We recently connected with Sebastián Gálvez and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Sebastián thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

Every project I work on holds deep meaning for me. The ones I create from scratch give me the unparalleled satisfaction of building something entirely my own—watching it start as an idea, simmer with potential, transform through collaboration, and eventually take flight. It’s a fulfilling journey that always feels like a triumph. On the other hand, booking a job as an actor is a major achievement in itself. In a field where so many talented performers are vying for the same roles, landing one feels like hitting the lottery. There’s a unique joy in taking someone else’s words and story, collaborating with a team of like-minded creatives, and helping to bring it all to life.

If I had to choose a project that stands out, it would be An Evening with Tennessee Williams. This one-man show, which I wrote, explored Williams’ career and love life. The journey to creating it began during a particularly challenging time in my life. I felt directionless, creatively dry, and unsure of what to do next. One day, in desperation, I got on my knees and prayed—for guidance, for a sign, for anything to spark my passion again. Shortly after, I found myself in Skylight Bookstore in Los Feliz, determined to discover something. That’s when I came across a biography of Tennessee Williams. I bought several books about his life, and as I dove into his story, I was completely captivated.

From that moment, the project slowly came to life. It took four years from the initial research and writing to the final performance for a paying audience. Along the way, I was fortunate to collaborate with Paul Sand, the perfect director for this piece. Together, we brought the show to life, and it went on to win the Best One-Man Show Award at the United Solo Festival in New York, the largest festival for solo performers in the world.

The experience wasn’t just transformative for me—it also resonated with audiences. People who saw the show often told me it gave them a deeper understanding of Tennessee Williams’ world and work, which is the highest compliment I could receive. This project not only enriched my artistic journey but also reinforced my belief in the power of storytelling to connect and inspire.

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

I was born and raised in Spain to Chilean immigrant parents, growing up in a home filled with stories and creativity. From an early age, I discovered my passion for storytelling. One of my favorite childhood toys was a puppet theater, which I used to entertain my family with improvised performances. At school, a particularly inspiring teacher introduced us to Shakespeare. Even though I was too young to fully grasp his works, her animated storytelling made those tales come alive for me. Another unforgettable moment was performing The Three Little Pigs in school. The teacher told my mother I could play any character I wanted because I had memorized all the parts. But it was when I saw a production of the musical Annie that I knew–I wanted to be doing that on a stage.

Despite this early connection to the arts, my family had no background in it, so I followed a more traditional path and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. For nearly a decade, I worked in banking, balancing a corporate career by day while pursuing my true passion at night, paying my way through drama school. Eventually, I reached a point where I couldn’t ignore my love for acting, so I left the banking world to pursue it full-time.

I started my own theater company, touring across Spain, and later landed a steady role in a long-running production. This invaluable experience gave me the confidence to expand my horizons. In 2009, I moved to New York City, and by 2015, I found myself in Los Angeles.

What sets me apart as an actor is my versatility. Thanks to a unique upbringing—attending a British school, studying at an American university, and growing up surrounded by Spanish accents at home—I speak English like a native American, excel at accents in both English and Spanish, and have a multicultural adaptability. My look and performance style allow me to play characters from Latin America, Europe, and North America seamlessly.

While living in New York, I was fortunate to teach at the studio of renowned acting coach Susan Batson, which introduced me to the world of coaching actors. Since 2010, I’ve worked with performers globally, helping them find their voice and refine their craft. Coaching is incredibly fulfilling for me. It’s about uncovering what’s already within the actor—not just their talent but the essence of creating authentic, compelling, and deeply human characters. Witnessing an actor’s breakthrough is one of the greatest rewards of this work.

More recently, I’ve ventured into journalism, working with Cultura Press, a cultural media outlet from Spain. This role has been a joy. I’ve interviewed industry professionals, covered film festivals, and attended premieres, staying connected to the storytelling world from a different perspective. It’s an inspiring way to celebrate the craft while engaging with others who share my passion for stories.

Ultimately, whether I’m acting, teaching, or writing, my greatest passion lies in connecting with others through storytelling—finding those universal truths that bring us together in this art form I hold so dear.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My ultimate goal as an artist is to be a vessel through which others can see themselves reflected. I want my performances to resonate in a way that helps people feel understood, reminding them that they’re not alone in this journey called life. If even one person walks away feeling seen, comforted, or a little less isolated, then I’ve done my job. And if nothing else, I hope to entertain, bring a smile to their face, offer a good laugh, and share in the simple yet profound joy of being alive.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Interestingly enough, the biggest lesson I had to unlearn was letting go of the “character” I built as a kid–the persona I created to fit in and feel accepted. Growing up as the child of immigrants, I often felt different, so I learned to adapt, putting on a version of myself that I thought people wanted to see. It became second nature, almost like playing a role in a lifelong performance.

But as I got older–especially when I began studying acting seriously–I realized that this façade was holding me back, not just as an artist but as a person. I was so used to hiding behind this character that I lost touch with who I really was. Acting, ironically, helped me rediscover myself. The more I delved into the craft, the more I understood that authenticity was what made a performance, and a person, compelling.

It wasn’t easy to let go of the safety net I’d created. It required vulnerability, self-reflection, and a willingness to embrace the messy, imperfect, and real version of me. But in doing so, I found not only freedom but also a deeper connection to the world around me. I learned that being myself–truly myself–was not just enough; it was the most powerful thing I could offer.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @seb_galvez

Image Credits

Image credits of all headshots: Chris Violette