Meet Krysta Gonzales: Actor & Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Krysta Gonzales and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Krysta, how do you think about risk?
To live a life in the arts demands a certain level of comfort with risk because there’s so much uncertainty and so little control. You could go 2 weeks without an audition or 2+ years without work or you could book 2 things in 2 days. So my approach to (or intention with) risk has been to prepare to the very best of my ability and then challenge myself to let it all go. The thing I’ve noticed in my life overall, is that when I took a risk that was fully rooted in “betting on myself,” it usually turned out better than I could’ve imagined. I know this is easier said than done and let me be clear: risk is not just a decision, but a process – and sometimes a long process embedded with more risk. Yay

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
With the pandemic, I’ve gotten to do quite a few performances with various organizations all over the country (i.e. NYPL, NYTW, Inkwell Theatre, The Road Theatre) and it’s been so nice to not just connect with artists in other cities, but also make something that has a wider reach. 

Right now I’m writing “First Blood,” a vampire coming-of-age comedy set in El Paso, Texas. The project is in collaboration with Rudy Ramirez, Jesus Valles, and Victor Cazares as part of a residency with Texas Performing Arts and FUSEBOX Festival. The process has been incredibly inspiring, supportive, and anchoring.

And last but not least, at the end of last year I finally paid off my SAG initiation dues!

I characterize my work as a performer and writer as a mixture of: absurdity, vulnerability, and magical realism. [I know this combination might seem absurd in and of itself, but I also think it must make sense to those familiar with me personally or with my work.]

I want the world to know that I hope my work helps whomever is watching feel a little more connected. I’m also really grateful to HowlRound, The VORTEX, Teatro Vivo, the Generic Ensemble Company, and the Distilled Theatre Company for making all of the plays I’ve written available to view (or listen to) online for free.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

In the spirit of writing from here and now [in the time of COVID], I decided to offer, instead, a few of the places I’ve gotten take out out from and places I’ve taken my walks:

Food & Bev
The Bear and the Boy (coffee)
Ktown Pho (pho)
Joy on York (Taiwanese cuisine)
Slurpin’ Ramen (ramen)
Ensenada’s Surf n Turf Grill (Baja style fish tacos)
Rocco’s Italian Market (Italian sandwich)

Walks
LA River
Silver Lake Reservoir (Silver Lake)
Rose Bowl (Pasadena)
Mount Wilson Trail (Sierra Madre)

And then there’s been some great digital and experiential theatre from the following organizations that’s available anywhere including Los Angeles:
Avante Theatre/Futurx – (Austin, TX)
FUSEBOX – (Austin, TX)
Proyecto Teatro – (Austin, TX)
Teatro Vivo – (Austin, TX)
The Vortex – (Austin, TX)
Shrewd Productions – (Austin, TX)
Trans Theatre Fest (Madison, Wisconsin)
13EXP – (New York & Los Angeles)
The ROAD Theatre (Los Angeles)
Inkwell Theatre (Los Angeles)
NYTW (New York)
……and many many others!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Rudy Ramirez, not just my friend and trusted collaborator, but an amazing director. I’m forever grateful for all the work they’ve done to champion me and the other brilliant artists in their life. Here’s to many more stories and stages! https://www.rudyramirez.net/

Website: www.krystagonzales.com

Instagram: @krystaforreal

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krysta-gonzales/

Image Credits
Joanna Degeneres, Anna LaMadrid, Rudy Ramirez/Gricelda Silva