Meet Bella Castillon | Actress/Singer/Playwright and Mexican

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

Hi Bella, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I was born and raised in Guadalajara, México–though I have always lived on the outside of town, therefore, not much to do which means not much theater– I grew up in a family of five–my mom, my dad and my two siblings– fortunately enough all movie lovers! We would spend most of our weekends in the movie theater and my dad always made sure to have the latest movies and shows on DVDs for us to watch at home. I could say that probably made an impact on me as a creator though I can’t really remember a specific time when I decided I loved the arts or the precise moment I knew I wanted to be an actress/singer/playwright and do theater for a living; I guess I had always lived amongst creativity somehow or the other.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Growing up in México, despite not having much theatrical exposure, I always found a community which made me a good team player. I was part of the drama club in middle school and high school–which was completely unbudgeted by the way– I went to an extracurricular musical theater school during the weekends–also a bit unbudgeted, they tried their very best though–my eldest brother majored in film and lived in LA for 5 years and used my talents for many of his projects plus my dad and grandfather have always been movie musical lovers. So, at the end of the day, I had a lot of close encounters with art.

Let’s face it, people who want to be artists and could study theater or film in a college leveled program are privileged–yes. It’s rare to have your parents’ support when your dream is to be an actor, especially when you come from México. In México, the entertainment industry is not small; we have telenovelas, a bunch of romcoms and the voiceover industry is huge, however, I will say that it’s still quite tabu to think about your kid pursuing the arts. There is an unspoken cultural belief that you will end up poor or that you will never truly live off the arts entirely; if this thought is common in countries where the arts are respected, imagine how hard it must be to think outside the box in a place that does indeed lack artistic opportunities. I was so lucky to have my family support me all the way to break those cultural patterns, they attended my very shitty plays and musicals and helped me move to the US for college. Maybe I was born with the burning desire to do art but without my family and their empathy I would not have been brave enough to actually put myself out there. So yes, I considered myself extremely privileged in that sense.

Having been raised in a place where the theater community was and still is narrow and having experienced international theater, it opened my mind about the importance of how theater making and its consumption has a direct or indirect effect on individuals all over the world. I am a true believer that art is a political medium–whether intentional or not– its commentary. Therefore, the message I intend to bring to the world with my creativity is one that hopefully comes with reflection. Plus, I think it’s important to tell all kinds of stories representing all kinds of contexts, everyone deserves a good story.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This list would be endless if I listed off all my favorite NYC spots however, my perfect day as a “tour guide” would go like this: First I would take them out to a coffee and bakery shop hunt through the West Village, after all the sweetness of the pastry tasting I would have a little stroll through the Rockefeller Park (my favorite spot in downtown NY) or Central Park. Alternatively, a visit to the MET, especially the Mesopotamia, Ancient Greece and/or Modern Art exhibitions. At late afternoon would hit some wine bars at the East Village and then head to a 7:30 pm Broadway show. Broadway is a must if you are visiting New York City, even if it’s just for one show only. I believe everyone –theater person or not– should emerge and surrender to the experience of the Broadway spectacle.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shoutout to my parents and siblings–mami, papi, Ian y Emilio– who always encouraged me to follow my dreams no matter what. I love you.

Special thanks to the institutions that have shaped me not only as an artist but as a person as well over the years: Calle 42: Escuela de Teatro Musical, New York Film Academy and Pace University. Thank you for accepting me into your programs. You have taught me so much and made me feel very valuable and special. As an artist – who is constantly in self-doubt– forming part of your communities is a good pad on the shoulder.

Last but not least, shoutout to Peter Marciano, Jennifer Swiderski, Ana Sofia Salazar, Parker Gandy and Nicole Alonso… I think you all know why. Thank you.

Instagram: @bellacastillon_

Image Credits
Birds in the city (Pink Wig) – Jesus Villanueva
Asuntos Pendientes del Más Allá (Goth girl still) – Daniel Blanco