Today we’d like to introduce you to Veronica Burgess.
Hi Veronica, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Well… I was born in Tijuana, Mexico, and raised in Chula Vista. I grew up with a Mexican mom and an Australian dad. I became a theater major at SDSU having never been in a play, and now I get to teach kids what theater is, and sometimes people pay me to make them laugh. I’ve performed on most of the stages in San Diego, from theater to standup, to improv and puppeteering. My audiences have varied from elementary age to the age of Milton Berle (you’ll probably only know that reference if you’re as old as Mel Brooks). Making people laugh is truly one of my favorite things.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Smooth, like chunky peanut butter (which I love)! It’s been quite bumpy, with smooth spots in between. I lost my dad by 12, and with a single-parent home, there’s not a lot of luxury to just focus on school I paid for college myself out of high school and worked full time all the way till I graduated, so it took me a little longer than some, but 3 or 4 majors later, and I finished with a BA in Theater Performance. Throughout all the years, I’ve always worked in the hospitality industry and have been fortunate to support myself; however, that makes it difficult to do theater when you work during rehearsals. Comedy has been a great way to feed the performance bug. I began with improv, worked in sketch comedy, and have had great success with standup. I dabble in puppets and love to play with them. I’m in a moment in my life where COVID really punched me in the gut financially, and I haven’t quite recovered, but I’m still here. I was traveling a lot a few years before the pandemic, so I guess technically, I’m still paying for it. No regrets, though. I definitely have moments of quitting the arts and doing something for stable & “safe”, but as soon as I have those doubts, God keeps blessing me with little gems of inspiration and opportunity. I look at them as little signs of “don’t give up.” I’ve always said, “If following your dreams was easy, everyone would do it.”
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Oof, so loaded, this question… I would say what sets me apart from other artists, is that I am experienced in many types of performance. I often say I am a jack of all trades but master of none. I am an actor, teacher, standup comic, improviser, puppeteer, writer, director. I’ve been known to sing & dance, and my snack game is strong My journey began with acting, which I always say was my first love. I didn’t know it’s what I was meant to do, but as a friend once said to me, “Your career chose you”. As early as I can remember, I enjoyed making friends and family laugh. I can’t remember how many times I was called a “payasa” (clown in Spanish). So, to answer what I specialize in or am known for… I bring funny. I’m not the funniest, but I believe life is serious enough, so I tend to add some light-hearted fun to projects. I always say, “I’m here for comic relief.”
I’m most proud of a collaboration I did some years back with two fellow artists and friends, Soroya Rowley and Adrew Steele. What began as a somber 10-minute original piece, created for the USD Woke Festival evolved into a 1-hour musical comedy with puppets. The trio called itself The Truth Tellers. It was a combination of this new piece with excerpts from two other projects my friends created all about tragic subject matter: homelessness, addiction, veterans, domestic violence, we had a little of everything. We wanted to create this piece to bring serious subject matter and the ways people can help to a public performance. We used humor to shed light on real stories based here in San Diego and used our platform to share information on how people can help & donate. We worked on it for over a year and gave birth to our little baby a month before the world shut down. I know for a fact that momentum would have been gone if we hadn’t performed before shutdown. Phew!!!
I’m very proud of many works of done, but I think the coolest is my face on a pillar in Chicano Park. I got to work with Teatro Izcalli, a local Chicano comedy troupe and performed all over the county and traveled out of state. They have made theater for the masses for over 25 years, and with them, I get to be a part of history. They were recently honored by being added to the revitalized MeCHa pillar, and now my little face is there with them, too.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
Here’s my Venmo… just kidding. I am always open to new projects! I believe that’s one of my superpowers: collaborating. My best tags in comedy come from me playing with the audience. It takes a village!!! You can always find me on the Book of Face, the ‘Gram, the socials, email, and I’m big on meeting for coffee or a drink. The best way to support me is to follow me on my socials and come to a show. For the first time, I’ve got some merchandise as part of my comedy set, so if you come to a show- buy a magnet!
Eventually, something will come up that you’re into, family-friendly or rated R, I’ll be part of something you can support. I produce comedy shows and am a part of the board for OnStage Playhouse in Chula Vista, our theater needs all the support!!!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @funny_little_vburge
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/veronica.burgess.944
- Twitter: @vBurge
- Youtube: @veronicaburgess5491
- Other: TikTok- @_vburge_
Image Credits
Dennis Shinpaugh
