Given your friendship, what sparked the flame of creativity within you and inspired you to work together? How do you envision your collaborative journey unfolding on stage?

Adriana Martínez Barrón: It all began two years ago during the writers’s strike. I was between corporate jobs and filled my time with creativity, writing, and attending the theater. One night, I fell in love with the work of a playwright and TV writer named Bernardo Cubria, whose talent inspired me to take up playwriting. At the beginning of last year, I really wanted to take a playwriting class, but all the classes I could find were virtual or in New York. That same week, Bernardo posted he was teaching a playwriting class, and I had to sign up. Cut to many months later, I had written a play, and a little voice in the back of my soul was aching to produce it for the world to see.

I have been a fan of the Hollywood Fringe Festival for years; it’s an indie theater festival where many talented artists, both famous and not, present really exciting work.

As I began thinking about this play and who would get to play this role, I did what felt most organic. I put it out to the universe because I believe that if you ask the universe, the universe will give it to you, but you have to ask.

So, I posted a story on my Instagram saying I was going to cast a play to see if any of my actor friends would be interested. And to my surprise, Cinthya replied! Although we’re good friends socially, I keep my work and social life separate. I know that just because we’re friends doesn’t mean you can be on a project for me. Cinthya was like the dream actress that I initially thought was “too big” or “too famous” for my little indie show. She is so talented and amazing! So, imagine my surprise when she responded to my post wanting to read my play. I couldn’t believe it.

So, I sent her the play with hope and a prayer that she would respond to the material because, truthfully, she was perfect for the role! And I was so lucky she read the play and loved it and decided to come on board.

She’s not only been an incredible leading lady but also a great collaborator and partner. As an executive producer, she’s been a great addition to the team. We’ve worked together on casting; she helped me bring some people on board. And during rehearsals, we are figuring out the role together. We work through a lot of the staging and blocking together; she is so prepared and makes so many suggestions. She has questions and thoughts about every line. Honestly, she knows the role better than I do, and I wrote it! It’s a dream to work with an actress who is so dedicated to the craft and who is such an inspiring leader to the rest of the cast, always setting up the tone with her signature kindness and charm.

 

Cinthya Carmona: I always say that your words have SO much power. I remember in January of this year, I had a call with my manager, Jake Miller, and I told him I had been wanting to get back on stage and perform in a play. I told him that no matter what, I would be working on a play in June, even if I had to write it and make it happen myself. Cut to a few months later, my incredibly brilliant and magical unicorn of a friend, Adri posts about her writing a play and wanting to workshop some of her material. I took it as a sign and signed myself up. Adriana is an artist with a remarkable depth of intellect and emotion. I’ve been a fan of hers for years; whenever I’m around her, my soul feels good, so, of course, I read her work. Little did I know, it was an incredible script that was both funny and heartbreaking and, like Adriana, extremely honest. I remember reading the play, and the first thing I said when I finished it was, I HAVE TO DO THIS. Guess what? It would run in June 2025 at the Fringe Festival. Confirmation that words really do have power and that I knew I would do this before I actually knew. I believe in things like this. 

Fast-forward to almost two months later, and we have been rehearsing weekly with such a beautiful and talented cast. Really diving into the work. It has been the highlight of my year, truly. Adriana is a talented writer and a solid director because she knows exactly what she wants. She wrote the world, but she also lets us PLAY. She will tell you herself how I can go in many different directions to try all kinds of things as an actor, sometimes even a bit wacky with choices, but Adri always knows how to lead us back home in the most graceful and professional way. This is why I love working with female directors SO much. Adriana is the embodiment of a true boss who makes everyone around her feel so safe and seen. To say I am honored to work under her direction would be an understatement. I am beyond grateful to her for trusting me with Chelsea and allowing me to bring her to life along with our beautiful cast family. I already loved her so much before; now, we are bonded on a different level, and I thank God for it.

 

 

What fuels your artistic passion, and how do you harness your platform to inspire positive change and elevate the human experience within our community?

