Today we’d like to introduce you to Aaron Gonzalez.
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?
Where I’m at now started when I was around 5 years old. I auditioned for my first musical ever which I believe was called “dry gulch”. I came out to my mom after and looked at her with the most dramatically sad look any 5 year old could produce and fell to the floor saying “I’m just not DRAMATIC enough”. My mom somehow kept a straight face, and I ended up getting the part! From that point on, I couldn’t wait to grow up and be a star. I’m not quite there yet, but I’m climbing the ladder. Working as a director at Art Park Players and exploring different roles and opportunities I get through the theater is exactly the training I need at this point. I went to Moores School of Music at UH, and ever since graduation I’ve been getting the training and making the connections I need to really make it in the Houston theater scene.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Well..not the smoothest. Coming out of high school, the transition from big fish to little fish was tough. I realized there are a lot of guys who look like me, walk like me, sing like me, dance like me, and have better training than me. That, on top of a few trials and tribulations with a few professors made my college experience tough. Then, starting my choir teaching job with kids fresh out of covid was…well there’s reasons teaching has been such a hot topic recently. Regardless, I got new teacher of the year, spent another year doing that, then fell in love with Art Park Players and decided that would be my new home. Since then, life has been a lot more manageable, and I’ve really been able to let myself grow.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My real title at work is “Theater/Drama Specialist III”, but that’s just a part of my story. Deer Park’s Art Park Players is a special place that utilizes anything and everything a person has to offer. I’m a trained dancer, singer, choreographer, actor, voice teacher, conductor, and director. I’d say what makes me different is my ability to both perform and create. I can take care of anything in a production from A-Z, besides the tech side of things which I am currently learning about from our amazing Technical Director Joe Piper. I’m also known for my teaching ability. I’ve worked hard at learning more everyday about the methodology of teaching and how I can make each student feel like they are receiving exactly what they need for the next step in their journey. Susan Mele, who is my supervisor and dear friend, is a wonderful encourager and mentor, and I spend a lot of my time observing her and how she elevates people the way I strive to. What makes an actor or director great is not only their craft, but even more importantly how they treat others.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Stop caring. What holds 90% of people back on stage is the thought “What if…..”. Girl, LET GO! The world will keep turning, and you might really connect with an audience if you stop judging yourself for them.
Pricing:
- Classes at Art Park Players are 125 per semester, and anyone from age 4-18 is welcome.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://artparkplayers.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartparkplayers
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtParkPlayers
