The story of Luis Rodríguez Echeverría could be the story of any young actor who wants to build a career, but also the story of every immigrant who arrives in a new land with a desire for freedom and the hope of fulfilling a dream. Today, at just 23 years old and with more than one uprooted life story, he plays a role in The Little Prince – the musical that landed on Avenida Corrientes in Buenos Aires. Assures, he plays the sky with your hands.
By: Nation
“I still can't believe it. Since I came to this country, six years ago, I went to a lot of castings and didn't end up in any of them,” this brand new theater exposure tells LA NACION. Finally they chose other artists.” The experience, however, was positive; during that trip, a production company met him and then thought of giving life to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's famous creature. The decisive test (and the end of a difficult selection among hundreds of candidates) with Juan Carlos Paglito. (Today Teatro is in production at the opera, playing the French writer's alter ego) a scene. “The connection between the two was immediate, and so was the emotion. “At the touch of a button, they sent me to a hairstylist to dye my roots,” she reveals jokingly.
Luis was born in Caracas. There he attended a bilingual school, began studying drama and fantasized about a future dedicated to acting. In fact, she has appeared in several children's commercials and some plays. But at age 15, his mother made a decision that changed their lives forever. “We left Venezuela for political-social reasons. My mother was very affected by the situation in the country, and I wanted to be an artist, where it was very difficult to achieve because it was considered almost taboo, so we both chose to go to America in search of a new opportunity. ” The initial destination was Weston, Florida, and he had to commute two hours to Fort Lauderdale every day to continue his arts studies (at Dillard, a public high school specializing in musical theater). “At first the transition was as painful as it was hopeful,” says Lewis. “I don't have friends, I really miss my dad who stayed in Venezuela, but I was able to participate in many concerts.” And when he says so much, he's referring to amateur versions of Hairspray, Sister Act, The Addams Family, and Smokey Joe's Cafe, for example.
Southward journey
But in America that training and trust didn't last long: three years. “We had to leave again, this time not by our own decision. “My mother was able to enter the country with a work visa, but with the inauguration of Donald Trump, the immigration issue became very difficult, and all the agreements fell apart.” For mother and son, the most rational option was to emigrate again. It means starting over in another country.
This time the chosen destination is Argentina. Because? “Because here they welcome immigrants with open arms. All Venezuelans feel very welcome, adopted and loved. That's why we feel at home,” he says. Upon his arrival, he had to go back to high school (because the study programs and academic years in Venezuela and the United States do not coincide with the local programs). He made only minor appearances in the And Planners series.
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