Today we’d like to introduce you to John Anthony Torres.
John, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Oh boy, there’s a lot! I was born and raised in East Harlem, New York. Growing up in Harlem was rough: there were a lot of drugs around, a lot of violence, and a heavy police presence always about. Because of this, my mother did everything she could to keep me off the streets by enrolling me in all extracurricular and after-school programs she could find. My mom was my driving force throughout my childhood, in some ways, still is today. I was taught to outwork everyone at a young age. I had an equal balance of academia and arts in my life. In 5th grade, as part of a music class, I began playing the recorder. In the 6th grade, I began playing the flute. I practiced the flute intensely and earned a coveted spot in Juilliard’s Music Advancement Program Division, a program for young, gifted musicians. I attended De La Salle Academy throughout the week, along with taking private flute lessons after school and Juilliard classes at Lincoln Center on Saturdays. During my time at Juilliard, I played alongside James Galway, John Corigliano, the late Lauren Mazel, and the New York Philharmonic. I performed a short piece alongside other selected Juilliard kids in ‘The Pied Piper Fantasy’, at the late-Avery Fisher Hall. I remember feeling such an adrenaline rush playing in front of thousands of people. I graduated from both institutions after two years and then found my way to Rudolf Steiner High School on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. I had the option to attend four more years of Juilliard’s curriculum, but I opted to stop pursuing the flute. It was at Rudolf Steiner High School where I found a new passion for a different medium of the performing arts: Musicals and Theatre. I auditioned for my first role as Roger in the musical Grease. I remember being so nervous because I had to sing Mooning, and I had never sung for anyone out loud before. I did my thing, and right after I was done, my drama teacher erupted in applause. It felt good, and I got the role! I originally auditioned for the drama club because all of the “cool” kids were doing it; little did I know I’d learn to fall in love with acting. After that, I was a part of every drama production throughout high school. I made some amazing friends in high school; some of them are even co-producers on my current projects. After high school, I decided to go to college to study acting and began my BFA training at the Marymount Manhattan School. There, I learned the foundation of acting, and by the end of my time at college, I knew it was what I wanted to do with my life.
After college, I began working as Andrew Martin Weber’s executive assistant. He is one of NYC’s Fine Arts Philanthropists. Because of this job, I was exposed to more Broadway, opera, and ballet! I left that position with a new urge to start acting again. Shortly after, I landed a job as Anthony Ramos’ stand-in in Spike Lee’s ‘She’s Gotta Have It Too’. I learned how everything works: camera, cast, directing, locations, lighting, wardrobe, etc. I also saw what kind of talent were booking roles, and I knew I had a fighting chance. Spike Lee allowed stand-ins to run full rehearsals with speaking outlines. I got great practice there. I then continued to work as a stand-in and photo-double on many TV shows and movies such as ‘Narcos’, ‘Uncut Gems’, ‘Luke Cage’, ‘Pose’, and many others. It was my way to learn first-hand how the industry works and what was happening in it, all while auditioning and chasing my dreams.
I landed my first professional theatre role as Josh in the Off-Broadway NYC Premiere of ‘I Carry Your Heart,’ performed at the 59E59 Theatre. I then booked my first TV role as Diego Pilco in ID Network’s ‘The Perfect Murder.’ I started to gain momentum and began building a team of representation. I started off with finding a manager, then worked alongside my manager to find agents who’d work with me. I booked a national portrait campaign by Best Buy, which allowed my face to be shown across Times Square and across America’s billboards. I was also the hand model for the Miller High Life Beer Campaign. I used modeling as another means of collecting cash while I auditioned.
In 2020, Covid-19 hit me, and so did a car. It crushed the right side of my body, and a metal rod was inserted alongside my femur (for the rest of my life); however, that propelled me to chase my dreams even harder. I forced myself to walk and regain my abilities after a few months. I healed and went right back to auditioning. I was lucky enough to land a role as Hector Jr. in the online short play ‘Papi’, produced by the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, in NYC. I then found myself on set for my first indie feature called ‘Moments of Youth’, playing the role of Theodore. Funny thing about the role of Theodore is, I was there to play another role, but when the original actor for Theodore didn’t show up, I was asked if I could memorize three pages of dialogue in five minutes. I somehow did it and got the part on the spot. It’s currently in post-production.
Since then, I booked a regional theatre role and gained a nomination for Best Actor in a Play by Broadway World’s Regional Theatre Awards for my role as Eduardo Flores in the play ‘SCAB.’ I also booked a fun role in an upcoming Marvel Studios project, currently in post-production. I can’t say too much about that because I don’t want Marvel to sue me, but you guys might be able to do some of your own sleuthing! I will say that it was a full-circle moment for me because I was once the stand-in for one of my costars in the project. Our names were on the same call sheet, and I couldn’t believe it. I finally felt like I was doing the damn thing!
