Interview with Desiree Abeyta

Desiree Abeyta began acting in local theatre productions when she was very young. She had an agent that got her commercials and sang nationally with the singing group, “The Bobby Dazzlers”. Graduating with a BA in Theater Performance, Desiree soon landed a job performing overseas for a year. She always imagined she would pursue a career in musical theater, but Desiree chose L.A. and discovered a love of film and television (she still loves the stage, of course). She had her first experience on a professional set as a featured extra on GLEE, and thought, “this is awesome!”. So now Desiree Abeyta not only acts, but also produces and develops content as well.

Typical #redcarpet pose be damned. I’m all about a well-timed #candid. #betawards16 #babysfirstawardsshow pic.twitter.com/fo7XK7LnKH

— Desiree Abeyta (@DesireeAbeyta) June 27, 2016

Did you study acting
I went to a performing arts high school and graduated from UNLV’s Nevada Conservatory Program, so by the time I was 23 I had been performing and training for over a decade already. But it wasn’t until I started taking intensives and workshops with Larry Moss that my whole concept of acting really took shape. It’s amazing to me how simple, yet complex acting is. The concepts and technique (in my experience) are actually pretty simple. It’s the putting it into practice and applying it that is complex. I used to think if I didn’t really “feel” everything than it wasn’t genuine. I also used to get very frustrated with how “heady” acting training seemed. But now I think it has come down to two basic principles: Understanding human nature and emotional accessibility. And Larry really made me understand that it’s not about ME. Its about the story, the playwright, the audience… it’s about everything BUT you. When you take it off of yourself, the accolades you hope to receive, your insecurities, etc., it’s amazing how free and how truthful your performances become. I just had to get out of my own way.

Desiree Abeyta Drama Reel 2017 from Triple Click Productions on Vimeo.

What acting technique do you use
I tend to trust my instincts and then support it with things I find via script analysis. Substitution doesn’t work for me as often because I tend to feel trapped in recreating my own emotional responses to things, instead of having that emotion stem from the moment organically. I find the “what if” technique connects with me more. It’s easier for me to imagine something and have an emotional response to it than to try to dredge up things I have already healed from. But it’s always different.

What wrong impressions do actors hold about acting
It isn’t therapy. Yes, it can be therapeutic. But I believe it’s important to be of healthy mind and spirit when you have to go to dark places. Or even happy places. Your talent isn’t in your pain. And while your well of emotion and experiences adds to any performance you do, I think it’s important that you can separate the two. Too many talented people are lost because they don’t take care of themselves.

Desiree Abeyta 1 minute Comedy Reel from Triple Click Productions on Vimeo.

Do you take courses to improve your craft
I regularly attend workshops. “I am a student of UCB and Lesly Kahn”. I think private coaching is excellent if you have something big that you want to go in strong for. I used to be really self conscience about working on auditions in front of people, but its always better to have a set of eyes on you that can offer critical feedback and really help you explore it to its full potential. Otherwise I tend to get comfortable in my first choice and that’s that.

What acting books do you read
Larry Moss’s “The Intent to Live”. It’s my acting bible.

How do you keep fit as an actor
Oh Gosh, LOL. I don’t know that I keep fit enough, is the problem! But when I have the chance, I love Muay Thai and boxing. Also dance classes… any chance I can dust off my tap shoes, I will. Mentally I love to be inspired, so I’m constantly watching TV shows and movies. Right now I’m binging on House of Cards and preparing for the return of Game of Thrones! I also rented Trainwreck the other night from the Redbox and enjoyed it immensely! Not gonna lie, I am happy to see well penned Romantic comedies making a comeback.

How do you prepare for a role
I try not to overthink it and usually read it several times to see what hits me naturally. I never want to get stuck trying to find the “smart” or the most “clever” choice. I like to see what I instinctually get from the material and where that lands, then go on from there. If there’s something specific that I know I need to go deeper with or need to learn more about to be able to play it accurately, then I take the time to do that.

