SAN ANTONIO – From San Antonio’s South Side to Hollywood to the streets of New York City, actor Jesse Borrego has been a fixture of film and television.
The San Antonio native has acted in more than 40 films and 20 television shows. Now he wants to share what he’s learned and his experiences over his decades-long career.
“The collaboration with Woodlawn Theatre and doing masterclass for them specifically is to give back to where I got started,” Borrego said.
Borrego is taking part in the Woodlawn Theatre’s online masterclass Saturday at 1 p.m. The 50-minute Zoom session is a fundraiser to benefit the theater.
Woodlawn Theatre Academy is offering an online Masterclass with SA native Jesse Borrego. He'll share his experience as a Latino actor in the entertainment biz in a 50-minute class that is open to the public via Zoom. Reserve your space for $10 now at https://t.co/VG0UgWATQW pic.twitter.com/e8mwMt0VtO
— Woodlawn Theatre (@woodlawntheatre) May 15, 2020
Borrego will discuss navigating the entertainment industry as a Latino actor. A question and answer session will follow.
“I think that I can share with them the benefit of my experience and increase the skill set that I think is necessary for them to succeed and have fun in their career, because that’s what it’s all about,” said Borrego.
The Woodlawn, like other theaters, has been closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The actor grew up performing in Chicano and cultural theater centers, like the Woodlawn and on the South Side. He knows the importance of community theaters for performers and musicians.
“We have to sing, we have to dance, we have to act. We have to tell stories,” said Borrego. “We are the storytellers of our time, and I think the Woodlawn experience creates that place where people can go see entertainment, can have stories shared with each other.”
Borrego is an advocate of diversity and more Latin voices in the arts and films industries.
Over time, he’s seen more Latin representation in movies. His latest film, “Phoenix, Oregon," is an example of that.
“I’m very proud of this character because the director, Gary Lundgren, really pays homage to the Latino community,” Borrego said.
More than anything, Borrego wants actors of all backgrounds and races to be authentic, true to themselves and never forget where they came from.
“That’s been a very strong part of my identity, not only as a human being but as an actor,” said Borrego. “I encourage them to look into their families, groups, to look at who their ancestors are, to look at their history.”
The masterclass session is $10 per household. Borrego’s new film can be seen on Apple TV and streamed on iTunes on June 1.