Yousof’s Journey
Yousof Sultani is an Afghan-American actor, artist, and activist currently residing in Chicago, IL. He was born and raised in Northern Virginia and from his very first performance on stage in Elementary school, he fell in love with acting. He was chosen to be a part of American Theatre Wing’s SPRINGBOARD NYC where he was mentored by Neil Patrick Harris, Laura Linney and David Caparelliotis. He received his BFA in Performance from Virginia Commonwealth University.
On stage, he has had the honor and pleasure of performing across the country at some of the Nation’s best theaters; from Seattle Rep on the West Coast, to Steppenwolf and Milwaukee Rep in the Midwest and all the way to Arena Stage and Signature Theatre in our Nation’s Capital.
On screen, he has appeared in episodes of Chicago Fire, Empire, The Big Leap and The Brave; and during the pandemic he starred daily in a globally broadcast theatrical production titled “This Is Who I Am” co-produced by A.R.T., Guthrie, Wooly Mammoth, Play Co., and OSF.
Aside from his artistic endeavors, Yousof strives be to an advocate for social issues and change. Specifically, in 2021, during the US evacuation from Afghanistan, he worked closely with a team comprised of ex-military personel, government officials, and a handful of other Afghan-Americans to help translate Dari, fill out Special Immigrant Visa forms, and coordinate evacuation for Afghan Refugees fleeing Taliban rule.
“Actors are meant to be empathetic, that’s what we do. We deal in empathy. And every role that we ever get a chance to portray, there’s an understanding we reach - hopefully - that we haven’t had before.”
- Yousof Sultani
Beyond the Art
Yousof is a passionate advocate for positive change. With a commitment to making a difference, he immerses himself in causes that resonate with his heart. From community initiatives to raising awareness on vital issues, he believes in using your voice and influence to create a better world.