Salsation Theatre Company, NFP

What’s your history with Salsation?
I’ve known about Salsation for a number of years now, and I’m glad to finally be working with them! I guess my first encounter was back in about ’06 or ’07. I auditioned to be a part of the ensemble and made it in, but unfortunately I was unable to commit because of my crazy work schedule at the time. Then, a few months ago, my buddy Nelson Velazquez invited me to be a part of Salsa Sketch Day, a one-day improv and sketch writing marathon where at the end of the day you actually get to perform the material you’ve co-created for a paying audience. Needless to say, it was one of the funnest days I’d had in a long time. Then I auditioned for CTRL+ALT+DEPORT, and the rest, as they say, is history.

What got you started in comedy?
I got started in comedy (specifically improv) by total accident. I knew all my life that I loved laughing and making people laugh, but it wasn’t until college that I actually thought of doing it in a public fashion. Here’s the story: One fine day as I was walking through the the student center, I ran into an old buddy of mine that I hadn’t seen since 8th grade graduation. We caught up, and he got me to come with him to the meetings of the amateur student theater club, Alamo City Actors’ Guild (my university didn’t have a theater department). I attended these meetings without any intention of ever acting. I just wanted to make friends. However, they convinced me to play the two smallest parts in their summer play: the butlers in “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde. During rehearsals, I met a girl named Christina Houle who was in an improv troupe called ComedySportz. Before rehearsals and during breaks, she would teach us improv games, and I was instantly hooked. In fact, I remember looking forward to rehearsals more for the improv games than for actually rehearsing! When ComedySportz San Antonio had auditions, I made it in and I’ve never looked back.

What’s your favorite sketch in “Ctrl+Alt+Deport”?
That’s a tough question to answer. I’ll have to be lame and mention more than one. The first that comes to mind is called “Can You Hear Me Now?” by Nelson. I think it’s a great commentary on the marginalizing impact of language barriers in our society, and should hopefully make people think twice next time they feel judgmental about people’s ability, or lack thereof, to speak English. Next is “Cape Day” by Mary  because it shows that there are different kinds of power in relationships. Even if one person is technically the boss, or has some sort of higher status, they can still have the lower hand. Finally, I’m just going to have to say “Photographer” because I wrote it, and sketch writing does not come easily to me. So, that one makes the list simply because I’m happy something I wrote made the show!

What does the future hold in store for you?
(In a Yoda voice) Difficult to see. Always in motion the future is… (In a Frankie voice) Honestly, I’m not quite sure. I do hope to establish enough of a career in the performing and creative arts to make a nice living at it. I wouldn’t even turn down being rich and famous (though not TOO rich and famous). One thing I do feel fairly sure about is that I’m going to live some place warm and sunny.

If you could be meet any famous person, past or present, who would it be and why?
I love hanging out with people who have something to offer. That thing could range from a fun attitude or a warm smile to challenging ideas and concepts that make me see things in new ways. Right now, I think I’d like to meet Italo Calvino, a famous Italian writer. He wrote some really fascinating and smart stuff, and I’d love to pick his brain.

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