David Guerra is an award-winning actor, director, teaching and performing artist. Born in Los Angeles, he earned an Associate in Arts degree from East Los Angeles College; then, graduated with honors and distinction from the University of California, Santa Barbara, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre. He has worked and collaborated with many respected Institutions and organizations in Southern California. These include: The Music Center; Center Theatre Group; Geffen Playhouse; Theatre Movement Bazaar; Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts; Skirball Cultural Center; Boxtales Theatre Company; and The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company.
David has many stage and film credits. A few of his favorite stage credits are: Grail Project, a three-time Ovation Awards winner (Direction of a Play, Choreography, and Acting Ensemble of a Play); Edinburgh Festival Fringe ‘ 14, ’15, ’18 with three different Theatre Movement Bazaar productions; and the Hollywood Fringe Festival ’13 and ’19. As an actor, David has also toured internationally, including China, Shanghai, Beijing ’16, and Mexico. He has been featured in many plays, too numerous to mention, and is a company member of Theatre of NOTE. Some of his film and television credits include: Where the Sky is Born; Committed, Cargo; La Rosa y El Gato, Flor de Naranja, Diagnosis X and Untold Stories of the ER.
Mr. Guerra transforms each classroom into a theatre space, creating a level playing field for both the arts and academia. He guides students toward building empathy for both the characters they portray, and for each other. Most classes begin with improvisation and develop into works which are developed, rehearsed and performed. As part of this process, students discuss and critique their work, revise, and work toward a culminating presentation for an invited audience.
His theatre workshops are focused on empowering both youth and adults to write and perform original plays. He guides them in ensemble work, a core value in both professional theatre and early childhood education. Working as an ensemble contributes to the overall goal of becoming lifelong learners. Students reimagine stories and concepts drawn from their studies and personal lives. Through this collaborative, artistic process, students gain skills in character analysis, improvisation, mask work, movement, music, and dramatic structure. Participants of all ages learn teamwork and interdependence while practicing and strengthening the skills they will need to become writers, performers and artists.