Today we’d like to introduce you to Becca Alvarado
Hi Becca, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, I always knew I wanted more for myself- I just didn’t know what. In my community, it was pretty standard for Latinas/Natives to succumb to the standards of society: to get pregnant at 16 or have an alcohol addiction. I am very thankful for my parents who refused to have myself and my siblings be in that equation, placing us in music classes, swim lessons, folklorico, anything to keep us off the streets. There was a non-profit organization called Rosie’s House that provided free music lesson for low- poverty families, and my mom made the most of it. I studied the piano, the flute, and even sung in an opera choir. The highlight of that time, was performing in an orchestra as second flutist, along with my sister, Lyssa, who at the time played viola. As an ensemble, we played Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin and that will forever be a core memory. Who said poor kids couldn’t hold a beat? Even so, I wanted more.
I was an emotional kid growing up. One could say I wouldn’t shut up because all I had were questions about life. I craved an outlet to continue to express myself. One day, a friend of my older sister- Ana- introduced me to poetry and my love for words grew. How they feel on your tongue, the vibrations in your throat. To this day, my poetry reflects my love of words and how they can dance around in a poem. But still, something was missing.
It wasn’t until I saw a production of Child’s Play in our school auditorium where the stars aligned. I was in 5th or 6th grade at the time, and all the kids and faculty filtered in to find this set built in the middle of our auditorium. Sitting in a pretzel, I watched the greatest production I’ve seen in my life. Truthfully, I don’t remember much of the play itself but what they did to the audience was something I’ll never forget. All the kids were transfixed in what was before us, the teachers didn’t look stressed and were crying/laughing like the rest of us. For a brief moment, there were no separations of age, money, or demographics. In that space of time, we all felt the same thing: a moment of peace. And there it was. That’s what I wanted to emulate for the rest of my life. As an actor and a poet, that’s exactly what I aim to do.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Absolutely not. First obstacle was my dad. Second was/is myself.
Wanting to have a career in the arts? In my neighborhood? My dad wanted no such thing. He wanted all of us to have a 9-5 job that paid the bills. Although he was there for every performance, he always reminded me that it was a hobby. Not wanting to disappoint him, I attended ASU for PR in Journalism and hated it. I later dropped out and went to Phoenix College to pursue Forensics but that was a cover up so I can be a part of the theatre program. In one short semester, I became lead in a production called “Morenci’s Child” and that gave me the encouragement to leave my house and head to LA. I attended AMDA for 2 semesters however, slowly made the pursuit back to AZ after finding out my dad was diagnosed with Bile Duct Cancer. While he was undergoing chemo, I went back to school at Glendale Community College with Theatre Arts as my objective. There was no bed for me back home, so I opted living on an air mattress that deflated every night. That was the worst year for my back, but I had things to do! From work, to school, to helping take my dad to chemo, that part of my life is but a blur. No one in my family finished college. I wanted to at least be the first and to give my dad something to be proud about me. Unfortunately he didn’t make it to my graduation passing away on December 23, 2013. I graduated with my associate’s in Theatre Arts and got my diploma in May 2014.
They say after a death to wait 6 or so months before making any drastic life decisions. I didn’t adhere to this. After I graduated, I moved to Oregon with my boyfriend at the time and pursued acting in the Northwest. I did some modeling and even booked some commercial work but I knew in my heart I needed to move back to LA. Fortunately/ Unfortunately I left my then boyfriend at the time, and moved to San Diego, living on my sister’s floor, now with a dog in tow named Ricky Ricardo. The stuff I accumulated didn’t fit in my sister’s place so it had to remain in a storage unit. My lowest moments were in that unit. I would sit with my belongings, Ricky in my lap, and I promised him things would get better. I moved 4 more times before finally making it to the present ( from living with 4 roommates and 2 dogs in a 2 bedroom apartment, to a halfway house, to an actual house with 2 beautiful women, to again living with my sister, to now in my tiny studio here in Koreatown).
Throughout the course of this I was in survival mode but even then my insecurities would get the best of me. Am I good enough? Will anyone even want to hear/see me perform? Does love exist after death? It was actually through my poetry where I would get the satisfaction that I was enough. I am enough. And thus, I continue to pursue.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an actor and a poet with a background in music. For my acting, I specialize in dramatic roles. Currently I am beginning to take voice over classes as I’ve been used for animal noises and imitating dialects. It’s not something I am promoting just yet as I am still learning the professional way. I say professionally because I teach myself in an unprofessional way. I people watch, I animal watch, I life watch. How did that chalk sound on the chalkboard? Can I imitate that noise with my voice? Can I communicate with Ricky better if I make his grumble noises when he wants my attention? Can I speak in a British accent all day? See why I need classes?
In my poetry some would know me for my erotica pieces however for those who really know me, know that my emphasis is in philosophy and story telling. I am in the midst of writing a poetry book, illustrating for each poem. I’ll give you the title so you can keep an eye for it: Rainbows & Demons: an anthology of human antics and my insanities.
What am I most proud of? That I have the ability to do all the above. It may be hard, but I’m doing it. What sets me apart? I don’t give up. I adjust and reaffirm with God I am exactly where I need to be.
Any big plans?
I don’t know what my plans are for the future other than moving forward. I read a quote that says “ If you are depressed you are living in the past. If you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at peace you are living in the present.”
All my life I’ve been looking for peace and to give a sense of tranquility within my art. That is what I want. I’ll finish my illustrations as they come and start to look for a publisher. I’ll continue to act and take classes, cause there is always room for growth. All the in betweens will happen and I simply must be present for all of it, or else I’ll miss a moment.
No changes that I have planned, but who knows what God and the world has for me. Either way, I’m open to all the possibilities that come.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baconavocado_
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@wheremyheartlives
Image Credits:
Image of me reading from a poetry book on the – Jude k.d. @thejudekd
