Meet Trailblazer Jess Bernal

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jess Bernal.

So, before we jump into specific questions about what you do, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
It all started when my dad built a playhouse in our backyard when I was five. The foundation was a perfect little stage and I remember the spark I felt when I first stepped on to it.

I grew up in the suburbs of Pasadena. I am the only girl, and middle child, with two brothers. They weren’t so keen on playing my make-believe games with me (most of the time) and I was quite the lone wolf back then, so I learned to keep my own company. I created different characters and lived different realities and time periods all inside my own personal and literal playhouse.

My imagination kept growing and I fell deeper in love with stories and connecting with all sorts of characters and walks of life. I would read books and pick one character I would play and recite all the lines as if I was them. I would merge our lives together and often play them in real life.

I knew I wanted to, had to, pursue the craft. The adrenaline and passion I feel for it is undeniable and inspiring to me and it keeps growing! The chance to step inside another person’s mind or take a walk in someone else’s shoes, the empathy that goes with it, is truly what makes the world go round.

Helping others begin to understand and respect a way of life that is different from their normal is what I want to showcase with my art.

I didn’t start acting in plays until college. My first play was called, “Kill me, Deadly”. I played a crazy homeless lady who had a band of followers that treated her like a queen.

One of my favorite shows to date was “Almost, Maine”. I played a tomboy who just didn’t understand love and I was nominated for an Irene Ryan Award for the performance. Following, I played the lead in “The Mousetrap” by Agatha Christie and got to polish off my English accent!

After a year of much success on the stage, I ventured to the central coast to earn my Bachelor of Arts in Theatre at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo; complete with a Minor in Environmental Studies since I am also passionate about our planet!

After graduation, I knew I had to go back to L.A. to pursue a career in film. So now, it’s all about the daily actor’s grind of auditioning! I am represented by National Talent L.A. in theatrical and commercial. I work on tons of short films, web series and am currently writing my own material. I had the blessed opportunity to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival last year and completed an incredibly successful stage production called, “Why did the chicken cross the road?”, at this years Hollywood Fringe Festival.

This girl can’t stop and won’t stop!

Has it been a smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth road! But “they” say, all things worthwhile have some sort of struggle attached to them.

I think my main difficulties come from being looked down on for following this path. Like I’m not smart or can’t do anything else. I know intellectually not to listen to the judgmental words or looks from strangers and the like, but sometimes you can’t help but be affected by the way you’re treated. That’s why I aim to respect and bring awareness into the parts of our society where this stems. Pretty much everything we do in this life will be a rough path, so why not fight towards something that you love and that brings you passion and joy? Creating art is such a beautiful thing and can be quite therapeutic. That love and homeliness has saved my life multiples of times.

I have also experienced “help” from people who just wanted to take my money. Whether that be shady acting classes, photographers and those who say they know all about social media and creating websites then hold your domain name ransom when you weren’t happy with their product. There has definitely been a lot of falseness so it’s really just about trusting your gut and surrounding yourself with the people you’re most connected to.

My advice for other women, especially those who are just starting out, would be to always trust your instincts. Speak up when you feel something isn’t right. Ask a lot of questions and be curious about everything. Most importantly, respect yourself, your craft and what makes you special. People may try and change you to fit into their mold but by shining your own individual light you pave the way for others to feel like they can shine too and that understanding and support is what makes this world a bright and nurturing place to grow and impact positive change!

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
Hands down, the stage is my life force. Nothing beats that live energy and the ability to have different performance and experience each night. When I’m not on stage, I’m working on various web series; with people, I’ve just met as well as writing my own. I am also writing a stage production that I plan to put on for an upcoming Edinburgh Fringe Festival. What I am most proud of with my brand is my ability to keep developing it with the changing times-and moods, and taking inspiration from the unlikeliest places.

What sets me apart from others is my absolute desire for relating to all diverse cultures and bringing a part of what I learned into the characters I create. I crave making others, especially strangers who look like they could use a boost, feel good about themselves with a simple smile or the new thought process I adopted from talking to someone with a contrastive life from the one I’ve lived, is the fuel to my fire that keeps me wanting to light the way.

Which women have inspired you in your life?
Currently, I am beyond inspired by Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
She started off her now Amazon Prime Show “Fleabag”, as a one-woman show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Since then, it’s been a smashing success and has two brilliant seasons out right now. She is also the writer and showrunner for “Killing Eve”, To have two successful shows, both female-centered, is an incredible inspiration and motivator to me!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Www.instagram.com/jessmbernal

Image Credit:
Amanda Villegas

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