We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Carlos Albornoz. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Carlos below.

Hi Carlos, thanks for joining us today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

100%, I wish I had started my creative career earlier. The dream of working in theatre and film has been with me since my young years in elementary and high school. I eagerly participated in school plays and local community theater shows, fueled by a deep-seated passion for the craft. However, upon graduating high school, I found myself struggling to navigate the intricacies of breaking into the industry. Despite signing up for various casting networks and some involvement in short films, I encountered little success and eventually gave up and told myself that perhaps this path wasn’t meant for me.

Subsequently, I found employment in a call center, initially hired as a customer service representative handling inquiries about power and water usage and billing. Through dedication and perseverance, I swiftly ascended the ranks to assume roles of increasing responsibility, culminating in my position as a call quality analyst. However, my tenure in this role was cut short when the department underwent outsourcing, leaving me jobless. It was then that I remembered a quote by Jim Carrey about his father, “You can fail at something you don’t want, so, you might as well take a chance on doing what you love.”

It was this pivotal moment that reignited my determination to pursue acting wholeheartedly. At the age of 24, I enrolled in a performing arts preparation program at a local college. This intensive one-year certificate program immersed me in various facets of the entertainment industry, from performance techniques to technical skills such as lighting and sound. Embracing the opportunity for creative exploration, I even delved into classes on painting, costume, lighting and sound design, further broadening my skill set.

Despite the enriching experience, my passion for acting persisted, prompting me to enroll in a three-year diploma program focused on Theatre Performing Arts. Unlike traditional programs, this curriculum emphasized individual expression and encouraged students to carve their own artistic path. I wasn’t interested in schools that teaches its students to be this cookie cutter actor and then casts them in a Chekov play that had no artistic vision as their 3rd year assignment. Now, at the age of 36, I reflect on the journey that led me here. 12 years later after starting, my career is gaining momentum. I’m auditioning alongside some amazing names which is both humbling and gratifying, yet I can’t shake the feeling that had I commenced my journey sooner, I might have reached greater heights by now.

In essence, my advice to aspiring creatives and dreamers is simple: Start now. Don’t let apprehension or uncertainty deter you from pursuing your passions. The journey may be challenging, but the destination is infinitely rewarding.

Carlos, 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?

Hey there! Thanks for reading. My name is Carlos Albornoz, I’m 5’10”, based in Toronto, represented by Jana Abrams Talent Agency, and I’m auditioning for the role of “Actor.”

This is my usual slate for when I audition. For those who don’t know, a slate is a quick introduction where you usually announce your name, height, location, representation, and role, along with anything else the casting director would need to know. I feel like this is truly the best introduction for me. And instead of Reading, I would say “Watching” lol, just in case there’s any confusion.

I’ve always had an interest in acting as a career, but I started acting professionally after graduating from my college program. My agent and I found each other when I performed at a New Actors Showcase for students graduating from accredited programs.

In addition to acting, I also sing, write, and create my own content. Currently, I’m getting ready to shoot my own Telenovela-inspired Social Media series, so be sure to look out for that on all social media platforms.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I have numerous goals that drive me daily. Apart from seeking recognition in the industry, I aspire to open a center for underprivileged youth, offering drama classes. Acting out emotions can be therapeutic, and alongside my partner, who’s a therapist, I aim to develop a program with a curriculum centered on acting and mental health.

Additionally, I harbor a profound passion for animals and envision opening and running an animal sanctuary for stray animals. In another life, I would have undoubtedly been a veterinarian. At one point, I even considered pursuing it as a career, but my emotional attachment to animals made it difficult. I firmly believe that every living creature possesses a soul, and I feel destined to care for them.

As a creative individual, I constantly generate ideas. I have aspirations to launch my own fashion brand one day, as well as to engage in acting, writing, directing, and producing my own films. I also dream of releasing an album. The point is, once I acquire the necessary resources, I will be unstoppable. My drive stems from the inherent need to create. Creating things makes me feel liberated. So, I suppose what I’m truly after is freedom.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

One book that I ALWAYS recommend is Paulo Coelho’s “The Alchemist.” If you’re a dreamer and feel a strong, unexplainable pull towards something, as if it’s your destiny calling you, this book will undoubtedly provide the inspiration you need to take that first step. I’ve read this book numerous times because with each reading, new lessons emerge, no matter where you are on your journey. “The Alchemist” will always hold a special place in my heart.

For actors specifically, when it comes to acting classes (and you definitely want to take acting classes continuously), I recommend not sticking to just one coach. While some actors may argue that sticking with one coach is more beneficial, I’ve found that working with multiple coaches has helped me develop my own acting techniques. I selectively incorporate elements that resonate with me from each coach’s approach into my work. I believe that adhering to one person’s method can potentially pigeonhole you into a cookie-cutter artist, whereas casting directors seek individualism, not replicas. Additionally, it’s essential to have at least three coaches and readers readily available for auditions, and the more, the better.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @mynameiscarlosalbornoz
• Twitter: @nameiscarlosa
• Youtube: @mynameiscarlosalbornoz
• Other: TikTok: @mynameiscarlosalbornoz