We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Delano Mendoza. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Delano below.
Delano, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
I’ve had some remarkable mentors in my life who have helped to shape the person I am today. One in particular, Dr. Carol Krueger keeps coming to mind as I think through this question. Dr. Krueger was my collegiate choral professor who challenged me to think of learning as a lifelong endeavor rather than a means to an end. Her impact on my life Is immeasurable.
Whether I’m behind a podium, performing on stage, or working with a private student, all my past training and experience influence my process. I remember my very first musical as a freshman in high school – Seussical – I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. The incomparable Amanda Ballard, our theatre teacher and director, lead these young, awkward teens to create something amazing. She created a space where we felt we belonged and mattered, and showed us how theatre can bring us together. I seek to create spaces for others that do exactly this.
I feel like every project I’ve worked on has provided me with opportunities to learn and equipped me with new tools to move forward with. As an actor, I find it fascinating to watch other actors during the rehearsal process and see what I can learn from them. How I approach a new character is always in flux because I am constantly changing as a human… I must meet myself where I am now. When I was performing on cruise ships, I gained invaluable knowledge on how the audience affects the energy of the show. They – the audience – are as much a scene partner as everyone else on that stage with you. Acting is just as much an energy exchange as it is psychology.
I gained a fantastic foundation for teaching in my three years of studying vocal music education at the collegiate level, and I continue to reinforce those building blocks by revisiting textbooks and materials. I’ve attended workshops and masterclasses on voice, acting, conducting, music literacy, and more. I recently attended the summer institute on Somatic Voicework™ The LoVetri Method to continue building my toolkit as a voice teacher. When time allows, I read books, research journals, and other information I can find on the voice, acting, and music directing. On top of all that, I still take voice lessons myself. The learning never stops.
Would I do something different? You know, I’m not sure. I’m a firm believer that everything in our past leads us to the current moment for a reason. Twentysomething Delano probably could have worked on listening more to others around him. I was so driven to achieve things, but I loved to think that I knew how to do it all on my own. There is endless value in collaborating with your peers and being open to others’ ideas. So much of what I’ve learned is from life itself – there is no speeding up life.
Essential skills in my playbook include listening, collaboration, creativity, problem solving, communication, teaching, and compassion. I find that many of us hear each other, but how often do we really listen? I find that it’s key to every other (leadership) skill. We listen to learn. We listen to connect. We listen to collaborate. We listen to find a solution. We listen to receive and be present with each other. Listening means we are grounded and welcoming of other viewpoints.
Another skill I’d love to touch on is teaching. In any kind of leadership position, we have a duty to meet people where they are. Everyone comes with a different background, specialized skillsets, and various approaches to completing projects, and we must be willing to teach the necessary material so that we can all move forward together. I’ve seen leaders, time and time again, come in with the expectation that everyone is on the same page from the get-go. We do a grave disservice to those who are itching to learn and grow but aren’t provided the tools to get from point A to point B. We must always be teachers first.
As a an openly gay man, growing up in a small town in Kansas had its challenges. When I’d get into a relationship, I’d cling to them and allow my life to revolve around that one person. I opted to stay in my hometown for college instead of going somewhere else and studying musical theatre for my undergrad. Moving to Kansas City in my mid-twenties was the best decision I could have made for my life at the time. It removed barriers that I felt were in my way of pursuing the things that I truly loved.
Another big obstacle I struggled with was more internal… the feeling of not being good enough. This industry demands a great deal of vulnerability, which can be terrifying; the work is meant to be shared with others, and often in public settings. I have had the privilege of working with some stellar artists over the years who I look up to. Younger Delano was always comparing himself to these high caliber performers instead of using the opportunity to learn and grow. Don’t get me wrong, I still struggle with this from time to time. The difference, now, is that I’ve learned how to use that energy to motivate me. To listen. To learn. To grow. It’s all in reframing. Looking back on it all, I wouldn’t change a thing. I am who I am and where I am today because of all that happened and came before me.
Delano, 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?
From a very young age, I knew I wanted to be in the entertainment industry. I recently went through a box of childhood things that my mom gave me and came across a questionnaire from elementary school. One of the questions was, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” My answer? An actor.
