We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Vanesa Rendon. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Vanesa below.
Hi Vanesa, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
For a really long time I was concerned about trying to have a certain look or present myself a certain way in the audition room and it was draining. It takes a lot of energy to keep up a facade. After a while, I just showed up as my authentic self. No frills, no polish. Just me. Now instead of leaving an audition wondering what they didn’t like about me, I focus on the work. It doesn’t matter whether I am the only person in the room that looks like me or whether there are 20 others that look similar, I can leave knowing no one does me better.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Well my name is Vanesa -one ‘S’, no middle name- Rendon. I was born in Brooklyn, New York to parents that came from Colombia. We moved to Florida, where I attended high school and college. After getting a Bachelor’s in Communications, I moved back to NYC the very first chance I had. After a year or two, I attended Circle in the Square Theatre School, a two year conservatory and off I went to pursuing acting. I don’t think there’s anything relatively special about my story or my journey in being an actor. It’s full of rejections and small wins, much like anyone else following their own dreams. I think the biggest thing I’ve learned in my acting pursuits, is that I am a creative and acting is my chosen outlet. There’s so much down time in acting between the yes’s that it’s hard to keep morale up. Acknowledging that I am a creative in all of this, allows me to find fulfillment in other artistic outlets. Sewing, directing, crocheting, cooking have become those outlets that allow me to show my creativity and share it with those around me. In that realization, I am much less worried about where I am compared to my peers and focused on the enjoyment of the ride. I’m trying my best to go with the flow, because, in truth, I don’t know whether acting is my destination or a stop along the way.
For now, I have joined a theatre company that does interactive shows for young adults and children in hospitals, special education schools, and care facilities. I find so much enjoyment in creating stories for them to explore their imaginations.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
One of the most impactful aspects of my journey is that I couldn’t think of anything better to do if I quit. In all the times I wanted to give up, I didn’t for the simple fact that I couldn’t think of anything I wanted to do just as badly. I would beg for something to come along that would get me excited and full of optimism but nothing peaked my interest. Being an actor is hard work; constant rejection, uncertainty and having to figure out how you are going to pay bills in the process. I can’t even explain the despair you feel after setting up lighting, camera, hair and makeup, memorization, finding a reader to assist with the audition or finding some creative way to use your own voice to cue you in, finally upload your submission, only to check back an hour, a week, a month later, and have no views. Its heartbreaking. Having a community of peers who understand exactly what you are going through is so epically important. I am very fortunate that I have people in my life that will grant me the space to vent about all the hardships and encourage me to keep with it.
Giving myself grace has been as important as well. I’m not always going to get it right. I’m going to think of better ways to have done the scene after the fact, or I maybe forget my line altogether. But, I’m human and I can try to do better next time. I’ve wasted so much time thinking about what I could’ve done differently in auditions, in life, but there is no use in dwelling. I give myself time to reflect and just move on as best as I can.
Patience is another one. I have learned for me and my path, this won’t happen overnight. It may for some people but that’s not my story and I’ve grown to be ok with that. I try to remind myself that what’s for me will find me. There’s nothing lost in the process. I think that’s why I’m trying to find the enjoyment of it all.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
I get frantic. It’s not helpful but I just shut down until I can regulate my nervous system. Making lists is something that has helped me. I’m the type of person that will put “make a to do list” on my To Do list just so I feel like I’m being productive. Also turning off social media or news helps. It’s so easy to get overwhelmed with the state of the world, our country, our lives and finances that its necessary to just turn everything off and play “The Office” as background music. I also like to tidy my home. If I’m feeling overwhelmed chances are it has been building up and the state of my apartment has taken the brunt of it with all types of small piles scattered around like a visual to do list. I take care of myself and my home that way when I re-engage in what has overwhelmed me, I know that I have a safe, welcoming place to come back to.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @banesaaaaaaa
Image Credits
Credit: Beth Reynolds, Julian Velez VELENZ, Only Make Believe
