Today, we’d like to introduce you to Alfonso Aguirre.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve loved to perform ever since I was a kid. I was in several alternative rock bands growing up (some of which were terrible, and some decent!).
I grew up in Mexico, and when I was in high school, I had to do a theater play for a grade and played the lead character in “The Bear”, a Russian play by Anton Chekhov. I suppose I did well, because my teacher was really happy with my performance, and he invited me to join the drama club. But I wasn’t interested, I wanted to be the Mexican Kurt Cobain (Haha!).
I kept playing cover songs and originals with different bands until well after college and had a good run with a band named Zubersiva (‘Subversive,’ with wrong but cooler spelling), and we got a record, a song on the radio, and a small but loyal fan base.
A few years later, I moved to Texas and directed my artistic interests to photography, traveling across the State doing freelance work for magazines, companies, and private clients, from corporate headshots to elementary school Picture Day, fitness competitions, a few weddings, and everything in between.
Then when I was almost 40 years old, the idea of acting came back to me. I decided that there was no time to waste, so I got into classes at two schools at the same time, Page Parkes and The Next Level Acting Studios. Eventually, I was offered representation by Page Parkes and that brought me several opportunities. I ended up booking 13 projects on my first year with them, so that was a good sign.
Since then, I’ve been in over 30 commercials, several independent projects and I got my first co-star credit on the last season of ‘Better Call Saul’, in a scene with Giancarlo Esposito.
Today I teach in person at Page Parkes, and I have online students in other States via Zoom.
I am also represented in Texas by Page Parkes and in Los Angeles by Evolve Artists Agency and Monroe Talent Management.
Alright, 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?
Being an actor is a very fun experience when you are constantly booking because nothing beats the feeling of being on set or on location, working and meeting new creative people.
The problem is when you are not booking. We all go through dry seasons, and they can be very difficult to deal with. I feel that the main challenge we face is finding that balance between 1) loving the craft and enjoying every audition and 2) being able to let go of a project that you were excited about but did not get.
In this business, there are a million things that we can’t control. We need to understand and accept that. So, the challenge is focusing on what we CAN control. That’s the healthiest way to live as an actor.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Because I had experience as a college teacher in Mexico and a very good first year at Page Parkes, they invited me to become part of their teaching staff. I teach several courses: commercial on camera acting, film acting technique, monologue development, audition technique, script analysis and others.
I’ve been there since, and I am really proud of the people who come to the school trying to work on their skills in the pursuit of their dreams. To me, my students are my children, and I celebrate their success as if it were my own.
What matters most to you? Why?
I feel that we must do the things that make us come alive. Life is too short. I am 45 years old today, but how is that possible? I was 19 just yesterday! 🙂
We must enjoy every moment as if it were the last one. Because one day, it will be.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thealfonsoaguirre.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/thealfonsoaguirre
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/thealfonsoaguirreg
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/thealfonsoaguirre
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thealfonsoaguirre
Image Credits
Columbine Goldsmith
Sara Forrest
Christian Kozowyk
AMC Networks
Michael Morris
