Artist of the Week: Luis Gomez
For many years, the Boys & Girls Club of Anaheim provided transportation to Anaheim Hills for children attending theater classes through the Chance Theater’s Speak Up – Take a “Chance” program. Luis Gomez, a recent graduate of Anaheim High School, was one of those kids.
This year, directors for the theater’s program talked with their students about ways theater could be used to help build their local community. Gomez, remembering all that the Boys & Girls Club had done for him, decided he wanted to give back by volunteering to teach theater and dance classes at the club. By introducing the next generation of students to the arts, he was able to bring his relationship with the organization full circle.
This fall, Gomez moves on to start school at UC Santa Barbara, where he will major in dance.
Name: Luis Javier Gomez
School: Anaheim High School
Grade: recently graduated. Will attend UC Santa Barbara in the fall.
Hometown: Anaheim
How did you get involved in theater? My sophomore year of high school, they were putting on a production of “Fame: The Musical” and I honestly wasn’t interested in auditioning. It wasn’t until my dance teacher, Mrs. Elder, strongly suggested I audition. I was given the role of Tyrone Jackson, one of the leads. Going through that production was really what made me fall in love with theater.
What is your favorite show? What is your dream role to play? My favorite show, hands down, is “In the Heights.” However, if I could play any role, I would definitely love to play the role of Jack Kelly from “Newsies.”
Who have been your influences? Did you have a mentor in your development as a performer? If so, how did they help you? I have had my share of instructors and directors that have dedicated their time to help me, and I appreciate every single one of them. However, Mr. Oscar Gonzalez is definitely my biggest influence and inspiration. He is my mentor that has been teaching me all there is to know about the performing arts and entertainment industry.
What inspired you to help out at the Boys & Girls Club? One day Karen O’Hanlan and Darryl Hovis (from the Chance Theater) were talking about how we could give back, and I thought, “It would be awesome to introduce (the kids at the Boys & Girls Club) to theater and dance.” And then Karen asked if I wanted to be in charge, and I was excited and all for it.
Other than theater, are you involved in any other activities? If yes, what are they? Other than theater, I am involved in dance and I will be pursuing my B.F.A. in dance at the University of California, Santa Barbara, this fall.
What do you get out of performing? Just getting to step foot on that stage and entertain the audience gives me a feeling that is almost electrifying. There is definitely no better feeling than that.
How do the arts figure into your long-term goals? Although I am pursuing my degree in dance, I would definitely love to be a performer in all aspects of the entertainment industry. So the arts will definitely be with me every step of the way.
What is the best advice you have received? “Let it go.” You don’t know how many times people, including myself, dwell on something they cannot change and have no control of. The sooner you let it go, the sooner you can get back to moving forward and being productive.
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