Rising Stars: Meet Abel Alvarado

Today we’d like to introduce you to Abel Alvarado.

Hi Abel, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.  
I’ve always loved theater. It took me some time to get back to it, but when I finally did, about 15 years now, one thing led to another. I started as a Costume designer, then circled back to writing, producing, and music. After writing a few plays, I wrote a musical, “ARENA: A HOUSE MUSIC-al,” which was produced into a workshop and then into a full production. It’s played for sold-out audiences in 3 different productions, and I am now working to have it produced again. I am also working on a concert of “ARENA” and a recording. As a gay Latino, I find it very important to tell stories about my community, being that we, as a people, have had little to no representation in politics, media, and the arts. I work to create change through my work and giving opportunity to other artists. 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t been completely smooth, but I do count myself blessed to be able to work with people who have tried to pave a smoother road. I am also very aware that I have been granted opportunities because people believed in my work and because they helped me even when my biggest obstacle at times was myself. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I work in theater, specifically musical theater, writer, producer, designer. I am also a costume designer and have worked mainly in theater, but I have also done music videos and TV. For the past few years, I have been concentrating on getting my musical produced as well as working as producer for the “Brown & Out LGBT LatinXperience Playwrights Festival”. As a designer, I have won some awards, and I am very proud to have won the NAACP Theater Award for Best Costume Design. Also, I am very proud to have worked with some amazing and legendary Latin@ theater directors, writers, and actors. Having written “ARENA,” I have become known for writing new musicals and have been working on 3 new musicals. What sets me apart from others is that I look to make what vision I may have a reality. I understand that nothing happens by me alone and that working collaboratively with other artists always works best to ensure a complete vision for a story is realized. I am most proud of writing and producing my original musical and also having worked with the amazing artists and people I have worked with. I’m also very happy to work as Producer at 24th STreet Theatre and producing the annual Dia De Los Muertos festival.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Creating art is the easy part. Being an artist takes a lot of discipline, hard work, and the determination to keep going, even when my harshest critic is me. I’ve also learned that every experience when creating lends itself to learning more about what I can do as a creative, and to quote Julia Child, “One thing learned, leads to another.” 

Contact Info:

• Instagram: dzynabel
• Facebook: Abel Alvarado