What is your hometown?
I was born and raised in Matanzas, Cuba
What brought you into Chicago Theatre?
I lived here when I first came from Cuba, but I moved to Miami after 2 years. Then, what brought me to the Chicago Theatre was The Theatre School at DePaul University, where I graduated this past June.
How long have you been involved in Chicago Theatre?
It has been 4 years now. I was introduced to Sandra Marquez (I adore her) and she told me about ALTA Chicago. From there, I started getting involved by meeting other performers, going to talk backs, opening nights, volunteering at different artistic events; literally anything that would help me get immersed in the theatre scene here and for me to know if this was a place I wanted to be a part of once I was done with school. And yes, it is.
How have you seen the industry change?
I think it is changing slowly, but surely, and I know there is so much work to be done. I am grateful for those who have been around longer, the ones who have paved the way for us, and we, the new generation, who aren’t taking "NO" for an answer. Everyone is making their own content, there’s opportunities to post online and use social media as an outlet to be seen and heard. Not accepting the history that has been taught to us at school, but instead digging in search of the truth, then making new work to showcase who we are. I love that, we have to be the change we want to see in the world. That’s not my quote though, (haha) but I agree.
What inspired you to choose acting as your career?
The truth. You have to be true to yourself, to the character, to the story, to your partners, to the emotions and it all starts from within. And I know in schools they teach a lot of “techniques”, and they do help at times but you have to be true to really feel and be present, so that those who are watching get to have a response, and maybe get inspired, moved, changed.
How do you choose the projects you want to work on?
I always say- Theatre that matters. It has to be challenging, risky, sparks a conversation, and creates questions and/or gives answers. Projects where I can be my own self, where I can bring my own “
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” and where I get to push myself to do a bit more, there’s always room for growth.
What advice would you give emerging actors?
Read The 4 Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. but also- Do the research. That applies to people, theatres, agents, plays, playwrights, directors, designers, etc. Know those who are you working with. Surround yourself with those who make you a better person, artist, human.They say you become the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with, so choose wisely. And It’s OK to fail, that’s how you succeed.
