We recently connected with Adela Guzmán and have shared our conversation below.

Adela, appreciate you joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I was 52 years old and living in Austin, Texas. My third marriage was ending and I decided to do what scared me the most, I took an acting class. It was a beginning acting class with Mona Lee and, I figured, I wouldn’t be asked to do much the first day. When class started Mona explained that we would be doing a reading from a monologue she would be handing out, She gave me the part of Clara from Lonesome Dove. In this piece Clara laments the death of her child. I had a daughter that died and I DID NOT want to do this piece. I was scared out of my mind. Mona talked to me as I was in front of the class and then told me to start. I began and I was transported. After that class, I decided to move to Los Angeles to become an actress.

Adela, 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?

I took a two-year Meisner training class with Laura Henry. It was the most intense thing I have ever done. Every day I felt like my skin was being striped away. I am most proud of completing that class, In two years, I never missed one class.

For me acting is being completely who I am in that moment and becoming completely taken over by the character. When I am acting, I am flying.

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

It is the collaboration with the director and the other actors. Actors love other actors, and we support each other.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

The Artist’s Way, by Julia Cameron, gave me the creative and artistic expansion I needed. A fellow actor and I went through the book, week by week. I felt like that book gave me the permission to be the artist outside that I am on the inside.

Image Credits
Cynthia Smalley