We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Edgar Guajardo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Edgar, 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?

When I was 14 years old I began my career in theater. I was a rail tech for a dance recital at my local high school P-SJ-A North Highschool and got paid $60 bucks. I was hooked after that. I took every theater job that my high school had to offer. Which led me to find a college theater program that would be a good fit for me. University of Houston School of theater and dance sent their college reps to my high school in Pharr Texas and presented to my classmates and I a school that was perfect. It had everything I needed to go after my theater dreams. Houston Texas had a theater market, UH had a theater school and teachers who had connections to the professional theater market, all of this was perfect. I applied and got into University of Houston School of theater and Dance on a small scholarship and with the help of my father I was able to get my degree in Theatrical Production with a focus in Lighting, Sound and Scenic Design. During my time there I never waited for opportunity to present itself, I asked questions and pressed for opportunities so I could get as many productions under my belt before graduation. I had professors, such as Toni Valle and Jonathan Middents who allowed me to design multiple shows in school but also connected me with multiple professional companies, which led to many tech jobs.
I took all of the classes I could take when it came to the theater tech field and took any and all opportunities to learn crafts that I had no idea on how to do.
My time at University of Houston was filled with many great memories, but I also faced backlash from the Graduate students while I was an undergrad there. They felt I had not earned the opportunities I had obtained, but I chose to tune them out and move forward with my goals in becoming one of the best Lighting designers in the city of Houston. Little did I know I would later become one of the best cross disciplinary theatrical designers in the city, simply because I chose to learn all of it.

I graduated and took a job with Disney Live for a year and a half and learned how to set up complex lighting systems in small and abnormal spaces, while also learning how to pack trucks, rig, lead large crews and adapt scenery to unique theatrical spaces.

After returning to Houston I was able to start designing again and working as a carpenter, but any job I applied for that was of a managerial role was always out of reach.
I came to understand that much of what I faced was due to Houston not having many POC in theatrical production management positions.
Houston Theater has a systemic racism issue when it comes to hiring POC in managerial positions and keeping them if they do get hired.
I did not let this deter me from becoming a small pillar of the Houston Theater community and it led to my colleague and friend Harrison Guy offering me a job at The Deluxe Theater in the Historic Fifthward.
I was hesitant, due to other companies hiring me and firing me or never making me full time, but I said yes.
I have be the Production Manager of the Deluxe Theater now since September of 2021 and I love my job.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I was born in Mcallen Texas and raised in Pharr Texas on the Texas Mexican border. I attended University of Houston’s school of Theater and Dance and got my BFA in Theatrical Production, with a focus on Lighting, Scenic and Sound Design.
I have been a Lighting designer, Sound designer, Scenic Designer, Stage manager, Production Manager, Props Master, Assistant technical director, Technical Director, Master electrician, Director, Producer, Master carpenter and Costume designer in my 10 plus year career.

I am a writer of poetry, painter, woodworker and sculpture.

My background in Theater and the arts has allowed me to be a strong collaborator at Deluxe Theater for all our clients and artistic partners.

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

When I was in the 4th grade I went to see Aladdin the Musical at our local highschool in Pharr Texas. My older brother was running spot light and spot lit me when I walked in the space and brought me so much joy.
I sat and watched this musical and was transported to a whole new world for the next hour and loved every second of it. I do that for people, I transport people to a different world for an hour or two and let them forget about everything else.

I love that my art provides that kind of comfort and I could never see myself doing anything else but working in theater.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I would like to help build a healthier more inclusive theater community in Houston. One that will never be compared to New York or Chicago, but be its own beautiful living artistic community that lifts everyone up.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edgartisan/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edgar.guajardo2
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edgar-guajardo-2b45b064/

Image Credits
Pilot Dance company Opera in the Heights