Recently, I co-produced, starred in, and had a big music presence in the short film ‘Papi’. It was originally the short play I starred in a few years back, now adapted for film. I wrote an original piano piece for one of the scenes in the film which I also play live; this piece was actually a continuation of something I started when I attended Juilliard as a kid. I’m proud of how well the short film is being received, with an acceptance into the Latino & Native American Film Festival, Austin Lift Off, and the prestigious NY African Film Festival, which will be screening at Lincoln Center. Another full circle moment. I’m excited for the rest of Papi’s journey and excited for the world to see what I can do. I’m only just beginning.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been a smooth road. It’s been pretty crazy, honestly! If you want something bad, you have to focus. I can think of endless struggles and hiccups, but honestly, you have to just plow through and overcome. Money has been a huge struggle. I’ve catered my life to auditioning and have constructed my jobs around my acting schedule. I currently juggle a few miscellaneous jobs while I continue to audition for bigger roles. Time is another thing; I invest so much time in preparing myself for this industry that I have stopped spending as much time with my friends and family. Sometimes an audition or project lands on someone’s birthday. It’s hard, but again, you have to want it more than anything else to make any kind of footing in this industry. Also, if you’re not booking roles, make something! I found collaborators and made something fit for me, and now we’re having success with the project. Make stuff; don’t let auditions be your only hope to get your foot in the door.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar with what you do, what can you tell them about what you do?
I currently wear the hat of Actor and Producer, but I do so much more than that. I have a background in music, so I also like to produce a little; who knows, I might even sing a cover of a song for my next project. I’m also working with my partner on two more projects: another short film and a feature. I will be starring in those as well: I found a collaborator driven to get their name out there as much as I am. I’m most proud of the current short film I’m starring in, that’s making its way through the film festival circuit. I not only used the project to forgive my family, so to speak, but I also used it as a means to showcase my different talents: piano playing, acting, and some pre-scoring. Since the piece was so personal to me, I was able to give one of my most authentic performances.
What sets me apart from others is the amount of hurt and struggle I have had to endure in life and overcome, whether it be a lack of a father figure growing up, or the car crushing the right side of my body or experiencing losing loved ones back to back- I have used that struggle to propel me forward and not hold me back. I’m definitely resilient as hell and have always believed. “If there is a will, there is a way.” Life is equally beautiful and painful; we just have to embrace it as such.
I am also known for bringing people together. I’ve always had a knack for talking to different people and having them all come under one roof. I have gained a lot of friendships and connections this way: even some collaborations allowing me to tackle certain projects like filming. I gained this skill while promoting for the Nightlife industry in NYC. I was a nightlife consultant. For a few years, I was in charge of bringing people out to NYC’s hottest spots to eat, party, and mingle for free: I’ve promoted for institutions like Marquee, Le Bain, Tao, Lavo, and famous circuit parties such as Caché (Go check their parties out).
What are your plans for the future?
As I mentioned, I am currently working on two more projects that I will be starring in, as well as producing. I got the filmmaking bug and don’t want to stop at the moment. Does this mean I’m going to stop auditioning? No way! I’m constantly auditioning- paving my way. One of the projects is a short film that was adapted from an original short play. A few years back, I had the opportunity to star in this short play called ‘Mimo’ by Luis Roberto Herrera, produced at Symphony Space Theatre in NYC. Recently, Luis gave us the nod of approval to adapt his short play into a short film; it is a timely sci-fi drama bound to pack a powerful punch. The next project is a feature film, which has been in development for a while. We are currently securing funding for both projects and ready to rock! We will begin filming the short in June 2024 and the feature in Spring of 2025.
Aside from my own projects, I just joined a pitch deck as the lead actor for a potential Holiday Latino Rom-Com. Crossing my fingers for everyone involved: that project is currently being shopped. Vamos! (Let’s go!)
Big changes? Always. This industry is all about adapting to the changes. I want to thank my current representation for fighting to get my face and voice out there: Amy Lord at Eris Talent Agency, Jackie Reid at LAU Management, Allie Silber & Marissa Robinson Marino at DDO NY, Charlie at FFT Models and Anna Suzuki (who’s my coach and an amazing actress). I’m excited for these upcoming projects and excited for the rest of my journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jayteetorres.com
- Instagram: @_johnanthonytorres_
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/tease2591/tracks
- Other: https://vimeo.com/923601043
Image Credits
Guido Venitucci
Fanny David
Alec Hartnett
