Introduce Yourself : Master Thespian by Peter Estrada

Hi guys, my name is Peter Estrada, no relation to Eric, lol ! I am half Italian and half Latino and have been involved in the. Theatrical/Performing Arts since i was 12 years old. I have performed in great places, in different Arts. When living in Puerto Rico, i put together a small Latin/Latin Jazz combo of youthful crazy guys. I was 12 and the percussionist playing bongos, congas and the timbales. I was also the singer. We sang at some of the resort hotels in the area on the pool grounds. I had the great fortune of meeting and/or watching perform, some of the greatest stars of the genre, Tito Puente, Celia Cruz and Hector Lavoe. My father did some Acting as a child in Soaps and was a floor manager for a little while at Telemundo, back when it was a small station in P.R. and before becoming the conglomorate it is today. When i turned 15,we moved back to my hometown of Boston, where my sights turned to Magic. My neighbor was a retired Magician who took me under his wing. I became adept at stage illusions, close up/sleight of hand and escapes. Houdini was my first Brando. I enjoyed most performing at hospital functions, burn centers, distracting patients from their suffering. Especially kids. At 18, i went back to singing by doing Jazz, vintage R n B. I fed my Italian half doing shows that would Tribute Rat Pack music. Of course Sinatra was my favorite style to do. And still is. I fed my Latino half doing the soul music. I have had the distinct pleasure/honor of having, in the recent past, sung at The iconic House of Blues on Sunset Blvd., on 5 different occasions with my Standards tribute. But i started my Jazz singing at some of the nicer spots in Boston, especially in Cambridge, MA. I was also at that time exposed to Stand-Up and Improv Comedy. When finally heading out to LA, I started out studying technology in College. I made the mistake of taking a Theater class as a Gen. Ed requirement. My major changed soon after. It was as though everything i had experienced in the Performing Arts had a synthesis for me. I showed up at my first audition ever, off book and in full dialect. The rest was history. A combination of some Classical Theater, Realism and 5 years of Musical Theater, with some Broadway luminaries. A total of 75 plays/Theatrical productions.Later on getting two degrees. One from the University, another at a Film Acting Academy. I have Studied with Edward Albee, "Broadway" George Reeder, Jose Quintero, Ralph Strane, Charlie Stavola and Ivan Markota. All HIGHLY professional individuals who i strive to honor in my work. Now comes the fun part. There was a time in my life i weighed 500lbs. I had a 60 inch waist. I am now down to 260 and can see my feet again, lol ! Wasn't easy. Because of some devastating private/personal events in my life, i developed Congestive Heart Failure, Cancer and a few other conditions. I had been told on different occasions i should be dead or that i was going to die. I guess i was too stupid or too stubborn to listen to the experts who wanted to write me off, lol ! I am without any symptoms and am in better shape than many people i know. I am now back to teaching my craft, have had some great interviews about my work and my achievements., i have been in about eight productions. I am also interviewing with some great agents who have expressed an interest in representing me. I am now ready to grab MY brass ring. I want to put all of my knowledge, experience, talents/skills and Joy to the craft and Vocation that has kept me creatively in charge of my life. I ALWAYS remember to thank my mom, who passed away, ten years ago, everyday. She taught me about fine music, Theater and Cinema. My forever Muse. I am a great believer in the two statements, "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger" and "Everyday is a gift" ! I am a teacher/performer(Actor, singer), mentor etc. One of my goals is to help people not wait for a tragedy to get off their butts and achieve their dreams/goals. I hope in this network we can interdependently and lovingly help each other to do this. I know it was long, but i hope you enjoyed my introduction as much as i enjoyed writing it. Blessings !