HECTOR TOLEDO JR.
Movement & Voice Acting ~ Playwright ~ Community Theater
ABOUT ME
Passionate ~ Empathetic ~ Equity Driven
WHAT'S UP?
Hello, I'm Hector Toledo! I am an Emerson College graduate from their Theater Education program (MA) and am currently seeking my MFA. I have been a New England-based actor all of my career and have spent the past 6 years performing in the Greater Boston area.
THANKS FOR CHECKING OUT MY WEBSITE!
While acting has always been my main passion in life, at the end of my Bachelor's Degree I came to an artistic crossroads. I knew that I didn't have any interest in the traditional "be famous" acting gig, I wanted my art to have a greater purpose than just financial gain. So I ultimately decided that I would use theater as a tool to educate people in empathy and amply voices through proper representation.
ARE YOU READY TO ACT?!
Through acting, people not only become more aware of their bodies, voices, and minds but those of others as well. Allowing them to have a better understanding of what it means to be human. Connection through embodying someone else; carrying their burdens, face their struggles, walking a mile in their shoes.
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
I want to use theater as an empathetic medium that teaches students how to understand themselves and others better. Theater is an art form that expresses human experience, emotion, relationships, and struggles; I want theater to be the bridge between socially constructed identities and real people. Through performance students gain an understanding and respect for a voice that is not their own, teaching them to be considerate towards others because each person has their own story. As a teacher, I aim to bring theater to the spaces and people that need it most; be that through Community Narratives, Documentary Theater, Artistic Protest, teaching at community colleges, etc. I want local communities to understand that the Theater is not this high-brow, exclusive, and expensive art form. Theater is a tool of community expression, connection, and action. Through the teaching of performance, I hope to inspire everyday people to reclaim this art form and use it to represent themselves and their stories.
My classroom runs on inclusivity and equity, I want anyone who enters the class to not only feel welcome but like they can grasp the subject matter we cover as well. I create my lesson plans in a multi-learning style approach to give each student the best chance at digesting and retaining material. Blending lessons with an array of learning styles keeps classes exciting and gives each student a chance to shine with their own unique skills. My learning environment is focused around creating safety and comfort through positive rapport, group created norms/rules, and respect for everyone. In practicing what I preach, I would like my class to be available and accessible to any student, no matter their age, pronouns, neuro or physical ability, race, class, sexual orientation, or creed. Once trust is built, the art will follow. When the class is ready, I believe in pushing my students with high expectations that guide them towards understanding the humanity within performance and within themselves.
"good man. great teacher."
-Student Review
"I think that Mr. Toledo does a very good job of keeping the class on-task, and always has a positive, energetic attitude."
-Student Review
"I really enjoyed Mr. Toledo being apart of the class, and he is always really happy and excited. You can tell he has a passion for teaching, and he lets us be more open, and gets kids involved who are usually quite in the class."
-Student Review
CONTACT ME!
Feel free to inquire about job opportunities or ask questions, thanks for checking out my page!