Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabriela Pedraza.
Hi Gabriela, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up on the southern Texas border in Pharr, where the arts weren’t a common career path, but storytelling was everywhere — in our music, our culture, and our community. I fell in love with performing at eight years old through an after-school program called Destination Imagination, which led me to acting in school plays and competing in tournaments for both theater and dance. From that point on, I knew I wanted to be a performer — even if I didn’t yet know how I’d get there.
I studied theater at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, where I really started to take acting seriously and learned about directing and theater history. My time there made me fall even more in love with the craft. After graduating, I moved to Los Angeles in 2018 to pursue acting professionally.
It hasn’t been an easy road — between the pandemic, the SAG-AFTRA strike, and the general ups and downs of this industry — I’ve had to work multiple jobs to stay afloat while chasing this dream. But every challenge has built my resilience and reminded me why I do this. Acting is more than a career for me; it’s how I process life, connect with people, and tell stories that matter — especially stories that represent the Mexican-American community I come from.
Today, I’m continuing to grow as both an artist and a person. I’ve performed in indie films. commercials, music videos, and theaters across LA, studied at places like UCB and John Rosenfeld Studios, and recently performed in Fernandomania at Casa 0101 Theater and in Borracha at the Victory Theater for the 2025 Short and Sweet Hollywood play festival. My goal is to keep creating, collaborating, and ultimately tell powerful stories that make people feel seen.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I think anyone pursuing a creative path can relate to the uncertainty that comes with it — there’s no clear map, just persistence and faith. When I first moved to Los Angeles, I didn’t have very many connections or family. I worked multiple jobs to stay afloat while trying to find my place in such a competitive industry.
Then came the pandemic and the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, which completely shut down opportunities just as I was gaining momentum. Those moments were tough — not just financially, but emotionally. It’s hard to stay inspired when you’re constantly in survival mode.
There were also personal challenges, like battling anxiety, learning to rebuild my confidence, and reminding myself that my value isn’t tied to my bookings. Over time, I’ve learned to embrace the slower seasons as times for growth — to train, write, and reconnect with why I love this craft in the first place.
The road has been anything but smooth, but every detour has made me more grounded and grateful. It’s taught me resilience, patience, and that “success” in this industry isn’t just about where you end up — it’s about who you become along the way.
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 an actress and storyteller. My background is in theater, but I also work in film and television. What drives me most is telling stories that have heart — ones that explore identity, resilience, and connection. I’m drawn to complex, layered characters — women who are strong, vulnerable, and real.
I think what sets me apart is my emotional honesty and my curiosity about people. I’m not afraid to go deep, to sit in discomfort, or to bring my own lived experience into the work. I grew up in a Mexican American household on the Texas border, and that perspective deeply informs the kind of stories I want to tell — ones that celebrate the humanity and richness of Latinx communities, beyond stereotypes.
Some of my proudest moments so far include performing in Fernandomania at Casa 0101 Theater, a festival honoring the impact of Mexican American culture through baseball legend Fernando Valenzuela, and being nominated for an Irene Ryan Award in college for playing Italian diva Eleonora Duse in The Ladies of the Camellias. Those projects reminded me why I do this — to make people feel something real.
Ultimately, I see myself not just as an actress, but as a creator. I want to keep growing, collaborating, and eventually write and produce stories that move people — the kind of work that makes someone say, “I felt seen.”
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I definitely wouldn’t be where I am without the people who’ve supported and believed in me along the way. My parents have always been my biggest supporters — emotionally and financially. Whenever I hit a rough patch, they’ve helped me stay on my feet, whether that meant pitching in for headshots, acting classes, or just reminding me that I’m capable of doing this.
My best friend Justin has also been my rock — my longest and closest friend, truly my brother at heart. He’s been there through every high and low, always reminding me to laugh and keep going.
I owe so much to my theater professors from college, Dr. Terry Lewis and Kelly Russell. They saw potential in me before I fully saw it in myself. They gave me opportunities to challenge myself as an actor and helped me transform both my craft and confidence.
And more recently, I’ve been lucky to meet incredible mentors through the Los Angeles theater scene — Laura Vega, Jaime Ferrar, and Karla Ojeda. I met them while working on Fernandomania at Casa 0101, and I’ve learned so much from their experience, artistry, and leadership. They’re all talented Latino artists who’ve carved out space for our stories in this industry, and I feel so grateful to be learning from them.
Every one of these people has shaped me in some way — their belief in me continues to fuel my growth as an artist.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/GabrielaYasmeenPedraza
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soygabrielapedraza/
