed that led her to move to the United States, where she would enroll in the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute and complete a two-year conservatory program. “From a young age, acting kept reappearing in my life without me actively pursuing it,” Liora states, adding that her passion for many things, including Latin dancing, would eventually land her a role in her first feature film. Even at twelve years old, she remembers being mesmerized by the energy of a film set—by the lights, the cameras, and the many intricate moving parts that make up a production. Her dedication to acting started early, driven by a fascination with storytelling and the performing arts. In high school, she was encouraged by her drama teacher to audition for a Nickelodeon casting call, which would set her acting career into motion.
(courtesy: Valerie Terranova)
A desire to see the world
Liora says that, after high school, she was eager to see the world, which kickstarted her travels. Having already lived in more than two countries and traveled to over 36 countries across five continents, she says she has plenty of experiences that fuel and inspire her acting work.
“The people I’ve met, the cultures I’ve experienced, and the places I’ve seen have all allowed me to view life from so many different perspectives,” Liora says. “These experiences continue to inspire my work.” Liora’s journey to becoming financially independent at a young age helped compel her to continue persevering in a challenging industry, she says, sharing that she was “driven to explore” specific techniques to deepen her craft.
Her early journey to financial independence and a strong work ethic pushed her to persevere in a challenging industry. She shares that she was “driven to explore” specific techniques to deepen her craft.
“Stepping into this new environment, I quickly discovered my love for the craft,” she says. “The magic of storytelling, of fully immersing yourself in a role, is something I never want to stop experiencing.” Liora says that, whether it’s between “action” and “cut” or from the beginning to the end of a scene, the magic of acting is what keeps her inspired.
Current Projects and Future Plans
Liora Kats currently lives in New York City and recently wrapped up filming a comedy-horror feature that is set to be distributed by Troma Entertainment. She recently made her NYC stage debut, by playing “Vanessa” in Joshua Harmon’s Significant Other, which was directed by Ilana Stein. In the future, she says she wants to continue acting, keep telling stories, and work on more diverse and more challenging roles. “I want to tell meaningful stories, continue growing, and one day create my own work to share those stories with the world,” Liora says.
Most of all, the actress wants to be in a position to help others and to stand up for those who can’t for themselves.
Presented by: APG
