Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebecca Galarza.
Rebecca, before we jump into specific questions about your work, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was born in Brooklyn, New York, raised in the Sunshine State Orlando, Florida. I loved where I grew up – I had an amazing community with perfect weather and the happiest place on Earth right down the road. As soon as I was able to, I started working professionally as an Actor at Seaworld, Universal Orlando, and Walt Disney World. I was fortunate to turn my passion for the arts into a career. Working at the theme parks never felt like work – it was fun, fulfilling and offered new and exciting challenges every day that shaped my professional growth.
Throughout High School and College I had the support of my teachers and friends who encouraged me to pursue TV and Film. I researched everything I could about the film industry and was instantly fascinated and had to know more. I discovered that Orlando has an amazing film school called Full Sail University that gives Actors the opportunity to gain real-world film experience through their student’s short films. I took my binder filled with my musical theater headshots, walked into the school and auditioned for every film they had that weekend, and I got it! I continued to learn and grow in the safe community that Full Sail provided and honestly, I was elated! I was so grateful to be there performing on camera and learning more about acting.
After learning the ins and outs of film from being on set every week at Fullsail and diving into acting classes, I felt like I was ready to find an agent and start auditioning for bigger roles. My first agency was Benz Models and Talent in Tampa, Florida. When I drove out there for the meeting I had no idea what I was getting into but I knew I had to be doing Film and TV and they were going to help me do it. I wore a bright mustard dress with white sandals while carrying a black modeling portfolio filled with a few print campaigns that I had done in the past. This agency meeting was a pivotal moment in my career because I finally starting seeing my dreams come to fruition – the Benz team decided to take me on, I was on cloud 9. This meeting affirmed my #1 belief that I carry with me every day, “If you want to make something happen for yourself, you can and you will.” I started acting in movies and commercials consistently from that point on.
Fast forward to my current situation – I am living in Los Angeles, California, working bicoastal as an actress and voiceover artist and I’ve never been happier.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I had a little success in Florida so when I moved to LA and became a nobody again, it felt like starting over, I became a small fish in an even bigger pond. I also didn’t realize it would take so long to be doing the projects I’d like to be doing but I’ve always just been glad that I have been consistently working in the Entertainment industry. From the time I decided I wanted to act, I accepted that not everything would be easy but that I would constantly work, and I do. Even when times are slow, I find that there is always something you can do to reach your goal. I give myself a list of 5 things a day that will get me closer to my dreams and I do my best to stay busy with those if I am not filming. So to say the road has been smooth or bumpy feels subjective, it’s all about your attitude towards that road.
Please tell us more about your work. What should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I’m giddy writing this part because I love the projects I’m currently a part of. Currently, I am a series regular in Kobe Bryant’s podcast “The Punies” written by Last Man Standing’s Jon Haller. The show teaches kids about sports but also teaches important life lessons in a really fun way. I play Lilly, a Latina from the South who loves supporting her friends and fashion (basically real-life me). I feel so lucky to be a part of a project like this that educates kids but also because I get to sing in addition to act. The entire Punies team is a dream to work with! When I am not recording The Punies, I host a podcast with my best friend, Frankie Rodriguez called Margaritas With Young Hollywood, interviewing the upcoming talent in LA. I can also be seen season 3 “No Activity”, opposite J.K. Simmons on CBS All Access. I love what I do and I can’t wait to keep working, learning and growing.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment of my career so far would be when I went to Walmart to purchase the DVD for “The Investigator”, an independent film I shot in Tampa Florida. I still remember how excited I was searching through the DVD section looking for our film. Once I found the case, I turned it around and saw my face on the back which I had no idea was there! Being able to purchase this DVD at a major worldwide store meant a lot to me. It meant that I, having little to no guidance found a way to turn my passion into a career. I was so proud of myself but also grateful to every single person that encouraged me to pursue my dreams.
Contact Info:
- Email: rebecca.galarza@gmail.com
- Instagram: RebeccaGalarza
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRebeccaGalarza/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/RebeccaGalarza2
Image Credit:
Jesse Ashton
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