The acting qualities of actress Yura López (Villa Clara, 1985) have not gone unnoticed by directors, nor by the public who has followed her work in theater, radio, film and television.
Graduated in acting from the Samuel Feijó Art School and the Higher Institute of Art, Yura does not need many technical elements to fill the screen. She is one of those performers who dedicates herself completely to her profession and captures the attention of those around her thanks to her charisma and ability.
His artistic versatility has allowed him to be part of soap operas such as When love is not enough (2015) and water eye (2025); series like National Operational Unit ONE (2015), Fight against bandits (2020) and After the trail (2025); and movies like Ernest (2017) and Wasp Network (2019), among others.
The talent she has shown during her career has led her to obtain the Adolfo Llauradó award from the Hermanos Saíz Association, reaffirming that she is living a moment of professional fulfillment, but also of personal maturity.
Has your professional career been the result of your own decisions or rather of the opportunities that have been presented to you?
My career has been built step by step, with effort, dedication, dedication and enjoyment. Partly because of my decisions and partly because of the offers that have come to me. But, above all, working and trying to feel good about what I do. I cannot be in a place or do a job in which I do not feel comfortable.
I have decided to be where I want to be and do what I want to do, but I have also taken advantage of the opportunities that have been presented to me, always looking for the positive and the beneficial. I always try to balance these things: I don’t do something just to please someone or to advance my career.
You have worked in all media. From your experience, do cameras or scenarios impose more?
For me, all media impose in the same way. I prepare with the same demand and rigor, even on the radio.
Each medium has its own level of demand. In the theater, for example, you have the satisfaction of experiencing a unique moment in front of the audience, which will never be repeated. The function remains as you did it that day, good or bad, but the next day you can repeat it and improve it.
On television or radio, you have the possibility to repeat a scene if you want to fix or improve it. But once it goes out to the public, there is no way to modify what is left.
When you go to the theater, do you enjoy it as a spectator or does the actress in you come out?
When I go to the theater I let myself go. For a long time now, I have tried to enjoy what I see as much as possible. I may or may not like it, but in the moment I forget everything and connect with what is on scene. Afterwards, I can establish my criteria.
You define yourself as a shy person. How does an actress with this characteristic manage to step on stage with confidence?
I consider myself shy and, over time, I think I become even more so. But when I act, I forget all that. It’s as if a magic takes over me: I can break barriers and transform my energy on stage.
What factors came together for you to participate in the soap opera? When love is not enough?
The opportunity came through Mayra Mazorraactress that I admire and love very much. She had already been selected as part of the cast of the soap opera and she told me what they were doing casting. He proposed me because they were looking for his character’s daughter, who had similar characteristics to mine.
I made several castings until they chose me to play Yaneisi, a character that I remember with great affection because it opened the doors to other opportunities for me.
What have been the reasons why we have not seen you working frequently in the seventh art?
For Cuban actors, in general, it is quite complex to work in cinema, mainly because there are few national productions. Another factor is that not many castingsor at least I don’t know.
Everything I have done in film has been in co-productions; I have not worked in national cinema, which I would love to do, except in short films. I only participated in one casting to which they called me directly, but I do not lose faith in making Cuban and international cinema.
In another space you have pointed out that in Cuba there is a lot of young talent that could be used more. Do actors of your generation have enough opportunities today?
I think there is a lot of young talent, but it is little exploited due to few opportunities. Only one soap opera is produced followed by another, and it is not like in other countries where there are several productions at the same time.
As I mentioned before, opportunities in film are very scarce. In the theater there are groups, but the motivation to work has been lost a little: it is very sacrificial in the times we live in and very little remunerated. That is why the talent of young people is wasted.
The actors of my generation are almost all outside the country. Those of us who are still here are very few; Some left acting due to lack of opportunities or economic reasons and have dedicated themselves to other areas.
We have had to carve out our own opportunities. It has been difficult, but now we are beginning to achieve more personal fulfillment, fulfilling dreams with our own projects.
