Today we’d like to introduce you to Ariana González.
Ariana, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a passion for performing. I was in singing classes and ready to become a professional after some performances when I realized that my favorite part of performing songs was analyzing the lyrics and thing who I was singing to and why was I singing, what I loved the most, was acting out the song; so I started to look more into acting. I did plays such as Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, where I played Willy Wonka and Finding Nemo. I did a summer acting intensive in New York with AADA and that’s when I fell in love with this craft; acting was my first love. After high school, I moved to New York, where I studied at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy and upon graduating I worked in multiple projects. But I wanted more, I was thriving for knowledge and I wanted to deepen my craft. So, I moved to Los Angeles and got a BFA in Performing Arts, Acting from AMDA College and Conservatory for The Performing Arts. During my time in college, I worked very hard and built many connections and after that, I stayed in LA, which is where I live now and I’ve been working ever since.
Has it been a smooth road?
As an actor, one goes through many (many, many) struggles. From getting used to not hearing back after auditions, to managing to do your best while working with difficult directors, spending money on headshots, workshops, classes, online profiles, submissions, etc. The list goes on; and as a woman in the business, the struggles are, even more, add to that the fact that I’m Latina. Learning that I was gonna have a harder time booking because my look was “not Latina enough’ to some people and to others I was “too Latina” was not easy. I had to work really hard to accept and understand that some roles were not for me; because of my look, my ethnicity and my status as an international. But this were things I had no control of, so I was not gonna let them stop me from pursuing my career. And the thing is, I booked projects! But… I had this constant anxiety about what and when my next job was gonna be, and “what if I don’t get an audition in the next three days” and “what if they tell me again that I was ‘not the right fit for the part but the casting director loved me so good job”. For a while, I would book something and the project hadn’t even started and I would already be thinking about what I would do next; and in the blink of an eye, the project had ended and hadn’t enjoyed it fully. I wanted to be working all the time, but I had to learn that, one of the beauties of being a performer, is that one second you’re employed and as soon as you’re wrapped, you are unemployed again. And I’ve learned to love this by being fully present in every project I do now, and I don’t mean while being in character, that’s a given, I mean being present during the whole production. I think my biggest advice to other people in the industry is to build connections. While you are not acting, talk to the costume department, to the DP, to your stage manager, make a connection with every person involved in the project and production. It’s happened multiple times now that while I’m in a project I book another one because someone from the crew recommended me. As a Latina, I’ve seen the change that’s been happening in the industry, but there is still a long way to go. Every time I walk into a set or a theatre I count how many women are in the room, and how much diversity there is in the room, and depending on what I see I make a note about. So that way, I know if too recommend that company, whether it is a theatre or film, to my other female actor friends.
Please tell us more about what you do, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I’ve worked a lot and I’ve done many projects. And to be honest, I’m proud of each and everyone because every project I’ve done has taught me something different and has built me into the actress I am. Even now as an established actress the next project will help me grow even more. While I was in New York, I did a play on the Off-Broadway Theatre 315 called the Pilgrims Progress, and I also was the fight choreographer in it. I performed as an Improviser at the Broadway Comedy Club, I did a short film, amongst other things. I’ve worked a lot here in LA. I did a video for SoulPancake, I’ve done multiple shorts films, I was in the production of Evangeline, The Queen of Make-Believe, an amazing play from About… Productions, which is a highly recognized theatre company. Currently, I’m in a play at 24th St. Theatre called Enter Stage Right which has been recognized a lot as well, and I’m acting in the Latino Scene Showcase, which is organized by the National Hispanic Media Coalition. Also, a short film that I did with my best friend is now on the festival circuit. I’m always working and auditioning and building my craft more and more every day because this is what I love. My passion for acting grows more and with each project I do.
Do you have a lesson or advice you’d like to share with young women just starting out?
That is a hard question because there is so much I would love to say to women starting out their careers. But I’m gonna go with: Celebrate everything you achieve. It’s kind of a spin-off from “celebrate the small victories.” But I never liked that because I think all victories are grand an important; yes, there are degrees and different types but when you are starting your career everything you achieve is getting you a step closer to your end goal, to your dream, so every success should be celebrated. That way you will always feel more proud of what you do, every time and you will feel more drive and passion to go for the next goal.
Contact Info:
- Website: arianagonzalez.me
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ari.gonza/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/arigonzalez53?lang=en
Image Credit:
Wyoh Photography, Tony Zimbardi, NHMC Cruz Castillo
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