How a 7th Grade Class Ignited Providence Actor Andersson Tejeda's Passion

"My love for the art of acting began when I was randomly put into a performing arts class," recalls Providence-based creative and Teatro ECAS actor Andersson Tejeda of his 7th grade class at Gilbert Stuart Middle School. His journey, which began with a school production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, encountered an early setback when the program was cut. However, his artistic drive persisted, finding a new outlet in dance, which eventually rekindled his passion for acting through a friendship with a filmmaker named Leo.

Despite the challenges of pursuing a career as a self-taught actor, Tejeda navigated the hurdles of the industry without formal guidance, learning from each experience. "One of the biggest challenges of being self-taught is making all the basic mistakes you wouldn't make if you had someone to guide you," he shares. Through resilience and continuous self-education, he overcame the pitfalls of early career choices and navigated the winding journey of artistic development.

Tejeda’s roots as the son of Dominican immigrants profoundly influence his artistic narrative and the stories he chooses to tell. He is driven by a deep desire to connect with his heritage and craft narratives that resonate with his family's linguistic and cultural experiences. "Having parents that only speak Spanish has me constantly thinking about stories I can tell in Spanish," says Tejada, explaining that his goal is to star in projects that his parents can fully appreciate.

In addition to his personal acting pursuits, Tejeda is deeply invested in nurturing Providence's artistic community. Recognizing a disconnect between creative talents and business acumen, he co-founded the Creative Capital Networking Event to fuse these worlds, thereby enhancing the local creative economy.

His commitment to the community extends to his performances at Providence’s Spanish-language theater, Teatro ECAS, where his professional theater career began. "They are an amazing organization that does a lot for the arts in the Latinx community," Tejeda praises, acknowledging the profound impact of ECAS on his growth as an actor.

Looking ahead, Tejeda is excited about his upcoming projects, including a crime thriller, Nico, which has been picked up for distribution, and a podcast aimed at helping creatives succeed in their fields. Follow his journey on Instagram at @anderssontee.