Meet Caden Pazo | Theatre Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Caden Pazo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Caden, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
I’m going to share the best piece of advice I have ever been given. Never take a job that doesn’t have at least 2 of the 4 P’s: People, Place, Position, and Pay. If a gig doesn’t have at least 2 of those elements, it will not be worth your time and effort and you’ll end up hating the process more than you receive in return. This advice has prevented me from working on a project I would want to give up on because I know exactly what I am getting in return.

“People” has to do with the potential networking connections, but can also include projects where people you enjoy working with are already involved. “Place” is usually about the reputation of the organization that is hiring you. Perhaps it gives you a bigger name for your resume for future jobs, or is a part of a community you want to be a part of. “Position” is about what job title you have. In theatre, I have skills in several functional areas; while there are some I prefer or aspire to, there are others I am just as skilled at and able to do. The last, “Pay” feels self explanatory – how well are you being paid for your artistic pursuits?

Most gigs do not contain all 4 P’s. While building my career, there are plenty of things I’ve had to trade off. I’ve worked on theatre shows that paid terribly while filling small roles that offered me a new company and excellent people to work with – and the exact opposite. Working on a new creative pursuit requires so much time, energy, and money that it is crucial to be intentional about what projects you start in the first place. The four P’s have helped me turn down gigs that won’t serve me and help me choose when I’m presented with multiple conflicting options. This is advice I’ll carry with me the rest of my life.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a multi hyphenated theatre artist. Presently, I market myself as an Actor, Stage Manager, Stage Combatant, and Administrator. To list every way I engage in theatre would simply take far too long so I’ll leave it there. I am most passionate about Devised Theatre, a deeply collaborative art creation process where there are little to no “lanes” of operating. I consider Devised Theatre as the rawest form of theatrical creation. Everyone brings in their own piece to the table and we just try to create as much as we can. In a typical devised process, over half of the ideas end up on the cutting room floor once in the process of crafting a performance. As an artist, it requires me to be willing to let go and not hold any idea too precious. Learning to let go of ideas was challenging at first, until I realized how many more ideas I was able to generate. Suddenly I wasn’t caught up micromanaging every thought, I could allow them to come in fragments, share with the team, and let the team expand them.

I am very fortunate to have so many skills in theatre that my career has been “successful” since graduating. The hardest part is booking your first few gigs. Now, two years out of school, I have had several companies reach out to hire me again because of the good work I offered them the first time I was there. However, I have started to build a very strong reputation in only one of my many theatrical skills and there are other avenues I want to explore more. I’m still in process to shape my career the way I’d love. My current strategy: engage in a lot more independent practice and to share vocally with anyone I meet my interest in other areas.

I think one of the biggest misconceptions about theatre is that you’re either born with “talent” or you’re not. I call bullshit. I was quite terrible at the start of college. I genuinely thought there would be no way I could ever be an actor. All it takes is a good teacher. So much of what is seen in media emphasizes the “self-taught artist” who with no formal training who is an absolute genius. It’s easy to feel like you’re not meant to be an artist if you’re not a prodigy. I am no prodigy. Every skill I have I learned. Undoubtedly, the biggest factor to success in my career was my education. I think all artists, no matter their talent, should have some kind of formal training to allow themselves to tap into the next level of skill.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Denver, Colorado. The arts scene is enormous and completely unheard of. I’d look at the Colorado Theatre Guild’s webpage for all of the live theatre coming through the entire state. Some of my favorites are the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, the Vintage Theatre, Curious Theatre, The Catamounts, and Town Hall Arts Center. Other places I’d make sure to go: The Mercury Cafe (swing dance and poetry), Fortissimo (Dueling Pianos), Tracks (LGBTQ+ Night club), and Morning Story (breakfast cafe).

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are three people that have been instrumental in who I’ve become as an artist.
Connie Sander. My Intro to Theatre professor who convinced me to drop my Math Secondary Education major and switch to Theatre. I never would have become an artist without her.
Carrie Colton. My professor who taught me everything I know about art.
Levi Franklin. My best friend in all the world who helped me through the good times and the bad. Who made me realize I’m capable of far more than I thought I was.

Website: https://linktr.ee/cadenpazo

Instagram: @cadenpazo

Linkedin: Caden Pazo

Image Credits
@boon.eye.photos
RDG Photography
Alyson McClaron
ELD Photography