Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rosger Toledo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Rosger, 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?

Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work?

Unfortunately, not yet—but that’s the goal. While I haven’t been able to earn a full-time living exclusively from acting and filmmaking so far, I’ve built a life that allows me to stay close to my creative work. Over the past four years, I’ve worked as a personal trainer, substitute teacher, and driver for share-drive companies. These roles have given me the flexibility to keep training, auditioning, working on sets, and building my portfolio—both in front of and behind the camera. I see all of this as part of the journey, and I’m committed to making that creative career fully sustainable.

Can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

I became a Chemical Engineer back in Mexico, and even while I was studying science, I was already diving into acting. I knew I had to give that creative part of myself more space, so I moved to Los Angeles and enrolled in the two-year conservatory program at the Stella Adler Academy of Acting. That experience grounded me in technique and gave me a deep respect for the craft.

After graduating, I started working on short films to gain experience and build my IMDb credits. It was during that time that I discovered how much I also loved being behind the camera—producing, directing, shaping a story from all angles. That realization led me to pursue an associate’s degree in Cinema Production at LACC.

In 2022, I took my first improv class at Improv LA—something that started as a fun creative outlet and quickly became a huge part of my life. I met a group of performers who shared the same spark, and in 2023 we formed Tiny Recliner, our improv team. We rehearse weekly with a coach and perform every second Friday of the month at The Broadwater Theater in Hollywood. It’s become a consistent, joyful space where I get to experiment, connect, and stay creatively sharp.

Was it like that from day one?

Not at all. Like many creatives, I imagined there would be a clear path—study, graduate, book roles, repeat. But the reality is more fluid. I’ve had to learn how to build a life that supports my craft, not wait for the industry to hand one to me. That’s meant saying yes to day jobs, carving out my own projects, and redefining what it means to be successful. Honestly, I’ve learned just as much from the hustle between gigs as I have on set or stage.

What were some of the major steps and milestones?

Becoming a Chemical Engineer while simultaneously pursuing acting in Mexico—it taught me balance and discipline early on.
Moving to LA and completing the acting program at Stella Adler, which gave me my foundation as a performer.
Discovering my passion for directing and producing, and earning my associate’s degree in Cinema Production at LACC.
Booking my first paid acting role and seeing my name on IMDb—it was a small moment, but it felt big.
Being trusted with a long-term substitute role teaching chemistry, which showed me how performance and education intersect.
Co-founding Tiny Recliner and performing monthly in Hollywood—it keeps my skills sharp and my creative spirit energized.

Do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

If I had known earlier that creativity doesn’t have to be limited to one form or one income stream, I might’ve embraced this hybrid lifestyle sooner. I used to think I had to “arrive” at some perfect moment where I was only acting full-time. Now I understand that the path is built, not found—and that sometimes the “side paths” end up being the most transformative. I wouldn’t trade the journey, but I would’ve stressed less and trusted more. I’m not there yet, but I’m getting closer—and that’s something I’m proud of.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Rosger Toledo—a Mexican-born creative with a background in chemical engineering and a lifelong love for storytelling. My journey into the arts hasn’t been linear, and honestly, that’s what makes it authentic. I became a Chemical Engineer in Mexico while also pursuing acting on the side. Eventually, I realized I needed to give my creative side the space it deserved, so I moved to Los Angeles and enrolled in the two-year conservatory program at the Stella Adler Academy of Acting.

Since then, I’ve built my career across acting, filmmaking, and live performance. After graduating from Stella Adler, I began working on short films to build my IMDb credits, and that experience sparked something bigger—I realized I loved producing and directing as much as I loved acting. That led me to earn an associate’s degree in Cinema Production from LACC, deepening my skills behind the camera.

To support myself while building this creative life, I’ve worked as a substitute teacher, personal trainer, and rideshare driver over the past four years. These jobs gave me the flexibility to keep auditioning, writing, filming, and performing—without giving up my artistic goals. I don’t see them as detours; I see them as the scaffolding that’s allowed me to keep going. They’ve grounded me, challenged me, and taught me how to navigate uncertainty—skills that serve me just as much on set as they do in real life.

