Conversations with Sebastián Gálvez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sebastián Gálvez

Hi Sebastián , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve been asked this question before, and this time I’d like to respond a bit differently by sharing a story—so bear with me.

It was 2009, and I was getting off the subway in New York City on a sunny fall day. As I walked up the stairs and felt the crisp air on my face, I had a thought: How amazing would it be to have the same experience my brother had when he lived in the city?

Back in 1996, he had attended a wine-tasting school as part of his journey to become a master of wine. When he introduced himself at the school, they asked if he would be interested in teaching. And just like that, he started teaching about wine.

In that moment, I remembered his experience and thought, What if I could teach acting in NYC? I imagined maybe there was a small studio where I could start. But honestly, I didn’t think much of it after that. At the time, it never crossed my mind that I could end up teaching at the Susan Batson Studio, where I was taking classes. And honestly, that would have felt like a dream—Susan Batson is a legend.

But exactly one year after arriving in NYC to study with her, I found myself teaching my own classes at the very same studio. It didn’t stop there—Susan even included my name in the acknowledgment section of her book, TRUTH. And that’s how I began teaching and coaching actors.

From there, my journey took me to international workshops at the Actors Union in Madrid, Spain, and in Santiago, Chile. Slowly but surely, I built my own list of private clients, helping them with their acting careers.

The best part of all this? I realized that by teaching acting, I actually became a better actor myself. And it’s been a rewarding experience. Most recently, I was cast in ‘Older, Hotter, Wiser’, a show created by Serena Kerrigan for Peacock, and as the prison ward in ‘STAGS’, a new British series from the producers of ‘Sex Education’. Both projects have brought me amazing reviews and the chance to work with a talented cast and a BAFTA-winning director.

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?
Being an actor is already a challenge in itself. We often deal with insecurities while pretending to be confident, especially because there are so many different ways to approach a character or interpret a scene. It’s funny how I’ve never been cast in those auditions where I felt like I nailed it, but I did get cast in the ones where I thought I’d completely bombed. That’s just a glimpse of the daily challenges we face.

Then, there’s the endless cycle of self-tapes, each one hoping that someone will actually watch it. And yes, they do get watched—though it can feel discouraging when you put so much effort into something and hear nothing back. You usually only hear if you’re called back for another audition, which, in itself, is a win. But here’s the catch: we don’t get paid for auditions, most of the time. So, it’s hours of work, often with no immediate payoff, and sometimes the stars just don’t seem to align. But when they do? It’s incredibly rewarding.

What’s comical, though, is how other things have come more easily, like teaching. I’ve never sent out a resume to ask to teach; I’ve been invited by various studios without ever having to ask. In fact, I eventually stopped teaching workshops altogether to focus more on private coaching because it was so time-consuming. Still, I feel a deep responsibility to share the knowledge I’ve gained, so I’m in the process of starting an online acting business to reach more actors and help them along their journey. It’s become one of my life’s missions.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve shared this before in other interviews, but I’ll say it again. As an actor, I’m known for my versatility with accents, which, paired with my universal look, allows me to play a wide range of ethnicities and ethnically ambiguous characters. It’s something that sets me apart. For example, I’ve portrayed the famous French singer and actor Yves Montand in an off-off-Broadway production directed by Susan Batson. I’ve also played roles such as a Spanish drug lord, a New York high-rise doorman, an Armenian porn club janitor in ‘Herotica” directed by BAFTA-winning director Peter Hewitt, I’ve embodied Anthony Perkins in a Spanish version of Psycho called ‘Claudia’ directed by Gabriel Beitia, a European tourist directed by award-winning director Richard Linklater, a Latino mini-bar orderly in ‘Welcome to New York’ directed by another award-winning director, Abel Ferrara. And even the legendary Tennessee Williams with a Southern accent— a role that earned me the Best One-Man Show award at the United Solo Theatre Festival in NYC, the largest solo performance festival in the world.

As a teacher and acting coach, I excel at helping actors tap into their greatness, guiding them on a path to excellence. I know how to help them overcome blocks and authentically embody the characters they’re portraying. I work with them until they understand the character so deeply that they can react instinctively, regardless of what’s happening with other characters or the director’s notes. I’m also skilled at script breakdowns, which gives me the flexibility to approach scenes from many different angles, allowing actors to bring multiple options to the set for the director to choose from.

Now, star quality is a bit more challenging to teach, but it’s something that can be developed—sometimes it’s about “faking it till you make it.” It’s about shifting how you identify with your inner self: thinking and behaving like a star. But this transformation has to come from within. You have to truly believe in yourself and own that identity so that it becomes a part of who you are. Some people have it naturally, while others may need to work harder to reach that level of confidence. It’s something that most acting studios don’t focus on, but it’s crucial for any actor striving for lasting success.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
The first two books I frequently use in my teaching are ‘TRUTH’ by Susan Batson, which I’ve mentioned before, and ‘You Can Heal Your Life’ by Louise L. Hay. I also draw inspiration from the teachings and meditations of Dr. Wayne Dyer, Joe Dispenza, Marianne Williamson, Esther Hicks, Deepak Chopra, and others.

In addition, I enjoy listening to podcasts from the Mexican host Marco Antonio Regil, as well as from Spanish speakers like Dr. Mario Alonso Puig and psychologist Elva Abril. You can find all of these on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and Spotify.

Pricing:

• $100 for a 1hr coaching session
• 20% off if you mention this article
• I also do half hour. And even 20 mins for short scene self-tapes.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @seb_galvez

Image Credits
Chris Violette