Meet Tess Perez | Actor, Performer

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

Hi Tess, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I think taking a risk is a sign that you’re doing something right. I think every person that’s accomplished something great had a life full of risks, big or small.

I took a risk when moving to New York. I had a choice between berklee college of music and the American Musical Dramatic Academy. at first the choice was clear. Berklee. I wanted to make music, it was a safer choice, one clear path following something I was good at. But for some reason I couldn’t get New York out if my head, so I plunged into a school teaching a world I didn’t know. Musical Theatre. It was scary at first, all the students knew everything about that industry and I was brand new. But I stuck with my choice and that’s where I fell completely head over heals in love with acting. In that school I took risks every day. I think it’s vital as a performer to take risks. In classes I made bold choices, i would make out of the ordinary choices for example, changing a scene completely by doing stupid things like adding boxer briefs on my head and performing a fake ritual during my scene, making choices that made my scenes stick out.

Risk is art. Risk is creating something new,

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Id say as an artist one thing that sets me apart is my naturalism. I tend to be very genuine and honest and that seeps through my acting. That is something that came to me rather quickly. I think it’s one of the reasons I love acting so much, i can access different parts of my honest self, and apply it to so many different characters and situations, I’m constantly discovering new parts of my soul and I think that’s a beautiful part of this job. I got to where I am today by a string of people who believe in me. And though their support had been a huge part of where I am today, it was difficult, this job always is. It’s unstable and unpredictable, you get rejected over and over, you can fall in love with a project but not be the right person to embody how a group of people pictures this character. Id say it’s hardest on the mentality. But there are so many ways to keep your mind healthy. For myself having music and poetry as a stable art form I always have to keep me entertained in between auditions and projects have made this process easier. I found reading autobiographies also feed my soul. As well as staying physically active through sports and having the right people in my surroundings. I think it’s just important to have other things in life to keep you happy.

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.
my best friend did visit me in the city this summer and we had an amazing time. I took her all around the city, we went to museums, the met, the Whitney, the Guggenheim as well as galleries around Chelsea. Everyday we would get brunch all around soho and LES. Our favorite place was two hands and cafe Gitane and flippers. We walked around a lot and saw so much of the art that the streets of New York has to offer. We went clubbing a lot as well ! We went to Gospel, The Public, the box, mr purple, wicked and Willy’s and many other cute spots! I also took her to an immersive play that my friend was in located in an Irish pub on east 34th st. We also helped our friend with a music video for her rap song « Didier » it was very unserious and fun. we also did a lot of thrifting, we went to other people’s clothes, rogue vintage, vintage twin, L train, ludlow market and a bunch of other random places.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family are the first people I think of. My parents have been endlessly supportive of me. They support my decisions regarding my career. They are always here to give me advice when I’m feeling low as well as giving me artistic advice when I ask for it (which I often do) they are the wisest people I know. No matter where we are in the world they always pick up the phone and listen. Guy Burnet an English actor based in New York, has been like a mentor to me, he is also a big part of my story. It all started with me being his reader for tapes, and it continued on to a beautiful friendship and mentorship, he’s taught me so much about acting. and he really believed in me which I feel endlessly grateful for. He has coached me with many auditions working with him was almost like an acting school experience. Another big part of My story was my Acting teacher In College, Jasmine Bracey. She embraced bold choices in the classroom and inspired me to do so. She is the teacher that helped me find my passion for acting. And though my story has been impacted my everyone in my life, i would lastly shoutout my managers over at the lasher group, whom have been a part of my growth as an actor by giving me a chance as well as giving me Feedback on tapes, giving me things as an actor I can work on and grow with.

Instagram: @tessindiaperez