CC: I really love moving people through storytelling. If I can make you feel something through my character, whether it’s good or bad, then I’ve done my job, and I am satisfied. I am fascinated by this crazy little thing called the human experience, so getting to put myself in someone else’s shoes and feel what they feel really just makes me a better person. To have compassion and empathy for others is a great gift, and this art allows me to do just that. It brings me closer to others and myself in the process. This is why, for me, the characters I play and the stories I tell have to be real and relatable; I love characters who are uncovering truths and learning to accept themselves and others in the process. 

I think the best way to use your platform, first and foremost, really begins with how you treat others. It may sound cheesy or cliché, but believe me when I say a small act of kindness goes a long way. It could be as simple as smiling at a stranger on the street, providing for someone in need, or just calling someone you love to ask how they’re doing. It’s about stepping outside of yourself to serve others every single day, no matter how small the act may be. Try it for a month to actively serve others and get back to me; I promise you will have experienced double the joy and peace in return. 

I do like to use my social media platforms to spread positivity and LOVE. Even just sharing a funny meme can make someone smile, and the world needs that. I understand that my fan base can include young boys and girls, so I always keep that in mind when creating content. I am very passionate about female empowerment, I am a strong advocate for mental health, I am a firm advocate for reading and education reform, and of course, you can always count on me to give an encouraging word because you can do the impossible; YOU GOT THIS!

 

AMB: My passion is to tell stories. In my day job as a TV and film executive for Stacey Abrams’s Sage Works Productions, I focus on finding stories that feel both entertaining and inspirational, elevating women and people of color. I advocate for female and people of color artists in everything I do in my job, and my big passion is finding women-centric stories that are complex and aspirational.

On the persona side, I use my personal social media channels to both celebrate all the Latinos and Latinas in my orbit that are doing great jobs, as well as talk about mental health, a subject that I am very personally passionate about. I’m all about putting love and kindness into the world and giving people permission to be their messy, imperfect selves at times because we all deserve love, even on our darkest days.

 

 

How do you believe storytelling can be a powerful catalyst for collective impact, and what drives your commitment to amplifying diverse voices and perspectives?

AMB: Absolutely. Stories are everything. Since the beginning of time, people have made meaning through stories. Storytelling is the vehicle through which we interpret the world, and it can be the most impactful way to change minds collectively. I’ve built a lot of my career advocating to tell stories from women, Latinos, and people of color that are aspirational because I believe that representation can inspire the next generation to achieve those things. Because if they can see it, they can be it.

 

CC: I couldn’t agree more with Adriana on this. Storytelling can be one of the most impactful ways to change minds collectively. Absolutely. Getting the opportunity to tell stories that reflect the kinds of people I grew up around, the women in my life, my family, and Latinos, is what drives me to do what I do. As a kid growing up, I didn’t see a lot of that, and Latinos are pretty dope, man. I’m committed to the collective movement of putting our stories at the forefront. 

 

 

As a creative force, how do you prioritize self-care and nourish your mind, body, and spirit to maintain your vitality and inspire your best work?

AMB: That’s the never-ending battle. Life is so busy, and work is non-stop, and finding balance at times can feel impossible. I will steal a phrase I hear my boss, Stacey Abrams, say all the time. It’s not about work-life balance. It’s all about work-life, Jenga. Because it’s always teetering, balance is fleeting, and at any moment, things can fall apart. But you try your best, and if things fall, you pick up and try again. My self-care is yoga. I go almost every day to hot yoga, more as a mentally safe space than as a physical workout. I also try to write personal projects beyond my day job as a way to stay inspired and challenged. And I put myself out of my comfort zone. Writing, directing, and producing this play is that for me right now. A way to stay creatively engaged and challenged and pursue my passions even if the industry might be slow right now. I like to try hard things, and even if I struggle, as long as I learn something new, my spirit is nourished.

