We were lucky to catch up with Gilda Mercado recently and have shared our conversation below.

Gilda , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

Ever since I can remember, I have wanted to act and perform. Since I was a child, I have had an innate need to express myself and create things. I always tried to participate in talent shows, dances, and plays at my school. As a child, I was always painting, dancing, and imagining myself in the world of acting. I did not know any actors, let alone artists, so I thought actors were similar to mythological creatures from a fantasy novel. Being a professional actress seemed impossible and far from my reality until I went to college and had the courage to put myself out there in workshops and auditions. I also began acting in community plays, and then I landed my first paid role with Tenoch Huerta and Casandra Ciangherotti in a short film. My first job convinced me that acting was not something impossible, so I made the leap and committed fully to my dream. I moved to New York City, where I worked and studied as an actress. I began doing professional plays, wich grew my community and collaborators. In an eyeblink, I had gone from knowing no actors or artists to being surrounded by them. Since then, my life has been consumed by acting, storytelling, and the creative process.

Gilda , 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?

I am a bilingual actress, performer, and creative. I am a classically trained actress who graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York City. I have performed in classical and contemporary plays, dance pieces, devised performance pieces, and short films in Spanish and English. Throughout my career, I have performed in cities such as Mexico City, New York, Glasgow, London, and Maine.

Recently, I directed, wrote, and performed a digital theatre piece called “Ella y yo” (Me and Her). “Ella y yo” is a performance piece originally commissioned by Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre and the NY Theatre Salon for the 2021 Global Forms Theatre Festival, a multi-medium festival showcasing over 100 theatre artists from 34 different countries. My piece is currently showcased at United Solo Screen, a digital platform that allows global audiences to watch solo performances.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most exciting part of the process is creating something from scratch and telling stories that have never been told before, immersing myself in the world of the story and research topics related to the character and story. The experience of slowly getting to know a character, discovering things about them, and experiencing things to which I would not otherwise have access is extraordinary to me. My favorite part of my job is creating something meaningful that represents the human spirit, stories that will have a lasting impact, question paradigms, or inspire people.

Last and certainly not least, I enjoy collaborating with artists who will push me to improve and push me out of my comfort zone while also being open and playful in the creative process. I have found that the most fulfilling way to work is with playfulness, curiosity, and openness. I see acting and the creative process as a way not only to express myself but also to understand myself, others, and the world around me.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Yes, I would have loved to have more awareness of the importance of community. When you are an actor or creative, sometimes it can be lonely, so you need a community that will support you through successes and failures. No matter how far apart your paths may be, it is essential to have that base of support. Making plays, movies, and telling stories, as well as creating careers, is a team effort, and without others, it would not be possible.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.gildamercado.me
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gildamarianamer/

Image Credits
Portrait by Esteban Calderon, Live performance photo by: Toby Jeffries