Actress Nidah Barber-Raymond talks about her role on Netflix’s Human Resources
Human Resources focuses specifically on the lives and work environments of Big Mouth creatures. Nick Kroll, Andrew Goldberg, Mark Levin, and Jennifer Flackett created the animated adult sitcom. Human Resources tackles the complete human life span from birth to death — and this scene delves into the latter, with Amir and daughter Natalie facing the loss of Amir’s mother, Yara. Walter, the personification of that emotion, is also at Yara’s deathbed. Showrunner Kelly Galuska notes how the scene balances the emotional weight and the irreverent comedy at the show’s core.
We sat down with Nidah Barber-Raymond, who plays “Yara El-Khoury,” to find out how she got to this point.
How did you get started as an actress?
I am a Boston native. I also earned a minor in theater from Emerson College, and a major in public relations and communications management from Emerson College. In the past 20 years, I have lived in Los Angeles for most of those years. Acting has been a part of my life since I was young. The first character I played was a sassy little girl by the name of Anita.There are lots of hours of hard work and dedication that go into it, and out of all the professions, it’s one of the most difficult to enter.
You should take acting classes, read books, and watch movies if you want to try your hand at acting. All of these are great ways to learn how to act and get into character. Additionally, you should watch other actors in order to practice what you’ve learned. Your acting will benefit greatly from this feedback. If you’re interested in theater, you might want to consider joining a local group. The experience you seek can help motivate you and keep you motivated. Attending open auditions is another option you should consider. Get your foot in the door and gain experience this way.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT AS AN ACTOR?
My greatest achievement in acting has been when I played the lead in an actors equity play called A Country Within. It was a sold out play at the Barclay theater where I got to play an amazing character of an Egyptian immigrant whose daughter was going off to college. It was very comedic yet serious at the same time. I really enjoyed that.
WHO IS ONE PERSON YOU WISH YOU COULD WORK WITH?
I would love to work with Salma Hayek one day. She is half Lebanese and a role model for me. I love her roles and feel that working together with Salma who create create onset chemistry, which would be great to experience.
WHAT IS THE MOST DIFFICULT OBSTACLE YOU HAVE OVERCAME RECENTLY?
Forced conservatorships may have been mentioned or experienced by you. In recent news, Brittney Spears has been making headlines. What I am dealing with right now is the most challenging thing I have ever experienced. My duty is to protect my mother-in-law from being forced into a conservatorship. She is adamant that she does not want a conservatorship or to lose her rights. Due to a recent diagnosis of dementia, a conservatorship is being used to control her estate. The rise of dementia is sad and unfortunate, but apparently there is a rise in conservatorship abuse in this country as a result of it.
TELL US ABOUT ANYTHING NEW YOU HAVE COMING OUT?
I am working on something that I cannot talk about but it is very exciting and comedic. I love working on roles that create vulnerability, as far as acting goes you have to learn to take yourself to places that may not be ideal to experience from an emotional level, but after you have accomplished this, you grow as a person and actress.
For more content like this check out:
