Today we’d like to introduce you to Sebastian Gonzalez.
Sebastian, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My entire family has been a part of show business even before I was born. My father was a child actor/singer in the 70’s starring in films in Mexico and was amongst the likes of Juan Gabriel, the original Sonora Santanera, and various personalities of the following decades. I would recall watching videocassette tapes of my father acting through the grainy footage; even sharing stories on set. He was also in a family band alongside with his sister in the 90’s called Quetzal. I’d remember when he would tour across the country and there would be weeks where I’d miss him. When he was away, I would keep myself occupied. I remember growing up solely on Disney films I had this small block called our television and it was overwrought with tangled wires. Inhabiting this TV jungle was a hi-fi super VHS player. Being four or five years old, I would waddle my way to the designated movie shelf. I’d always pick the same movie every chance I got.
My favorite Disney movie was Mary Poppins, I was hooked and very rightfully so. I would always rewind the film because of my constant viewing. I would sit in awe because of the magical behind-the-scenes featurette of Mary Poppins. I would constantly watch the “Step in Time” number and reenacted the choreography best way I can. I never had kids my own age share the enthusiasm that I did, but I didn’t mind being alone. However, I’ve always had my family who’d constantly indulged me by playing with me. Most times, people found it a tad odd that I was so adamant about song and dance. But my love for the arts took a step further when my mom took me to see The Lion King at the Pantages Theater for my 5th birthday. I was in complete euphoria after the production had ended. My heart was set. I did commercial and print work when I was seven. Over the years, I saw many productions albeit live performances and/or professionally filmed.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I was the oddball out, I didn’t have a niche which made it difficult to be a part of productions. I didn’t look nor sound like any traditional actor and I was put in the wayside because of it. But I knew it wasn’t because of me, but because they had nothing for me. I went into writing. I wrote skits, short plays, films, stories, anything that cast people for anyone. I never had any real attachment towards purist views. If anything, purist views on the arts is objectively the lowest form of perspective. Purists tend to hinder any result of progress made in the arts. Nothing is meant to be the same. I still continue to work in my field regardless of how big or small the project is. I will always find joy in any given circumstance and would still love to continue the journey for myself as well as many others.
A few days back, I had a very important discussion with my baby sister who is 13 years old and who is starting to realize what the industry is all about. Mind you, she is a tiny brown girl who is just starting to develop and go through changes like anyone else. She expressed some grievances regarding her personal image and the way people see her. She went into the audition room and recognized that she was the only brown Mexican girl in the room and the director has made it known. She was not paired with anyone and being in an industry where it is homogenous in casting, she felt like she was the oddball out. She was sad that she didn’t look like everyone else. We sat down and talked and cried together because although we share generational gap, we shared the same issues. I reminded her that the industry is brutal and that there was no need in trying to fit in. I told her the list of her favorite TV shows and huge chunk of the shows she listed off was always some 20-30 something year old person playing teens in a universe where brown people don’t exist.
We’ve also looked up indigenous brown beauty and the differences were stark. We’ve fallen under the guise of trying to appeal to the Eurocentric standard and that no matter what people won’t see us for who we are unless we create that space. It’s strange seeing my little baby sister completely in distress because of how fickle the industry can be. We’ve both recognized that it’s ok to not fit a certain standard because not everyone is created equal. I want my sister to be proud of her skin, her hairiness, her weight, her build because Lord knows I would’ve wanted folks to do the same. We’ve descended from a long line of beautiful brown people and that there is no shame in that especially in a culture that tried to silence us and try to shape us in that image. 22 years later and this is the first time I’m having this discussion with my little sister. This was the most sobering experience I’ve had about race and generational gaps. We hugged it out after the conversation, yet even after the conversation had ended I was still shaken.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
Over the years, I saw many productions albeit live performances and/or professionally filmed. My first professional production was South Pacific in Concert at the Hollywood Bowl. I played Jerome alongside with my cousin who played Ngana with Bryan Stokes Mitchell and Reba McEntire. Being ten years old in a venue such as the Hollywood Bowl was an incredible experience to be a part of. Especially having Broadway caliber talent and the LA Philharmonic perform Rodgers and Hammerstein’s score. Shortly after our final show, I remember being completely distraught.
Although I was sad, I remember seeing in the corner of my eye a small blonde woman making her way through the dressing rooms congratulating everyone. Her voice was slightly nasal but recognizable. I come closer to see who it was and it was Kristin Chenoweth herself. I immediately went into hysterics. A legend in the eyes of a young, dark, slightly pudgy overenthusiastic theatre kid. I walked up nervously and introduced myself to her and was very fortunate enough to get a photo. She had kind words to say and encouraged me to continue. I had cried ten minutes after the encounter. Not too long after the production had ended, I picked up a new original musical with Center Theater Group Los Angeles called Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. It was written and directed by Alex Timbers and the late Michael Freidman.
I spent months in rehearsals and was moved to homeschooling as a result. I mean, I was in a room full of adults who respected me and treated me as their own. I never had any sort of backing like I did when I was around people my own age yet here I was. After the show ended, I went back to traditional schooling and it was difficult to fit in. Most kids wanted to play games and goof off, I was still the kid stuck singing showtunes. It was strange to many others. Objectively, I was popular in school since everyone bullied me for it. But that’s the price you pay. Several years later, I went to Los Angeles County High School of the Arts where I would become a Dual Major in Theatre and Musical Theatre. Although I didn’t get cast in much, it had taught me so much about the business side, politics, favoritism, and the art of staying stubborn.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
My proudest moment would definitely have to be taking a step back from it all. We tend to try to overcompensate our labor and compare it amongst other things. I remember having been dropped from a production out of the blue (I found out through the staff member instead of the actual production team) and being overwrought heartache. But despite the drama, I spent time and dedicate it to myself. I read more, I ate well, and I started investing in my health, As fun as theatre can be, it is a very demanding job and ask everything from you. It is always important to taking a step back and reminded yourself that you’re enough, regardless of egos, testy ensemble members, and creative blocks. We are artists by nature, just because you aren’t working on the next big thing doesn’t strip you of that title. I just wished I learned it a bit sooner, but what better time than now!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUZPwttjlMvmm7HpXoAaBKQ
- Phone: 310 908 00885
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @sebmilangonz
Image Credit:
Matthew Noah and Craig Schwartz
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
