We were lucky to catch up with Maria Hojas recently and have shared our conversation below.

Maria , appreciate you joining us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

Being an actor in Los Angeles comes with its share of dreams and difficulties. LA’s entertainment industry offers numerous opportunities, but it also means dealing with fierce competition and financial uncertainty. Trying to make a living solely as an actor in LA has always been tough, and recent events like the SAG-AFTRA strike and the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike have made it even harder. While these strikes are about actors and writers fighting for better working conditions and fair pay, they’ve also made the day-to-day life of aspiring artists more challenging. We hope these unions can negotiate better deals in the long run, but it will take time. In the meantime, it’s essential for actors to work on their own projects and keep their creativity alive.

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 am Maria Hojas, an actress and writer originally from Santiago, Chile. My artistic journey is rooted in a profound love for storytelling, and it was the theater that first captured my heart. I am endlessly curious about the human experience—how our unique perspectives and perceptions shape the reality that surrounds us. I firmly believe that stories are the threads that bind us together as a society. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working in various mediums, including theater, film, and the world of narrating audiobooks. It’s been a beautiful journey, lending my voice to the words of renowned authors such as Isabel Allende and Patti Callahan, particularly relishing the opportunity to amplify the voices of female writers. Currently, I am a proud member of The Echo Theater Company in Los Angeles, where I continue to explore the captivating realm of theater, and I am excited to collaborate with Untagonist Media on exciting new projects.

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

The most rewarding aspect of being a storyteller for me lies in the profound ability to build community, foster connections, and share ideas. It’s an incredible feeling when a stranger approaches me to express that the story we conveyed had a profound impact, making them feel truly heard and seen. In today’s increasingly digital and isolated world, where screens often separate us, the power of storytelling becomes even more significant. It serves as a bridge that transcends boundaries, offering a shared experience that reminds us of our shared humanity. The joy of knowing that stories have the capacity to bring people together and create a sense of belonging is what fuels my passion as an artist and underscores the immense value of storytelling in our lives.

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

Over the past year, I’ve developed a deep interest in “A Field Guide to Getting Lost” by Rebecca Solnit. While I’ve always admired her work, this particular book has resonated profoundly with me. It emphasizes the inherent value of embracing the state of being lost, nurturing one’s curiosity, and finding comfort in the unknown and uncertain aspects of life. These themes have played a pivotal role in my journey as an actress, where creative processes often tend to be messy and diverge significantly from the anticipated results. Within the pages of Solnit’s book, I found a quote that has provided me with invaluable perspective: “Not till we are lost, in other words, not till we have lost the world, do we begin to find ourselves, and realize where we are and the infinite extent of our relations.”

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariahojas/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahojas/
• Other: https://vimeo.com/user24754488 https://www.echotheatercompany.com https://www.untagonist.com

Image Credits
Mollie Williams Elaine Torres Nicolas Varela