Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Vega.
Hi Laura, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My narrative? Wow… Let’s see. How did I get here. I suppose my destination in this particular space and time fulfills, in the bigger scheme of things, my desire to serve my community by representation and direct advocacy. I am a mother first and foremost.
At 40, when I finally matured enough, I became a mom. It is the single most transformative event, in my life, to date. My daughter is in her Freshman year at Cal-Poly Pomona. I became involved in theatre to find my voice and to represent my community. I have been an actress for well over 35 years. SAGA/FTRA. Currently have four commercials running 2 National and 2 Spanish. I write because I have to. Writing is a form of therapy as well as a conduit to connect to the macro. Currently have a 10-minute play called “FAMILIX” as part of the Frida Kahlo 10-minute festival going up in January. Past works at the theatre’s 10-minute festivals have been, Lockdown (a comedy narrative to re-wire my trauma about a lethal situation I was able to descalate and let police in but not before suspect slit his throat as he was tasered). The Secret (A house assistant of ten years reveals, via zoom as she’s in hospital dying of covid and cancer to her employer she’s actually her half-sister and can she take care of her daughter), That’s What it’s All About. (A play about the transition a mom has to make as her daughter finishes her high school and begins her college journey). She is still talking to her ghost partner who took his own life and changed their lives forever.
All plays are loosely based on actual events in my life or re-imagined narratives. (I have not had cancer nor Covid but have dealt with my partners suicide ‘09). I only disclose as it is a part of my fabric. I am an Immigrant (not by choice but rather the decision of my parents) that assimilated, to everyone’s surprise, rather quickly. When asked the question what are you (nationality/race) I identify more with human rather than nationality ~ (macro). I also work in a Trauma Recovery Center (Peace Over Violence)with survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. I am the Office Manager of the Pasadena site. I have completed 72 hr training on Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence. I’m Trilingual (Spanish, English & French), biliterate (Spanish/English) and use these skills to give back to my beautiful Pasadena & neighboring Communities. Lastly, I also work as a standardized patient for USC’s Keck School of Medicine~ Helping medical students by being a fake patients as they do their physicals and learn to practice communicating with various patients.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Has it been a smooth road? I’m not sure how to answer that. When I’m in my artistic life, zone, flow, life makes perfect sense. As a single mom, I do my best. I have had some financial difficulties along the way and have managed to overcome them by letting my art and work life co-exist. The emotional toll directly comes from my time being hijacked by my 9-5. I had managed to be sans a 9-5 for almost 30 years and rely primarily on my acting. When I decided to take a job, I wanted to find a place where I could be of service. I got lucky in the first job I applied for I got. Manifesting (with the work) is huge in my life ~ Life is only bearable if I’m creating.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
What do I do – I represent ~ be it on television, stage or in my writing. I specialize in changing the narrative in writing to ease the pain angst of everyday life. Connecting with the community and sharing the ups and downs of life via plays. Showing how much more alike than different we are. What sets me apart is how I intuit a room. Being a bilingual actor and sharing that experience in two languages.
What matters most to you?
Being united not divided. I believe this can be accomplished by sharing how much more alike than different we are. That we are all innately good we are. To collectively view differences with a genuine curiosity to learn and expand our experience of this brief stint on our Mother Earth. To matter is what matters.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laura.vega.3110
- Other: fridakahlotheater.org peaceoverviolence.org
Image Credits
https://headshotsJeff.com/
