Afrolatin@ Theatre Series: Interview with Playwright and Actress Krysta Gonzales

Addressing the call to action in the article “Why We Need Afrolatin@ Theatre,” this series highlights many outstanding Afrolatin@ theatre artists around the United States who diligently offer the world their art. This second installment profiles playwright and actress Krysta Gonzales.

Krysta Gonzales in El Nogalar by Tanya Saracho at Teatro Vivo. Photo by Errich Petersen.

 

I was captivated by the incredible Krysta Gonzales some time ago when I began following her on Twitter a few months ago. In the age of social media, it is easy to connect with artists who are creating thought-provoking theatre. Gonzales is a bubbly, motivated, and determined “Blaxican” whose work I first caught wind of when my friend mentioned her piece on police brutality called Robin Hood: An Elegy. She has performed in several shows, including Tanya Saracho’s El Nogalar with Teatro Vivo. Krysta has recently starred in Pulitzer Prize- nominee Tanya Barfield’s Bright Half Lifewith Theatre en Bloc in the Pony Shed at the Vortex. Bright Half Life is a moving piece about love, marriage, and taking on the trials of life with the one you love. Now, the star is working on several projects including my own play The Stories of Us. In between her rehearsals, she talked with me about her experiences creating new work, and her passion for Afrolatin@ stories, and which Prince Royce song makes her start dancing!  Check out the article here!

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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

 

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. 

The Afrolatin@ Theatre Series:Actress, Writer, and Theatre Mogul Florinda Bryant

Addressing the call to action in the article “Why We Need Afrolatin@ Theatre,” this series highlights many outstanding Afrolatin@ theatre artists around the United States who diligently offer the world their art. This first installment profiles actress, writer, and Salvage Vanguard Theater’s Managing Director Florinda Bryant.

                       

  Florinda Bryant. Photo courtesy of Florinda Bryant.

I met the vibrant Florinda Bryant in May of 2015 when she was performing in a staged reading of my play The Stories of Us. I knew that I wanted to continue working with her the moment she took a line that I had no intention of being humorous and made the audience laugh. There is something about certain people who have a spark and Bryant has it. After the performance, I got the chance to speak with her and was deeply inspired by her passion for theatre and telling Black and Brown stories.