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

Alright, Tessie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights 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?

Most of the time, I have a positive and optimistic approach to the profession of being an actor. I do not wish I had a regular job, I wish there were more places where actors and artists in general could explore their crafts and fully develop their abilities in a place that paid them from 9 to 5 to do so, this is one of my dreams. I believe as actors, we spend too much time trying to have our survival jobs steady and flexible or we often depend on others to give us the green light or the approval to do our art that we sometimes lose the focus on our craft, on the exploration and delight of it. This is the most complicated part, when it all becomes about the efforts to “make it” instead of becoming a better human and a better storyteller.

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 was born and raised in Chilangolandia AKA Mexico City, and have been passionate about acting since a very early age. From classical dance, to Bel canto, to circus training – I’m a true hyphenated nerd!

My experience living in different countries has provided me with knowledge, long-lasting relationships, and a deep respect for diversity. Like a chameleon, I can adapt to any environment I’m in while remaining true to myself.

After obtaining my diploma as an actor, I wanted to find more meaningful ways to give back to others. My guiding principle has always been a sense of gratitude and of knowing where I come from – it’s important for me to remember how far I’ve come and all of those who have helped me get here. No one is truly made on their own.

I decided to pursue a double Masters in Drama Therapy and Conflict Management, combining my love of storytelling with the power to make a difference in people’s lives. By using expressive arts facilitation, I have been able to offer several workshops and sessions in order to advocate for healing, justice, and mental health. This has resulted in a deeper connection and empathy for us, as human beings, and the empowerment of underserved communities everywhere I’ve been.

Sharing our stories can help us heal trauma, create connections, and build bridges between different cultures and beliefs. At the end of the day, we’re all made of stories; the stories of our land, heritage, culture, ancestors, tears, sweat and our families which are what gives our lives meaning. I’m on a mission to bring these stories to life and offer empowerment and representation to as many people as possible.

Currently, I’m a permanent resident of the US and a proud member of both SAG-AFTRA and AEA. Acting has become my life’s pursuit, a constant learning journey of evolution into what truly means to explore the human experience.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My particular goal is to connect humanity through the power of storytelling. At the end of the day, the things that truly give us comfort and peace are stories, it doesn’t matter if this are the stories of our culture, ancestry, world or if they’re made up or imaginary. I believe all human beings find solace in stories for hope, resilience, love, romance, passion, action or empathy. My goal is to bring as many stories that truly represent diversity to the world with the purpose of unity instead of division and segregation.

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

Have “corporate artist development working spaces” where artists can go regularly from 9-5 and work on their crafts with a particular production goal and a vision for a social, economical, ecological or any particular result. This would provide very focused artists with the power of exploring their craft with a particular goal or destination. I don’t think society realize how important is art and entertainment for all of us, I would say is as important as law, medicine and finances because art takes care of the soul, of our identities, subjective expressivity. I will keep on saying this: Imagine a world with zero music, Netflix, theater, puppetry, books, comics, colors, design, etc…it would be simply unbearable, just picture our most recent pandemic with any creative access to sooth your mental and emotional state? That is why is essential for artist to develop more their crafts, because we are simply vital to humanity.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.tessieherrasti.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tessieherrasti/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tessherrasti
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessieherrasti/

Image Credits
Headshots by Idalmiz Lopez