Conversations with Cameron Lopez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cameron Lopez

Hi Cameron, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
First off! Let me say, there is nothing, and I mean NOTHING in my immediate background that would have led you to believe that I was destined to become an actor.

A proud South East Kansas native, I grew up in the little town of Neodesha.

(Started out as a trading post for the Osage Indians.)

2000 people or so, or depending on if we lost anyone during the last tornado/flood season.

Being the youngest of seven siblings, one can imagine my parents needed to keep us busy, especially during the summer months while they were working and we were out of school.

Now, I was a puny little thing, so most of the activities available to boys at that time like, football, wrestling, boy scouts, and soccer, I wasn’t suited to nor did I particularly care for.

But as “luck would have it.” (A phrase that has become synonymous in my life) My mother heard from a lady in her local sorority chapter, about a youth theater program ( Apparently started by a group of crazy ladies in the 60s) and they were casting for their summer play.

The next day my mom and dad threw me into the car and on I went to audition for the Neodesha Arts Association summer production of the wizard of Oz, at the newly named Reese theater.

From there, my adventure into the acting craft began. From humble beginnings acting in that old dusty theater and playhouses across the four state area to appearing in new and innovative theatrical productions all across the country. Proving positively that people from small places can indeed do big things.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Pursuing a life as an actor, there are certain inevitabilities that you have to face. The hardest for me was relocating to the city. I said at the beginning, I’m a proud Kansas native. However, unless you are insanely well established you can’t really make your living as a performing artist in that part of the country. So moving is necessary. Moving away from your friends and family and heading off into an environment filled with people who can negatively judge you based on where you’re from, a sort of regionalism if that’s a thing. And based on my experience, it most certainly is. Needless to say there were definitely some lonely nights.

Now I know how Dolly Parton felt when she crossed over into the big city.

But I tried not to think about it too much. Deciding instead to keep an open mind and hold fast to…….Well, my midwest optimism. An optimism based not in arrogance or some unearned sense of entitlement but rather because I know it’s what’s right. It is necessary! Like breathing air, it is the fuel that propels me forward.

Also, I learned early on to be thankful. It’s a great tool when you’re trying to keep score at the end of the day. I knew an old woman who kept a tragedies book. You know? A Scrapbook where she’d cut out clippings of newspaper articles with headlines like, “Joe Blow Killed In A Fire” or “Tidal Wave Hits Japan” you know stuff like that. And she’d pull out that book, slap that article in there and say, “Boy oh boy, you think I’ve got problems just look at these poor bastards.” My god, what a great attitude!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a multidisciplinary performing artist with an extensive background as an actor, vocalist, director, and teacher. In all aspects of my work, I have made every possible effort to expand audiences understanding of the human spirit and honor the journeys of others.

I performed in repertory theaters all across the country, including the Inspiration Point Fine Arts Colony in Eureka Springs Arkansas, with the Heartland Opera Company at the Bud Walton Theater in Joplin Missouri, and in the world premiere of Drama Desk award winner Samuel D. Hunter’s play “A Great Wilderness.” at the William Inge Theater Festival.

My training began at the William Inge Theater apprenticeship program learning from various writers and actors such as, Tony/Obie award winners Shirley Knight, Sheldon Harnick, Cady Huffman, David Henry Wong, and Paula Vogel.

I would go on to study at both Missouri Southern State University and the Savannah College of Art and Design under the direction of Timothy Patrick Klein and Joan McMurtry, influenced by the techniques of Konstantine Stanislavski and Uta Hagen.

In Los Angeles, I have continued to perform professionally in theater houses across the city. Most recently in the Under The Rose Theater production of “Castle In The Sky” at the penthouse suite of the James Oviatt building in downtown Los Angeles. Receiving a rave review for the LA times featured in the art culture column.

In 2017 I became one of the founding members and developers of Next Generation Performing Arts. A program designed to provide comprehensive performing arts training to young artists from various backgrounds. Since its inception, the program has continued to thrive and is now on it’s 6th year of functioning as an official nonprofit 501c3 organization. Out of everything I’ve done, my involvement in this organization I take pride in the most.

As to the question of, “What sets me apart form other artists or more specially, other actors?” You know, I can’t completely say. There are so many out here, and all are unique in their own specific way I suppose. As for me, I like to take a holistic approach when creating a character. Using not only the techniques I learned in my formal acting training but also from my other passions such as, cooking, eating, gambling, business, world travel, politics, history, painting, theology, drinking, music, dance, and so on. To be a great actor means to experience the world.
To say yes and to be continuously curious about the community outside of your gilded theater. Because the best stories worth telling, they aren’t in there, they’re out here.

That’s what I think anyway.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
2013, the summer of my senior year in high school. It was a wild time, growing up, finding out things about yourself, about your sexuality, career choices, and ultimately who you want to be. These pressures could drive any teenager crazy. But it also can be a trying time for any parent to. Things change, you’re getting older, kids are moving on. What will your life become now that your on your own again?

On one of those very hot Saturday afternoons, I had just come in from a run not in the best of moods. My mother, descending the staircase started laying into me about blocking her in with my car. From the start, the conversation descended into yelling and screaming until neither one of us could take it anymore. Mom began to turn away and head back upstairs. But still feeling the rage, I wanted to get one last dig in. She whipped her head around expecting the worst. And I was ready to give it to her but, in a split second, unsure why, I decided to say.

“Hey! You know what?! Your a good mom. And it must be hard. But I want you to know, you did the best with what you had and no one could ever ask for more. I love you.”

And my mom holding back tears said “Thank you, I appreciate it.”

That’s the moment I really learned how powerful kindness can be and although it doesn’t cost you anything, its a little thing that makes a big difference.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/cameronlopez
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cameronlopez61?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
• Other: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm4298823/

Image Credits
Eshank Modi