Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Matias Ponce. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Matias, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you tell us a bit about who your hero is and the influence they’ve had on you?
My late father Domingo G. Ponce is my hero. He was an immigrant from Querétaro, México who moved to U.S. in late of 1969. You can only imagine what the political climate and society was at that time. He spoke no word of English but had a dream of coming to the U.S. to pursue the American Dream. Through trial and error and never giving up he made it in this country. Meet my mother Anna Maria Ponce in 1980, they were married in 1983, 40 years together. On May 3rd of 1997 he became a US Citizen.
My father taught me how to be a man, to embrace my Mexican culture, to go after what you want and to always love and cherish your family. He taught me Spanish and made the effort to take me to México to show me where he came from and to appreciate how different I had it then him. This man gave me my roots.
Domingo G. Ponce transitioned in September of 2023, born August 4th of 1951, he had 72 laps around the world. He lived his life to the fullest and accomplished everything he had set out to do.
I will continue his legacy.
Matias, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Matias Ponce. I was born and raised in The Old South End of Toledo. OH. The Glass City, 419 baby!! I am Chicano from Ohio. I am a Professional Actor and a Teaching Artist and sometimes a Street Photographer based in Los Angeles. For the past 15 years I have been living and pursuing my career in the entertainment industry.
I like to think what sets me apart is just myself, my name, being Chicano from the Midwest. Most people in LA think I am from there after being there for so long and being able to assimilate but trip out when I tell folks I am from Ohio they get all caught off guard and I tend to like people’s reactions to that.
As Actor’s, I believe we are one of many problems solvers especially for the casting process. I tend to have a mindset of how can I help the production? How can I help the Director or Writer bring their vison to life? How can I make castings job easier?
What I am most proud of is having 15 years of experience in the entertainment industry and being able to come visit my hometown of Toledo, OH and share my wisdom and knowledge to all the local artists and young people who aspire to be actors and have dreams of pursuing this crazy career. Also, I am proud of my Teaching Artist background where I get to teach Theatre education to inner city kids within LAUSD, giving back to the city of angels that has given me so much.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Empowering the youth, seeing the joy they receive when they see someone who looks like them.
The new or familiar people you get to work and create with.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
I would have to say the instability that comes at first. Not always being financially stable with the life of an artist but knowing deep down inside that it will pay off big time. It’s not a matter of how much or through what or with who but having the patience of when.
The desire to create and express when there is no reward or acknowledgement.
The desire to keep going when no one else believes in you.
The desire to keep loving what you do when this business can or will never love you back.
For me, these are what drive most creatives I feel.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.matiasinmotion.com
- Instagram: matiasinmotion
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matiasinmotion419/
Image Credits
All images are from “Peter Konerko”