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

Christopher, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

The first time I knew I wanted to pursue a creative path professionally was rooted in a childhood experience that now feels like a foundational moment. I was a shy kid who found solace in the land of make-believe. I have a vivid memory from when I was growing up in Long Beach, CA. My mother had a beautiful rose garden in the front yard, and I used to mash up rose petals in bottles of water, pretending to concoct love potions as a wizard. This was long before the world knew Harry Potter, but in my own little universe, I was deeply immersed in the magic of storytelling.

I remember feeling a sense of pure joy and freedom in those moments, as if I was truly becoming someone else, stepping into different characters and worlds. Looking back as an adult, I realize that this early fascination with playing roles and creating stories was my first hint at a deeper passion for acting and creativity. Even though it was just for my toys and a garden of roses, it was in these imaginative escapes that I first felt a profound connection to the art of performance.

Christopher, 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?

For those who may not be familiar with me, I’m an artist deeply influenced by a rich tapestry of personal experiences and cultural heritage. Growing up with an immigrant father from the Philippines, I had a unique perspective on the world and America, shaped by his experiences and views. This background has profoundly influenced my creative work, giving me a diverse and nuanced perspective that I bring to all my projects.

My journey into the world of acting began in high school, where I first encountered the magic of theatre through plays and improvisation. Despite my initial resistance to being labeled a “theatre nerd,” it was clear that this was my community, my sanctuary. I fell in love not only with the act of performing but with the entire world of theatre—from the set design and costumes to the lighting and overall production. Creating these immersive worlds allowed me to escape and explore new dimensions of storytelling.

Acting, to me, is a deeply collaborative process. It’s like being a piece in a grand, intricate puzzle, where every member of the team contributes to the creation of a compelling, human story. This collaborative spirit is what I cherish most about my craft.

In terms of what sets me apart, my cultural background and personal experiences give me a distinctive voice and perspective. This diversity enriches my work and allows me to approach projects with a unique lens, which I believe adds depth and authenticity to my performances.

I’m most proud of the moments when my work resonates deeply with audiences and when I see the collective effort of a team come to fruition in a meaningful way. For potential clients, followers, and fans, I want you to know that my work is driven by a passion for storytelling and a commitment to creating immersive, collaborative experiences. My background and experiences fuel my creative journey, and I strive to bring a fresh and genuine perspective to every project I undertake.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One story that truly illustrates my resilience involves my experience with The Groundlings, a renowned improvisation and sketch theatre where many of my comedic heroes, like Kristen Wiig and Will Ferrell, honed their craft. From a young age, I was captivated by their shows and aspired to join their ranks. The Groundlings’ training program is highly competitive, with many rigorous cuts along the way.

I made it through to the final stage, but ultimately, I was not invited to join the main company. It was a crushing blow. This was a dream I had nurtured for years, and not achieving it felt like a devastating failure. I struggled with feelings of inadequacy and humiliation, and for a while, I thought my career might be over.

It took a significant amount of time and self-reflection to come to terms with it. I was deeply disappointed, but I eventually decided to channel that pain into growth. I took the lessons I learned from the process and applied them to my craft. Rather than allowing this setback to define me, I chose to see it as an opportunity to explore new directions.

As time passed, I began to view the experience not as a failure but as a pivotal moment that redirected my path in unexpected ways. It opened me up to new opportunities and creative avenues I might not have considered otherwise. This experience taught me that resilience is about accepting setbacks as part of the journey and using them as fuel for growth and new possibilities.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

A central goal driving my creative journey is representation. Growing up, I rarely saw characters who reflected my own identity—a queer biracial man. The media landscape lacked the diverse and nuanced portrayals that resonate with my experiences and those of the communities I belong to. This absence made me feel disconnected and marginalized.

However, rather than seeing this as a barrier, I now view it as a call to action. I’ve come to understand that creating change in media and entertainment isn’t something that will happen passively; it’s something we must actively pursue. If we want to see diverse and authentic representation, it’s up to us to tell those stories ourselves.

My mission is to contribute to a more inclusive narrative landscape by crafting stories that reflect my identity and the experiences of those like me. It’s about creating spaces where underrepresented voices are heard and valued. I’m driven by the belief that our stories matter, and that by sharing them, we can pave the way for a richer and more diverse media landscape.

This mission keeps me focused and motivated, knowing that each project is a step toward broader representation and a more inclusive world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4539341/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christophermatiasaguila/?hl=en

Image Credits

JJ Geiger and Jada Jarvis