Super Stoked to be an official selection at @atxwebfest !! Austin, we’re coming for you! pic.twitter.com/JqQ01Z9sWp

— Not It The Series (@Not_It_Series) May 2, 2015

How do you create a character from a script into a person
Maybe it’s my theatre background, but I find working outward in really helps. Physicality, clothing… do they wear a ring because they’re married? Do they wear heels? Things that I can relate to instinctually is usually where I start and then I look for the areas we are different so that I can find those nuances. When I’m working on my web series, it’s fun and written closer to my actual person. So I basically just find specific quirks of my own that work for the material and it allows me have fun enhancing a version of myself. I never want to feel like I’m putting something on. It’s gotta resonate in me somewhere.

How do you stay fresh on set
I am very social on set. It’s hard for me to lock myself in a trailer or put in earphones and seclude myself so I can “stay in character”. I like to laugh in between takes, even if it’s serious material. I like to be in the action of it all, without being a distraction.

Desiree Abeyta as Trudy in ‘Christmas Trade’ (2015) , with William Baldwin (video)

Describe a memorable character you played
In college I played Kattrin in Mother Courage with the wonderful Barbara Tarbuck. This role was very demanding, and up until that point I had mostly done musical theatre and was always the fun, comedic type. I was on stage almost the entire length of the play, had a very pivotal moment, and had to get emotions/story lines across without a single word of dialogue (the character is mute). I got one of my best reviews ever after that performance. It also cemented for me the notion that good acting is about thoughts and not words.

Explain one creative choice you took on set
I was in a Christmas movie this past year with Billie Baldwin and I had a scene where I was on the phone with Billie’s character. The director said to me, “Just improv whatever you want for the end of the scene”. I love this kind of direction, because you just get to rip. I threw a bunch of different things at them and had fun with it. It was exciting to see which one they ended up going with in the final edit.

What do you want most from a director
I think I really appreciate any kind of dialogue. Some directors, if you are giving them what they want, they just say, “Great!” and you move on. I definitely prefer when they trust me enough to take my own stab at it before they start giving direction. But if I’m doing exactly what they are looking for, I still like to hear some kind of affirmation so I don’t go to bed that night wondering if my performances were reading or not. That’s the thing about film that takes some getting used to. Once it’s done, it’s done and then it’s locked for all eternity. So I like hearing feedback either way from the director. It helps to feel connected and continually on the same page.

Desiree Abeyta on set of PULSE (TV Pilot) as Reyna

What actors do you long to work with
This is so hard! The list is too long. Directors are easier (but only slightly). I definitely want to work with Baz Luhrmann and Joss Whedon.

Why
They just create the most fantastic worlds. Heightened reality and often very musical. I was a huge Buffy/Angel/Firefly fan when I was younger, and love the direction Whedon tends to go with his characters. And Baz… I mean look at how fantastical his movies are. They’re larger than life in so many ways. The perfect blend of what I love about theatre and what is possible with film.

What advice would you give to actors
Don’t keep yourself small because you’re afraid you’ll ruffle other people’s feathers. You’re going to have to deal with egos and people criticizing you no matter what you do in life, so you might as well deal with it while doing what you love. Work hard. Stay humble. Be Kind.

Desiree Abeyta in ‘Mother Courage’

Briefly write about your career
Desirée is an actress, producer, and creative living in Los Angeles, CA. Born and raised in Las Vegas, Desirée has a background in musical theatre and improv, having performed in productions from the Las Vegas Strip (Tony and Tina’s Wedding, The Sound of Music, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown) to as far away as Macau, China (singer/performer: Venetian Macau). She most recently starred opposite Billy Baldwin, Denise Richards, and Tom Arnold in the Christmas film “Christmas Trade”, and has an award winning comedic web series that she Co-Produced titled, Not It (“Laverne and Shirley meets the Sopranos”). Second season premiering this summer!

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