Today we’d like to introduce you to Isabella Trujillo.
Hi Isabella, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
It all started when I was growing up; after my parents had thought I was in bed, I would sneak into the hallway and listen to them absolutely, dying from laughter because of Saturday Night Live… Every week I would stay up and listen to as much of the show as I could and would memorize weekend updated jokes. I would try to tell them to my friends on the playground, but to be completely honest, I think they were a little too young for Seth Myer’s style of comedy.
My parents and friends encouraged me to do theatre. I say encouraged, but it was probably more like pleaded. I started acting at my local children’s theatre in Portland, Oregon, Northwest Children’s Theatre (NWCT). I worked my way up through middle and high school, from a student to a working intern, and was able to perform on their mainstage. It was there that I learned about improv and comedy, and in my final season with them, I was able to perform some structured improv on the Main Stage.
While working through NWCT, I also attended the Arts and Communications Magnet Academy, a high school focused on the arts, and eventually was one of 100 students chosen to study Shakespeare with The Oregon Shakespeare Festival in their Summer Seminar program. It was at this point in my life I realized that performing and specifically making people laugh was what I was put on this earth to do. In my research, I found the best places to study and became obsessed with The Groundlings in Los Angeles…
Once I graduated high school with a focus on theatre, I moved here to Los Angeles to get my BFA with The American Musical and Dramatic Academy. I graduated in three years and immediately after enrolled in the Groundlings Basic course.
Learning at the Groundlings opened a door for me and introduced me to an entire community of improvisiors and comedians in Hollywood. While studying with the Groundlings, I met TV Unscripted, a duo composed of Gabe Valdez and Ryder Tam, who invited me to improvise with them at a show with The Pack Theatre at The Broadwater. From then on, I met friends like Matt Moeller of MATT MOELLER PRESENTS and Collin Lee Turner of The Sound and The Furry.
Now I’m currently a member of The Sound and The Furry, performing every second and fourth Tuesday at The Clubhouse, The Pack Theatre’s house team: Mama Bird, that performs every second and fourth Wednesday at The Broadwater, and KISSMET an improvised Bachelor episode at The Ledge.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I have never been one to shy away from hard work. And if you live in Los Angeles, you know it takes hard work and sacrifice to achieve what you want to accomplish. My road hasn’t been easy. I worked four jobs all through college and currently work two in order to pay my bills. My first few years in the city, I didn’t have a car and had to either walk everywhere or strategically plan rideshares so I could still afford food. Even if it hasn’t been a smooth ride, working to do what you love is what matters in the long run.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an actor, improviser, and writer. I adore oddballs and eccentric people and finding out who they really are and what motivates them. I love creating characters that people can relate to and performing them on stage. I believe comedy is the key to altering mindsets. It can connect and unify us in ways that other art forms can’t… I enjoy exploring the humanity of my own characters, so people in the audience can explore the humanity of the people in their lives. And who deosn’t mind a good poop joke here and there?
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?
I am on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok as @Belzandbeans
The Sound and The Furry an improvised puppet musical is @TSAF on Instagram
Mama Bird is @mamabirdimprov and @packtheatre on Instagram
KISSMET Improvised Bachelor is @ledge_theatre
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/belzandbeans/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/belzandbeans
Image Credits
Cacey James Knight Ian Zandi Photography @zandimancam
