Today we’d like to introduce you to E.J. Cabasal
Hi E.J., please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hi there, my name is E.J. Cabasal. I am the fourth of five siblings, the son of Eduardo and Jessica Cabasal, and irrevocably Filipino-American. I am a classically trained actor, and a Los Angeles adjacent— (which basically means that if you weren’t from here I’d say I’m from LA, and if you were I’d say I’m from West Covina. Or Walnut. Or Chino Hills). I received my training as an undergraduate of UCLA’s TFT class of 2017.
I owe my sustained interest in performance to the continued encouragement, patience, and warmth of my family and teachers.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’m not certain a pursuit within the arts could ever be one without a series of doubts and frustrations. This life is short, and so often disappointing. And because it is so laughably short I choose to enjoy it, struggle or not! I think our work is improved in the fire. So I have been happy to wrestle with: financial debt, a never ending parade of odd part time jobs, obscurity as an Asian American actor, or even the particular heartache of lost time in a pandemic– it’s a long list. But I’d have it no other way.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m an actor from Los Angeles who fell in love with theater, not film. And I think that distinction has made all the difference in my career. I still remember the moment it happened too. Judith Ivey in a Mark Taper production of The Glass Menagerie. I had attended a show on a field trip in the 9th grade. But it was also Alfred Molina in a production of Red. Phylicia Rashad in a production of Head of Passes. Even my classmate reciting Shakespeare in our scene study class.
Working as an actor in this city means that you’re likely to partake in a diet of: self tapes, short films, commercials, television, and film. And while doing so in my time in LA, my interest has always remained with theater. Because of that I’ve found majority of my more meaningful work in comedy, collaborating with improv actors and stand up comedians. When I’m not performing you’re likely to find me producing or assisting on podcasts like Tigerbelly with Bobby Lee and Khalyla, FirstBallotHOF, and THEmeterpodcastgameshow with Andrew Orolfo and Jess dela Merced.
What makes you happy?
The first three seasons of Spongebob Squarepants. And I cannot emphasize enough– ONLY the first three seasons. Unless you’re some kind of sicko.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ejcabasal.com
- Instagram: @ejcabasal
