Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nayeli Aguilar-báez. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Nayeli, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

Junior year of high school was a weird time in my life. We were all getting used to being back in school after COVID and I ended up switching to theater for one of my electives. I wish I could say I had known I wanted to act since I was a kid, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Up to that point in my life I’d always said I wanted to be a lawyer. Crazy how things can change in less than a year. My first musical ever was In The Heights and after that I had this sort of aching in my heart to continue doing what I’d just discovered I was so passionate for. Honestly, I think In The Heights being my first musical was kind of poetic now that I look back on it. I couldn’t have had a more perfect introduction to this very exciting and insane world of theater and acting and everything in between. I fell in love with the craft, and I am so very glad I decided to take that leap of faith in pursuing my passion.

Nayeli, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am currently studying at AMDA and it is here that I have met some of the most talented people I’ve ever had the honor to work with. From professors who have helped me grow both in my craft and as a person to friends that have become like family, I have found a place where I truly belong, even if it took me a second to realize it. I have been able to experience things that I never would have dreamed of and I am forever grateful for that. I hope that once I graduate and continue with my pursuit of a BFA I can keep growing as an artist, as a person, and as a creative.

I am the proud co-founder of Left Hand Studios, a production studio that, along with Nicholas Garbesi who is one of my best friends and my writing partner, began in one of the most random ways possible. One sleep deprived night led to us writing a script which we ended up showing to one of our favorite teachers and he encouraged us to do our own stuff, and we are currently finishing the script for our first short film! We’ve currently added Cruz Formusa into our crew and we hope to have our film out soon.

I also am attempting to delve deeper into photography and turn it into more than a hobby! I love capturing all our happiest memories, especially the candid moments where no one has a care in the world, and I’m very lucky that all my friends are incredibly photogenic.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I think for me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative is the fact that creating art of any kind is never going to be easy, ever, but knowing this and still going the extra mile to make it happen is always a feeling that I will relish. I feel like so many ideas never see the light of day because either things don’t work out or something goes wrong or a plethora of things occur that prevent those ideas from manifesting. But when an idea does see the light, it is one of the most satisfying feelings ever. As one of my acting teachers said to me, “Don’t be afraid to be brave.” It makes my heart soar knowing that despite working with no budget and against an invisible clock, things can and will work out somehow. And you’ve got to believe it will be so.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Never asking for help.
I’ve come to realize that even though it might seem like you can do things on your own, if you need the help, ask for it. Be it for a project or for something you’re dealing in your personal life, ask for help. Especially if you’ve got a support system around you. It’s been hard to open up to people, but I’m so grateful for all the people I get to call friends and for all the teachers who have helped me see that being stubborn helps absolutely no one.
One of my acting teachers once told me “If you lose control, you lose your authority.” I think this applies to every aspect of life, be it in your work or in general. No matter what is going on, never lose control. Never lose yourself. As one of my improv teachers told me last year, “Just breathe.” Don’t allow yourself to be so overwhelmed that you stop you from reaching your full potential. Work hard, get the job done, and always remember, have fun!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @thenayeale
• Twitter: @thenayeale
• Other: TikTok: @thenayeale

Image Credits

Rene Mago, Alicia Penn, Katie Box, Colin Rroji, Nayeli Aguilar-Báez