Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniela Díaz Téllez.
Hi Daniela, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Ever since I was a child, I have always been in singing or acting classes. When I was performing, I felt like my truest self. I stopped attending classes when I entered high school due to a lack of time, but when the pandemic hit, I started getting back into it and fell in love all over again. The time arrived to choose my major and college, and there was nothing I really wanted to do that I felt like I could spend my life doing. I settled on a career in law because it seemed like the safest option, but I was never truly happy with that choice. I realized that performing was the only thing that I could imagine myself doing, and it made me happy. I started to look for schools in and out of the country. I was born and raised in Mexico, and the arts are not as supported as I would like them to be, so schools in the States were a good option.. I auditioned for a lot of schools, especially in New York. When I told my parents, they were a little bit scared at first because of the fame of the career being hard, but they were always very supportive of me and cheered me on every step of the way. I got into my top school, The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, so at 19 years old, I moved by myself to NYC to fulfill my dream of doing Musical theater.
Moving by myself at such a young age was not easy, there were a lot of challenges, but I was determined to make it work. I worked really hard to learn as much as I could in school and to make it in the city. At some point, I was even working 3 jobs in school to help out my parents a little bit. I graduated from the conservatory, and a couple of months after, I got a contract at Disney Cruise Line as a character performer. We opened Disney’s newest boat called The Treasure. It was a challenging moment for me, but also one where I learned so much about myself and what I want to do with my life, and where I want to take my performance. Working for Disney was one of the most rewarding things I have done so far. I met a lot of amazing people and incredible performers. So many people were creating their own opportunities and making it happen. Seeing so many people in very different stages of their lives and from different backgrounds inspired me a lot.
I decided I wanted to go back to school and finish my BFA. My parents were very supportive of this decision, all my life they have tried to give me all the tools possible so I can have a happy and successful life.
I moved back to NYC and transferred to The New School to finish my studies. While here, I’m trying to create many opportunities for myself. I’m doing cabarets with one of my friends, and we have been very successful. We wanted to have a place where everybody could perform and have an opportunity to be on stage. Being an international student can be tough, there are a lot of challenges to overcome, so many things and people telling you how you’re not gonna make it, but I am determined to find ways how I can make it. I’m looking for how projects, ways to connect with other performers, and help others in the same way so many people have helped me. I have been lucky to find incredible people throughout my journey, and what keeps me going is all the support I have from my family and the people close to me.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have been some challenges in my journey. Moving by myself at 19 wasn’t easy. It was my first time living away from my parents and from everything I knew. I didn’t know anyone, and I had to figure out a lot of things by myself, from small things like cooking and navigating the subway to budgeting and learning to find good people amongst the sea of people in NYC. I was very lucky to find some amazing friends along the way who have been with me since day 1. I also ran into some not-so-great people, but life was kind enough to push them away from me. Finding my own way, learning to be with myself, and figuring out who I am in a place where you can sometimes feel drowned and like nobody was a challenge. Being away from my family wasn’t easy. There were many times when I felt very lost and wanted to give up, but then I looked back at all the sacrifices my parents and I had made, and that kept me going. School was very demanding, I was working and going to classes, so at times that felt like a lot, and I was exhausted, and I felt like I was never gonna make it. I had people who made me doubt myself and what I was capable of, they made me feel like I was never gonna make it by telling me there was no space for me in the industry or that I wasn’t a good enough singer or dancer to make it, however, that only made me work harder.
I had a lot of instances where people judged me for my accent. Having English as a second language was not easy when I first moved here. I was naive and insecure. I have been lucky enough to study English my whole life, and I am very fluent; however, when I first got here, I had people make fun of the way I talked, the mistakes I made, etc. I even had people try to correct me on how I said my name. At first, I thought that I had to change all of this if I wanted to make it. I was very insecure about my accent, but then I met some amazing teachers and classmates who taught me to embrace this about myself because, in some ways, that’s what makes me me. I had to work very hard, and I still do My English has gotten better and better, but I am no longer ashamed or afraid of being typecast or judged for where I come from. I embrace my culture, and I am super proud of where I come from, and it has become very important to me to represent my culture and make everyone feel as included as I can.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m finishing my BFA in musical theater at The New School. I am working with one of my friends on an Off-Broadway theater called The Triad by doing recurring Cabarets, where I get the chance to perform and stage manage. It’s incredibly fun and fulfilling getting to perform and meet so many other amazing performers.
I just completed a Disney Cruise Line contract, opening the Disney Treasure. It was an amazing opportunity where I was able to perform every day and have fun meeting new people every day. I was incredibly inspired by everyone, and their passion for performing shined through every single one of them, and it was contagious. Being part of the opening for The Treasure was an amazing opportunity, and I grew a lot as a person and performer. I am forever grateful because I made a lot of friendships that are gonna last a lifetime, and so many talented performers whom I can’t wait to work with again.
I’m always looking for opportunities to create art, from making podcasts with my friends to short films, videos, and anything where I can explore new ideas. I love finding ways to represent my culture and my language in every role and project I do. I am very proud of being Mexican and being from such a vibrant and culturally rich country. I want to create things where people feel represented and tell stories that feel honest and human
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
For any casting or other inquiries, my email is diaztellezdaniela@gmail.com
Check out @solsticeproductions for updates on our cabarets happening twice a month! Dates coming soon for next year, and auditions opening soon!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danieladiaz.t/
Image Credits
Petriephotos
studiod302
