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

Richard J., thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

Ever since I was a young boy performing improvised talent shows on my grandma’s front porch, I’ve known that I am a creative artist. Being onstage, either as a performer or director, connects me to my most authentic self. Not only that, but leading improv classes allows me to be a part of other people’s journeys towards their own personal development.

Prior to starting my own improv school full-time, I worked as a preschool teacher for almost twenty years. That was a fulfilling career, and one that I’m glad I did for so long, however, there is something really special about centering my career around something like the creative arts, which has always been a passion.

I have the opportunity to help people find strength by using their voices in unexpected ways, and I get to see that strength develop in real time. No “regular” job would give me that same fulfillment.

Richard J., love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I started The Playful Stage in June 2023. I’d been teaching and performing improv in Long Beach for almost ten years, and I was at a crossroads with what to do with it. I felt like I had gotten everything I was going to get out of the school I was previously attending, and I knew it was time for my next step.

Opening my own improv school with The Playful Stage was not what I expected to happen. But enough of my former improv students kept inquiring when I’d be offering my own classes, and eventually that led to TPS opening.

One thing that really sets The Playful Stage apart from other improv schools is that we are truly focused on grounded scenes that allow both the comedy and dramatic elements of improv shine. Players get to exercise emotional depths in a space that encourages brave play. As an instructor, I look at each of my students as individuals and build my classes around the needs of each individual class.

One of the things I’m most proud of with The Playful Stage is our commitment to highlighting student teams comprised of traditionally marginalized communities, including our Spanglish improv team ¡Pues Ni Modo!, our all queer team Lavender Lotus, and our all Black team The Notorious Black Improv Group.

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

One of the biggest resources I’ve struggled with accessing is my own community of friends and supporters that want to volunteer their time. As a recovering people pleaser, accepting offerings of help from others can be truly difficult, and I often think I’m better off doing everything on my own so that I don’t bother anyone with my asks. That is simply not the case. I am reminded daily of the people in my life who see the true benefits of The Playful Stage and who want to do want to do what they can to support it and help build it.

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

My mission as a creative artist is to use the tools and talents I have to help bring connection among people. We live in such a divided culture that could truly benefit from the tools that improv helps build such as patience, effective listening, and labeling emotions and behaviors.

With The Playful Stage, it’s my goal that each person who steps through my doors finds a space where they are welcome and encouraged to use their voice in an empowering and supportive way. We use the tools of improv to noy only enhance scenes on stage, but also every day communication, which is the best gift of all. When I see that people have shifted behaviors in their lives because of improv, it makes me feel like I am living out my life’s purpose.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theplayfulstage.com
• Instagram: @theplayfulstage
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theplayfulstage
• Youtube: @theplayfulstage
• Other: TikTok: @theplayfulstage