That's Me..Mariachi Mando
Bios are a funny thing. They tell you about someone’s accomplishments but they don’t really give you a sense of who they are. I guess it’s important to list the things you have done over the years, a way to justify a choice in a career that constantly makes you question the legitimacy of your pursuit on a regular basis.
I think it’s important to know that I was born in McAllen, Texas but I grew up mostly in Pharr, San Juan and Alamo…GO BEARS! Apparently, when I was 4 or 5, after a scolding by my mother, I looked up at her and said, “I can’t wait till I’m old so I can move out of this horrible place.” And when I was old enough, I did. Funny thing is, I sometimes miss that horrible place, the memories of my youth full of joyful nostalgia filled with good people, good food and good times.
Oh, it’s also important to know that my father passed away when I was 9. It seems like death always finds a way into my work because of it.
After a broken heart, a failed attempt at studying architecture, and a meandering life of waiting tables, bartending, getting wasted and playing golf, I was lucky enough to have a good friend guide me back into life in the theater.
After college, I tried acting for a stretch, was able to string together enough money to sometimes pay the bills. I guess I was good at it but not great. Had some moments where I shined and others where one could question why I was in the profession in the first place. Again, through either sheer hubris or idiotic desperation, I found my way into writing plays. The same can be said about my writing work. Some good, real nice shining moments and others that should’ve never seen the light of day. If you happen to have been in the audience for one those plays, I apologize.
After a couple of years of struggling, scratching and chasing the dream of wanting to do good meaningful work, I had a few plays done. Here’s that list that justifies my pivot into writing: Parachute Men at the Victory Gardens Theater with Teatro Vista, Basilica at the Cherry Lane Theater, Post No Bills at Rattlestick Playwright's Theater. Three plays at Central Park’s Summer Stages: Diablo Love, A King of Infinite Space, a Hamlet/Pearl Jam mash-up and Sangre, an adaptation of Blood Wedding. And my first play, THROAT, self-produced with the help of Allison Prouty, Michael Ray Escamilla, INTAR, and family.
After my wife got preggars, adulthood reared its ugly head and we moved west. By sheer luck and the generosity of a man I admire, I got an opportunity work in Television. Here’s that list that proves that talent isn’t always everything: A Supervising Producer on BRAND NEW CHERRY FLAVOR for NETFLIX. Before that, a writer/producer on VIDA for Starz, GREENLEAF for the OWN Network and a Co-Producer for Netflix's SEVEN SECONDS.
I’m still hustling, still trying to find ways to pay the bills, and justify this silly, kick you in the gut career. One thing I know for sure, I still want to do good meaningful work, find ways to tell stories about people that look like me, who live just a normal life, who make bad decisions, love foolheartedly, and find ways to laugh when moments are dark.
I think it’s important to know that I was born in McAllen, Texas but I grew up mostly in Pharr, San Juan and Alamo…GO BEARS! Apparently, when I was 4 or 5, after a scolding by my mother, I looked up at her and said, “I can’t wait till I’m old so I can move out of this horrible place.” And when I was old enough, I did. Funny thing is, I sometimes miss that horrible place, the memories of my youth full of joyful nostalgia filled with good people, good food and good times.
Oh, it’s also important to know that my father passed away when I was 9. It seems like death always finds a way into my work because of it.
After a broken heart, a failed attempt at studying architecture, and a meandering life of waiting tables, bartending, getting wasted and playing golf, I was lucky enough to have a good friend guide me back into life in the theater.
After college, I tried acting for a stretch, was able to string together enough money to sometimes pay the bills. I guess I was good at it but not great. Had some moments where I shined and others where one could question why I was in the profession in the first place. Again, through either sheer hubris or idiotic desperation, I found my way into writing plays. The same can be said about my writing work. Some good, real nice shining moments and others that should’ve never seen the light of day. If you happen to have been in the audience for one those plays, I apologize.
After a couple of years of struggling, scratching and chasing the dream of wanting to do good meaningful work, I had a few plays done. Here’s that list that justifies my pivot into writing: Parachute Men at the Victory Gardens Theater with Teatro Vista, Basilica at the Cherry Lane Theater, Post No Bills at Rattlestick Playwright's Theater. Three plays at Central Park’s Summer Stages: Diablo Love, A King of Infinite Space, a Hamlet/Pearl Jam mash-up and Sangre, an adaptation of Blood Wedding. And my first play, THROAT, self-produced with the help of Allison Prouty, Michael Ray Escamilla, INTAR, and family.
After my wife got preggars, adulthood reared its ugly head and we moved west. By sheer luck and the generosity of a man I admire, I got an opportunity work in Television. Here’s that list that proves that talent isn’t always everything: A Supervising Producer on BRAND NEW CHERRY FLAVOR for NETFLIX. Before that, a writer/producer on VIDA for Starz, GREENLEAF for the OWN Network and a Co-Producer for Netflix's SEVEN SECONDS.
I’m still hustling, still trying to find ways to pay the bills, and justify this silly, kick you in the gut career. One thing I know for sure, I still want to do good meaningful work, find ways to tell stories about people that look like me, who live just a normal life, who make bad decisions, love foolheartedly, and find ways to laugh when moments are dark.