The Stories of Us Cast: Actor Adam Martinez

You may know that the play that I wrote that was featured in the Austin Latino New Play Festival in 2015 was picked up by Teatro Vivo for their 2015-2016 season.  And showtime is upon us!  The show is directed by the fabulously talented Florinda Bryant (who slays at teatro is you ask me!) and brought to life by a beautiful ensemble of artists.

I wanted to take the time to connect with the members of the cast and crew to hear about their experiences and their stories.   Today, the spotlight is on the talented ensemble member Adam Martinez!

via Teatro Vivo

How did you get your start in theatre?

I started making theater when I was 15 years old. The City of Austin had a youth employment program and paid us to put on theater shows. We were all youth of color and from tough neighborhoods, but we all took the job serious. That evolved into an youth-led theater company and an after-school program. And every summer we produced a show for the city. I’ve been making theater since and not only as an actor, but also as a writer, director and producer. I’ve worked with Tongue and Groove Theatre, the Scottish Rite Theatre, El Paso Kids N Co, and with the sketch comedy group Latino Comedy Project. Children’s theater and sketch comedy are my faves, probably because I grew up with these, but I make theater to make a difference, to create dialog and to activate minds.

I make theater to make a difference, to create dialog and to activate minds.

 

What was your response to the play?

The play resonates with me because of its raw honesty. It’s familiar. And it gives us the opportunity to rectify some of the conflicts presented in the play, and to initiate a much needed conversation. Racial issues in this country have always been seen as black and white. As as result, people of color have not been able to exercise the immense power we have when we work together. This play allows us to see the possibilities.

Racial issues in this country have always been seen as black and white. As as result, people of color have not been able to exercise the immense power we have when we work together.

How was the creative process with working with this play?

Working on this show has been extremely cathartic and a learning experience. Unfortunately, it’s a rare opportunity to work on a show about people of color, by people of color, starring people of color. It’s good to be in a safe space with people who are down. We have a great guide and leader in Florinda. She allows us to play and to make choices that are deeply rooted in our experiences. I can’t wait to share with the gente our labor of love.

We have a great guide and leader in Florinda. She allows us to play and to make choices that are deeply rooted in our experiences.

Thank you Adam for your words and amazing work!  You can see Adam and the rest of the cast April 22nd!  The Stories of Us will be playing April 21, 2016-May 8, 2016 in Austin, Texas.  You can purchase tickets here.

© BLACK GIRL, LATIN WORLD 2016

 

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The Stories of Us Cast:Tarik Daniels

You may know that the play that I wrote that was featured in the Austin Latino New Play Festival in 2015 was picked up by Teatro Vivo for their 2015-2016 season.  And showtime is upon us!  The show is directed by the fabulously talented Florinda Bryant (who slays at teatro is you ask me!) and brought to life by a beautiful ensemble of artists.

I wanted to take the time to connect with the members of the cast and crew to hear about their experiences and their stories.   Today, the spotlight is on the talented ensemble member Tarik Daniels!

Tarik Daniels is an actor and playwright.  He  wrote the plays The Counseling Session and STIGMA. Tarik is a proud graduate of Bowling Green State University, B.A and member of Spectrum Theatre Company in Austin, TX. As an actor, he has had roles in BGSU Theatre Department’s Six Degrees of Separation, The Dutchman, Times Square Angel, SSE’s Better Than He Can, and Austin Shakespeare’s Medea.

The Stories of Us Cast: Actress Krysta Gonzales

 You may know that the play that I wrote that was featured in the Austin Latino New Play Festival in 2015 was picked up by Teatro Vivo for their 2015-2016 season.  And showtime is upon us!  The show is directed by the fabulously talented Florinda Bryant (who slays at teatro is you ask me!) and brought to life by a beautiful ensemble of artists.

I wanted to take the time to connect with the members of the cast and crew to hear about their experiences and their stories.   Today, the spotlight is on the talented ensemble member Krysta Gonzales!

via Krysta Gonzales

 Krysta Gonzales is an actress, playwright, voiceover artist and chingona from El Paso, Texas.  She graduated from NYU’s Tisch School of Arts and is a GenEnCo & VORTEX company member. Her recent acting credits include Bright Half Life (Theatre en Bloc) and El Nogalar (Teatro Vivo).   Krysta has also written plays (Robin Hood: An Elegy and Más Cara) that have been produced by the Vortex and Teatro Vivo in Austin!

The Stories of Us Cast: Actor Irving Calderon

You may know that the play that I wrote that was featured in the Austin Latino New Play Festival in 2015 was picked up by Teatro Vivo for their 2015-2016 season.  And showtime is in 2 days!  The show is directed by the fabulously talented Florinda Bryant (who slays at teatro is you ask me!) and brought to life by a beautiful ensemble of artists.

via Teatro Vivo

I wanted to take the time to connect with the members of the cast and crew to hear about their experiences and their stories.   First up, the talented ensemble member Irving Calderon!

via Irving Calderon

Irving was raised in Southern California and Fort Worth, Texas. He graduated from The University of Texas at Austin (Hook Em’). Irving loves performing and appeared in Austin productions of the Wiz and King of Hearts.