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

Alright, Giovanny thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

For me acting began my first year at college. I had always wanted to take theater in high school, but I was told I wouldn’t have time for it because I was on the wrestling team. When I started attending East Los Angeles College(ELAC), I took one theater class and was instantly hooked. I found the most essential skill to develop is believing in yourself, I know that may not seem like a skill, but when you’re trying to achieve your own goals, people tend to forget how much they get in their own way. It’s such a vital part of the learning process because you’re allowing yourself to be given the growth opportunity. Looking back now I realize just how much I kept myself stagnant, because I didn’t trust in my own capability.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m a latino theater actor from Southgate, CA. I’ve performed a variety of classical and contemporary plays ELAC. Ive also performed at the Latino Theater Company(LATC). During this recent summer, I’ worked as a camp counselor for the Pasadena Playhouse summer youth theater program. I was interested in becoming an actor when I attended my college’s productions of ‘Dracula’ and ‘The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told.’ They were the first theater productions I had ever seen but the shows were mesmerizing. Seeing the actors on stage gave a more fulfilling experience that couldn’t be captured on the screen. What motivated me was the realization the show was performed by students actors. I thought to myself, “maybe I could do this?,” and then I registered for my first acting class. Acting taught me to accept who I am as a person. I used to think acting was about becoming a different person, like an escape from being your everyday self. After studying the craft I no longer believe that’s the case. I found that acting is taking a piece of yourself and turning that into the character. This taught me to appreciate myself as a person in order to express myself as the actor. In everyday life people tend to repress their actions, so as to not display actions of anger, sadness, or vulnerability. Acting allows you to express that repressed side of who you are, because it feels more authentic to experience.

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

I am most proud of my acting award during the Region 8 Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF). The festival traditionally lasts a week, and is known for the Irene Ryan competition, which my college prepares every year for. After all my hard-work and preparation, I submitted my self tape to the competition. At the first day of the festival, I was told I was eliminated in the first round. In the moment I was devastated, but there were still other competitions and opportunities to be had at the festival, so I immediately got back to working on my material. There was another event at KCACTF called the Next Step Auditions. This event was held for the last two days of festival, so for every night before that I met with my friend Alejandro Hernandez, and we rehearsed my material. On the last day of festival awards from all the events were given out, and I didn’t expect to hear my name at all, so when Next Step Auditions begins announcing their award winners, I’m not paying any attention. Alejandro pulls me out of my seat to tell me I had just won the Rising Star Award for Next Step. He gives me a big hug to congratulate me, and then he says “Get the hell up there!” At which point I start running towards the stage. I had failed a lot leading up to the competition, but I stayed consistent and kept working. I was proud to finally see my hard work be recognized.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Everyone needs to realize they are an artist. Whether it’s acting, cooking, painting, music or anything else. If you have a passion, you are an artist. A thriving creative ecosystem is about communication, and collaboration, so you should be willing and actively experiencing a variety of art. Don’t be afraid to express yourself, there’s always a fellow artist who can relate to you.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @gio_031800 @performanceeastclub

Image Credits

Performance East Club
ELAC Theater Department
Latino Theater Company