Life & Work with Lexie Albuquerque

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lexie Albuquerque.

Hi Lexie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story? 
Originally from Recife, Brazil, I’ve always had a passion for telling stories. At first, I thought that passion would manifest into theatre. I wanted to be inside those stories, so I studied acting in my undergrad in Chicago. During that period, I had a chance to do a semester abroad in London, where I joined a drama conservatory to deepen my studies, and that’s where I found out there were certain limitations to what I could do as an actor. Because I was Latina, the choice of roles were limited for me – something my instructors told me over and over again. It wasn’t until I graduated and got back to Brazil that I realized what my passion was. I got a job in development for a production company where I got a better, practical understanding of screenwriting. I started taking classes on the subject and found that my true passion lied in writing out stories and creating the space that wasn’t there for me before. 

Today, I am pursuing my TV Writing and Producing MFA at Chapman University. I’ve found my voice with my projects, drawing from my own experience as a queer Latina with an eye for comedy. Most recently, I had the opportunity to produce and write a short film based on my relationship with my grandmother called Alma, a dramedy about a young woman and the ghost of her grandmother who doesn’t know she’s gay. My taste for comedy and my own experience in a vibrant Latin family has given me plenty of material to draw from and put out into the world. Now the goal is to open up the way for people like me and make sure that Latin stories are not only heard but celebrated. I would never want actors in future to hear that there are no place for them anymore! 

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The main struggle I face as a queer Latina writer is finding my space within the industry. Things are improving in terms of diversity, but minorities still have to fight their way into the door and work twice as hard to make themselves heard. I’ve had some experience with that kind of struggle along my career, and nowadays another added layer is being an immigrant in the country. Because of my student visa, I do not get as many work opportunities as my colleagues who are U.S. citizens. It brings around its own batch of challenges and frustrations, but it’s something that I’ve learned to live with and am determined to overcome. It hasn’t stopped me from seeking out these opportunities and showing that I still should have a place at the table. The road to Hollywood is not an easy one, but nothing brings me more joy than putting in the effort to earn my place. 

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’m a screenwriter who specializes in television, particularly family-centered dramas. My favorite shows are the likes of Gilmore Girls and Jane the Virgin, which mix drama and comedy perfectly while putting women at the front and center. I aim to do the same with the kind of shows I write. I think there’s a beauty in comedy that people tend to oversee not only does it bring people together, but it’s a perfect platform to use to talk about deeper issues that can hide under a comedic lens. Another thing I like to explore is the joy and sense of humor of the Latinx community, especially Brazilians. So much of the media out there shows us as long-suffering people when the reality I know is that there is no one with a better sense of humor and a brighter outlook in life; it’s exactly the kind of energy that I like to bring into my scripts. 

Currently, what I’m most proud of is the short film that I’ve written and produced and has recently wrapped principal photography. It’s called Alma, and it tells the story of a young Latina woman who has never told her grandmother she was gay and then becomes “haunted” by her grandma’s ghost following her passing. It’s a story close to my heart and it was an incredible opportunity to get to bring it to life with an amazing cast and creative team behind it. We should be submitting it to festivals during the Summer and get into the circuit later this year! 

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Enjoying my time in Los Angeles is something that brings me a lot of joy. I’ve surrounded myself with a community of incredible people, and nothing makes me happier than being around my friends. We spend our free time exploring the city and creating, and that fulfills me greatly. I’ve lived at many difference places over the world and have finally gotten to where I fully believe I belong, there is nothing better than that. 

Contact Info:

• Instagram: lexiealbuquerque

Image Credits
Chaewon Suh