Meet Alex Alpharaoh | Actor, Writer, Coach & Entrepreneur

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

Hi Alex, what role has risk played in your life or career?
My mere presence in this country was a risk… for 30+ years. I was an undocumented immigrant who would wake up each morning and worry that that day would be the last day I got to wake up in my own bed because I was always one encounter with law enforcement away from being detained, processed, and deported. Being an American in every sense of the word except on paper was a risk due to constantly living in a state of vigilance. In spite of that, I pursued my goals and dreams of becoming a professional actor and writer. I had no way of proving that I was physically present in the U.S. other than by staying in school. So I used that pretext to learn and take any and all classes that would support the development of my artistry all while keeping my status a secret from even my closest friends. Life’s a risk, carnal. And I lived it in the flesh just to be able to stay in the only home I’ve ever known.

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.
Nothing worth doing or having is ever easy. Especially when you come from the places where I have called home throughout Los Angeles.

What sets my work apart is the deeply rooted connection to my community and culture. Growing up in Echo Park and South Central L.A., I’ve seen the rich, vibrant, and sometimes harsh realities of life here. My parents were new immigrants who had to work multiple jobs to keep the family afloat. I was the oldest of 4 children and had no “big” anyone’s to look up to and get guidance from. The only “Bigs” I found were the big homies on the streets. I don’t knock that, though. Every person that comes into your life has a season and a reason. Those early mentor figures taught me how to survive, educators taught me to think, and my family has taught me to thrive.

This is why my adaptations, like “O-Dogg: An Angeleno Take on Othello” and “R&J: Rolling Through East L.A.,” are about bringing classic stories into the heart of my community, making them relatable and impactful for the people around me. They also serve as reflections for the beauty and vibrancy of the inner city streets that are often and quickly vilified but not celebrated for the richness of culture it contributes to make up of L.A.

One thing I’m incredibly proud of is how these stories resonate with audiences. Seeing people from my neighborhood, who might never have seen a Shakespeare play, deeply moved by these performances is everything. It’s about creating art that speaks to them, that reflects their lives and struggles. My nationally recognized solo performance, WET: A DACAmented Journey took me across the country and what I discovered is that people are inherently good, and more often than not, there are more things that connect us than distance us from one another.

The road to where I am today was far from easy. There were countless obstacles—financial struggles, rejection, and the constant pressure of trying to make it in an industry that often overlooks stories from marginalized communities. On top of it all, I was undocumented for 30 years until I qualified for DACA in 2012. I lost my father when I was 15 years old and was estranged to my mother for many years but these challenges only fueled my determination. I overcame them through sheer perseverance, the support of my community, and a relentless belief in the power of my abilities, and the grace of God.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of authenticity. Staying true to my roots and telling genuine stories has been my north star. It’s what connects me to my audience and makes my work stand out.

What I want the world to know about my brand and story is that it’s all about representation and empowerment. Cholavision Productions and the No Fronts Actors Workshop is dedicated to lifting up voices that are often unheard, giving them a platform to shine. Our stories are powerful, and they deserve to be told with the same respect and reverence as any classic narrative. This is why I decided to train members of our community. By giving people that didn’t take the “traditional” route of academia, they are still able to learn and acquire the skills they need to succeed in the entertainment industry.

In the end, it’s about more than just art—it’s about community, culture, and the transformative power of storytelling.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First of all, all my closest homies are from L.A. and chances are, we ditched school together, shared a bowl, killed a roach, and caught a spot on the metro. Lol… but let’s say that one of them left and hadn’t returned for 20 years. The city has changed and with it, so have some of its landmarks.
I mean, being a local keeps me away from the touristy spots. Sure, I’ll take em to the walk of fame, the Staples center, Dodgers stadium and all the other landmarks that always get showcased in television and film. But afterwards, I’ll take them down for an evening walk down the rose garden by USC, Angel’s flight on a night the dodgers win so we can kick it and see the fireworks, and toast with some pisto. I’d take them to get a taco from Angel’s Tijuana Style tacos on Sunset before taking them to 8th Ave and Vernon to visit some family. I’d take them to the top of Edgeware Road on the dead end where I grew up so they can see the beautiful skyline of our majestic city. During the day, I’d take them to the central library on 5th and Grand and grab a bite inside the Bonaventure Hotel like when I was a kid. We’d chill and listen to the little homies flow and freestyle over at Pershing Square, or head back to SC to Leimert Park. I’d take them to Langer’s for a pastrami and we’d kick it at MacArthur Park and watch the paisas play soccer. We’d swing by little Tokyo on our way to the arts district for a beer on 2nd and Alameda then cross the bridge and watch a show at Casa0101 or Company of Angels or see what the Latino Theatre Company is doing at the LATC. I’d take them to the swan boats of Echo Park to wait for the traffic on the 101 to die down. Or just take the streets till we got to Vermont and headed to the Griffith Observatory or head in the opposite direction and head towards the San Pedro harbor for some seafood. I’d definitely have to make a visit to my Tia’s house so that my friends could taste authentic Guatemalan cuisine before hopping on the 10 west towards the SaMo pier. But if we’re keeping it with the family, we’d probably end up at Dockweiler Beach instead. End that evening with a bonfire and some music and chelas, and call it a day. A week would not be enough but this is a nice sample platter of my L.A.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
None of what I have accomplished would be possible without the love and support of my God, my lord and savior Jesus Christ, La Virgencita de Guadalupe, and my family: my daughters Aileen, Amelie, and Abí Frankie, and my love Blanca Moon Chola Espinoza.

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