Meet Margarito G. Perez of San Diego Theatre Connection in San Diego County

Today we’d like to introduce you to Margarito G. Perez.

Margarito, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
The story really starts on the auditorium stage at Browning Elementary School in Houston, Texas in 1971. I was one of only two kindergarten students picked to be in the 5th grade Christmas play. My mother bundled me in winter clothes and my moment came when I threw a styrofoam ‘snowball’ across the stage and everyone applauded. I knew at that moment that this is where I would find my passion. My life to this moment has been rooted in some kind of theatre, creative expression, and public speaking,

The Christmas play led me to the prestigious Humphreys School of Musical Theatre at Theatre Under The Stars where I spent more than eight seasons performing in every classic Broadway musical possible. TUTS, as its widely known, opened the door to a very unexpected career on television at the ripe old age of eleven. A producer came up with the idea to put kids on TV reading the news during cartoons and classic reruns. I did that until I turned fifteen and was declared “over the hill” and not a kid anymore. So, the ambitious ‘non-kid’ chased the next best thing which turned out to be a high school career on the radio.

The details of what happened next are a jumble in dashed college plans, a miraculous internship that appeared instead and a career that launched me into broadcast news for more than fifteen years. I worked as a television news reporter in major markets that included San Diego, San Francisco and eventually WNBC-TV in New York City. Mission Accomplished. Or, as a therapist would later tell me, “…the script ran out.” Burned out at age 32, I retreated home to Houston to do the only other thing I knew how to do—Theatre. Thanks to a life-long friend who had become a director, I returned to the stage. It was, in fact, like riding a bicycle. The show ‘bug’ bit again and inspired me to go back to school to finish that college degree I left behind. In December 2009, I graduated from the University of Houston-Downtown with the first BAFA degree ever awarded there, a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts with an emphasis in Theatre.

I enjoyed school as an adult so much, I decided to keep going and apply to graduate programs. I was accepted at Point Loma Nazarene University where I graduated with a Masters degree in Special Education in May 2012. I was back in my beloved San Diego, this time, to use my talents and experience for Good and not “evil”. I did local community theater while at PLNU, and in January 2017 I founded an organization that blended all of my passion, talent, and love.

San Diego Theatre Connection is a grassroots organization with a simple mission to promote quality entertainment and raise awareness, donations, and volunteerism for local charities. I’m itching to get back on stage soon. In the meantime, I’ve used my experience and ‘connections’ to get television exposure for local community theatre like never before. I continue to earn a modest living as a guest teacher in special education with the San Diego Unified School District. In 2018, I was invited to join the coordinating committee of the San Diego International Fringe Festival where I am the OnLINE/OnAIR Media Director using my creativity, again, to promote theatre on broadcast and social media. It’s exhausting and I love what I do.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been a smooth road. No real adventure ever happens without challenges. As my precious loving late father, Abdon G. Perez, Sr. always said my strongest struggle is, “Me, Myself and I.” Accepting who God created and the brilliant talents, experiences, and family and friends He gave me has not been easy. In fact, it has taken until now to be comfortable in my own skin. I labeled myself a “scared little boy” for most of my life. I was running from physical and sexual abuse, fear of my homosexuality, addiction, a Christian God who condemned me to hell, an HIV/AIDS status, racism, self-hate and on and on.

The Good News is that I am still here. I survived myself and those who would do harm to me.

I have not only survived, but I am also thriving in the most supernatural way. Turns out, the God of my understanding who created me has “worked it all out for Good.” I am now using ALL my experience, strength and Hope to help those who have come after me. As I said, using my talents for good and not evil.

Please tell us about San Diego Theatre Connection.
San Diego Theatre Connection is plain and simply a grassroots community organization. We are not a “business” in the traditional sense, we are very much in the business of promoting theatre in every way possible. Community Theatre has historically carried a negative connotation. I am committed to changing that. Community is a sacred word to me. It connotes a safe place to express oneself and make mistakes while also creating wonderful achievements and connections. I am most proud of every actor, director, producer, and audience member who have trusted this awkward, confusing, beautiful, life-giving process. As the SDTC motto goes, “We are Creating Community and making a difference, Together.”

We have supported and helped dozens of charities across San Diego County including the San Diego Food Bank, Ronald McDonald Charities of San Diego, the American Heart Association, Feeding San Diego, Urban Street Angels, Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County, KROC Center of San Diego, Father Joe’s Villages, The Alzheimers Association of Imperial/San Diego Counties, Feeding San Diego, the American Red Cross Fire Victims Fund, The LGBT Center of San Diego, United Way, Girls Scouts of America, and San Diego Center For the Blind. The list grows with every production.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I’ve already mentioned my late father. My mother, Emma C. Perez, deserves the most credit. When you honor me, you honor her. My creativity blossoms from her. She is a brilliant artist whose childhood dream to go to art school was squashed by a family who could not afford it. She also passed on ambition. Her art was translated onto cakes of every kind. I’m not sure she really knows how much her artistic talent has made a difference in so many lives. I turn to her for inspiration and appreciate all that she’s sacrificed for me. Thank you, Mom.

Contact Info:

• Email: mgperez@sdtheatreconnection.com
• Instagram: @sdtheatreconnection
• Facebook: @sdtheatreconnection
• Twitter: @sd_theatre

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