For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved stories. Before could read, I beg my parents to use voices and actions when they read to me. Now, I do the same for nieces and nephews. My friends ask me to relate the details of shared experience because I “tell the story better.” And I’ve found that sharing a story with a fellow human let them know they are not alone.

Not only do I have stories to tell, and I know that there are stories out there that I need to hear and then share to give a voice to others.

I am Andréa Morales and I’m a storyteller.

Today I am ready to talk about how I spent a large portion of my life as a waitress. Thus, I am fiercely committed to getting your order right.  Something I’m always serving is being an artist.

Today I am a tomboy princess, as it wasn’t that long ago, in a galaxy far far away, that I was born in Yuma, Arizona.  And I gave parents a helluva time.  They would read me stories and I’d give them notes- demanding better character voices and directing them on how the story should seem more real.  God help my poor parents if they missed a single word of dialogue in their storytelling- I was a quirky kid who was on it and demanded perfection.

Today I am still that kid who wanted, craved, and found joy in the idea of school.  I wanted and still want to share my stories with everyone.

Today I am a kid who started school and realized not everyone wanted to hear her stories.  So, I shut up.  And that lasted a really long time.  I don’t want any of my students or fellow artists to be silenced.  Therefore-

Today I am approaching a decade in which I shout loudly and proudly that Imagination is to be celebrated, not silenced.

Today I am stepping backward in order to go forward.  That means, I embrace my culture and heritage.  My roots ground me, while also propelling me forward to move, motivate, and mobilize.

Today I am proclaiming that to be a fantastic actor, you must never lose sight of the fact that you are an artist.  You must be constantly creating and willing to evolve; additionally, it helps to be well-read, well-schooled, business savvy, unafraid to take risks, able to listen to new ideas, and to recognize and nurture the talent and gifts of others around you. Training must be on-going, so that things like the audition process itself can become less stressful and mysterious.

Today I am so very into training in a welcoming environment where everyone has similar attitudes about working towards analogous goals with comparable diligence and openness.  That’s the enrichment my heart and mind have been longing for in my artistic journey, and I hope it is for you as well.

Today I am sharing the tenet I also truly believe that if you want to be an actor, you must be a well-read actor.  Theatre is not like riding a bicycle.  Without continual study and a commitment to self-improvement, you will wobble, tumble, and eventually crash.  I also believe that everyone should be cool, be kind, and play well with others- both onstage and off.

Today I am hoping to empower others with the capability to tell stories without flashy sets or costumes, and so what stands is success ultimately in our ability to work collaboratively toward a common goal.  Which is pretty freakin’ amazing.

Today I am celebrating the belief that everyone has a chance to let their voice be heard.  In a time and place where our political climate would almost be funny if it weren’t so sad, it is more important than ever to speak up and speak out.  And for those who are afraid to speak out, it is my belief that the arts have the power to inform, transform, and innovate. As artists, we can share our stories of trailblazing, bravery, and triumph.

Today I am contributing to my global community as a storyteller. I get out of bed in the morning because I love what I do, and I long to exercise my actor’s instrument every day in every way.  And if a few of my stories reach and touch the heart of even one other person, then I will have done my job here on earth.

Today I am ready to tell a new story. Want to listen?