Life & Work with Isa Gutierrez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Isa Gutierrez.

Isa, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin? 
Well, my artistic journey began in Cartagena, Colombia, where I spent most of my life. From a very early age, I was bugging my mom to take me to any casting or acting classes available in my city. During this time, I participated in plays and musicals and began my acting training at the “Instituto Universitario de Bellas Artes y Ciencias de Bolivar.”

Then, in 2019, I moved to the U.S. to pursue this career professionally, and in 2023, I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Acting for Film. During the last few years, I have been part of excellent play productions such as Crimes of the Heart, As You Like It, and The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon.

I also wrote, produced, and starred in the short film “True Love,” which makes part of the official selection for three important Film Festivals across the country.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road whatsoever, but I do feel grateful of every challenge that made me who I am today.

I think the biggest challenge throughout this road has been moving out of Colombia by myself to a completely different culture at the age of 17. It all happened at the same time: Leaving my parent’s house, starting college, moving to a new country, finding myself, and finding my acting path. There was many times along the way where I thought I wouldn’t make it. The nostalgia of Colombia’s warmth through family, food, weather, holidays, and beautiful islands is something I carry with me even after 5 years of being abroad.

Even when missing “La Tierrita” is one of the hardest struggles of this path that I choose, living abroad it’s an experience I wish everyone could live in their lifetime because it gave me independence and strength to fight for what I want regardless the circumstances. My favorite part is that being here has brought friends from many different cultures to my life. With them, we share our struggles and accomplishments and get strength to keep finding our place in this world, and I think that’s beautiful.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an actress and model based in Los Angeles. I am a moon gazer and a words lover. I see art everywhere and I try to channel that through every project I make part of.

The latest project I have put my heart and soul into is the short film “True Love,” in which I put on the hat of the writer, producer, and star actor. This is the story of a pregnant teenager that is involved in an abusive relationships and is forced to make a hard decision to obtain her freedom. This is a feminist story; it’s full of symbols, and it takes a stand against domestic violence. I am very proud to showcase this story to the world this March in Phoenix, Arizona at the Worldwide Women’s Film Festival!

Also, as a lover of theater and artistic expression through movement, I am currently an actor at the NYFA Commedia Dell’ Arte Troupe and the After Before Commedia group. Here, we explore the carnival clown spirit of stock characters through improv plays while speaking in gibberish. We perform shows throughout the year, and the next one is coming up in April with new characters that explore relationships through a beauty pageant.

These projects and others under the belt are a reflection of the variety of hats this industry allowed me to explore. I am constantly seeking for new collaborations in any artistic fields that creativity can find its flow.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I think that authenticity is so important for success in any area of life, but especially in the arts. There is no one like you! Learning what makes us unique is what allows us to create art. I love the idea of learning what makes us unique because it’s a journey of re-finding what we love about life and about ourselves.

It sounds romantic and cheesy, but finding my mark in this world is vital for my success as an actress and as a person. It makes me beyond happy to constantly discover new things that I enjoy and that expand my definition of self because, through this path, I allow myself to create authentic characters in film and/or theatre.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ichaguti20012.wixsite.com/isa-gutierrez
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isagutierrez_z