In 2022, I signed up for an improv class at Improv LA—just to try something new—and it quickly became a major part of my creative life. A year later, I co-founded Tiny Recliner, our improv team, and we now perform every second Friday of the month at The Broadwater Theater in Hollywood. We rehearse weekly with a coach, and that consistency has become both a creative outlet and a discipline in its own right.

My work lives at the intersection of acting, writing, filmmaking, and live performance. I’m especially drawn to stories that explore transformation, identity, and the beautifully messy parts of being human. Whether I’m shaping a short film or improvising in front of a live audience, my goal is always to make people feel something—whether it’s laughter, connection, or reflection.

One of the things that drives me most is telling stories that explore the human condition. I want my work—especially my films—to invite people into an experience. That could be the quiet recognition of themselves in a character, or even a strong emotional reaction to a moment they find uncomfortable. Sometimes what we reject most in others is a mirror to a part of ourselves we haven’t fully faced. If a film can illuminate that shadow, make you pause and reflect, then it’s doing more than storytelling—it’s doing soul work. I would love for my creative work to not only leave behind a lingering emotion but also spark reflection. From an evolutionary perspective, I believe art can help us understand our own psyche—and maybe even grow from it.

What sets me apart is my range and resilience. Coming from an engineering background, I bring a unique structure and problem-solving mindset to the creative process. At the same time, my experience in theater and improv has taught me how to flow, adapt, and trust the moment. I’ve had to build my path piece by piece, but that’s made me resourceful, collaborative, and grounded.

I’m most proud of the community I’ve built—whether it’s my teammates in Tiny Recliner, the students I’ve supported in the classroom, or the fellow creatives I’ve collaborated with on set. My creative work is always rooted in curiosity, authenticity, and connection.

If you’re just getting to know me: I’m someone who shows up fully—whether I’m on stage, on set, or behind the scenes. I’m building a career that reflects both craft and courage, and I hope that through my work, others feel inspired to tell their stories too.

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

Absolutely. For me, the driving force behind my creative journey is evolution—personal, emotional, and collective. I believe stories can help us grow, not just by entertaining us but by offering a mirror. Whether through a film, a live performance, or even a moment of improv, I aim to spark reflection. Can we recognize ourselves in a character’s vulnerability? Can we see our own shadows in something we resist? Art, at its best, can help us feel more human—and more connected to each other.

One of the most rewarding parts of being a creative is turning personal experiences into something universal. That’s also what led me to a more unexpected but meaningful project: meditation. A while back, my mom—who only speaks Spanish—told me she wanted to learn how to meditate. When I looked for beginner-friendly meditation courses on YouTube in Spanish, I couldn’t find anything that really guided someone step by step. So I decided to create it myself. It’s called Medita desde Cero—a simple, accessible course designed to help Spanish-speaking beginners learn how to meditate without feeling overwhelmed. I’ll be launching it at the end of the month on a YouTube’s channel I created just for this: @modopresente. It’s a project that really comes from the heart.

In the end, whether I’m acting, directing, performing improv, or guiding a meditation, the goal is the same: to create meaningful experiences that help people connect—with themselves and with others. That’s what makes this work fulfilling. That’s what keeps me showing up.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding part is creating something that makes people feel. Whether it’s a film, an improv show, or even a guided meditation, I love the idea that something I put into the world can spark an emotion, a thought, or a deeper sense of connection in someone else. That moment where a person sees themselves reflected in a character—or hears something that makes them pause and think about their own life—that’s where the magic happens.

I’m also deeply moved by the ability to turn personal experiences into something universal. A project like Medita desde Cero, for example, came from something as simple and intimate as wanting to help my mom learn how to meditate in her own language. But now it has the potential to help others too. That’s the kind of ripple effect that makes being a creative so meaningful.

And of course, I love the collaboration. Whether it’s working with my improv team, a film crew, or just exchanging ideas with other artists, there’s something beautiful about building something together. It’s not just about expressing myself—it’s about creating space for others to feel seen, heard, and maybe even transformed.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @rosgertoledo @tinyrecliner_improv