Meet Jacob Rivera-Sanchez | Theatre Artist & Marketing Manager/Graphic Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jacob Rivera-Sanchez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jacob, why did you pursue a creative career?
The sense of artistry that I’ve been instilled with has always felt very God-given; a true blessing. I latched onto that at an early age and just did my best to strengthen and develop those creative skills throughout my schooling. It wasn’t until I was transitioning into high school that I really had the opportunity to focus on it. Later I realized I could pursue it at the collegiate level, then make a career out of it.

I have always been very passionate about performing arts and the entertainment industry, so to have that realization was very impactful. Culturally, that kind of career was not something that was encouraged growing up, but it wasn’t necessarily discouraged either. There was just an absence of it or a lack of knowledge and understanding. Learning more about it was so natural for me and led me to a sense of self-worth and self-value that I don’t take for granted.

My career goals are to elevate and amplify stories and storytellers in whatever medium; but most prominently theatre and literature. But not only that but to encourage others to engage with those stories. Not every story is for everybody, but we need to hear/read/see them first. And that’s how we strengthen our empathetic views and understanding of the people and world around us.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As I explored and examined other DFW Shoutouts, I nearly doubted that my contributions were of any impact or value to our community. But I’ve learned in these past couple of years that no matter what, someone in this world will find — or already has found — worth in what I have to contribute, both as a human and as an artist. (So I thank the person who nominated me, as well.)

Through the pandemic, therapy, my spiritual journey, self-reflection, and the people I surround myself with, I am learning to accept the human being aspect of who I “am” as a creative human being. And being *that* self-conscious and self-aware is one of the things that I think sets me apart.

When I collaborate, I am so passionate and intentionally focused on the work and helping and serving others that I often don’t consider whether or not they know me, the person. And that’s in relation to my work in the arts, in higher education, as a church volunteer, etc. I’ll always be a work-in-progress, just like the rest of us; life’s “rehearsal”, if you will. But I am learning it’s okay to bask in some applause from others and savor it… but acknowledge that it’s been hopefully well-earned. (2 Chronicles 15:7)

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would be remiss not to acknowledge the theatres and producing organizations in the DFW area. I’m Fort Worth-based and there are over a dozen of those, alone. The arts are an important cultural aspect of our community and I always encourage everyone to “catch a show”.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I will forever acknowledge God’s presence in my life, in addition to the many teachers, friends, and family members who have helped along the way. But the person who helped me tap into my potential – and still encourages me to this day – is Cheryl Penland. Cheryl was Trimble Tech High School’s theatre teacher and director for nearly 30 years and shared every bit of her artistic self with her students. She, of course, taught us the hard skills of putting on a theatre production and its importance in our cultural landscape, but she very much instilled the strength and values of soft skills, specifically empathy. And because of that one skill, I am not only a better theatre artist (“do it for the art in yourself and not for yourself in the art”) but I’m a better human because of it. And I think we need more of those right now… especially if they’re like Cheryl Penland.

Website: jacobrivsan.myportfolio.com/about

Instagram: http://instagram.com/jacobrivsan

Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/jacobrivsan

Twitter: http://twitter.com/jacobrivsan

Facebook: http://facebook.com/jacobrivsan

Image Credits
Lauren Garza, Devian Poteet-Reed, Jacob Rivera-Sanchez