Meet Diego Casasnovas-Torres | Actor, Writer, Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Diego Casasnovas-Torres and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Diego, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I always tell people that art chose me. My parents met doing a play in college, as part of an elective. I come from a very artistic family, although nobody officially ever chose that as a career, it infused the way we lived. Whether that was music, writing, or in my case acting, it was always present growing up, it molded me as a kid whether I knew it or not. It wasn’t until fourth grade, that I realized the impact art has had in my life when I was chosen to deliver a spoken poetry, in honor of the discovery of Puerto Rico. The impact the words I was reciting had on people, the way it made them feel I knew I wanted to do more of that.

At first, acting or the arts, was just for me. A medium in which, I can explore who I was, a medium in which I allowed myself to feel and work thru my feeling and emotions. But overtime It became apparent of the possibilities that the art form provided. I encountered mentors, friends, family that encouraged me to rethink this as a way of living. Ultimately it became this huge thing, where It wasn’t just for me, but for us. I saw that acting usually allowed me to connect and therefore start conversations.

After the pandemic, I realized how crucial and important those two things are for people. The ability to connect, not just in a spiritual way, but in a human way, a non judgmental way. I also saw the impact art has when it comes to just having conversations. To be able to talk, to agree, to disagree. Those two things, usually if we are lucky, lead to change.

Art has that power. So why not pursue a life in the arts?

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.
Well I started out as an actor, doing musicals. When I go to my senior year in high school, I knew I wasn’t the strongest singer to pursue a career in musical theater, so I asked myself what do I really love about the craft? It’s the storytelling, the acting. So I pursued a Bachelors in Acting, then the pandemic hit. I knew that this was the moment. I fell in love with the craft even more.

I always said I discovered who I was and who I wanted to become artistically during the pandemic, there is something about being isolated, that automatically makes you gravitate inside. I’m attracted to the work that explores the layers of the human experience.

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?
I would have to start with a hike at Runyon Canyon, it’s the most LA hike. The scenery, the views, the people. I make sure I always do that whenever a friend is visiting. I also have to say, the Academy Museum of Motion Picture, its one of my favorite museums in LA. Depending what season it is as well, if it’s during the summer we have to do Jazz nights at LACMA or Cinespia at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery or a dodgers game at dodger stadium.

As for food, we have to do Phillippes in Chinatown or one of my favorites Cafe Brasil in Culver City. LA’s food scenery is stacked, id be happy just by getting tacos at one of the thousand taco stands in LA.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My god, If I start naming all the people who have taken time to either encourage me, shape me, and love me we’d be here forever. But I guess I’ll start with the obvious, my family. My mom, Roxana. My dad Alex. Who birthed me, and always encouraged me to live authentically myself. My brothers Manuel and Marcos who surprisingly are equally my biggest supporters and my biggest haters, couldn’t do life without them.

My teachers from undergrad and graduate school. Especially Milia Ayiche, April Daras, Natsuko Ohama, David Warshofsky, Michele Shay, Stephanie Shroyer.

Lastly all the friends I’ve made along the way, a huge part of the craft is to also be able to live. So thank you for all the laughs, cries, banters, drinks and here’s to so much more.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diego.casasnovas/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diego-casasnovas-torres-449540297/

Image Credits
Craig Shwartz