We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Thelma de Castro. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Thelma below.
Thelma, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I believe that writing is liberating. Creativity is a high. In elementary school I wrote a story about a chicken starting a chicken noodle soup factory. Well, maybe it didn’t go exactly that way, but I remember the thrill of having it published in a school collection. It was magical. I guess I never stopped chasing that thrill.
I’ve taught writing workshops and practiced theatre in a variety of settings. Whether in a library meeting room or the dining hall of a correctional facility, art can be experienced anywhere. My most meaningful theatrical experiences happen when the plays I write are deeply intertwined in community.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I write plays. Being a dramatist is a marriage between writing and theatre. You are usually alone when you create your script, but for it to be fully expressed you need to collaborate with other theatre artists. And of course, you need an audience to make the experience complete. It’s a fun, vibrant artform. It’s alive.
I am a Far South/Border North grant recipient. As part of my social justice campaign, entitled Cultivating JOY, I’m writing a play that explores grief and the healing power of Nature. Asian Story Theater is producing it in April and I’m commissioning teenage creatives at ARTS (A Reason to Survive) to design puppets and a soundscape for it.
I write about serious subjects, such as death and domestic violence, but I use humor to take care of the audience. They’re often surprised by the dramatic journeys I chart but I appreciate their trust in coming along for the ride.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Curiosity propels my journey. I’m the one asking a million questions. Deep listening feeds this curiosity, while perspective keeps me grounded. It feels wonderful to be recognized for my work, but what endures are my relationships with family and friends. To embark on creative pathways, I’d encourage others to start within. No matter how many accolades someone receives, there will always be more to achieve. Focusing on your own creativity, instead of relying on external validation, provides an individual with a strong foundation for a sustainable artistic life.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
I am the youngest in my family, so my parents were tired by the time they got to me! Although they were immigrants from the Philippines, they weren’t controlling or overprotective to me. They gave me a lot of freedom in daily living and in making big life decisions. I didn’t need to rebel because they supported my choices. They attended my field hockey games and watched me in school plays. They’d drive to Los Angeles to pick me up when I wanted to come home for the weekend when I was in college. I try to support my children in the same way by giving them the freedom and support to pursue what they love.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thelmaviratadecastro.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tvdecastro/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PlaywrightThelmaViratadeCastro
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThelmaVdeCastro
Image Credits
Thelma and sons–Maia McCurley Thelma’s parents–Thelma de Castro