Along the way you have left notable performances in series such as Fight against bandits and ONE Did these characters contribute to you building your identity as an actress?
All the characters that I have played throughout my career have perfected the actress that I am today and have helped me build my artistic identity. However, there are key characters who force you to go out of your way, who are very far from what you are in real life.
For example, Ana Luisa in Fight against bandits and Nereid in ONE They made me push myself, delve in, and discover things I had not experienced before. They helped me explore how far I can go. That’s why I will always appreciate these types of characters: they take you out of your comfort zone and make you risk more.
Are you obsessive about creating your characters?
Yes, I am. I always feel like, once the project is done, I could have done it differently or given it more. In film, one is ready to embody a character right when filming ends.
In theater it is different: the creation process is usually longer and there is more time to perfect the character. I like to study every detail, give him gifts, accompany him and defend him as best as possible. I also study myself and observe people to save as much as I can on my “hard drive”, and then bring the different characters to life.
What part of yourself did you have to explore when playing Nadia in the soap opera water eye?
For Nadia I had to explore my most explosive and warrior side. He is a sensitive character, but also very strong and with a fast pace. I had to look for that explosion in myself because, in life, I am more calm and calm. Nadia is always ahead, facing everyone to achieve her goals and overcoming obstacles, and I had to connect with that energy.
Does the pace imposed by a long drama represent extra pressure?
Yes, facing a long drama is quite an adventure: it is “sane madness”, but also very rewarding. It has the advantage of allowing the character to be built and helped to fly, but the current working conditions are quite complex.
You have to start the project as well prepared as possible, because afterwards there will be no time for anything. It is exhausting, but also enriching: you manage to create a kind of family, you strengthen ties with the actors and that contributes a lot to the final work.
What percentage of the final result belongs to the cast and how much to the production team?
For me, both are equally important. It is essential that we actors give our all, but also that the technical team is fully committed so that the project has the highest possible quality.
It’s no use having the actors be perfect if the audio, lighting, photography, direction or any specialty fails. Everything is essential. I have a lot of respect for the technical team; Without them it would be impossible to achieve the total quality we seek.
Can you make a good production with a low budget?
Yes, very good things can be done if there is love, desire, intelligence, respect and dedication. Sometimes, with few resources but with creativity, wonderful results are achieved. Having a lot of money does not guarantee anything if you do not know how to use it or have the “angel” to make it work. The ideal is to combine budget, good ideas and passion.
Are you one of the professionals who puts their commitment to the public first?
Yes, the public is essential: we owe it to them. I always try to do my work with a lot of love, because they are the ones who say the last word.
Sometimes you can’t imagine all the effort behind that small fragment you see on the screen. Behind that there is a lot of work, dedication and love. It’s beautiful when the audience recognizes the effort and manages to identify with the characters.
Has acting helped you get to know yourself better?
Of course. Acting has helped me a lot not only to know myself, but to live better and face situations differently. The more I know and study myself, the better I can interpret the characters and give them more depth.
At the same time, building a character allows me to understand many things about myself.
What are the priorities of your life? Family and work, in that order?
I love acting; It is one of the things I want most in life. But, for me, family is the most important thing. If they are well, I am also well and I can face any work with strength and love, without stress or worry.
You have received several awards throughout your career. Do they drive or generate pressure?
The awards are a recognition and a boost. They are the appreciation of a group of specialists, and are always awarded under certain criteria. I don’t see them as pressure, but as an incentive. Recognitions like this give you strength and the desire to continue, not to believe yourself superior, but to continue working with passion.
Has climbing the steps one at a time helped you assess your achievements?
Yes, my career has been step by step, everything has come at the right time, when it should. I’m enjoying it, despite the difficulties. I always look for the good part of things and value every experience that life has given me.
I thank every person who crossed my path: teachers, directors, actors I have worked with, because I learn from everyone. I never forget my beginnings in Santa Clara, in a small children’s theater group, and now we will see how far I can go. The important thing is to move forward with determination, desire and faith.
