Meet Kevin Corte | Actor, Dancer and Performer

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

Hi Kevin, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
I think our own members of the entertainment industry are extremely unaware of how difficult it is to develop a successful career being a foreigner; therefore, the public does as well. One of the things I chose to do with my career is to bring awareness to this matter and also to proudly represent all the international actors out there, who are trying to make it in this business.

Being an international actor is extremely hard as it involves a lot of out-of-pocket money and, most of times, the uncertainty of wether or not we will be able to stay in the country, as permanent immigration statuses are hard to achieve and a lot of times, denied. We get very little support from the government, and on top of that there is very little support from our own community, who won’t always allow people with these type of statuses to work on certain projects; same is the case with joining unions.

It is really hard and some might say unfair, but I think this mostly is because these topics are not talked about enough. Many people I’ve met don’t have a single clue that there is certain jobs I legally am not allowed to do, or that, I can’t join a union because I don’t have a green card; but if we start having these conversations, then things hopefully can start to change.

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.
I was very quick to learn that every person is unique; but the best actors and performers, are the ones who are able to hone into those unique qualities and make them shine bright. I think one of my most unique qualities is my intersectionality. I’m Mexican, born and raised, but also Bisexual, but also grew up bilingual, but also has adopted a lot of culture from my time in the US. I feel like I’m a mix of a lot of things that I’m extremely proud of and that make me the performer I am today.

When I booked my first show out of college these qualities were the ones that got me the job, quite literally. On my last callback for 5-Star Theatricals’ Newsies I was asked to read the sides in Spanish, even though the director knew I was not going to speak that language for the show, but that was what made them laugh and open up to me and luckily, is what booked me the job. Same thing with the Cupcake Theatre’s production of RENT. The role of Angel requires an actor who is both Latinx and Queer, and luckily enough I am those things and honored to represent them on the stage.

I think my mission as performer is to make people realize that there needs to be more people like me in this industry: people with crazy combinations of identities and cultures. This opens a world where we can learn how to understand humanity, it allows for different stories to be shared and it elevates art, which ultimately, is the main goal we all want as artists, or at least I believe.

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.
The first place that I can think of is Griffith Observatory, more specifically the planetarium and take in the night view of the city. If we could go to the beach every day of the week we would, my forever favorite ones are Hermosa Beach, Dockweiler Beach and El Matador Beach, especially at nighttime. I would take my friend to see the Endeavor Space Shuttle at the California Science Center, Walk around the Pasadena City Hall. Go watch a Lakers game. Hang out at Echo Park. Go to Six Flags. Walk around CityWalk. Shop at The Grove and then thrift shop at The Goodwill that is crossing the street. Tour the Dolby Theatre on Hollywood. Watch a movie at El Capitan Theatre.

I’m pescatarian, but also a big big foodie so I would take them to my favorite places in LA: La Guelaguetza, Something Vegan, Openaire, Bottega Louie, Kura Revolving Sushi, Te’kila, La Monarca Bakery, Mr. Charlie’s, Formosa Cafe, and I could keep going on but I would never stop if I do. For drinks, we would bar hop in WeHo of course!

So many things to do and try in LA, and not enough time to be honest haha.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I was raised by a very supporting family that taught me that the success of one person involves tons of hours of work and dedication of thousands of people. My parents will always be my immediate shoutout, but also my first director ever, Edgardo Lar, who sparked my passion for the performing arts and who guided me all those years, to be able enough to get into my dream college. A massive thank you to my friends in the LGBTQIA+ community, the Latinx community and the International community, all these support groups helped me find myself as a human, and always gave me strength to keep on going and fighting, to raise my voice as an artist.

Website: https://www.kevin-corte.info

Instagram: @kevin_corte ( https://www.instagram.com/kevin_corte/ )

Youtube: Kevin Corte on YouTube ( https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUntgWfLn-ufZg30YzoOclQ )

Image Credits
Rent picture – Brayden Hade Newsies Pictures – Jeff Ditto