 

CC: This is a great question. In order to be our best selves in our work and how we show up for others, it begins with how we show up for ourselves. How we take care of ourselves reflects our capacity to love and care for the world around us. Just this morning, I was talking about the importance of nourishing the trifecta of well-being: mind, body, and spirit. How do I nourish them all? I start every morning with half an hour of journaling, prayer, and meditation. Before I step outside, I’ve already had at least an hour with myself and with God. This is the most important part of my day. My faith is crucial to me because I know I cannot do it alone. There is a higher power that I answer to, and that is number one. I take care of my body by actively moving every day, making sure to get a workout in, even if it’s just a 30-minute walk. I love Pilates, weights, running on the beach, and, of course, dancing. I’m also mindful of eating foods that are going to help replenish me and not drain my energy for the day. As far as my mind, as I’ve said before, I am a huge advocate for mental health, and I am so grateful for therapy. Being able to talk to a professional and get my thoughts out helps me process my emotions. Lastly, just being mindful of the things that I watch, the music I listen to, the conversations I engage in, and the people I surround myself with. I always ask myself, is this rooted in love and peace? If it isn’t, I usually avoid it altogether. 

 

 

Imagine the canvas of 2025 as a vibrant masterpiece. We’re almost at that halfway mark; what colors, textures, and themes would you incorporate to reflect your vision for a brighter, more compassionate world?

AMB: I just wish for more love, more compassion, and more understanding. It feels like we’re in a very polarized world right now, with people every day feeling more and more disconnected socially, economically, and politically. I hope that the message of this play resonates with people. Even though I wrote a dark comedy about a dysfunctional family filled with self-centered narcissists, I wove moments of connection, understanding, and growth throughout. I hope our little play can bring people together in a way and create some moments of connection in this isolating age.

 

CC: Adriana just gave a perfect answer, and there’s nothing I can say to that except PERIOD. 

 

 

Our motto is “Luxury For The Soul.” In your experience, what role do self-love and self-care play in unlocking your full potential as an artist and change-maker? What practices help you stay grounded, focused, and inspired?

CC: I think because we are so close to our play premiering, I instantly think of my character, Chelsea, with this question. Like me, Chelsea left the chaos of her family very early on in order to pursue her acting dreams and really find herself. She had to separate to really find her own unique identity and voice. Even though throughout the play, we witness her discovering parts about herself and her family through the death of her father, she first had to take the risk and bet on herself. Only to then realize that a lot of healing can be found right at home. When it comes to self-love, I, too, left home very early on in the pursuit of my truth. I discovered myself as an artist by stepping outside of my comfort zone in Miami, where I grew up; that bravery to go after my dreams was an act of self-love. The constant work that we do as artists, and especially me doing this play, is an act of self-love in constant exploration of what sets our souls on fire. Speaking for myself and Chelsea, the pursuit of discovering ourselves in art not only liberates us but also inspires others to do the same. 

I previously mentioned what self-care looks like for me with my faith in God, therapy, meditation, writing, and working out. There are also things I do that really make me feel good in my most girly ways. I spend a lot of time at the beach; it heals me, and I love to surf when I can. I grew up as a dancer, and a good night of salsa dancing can sometimes regulate me emotionally better than therapy. I have really amazing people in my life who hold me and keep me grounded, so quality time with them is key. For beauty/health in LA: I love a good monthly facial at a spa with Angela at SAVVA SKIN, a lymphatic drainage massage with my girl FLAVIA LANINI, monthly hair appointments with GUY LEVI, and, of course, my daily workouts at Equinox!

 

AMB: Self-care and self-love are very important. I grew up in a household where my divorced mother equated self-sacrifice with love. She used to brag about never taking care of herself because her children were the only priority. And while I appreciate all the great things my mom did for us, it’s taken me many years and a lot of therapy to realize that self-sacrifice is not love. You have to make space for yourself in any relationship. Self-care and self-love are really important ways in which we take care of ourselves so we can then take care of other people.

I do a few different self-care rituals. I go to yoga every day. I attend therapy every week because it’s a way to brainstorm with a professional about how to tackle the challenges in my life in the most compassionate way possible. I go to a breathwork meditation class once a month. I spend my birthdays at a Korean spa getting a massage. I get my nails done once a month. All these things help me feel better mentally, physically, and emotionally. Because if I feel good, I can be the best version of myself for everyone around me and perform my best at work.