I grew up with (and have) an incredible family. My parents, siblings, and extended family always supported the various performances I would do with my voice studio and through school programs. I dreamed of studying musical theatre after high school, but young love and the idea of a stable job persuaded me to take a safer route. After three years of studying vocal music education, where I learned a great deal of the foundation I use now, I was feeling burnt out and unfulfilled. My heart longed for creativity and expression. At the end of that third year, I made the hard decision to leave early, save money, and move to Kansas City.
Once we (my best friend and I) were settled into KC, I had my heart set on a new venture: writing and recording my own album. I needed an avenue to express the creativity flowing through my body, and this was a safer, less exposed way of doing so. At the time, theatre was so far removed from my life, maybe intentionally so, that I couldn’t remember the joy it brought to my heart and soul. It’s possible that I, subconsciously, chose to forget these strong emotions tied to this beautiful art form, as a way of protection.
I released the EP, Unafraid, in August of 2016 with a release party and all my close friends! Coincidentally, this was AFTER getting back into theatre during the summer of 2015. Earlier that year, I saw an ad on Facebook for auditions and made the brave decision to audition. From 2015-2017, I performed in countless shows with several theatre companies around the KC area. Using my music education background, I also began music directing in 2017. I would go on to perform on two cruise lines, Princess Cruises and P&O Australia, at the end of the year and into the next two years.
Following the cruise ship contracts, I came back to Kansas City and continued to work throughout the theatre community in different capacities. I worked for Starlight Theatre as an artistic advisor for three seasons where I mentored different artists and helped them develop a performance. I had the privilege of curating and directing a series of cabarets for Fishtank Theatre, thanks to Producing Artistic Director Heidi Van. I also music directed the Kansas City premiere of Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 with the same theatre company. And so much more.
I still perform – most recently I played the role of Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar with The Barn Players, which was a DREAM. The cast. The crew. The production team. The orchestra. Everyone was exceptional. It was one of my favorite theatre experiences to date.
I’m locally represented by Moxie Talent Agency where I’ve done commercial work for companies like T-Mobile, Hallmark, Planet Fitness, and more!
Between my educational background and the experience I’ve had both behind the table and onstage, I decided to open DM Studios – a musical theatre training studio – in 2022. I teach voice and acting in a private setting, and the studio offers various classes and workshops for local theatre artists. For our group classes, I often hire local theatre professionals to teach so that students have the chance to learn from those actively working in the field. A majority of our students are actively working in the KC theatre community! This is our mission statement: By creating safe and accessible spaces for performing artists to learn, create, and grow in their craft, we empower them to uncover their authentic selves, infusing vulnerability and honesty into their artistry.
With all hats that I wear – performer, music director, vocal teaching, acting coach, mentor – I seek to lead with kindness, listen with compassion, and teach from the heart. I want to create spaces where people feel safe and brave to be authentic, vulnerable, and present. When we lead in ways that build people up, we’re all better because of it.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
I used to say that, as an artist, I want to create an experience that evokes emotion, that challenges ideas on life, love, and the pursuit of happiness; what they were, what they are, and what they can be. I do agree with that still to an extent. But even more so, I want people to leave a performance I worked on and feel inspired. Inspired to change something for the better for themselves… or feel inspired to make a difference in the world… or feel inspired to learn something new. Inspired to transform. Inspired to persevere. Inspired to overcome. Inspired for life.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
There are so many rewarding moments… that’s hard to narrow down. I’d probably have to say the people. Over the years of working as a theatre creative, I have met extraordinary humans, many of whom have become close friends. The people you’re working with can make or break a project. When you connect with others, genuinely, the art you create together levels up. It then becomes even a greater joy to share the final product that you’ve worked so hard to develop and polish. We are swimming in a sea of remarkable people; we should all slow down, listen, and connect.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.delanosworld.com & www.dmstudioskc.com/dmstudios
- Instagram: @delano_mendoza & @dmstudioskc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dmstudioskc
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DelanoMendoza
Image Credits
Main Photo – Aliyah Hart Photography
Conducting Photo – Kelsey Linn Photography
White Background Portrait – Brian Paulette
Outdoor Stage – Brian Paulette
Yellow Background Portrait – Manon Haliburton Photography