We were lucky to catch up with Adriana Gonzales recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Adriana thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

Embracing myself as an artist and creative has led me to my highest potential. I have always known that I was a creative person and wanted to share my art with other people. I have found out in the past year that once I surround myself with other likeminded and creative people, I get to create such great work. We get to operate on the same level of creativity and expand ourselves in the creative work. Creativity is innately humane and being willing to share that with people is such a beautiful experience. I do sometimes wonder what it would be like if I had a “regular” job. If I wasn’t working in the gig culture that sometimes comes with the creative lifestyle. I think of what I could do and even then I believe that my artistic self would come through in any career I pursued. It’s honestly very empowering being able to know what kind of person you are and moving forward honoring that authenticity.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Adriana is a Xicana actress and multifaceted creative artist currently based in Seattle, WA. Her stage credits include: Vanity Fair (University of Washington); Charity: A Mexican Trilogy (Firehouse Theater); El Espíritu Natural, Papi, Me and César Chávez, El Corrido del Barrio (Su Teatro); You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Gypsy (Vintage Theatre). She also produces and co-hosts Tea Amigas Podcast, which is a latina run production that talks about mental health, social issues and explores literature. When not on stage, Adriana teaches theatre and dance to youth across Colorado. Obtained her BA in Theatre and Dance from Metropolitan State University of Denver and is currently studying at the University of Washington in the school of Drama’s Professional Actor Training Program for her Master of Fine Arts. In her work she has collaborated with various institutions such as Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, American Indian Academy of Denver and Kaiser Permanente as an artist working with youth. Travel and community engagement is a large part of her journey as an artist in seeing the world through different lenses. She embraces the impact that community can have for the greater good of the world. Adrianaigonzales.com

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

The mission that drives my creative journey is being my authentic self and embracing that to hone and share my craft with others. Once I have found my own voice in my art, I have embraced this and allowed it to guide me in the work that I want to create and the people I want to create with. My goal is to always embody myself honestly which surrounds my identity and my connection to my community. Community drives me in curating art that is meaningful and when I am able to grow my community, I am excited by the art that we can create together.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

There are plenty of things that society can do to support artists and creatives. First, I would like to say how important creativity and art is vital for the human spirit. Art is the most human thing that you could experience and when artists create art, it is a reflection of the humans around them. We must all do our part in protecting the arts. This begins in school programs. Music, visual arts and theater are some of the first classes to get cut when budgets come around for school districts. A big reason for this is because how do you measure the success of arts programs? You can’t. Art is an experience and it impacts everyone differently for both the artist and the audience. Support arts programs in schools, advocate for funding. When you are able to, donate to the students fiscally, with time or support. We can also support artists in the world when we accept the fact that they are just as vital part of society as the doctors, lawyers and tradesmen. Society has many moving pieces that are required to make the world go round and art is one of those. Support for artists can be done in many ways. Go see live performances, your local theater, share an artist’s work, engage in cultural events in the community, donate, donate, donate!

Contact Info:

• Website: adrianaigonzales.com
• Instagram: @adrianaigonzales
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adrianagonzalesacts
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriana-gonzales-27669a1a0/
• Other: https://teaamigaspodcast.buzzsprout.com/

Image Credits
Adriane Robinson Photography Haley Jae Photography RDG Photography