We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Avi Roque a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Avi, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
I keep my creativity alive by continuously making my own work, which has taken many forms over the years. As a child, I loved drawing and visual art. In college, while studying theatre and going through a breakup, I turned to songwriting and even produced an album as a way to process my emotions.
After graduating, I pursued various theatre opportunities, often collaborating with ensembles to devise original pieces. But as many artists know, the creative life comes with ebbs and flows. In recent years, I’ve felt a lull in my acting career and have begun exploring a new path in voice acting. While exciting, that journey also comes with its own uncertainties and inconsistency—at least for now.
In the meantime, I’ve turned to writing as another creative outlet, sharing parts of my story through a personal Substack account I’ve titled Multitudes. I also enjoy designing graphics on Canva to promote events I’m organizing or attending, essentially becoming my own social media manager. I even find joy in making videos to share online.
No matter the medium, I find ways to stay creative and follow whatever form is calling me at the time—because for me, creativity isn’t just a hobby; it’s a core value.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m an actor with experience performing in a wide range of professional theatre productions and workshops across the country. Beyond the stage, I’ve narrated over 60 audiobooks—earning a few awards along the way—and had the incredible opportunity to voice Raine Whispers, Disney’s first Non-binary character, on the animated series The Owl House.
If you’re in the Chicagoland area, I’ll be at Howling Pages for a Meet & Greet event on September 20th from 1–4pm. And for those in Portland, I’ll be collaborating with Always Here Bookstore for a special event on October 11th from 12–3pm.
As for voice acting – there was a time when I felt burnt out and kind of bitter about my work in theatre, film, and TV. But then, I broke into voice over and it reignited my passion. It was also very affirming because this was around the time that I’d started hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and my voice lowered—or, as I like to say, settled into my authentic voice.
Voice acting has felt incredibly freeing. I finally get to be big, expressive, and dramatic—things I was always told to tone down on camera. And the best part? In voiceover, those things are actually celebrated. But something I always like to remind myself is, that voice acting is still acting, not just putting on a silly voice.
At the heart of me, I value pride, joy, and giving back. I care deeply about using my voice and platform to uplift others, sharing and being a part of stories that matter. Mental health is additionally really important to me. I’ve been diagnosed with Anxiety Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder, which doesn’t mean I’m broken or helpless—though sometimes those doubts sneak in and I have to remind myself otherwise. Therapy and leaning on my loved ones for support have been super helpful, and I’m really grateful to have that.
I’m also thrilled to co-host a podcast called In Full View: Focusing on Trans Mascs in Media, where we highlight and interview transmasculine creatives working in the entertainment industry. Our first episode drops September 25, 2025—follow us on Instagram @infullviewpodcast for updates!
Outside of my creative life, I’m married, I’m a cat parent, and a big fan of donuts and craft beer—a real-life Homer Simpson, if you will.
Want to keep up with me? Follow along on Instagram and TikTok @avi_roque
And if you’re into merch, check out my online shop: aviouslyavi.makerbee.io
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1) Not every role is going to be the right fit—and that’s okay. Auditioning and rejection are simply part of the job when you’re an actor. As long as you feel good about what you put out or submitted, the rest is out of your control. Focus on the work, not the outcome.
2) Positivity is powerful, but it’s important not to use it as a band-aid. Being optimistic is a good thing—but be careful not to use it to cover up or avoid addressing deeper issues or traumas. Real healing often requires sitting with the uncomfortable stuff, not just masking it with a smile.
3) When it comes to transitioning—socially or medically—make choices for you, not for anyone else. It’s okay to take your time and think things through, especially with big decisions like hormones or surgeries. Remember: you don’t have to pursue any specific steps to be valid as Trans or Nonbinary. Bonus truth—there’s no single way to look or sound Trans or Nonbinary. Your identity is yours, and it’s enough as it is.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
First and foremost, I am incredibly grateful for the parents I have. Their unconditional love and support mean the world to me. Even if, as a child, I often felt misunderstood, angry, or alone, I can now look back and truly appreciate their presence and their efforts.
There were definitely challenges—moments of butting heads, confusion, and growing pains—especially as I came out first as queer, and later as trans and nonbinary. But through it all, I never really doubted their love for me.
Something a therapist once told me stuck with me: that as I was transitioning, so were my loved ones. They were adjusting and transitioning alongside me. And honestly, I’ve felt that throughout my life—in the way my parents always encouraged me to pursue my interests, passions, and hobbies. In the way they let me cut my hair short like a boy or wear boys’ clothes. They didn’t always have the right words or the tools to talk about gender and sexuality, and I didn’t always know how to communicate what I was feeling. But despite that, they made space for me to be myself.
I may not have always received exactly what I needed or wanted in every moment, but when I reflect on my upbringing, I see clearly that my parents sincerely let me be me—and that’s something I’ll always hold close.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.aviroque.com
- Instagram: @avi_roque
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aviroque/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/avi-roque/
- Twitter: @ok_roque
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@avi_roque
Image Credits
Jackson Davis Photography (2-Headshot Photos) and Eve Rox Photography (Wedding Photo)
