Yanelba Roldan

Yanelba was born on September 8th in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. At the age of seven she moved to the United States with her parents and siblings. Yanelba unintentionally discovered her passion for acting during her sophomore year at Walton High School, when she auditioned for her school's Drama Club. The audition consisted of concentrating on a point on a wall and saying, "Get out of my face." The drama teacher was so impressed by her facial expression and tone that he cast her on the spot. As part of the Drama Club's Spring Showcases, Yanelba performed many scenes and monologues. Her friends and the audience members enjoyed her dramatic performances and referred to her as "The Screamer." At the age of seventeen, Yanelba was accepted to the University at Buffalo. She obtained a Bachelor's of Science in Computer Science which she now calls, "the safe, comfortable AND smart route." After graduation, she immediately started working as a project manager in the IT Division of a high profile investment bank. Although Yanelba worked with great people and learned a lot at her job, she eventually realized that she would never be able to fill the void in her heart unless she starts to focus her time and energy into what she really enjoys and loves: acting. In 2010, she made the decision to follow her dream; Yanelba resigned from her full-time position, applied to a part-time position and registered for a 3-month acting workshop. She officially started her acting career in August 2010. In the short time that Yanelba has been acting, she has already taken part in various music videos, short films, independent films and TV shows. Yanelba has also performed in three plays, one in which participated in a Latino theatre festival in NYC, where she received two Best Lead Actress nominations (2011). This Fall, Yanelba will tour colleges in Tennessee, New York and Michigan to perform the play "Yo Soy Latina!" which is written and directed by Linda Nieves-Powell; this would be the last season for the play until further notice. She is ecstatic, extremely busy and she is never looking back.