My inner egoísta fueled my dreams in comedy and theater

Sasha thank you as Josefina in “La Egoísta” by Erlina Ortiz at Philadelphia Theater Company. (Image source: Mark Garvin)

Soy Demasiado, a special issue for the juntos, celebrates the Latinas who recover what it means to be “too much”. Read the stories here.

In a Dominican family, women are often raised to be the glue that keeps everyone together. From an early age, we are taught to be reliable, reliable and emotionally firm. Our role is clear: to support the family, sometimes to the detriment of our own dreams. In a culture that emphasizes the Familismo – the idea that the family comes first, always – I was raised to believe that my value lies in the way I could build and maintain a nest for others to rest. Following the dreams that did not correspond to this vision of our family was not only discouraged; It was almost unimaginable.

For me, the journey to kiss my own dreams meant questioning the very foundation of these values. Choosing to leave New York and move to Los Angeles in 2018 to pursue a career in theater and comedy was like an act of rebellion. It was the most selfish thing I could have done – or at least that’s what my family made me feel. They asked me why I would choose this uncertain path, and each time I lacked family gatherings or drama at home, I would have calls suggesting that things would have been different if I had been there.

The decision to move and the consequences were scary, responsible for guilt and self -doubt. Each failed vacation or family celebration has recalled the expectations that I challenge. As a person of the family who set limits, I have become “the difficult”, selfish. Sometimes I questioned my choice, but I thought that putting my dreams first allow me to break a cycle and live a life that has established a new standard for what a Dominican woman could achieve.

Because deep down, I knew that if I had remained, the generational problems would have persisted. My absence did not cause them; This allowed me to see them more clearly and validated my choice to sculpt a new path.

Of course, creating a new path for yourself is not easy. Self -doubts slips and generational trauma can convince you to believe the very ideas that you try to free yourself. But I realized that being perceived as a “egoísta” by people you love is not often a question of wickedness; It is rooted in the fear of what failure could do you. Parents, in particular, want to keep us safe, and they have learned to survive rather than prospering. Life had to be taken seriously, with roles attributed to maintain the ecosystem of the stable family. But times change and Latinas can be everything they choose to be.

In my role as Josefina in a room in which I recently played called “the egoísta“” I found a striking reflection of my own life. “La Egoísta” was written by Erlina Ortiz, produced by the award-winning production company Tony Award Edgewood Entertainment, and produced by Tatyana-Marie Carlo. I shared the scene with Maria Gabriela González, who played my sister, as well as the puppeteer Marisol Rosea Shapiro. I am deeply grateful to have shared the scene with such talented people. This project taught me the importance of putting art first; He inspired, moved and encouraged the public to look in themselves to see what might miss or have to become. Thanks to Josefina, I understood the importance of kissing “the egoísta” inside.

Josefina, like me, is taken in the rope between individual dreams and fidelity to the family. Familismo is a beautiful value rooted in love and support, but it can also be a burden, especially for women. For Latinas, these expectations often result in a tacit rule that our dreams come second. Men are encouraged to be Go-Getters, while women should be nest workers, always sacrificing for the family. I realized that if the Familismo feeds, it can involuntarily prevent women from reaching our full potential.

As my career in comedy and the theater took off, I had to make sacrifices that many would not understand. I missed weddings, birthdays and other family meetings. Over time, I understood that my limits were necessary – not an act of abandonment, but an affirmation of self -respect.

It took years, but I learned to say no, to protect my time and to prioritize my well-being and my mental health on guilt. I realized that by sacrificing myself, I did not help anyone in the long term. To be my best me and a successful actor and actress, I had to give myself the permission to continue what looked good, even if it was against everything that had taught me.

While some parents have come to understand, others still do not do so. When I say no to major family events, their disappointment is palpable. I was called “too much” to prioritize my career, but I am based on knowledge by being faithful to myself, I honor my family in my own way. I want to show that a Latina can continue her dreams, create success and always deeply love her family.

Playing Josefina taught me a lot about the power of choice. “La Egoísta” gave me a chance to express the conflict that many Latinas are confronted: wanting to stay close to our roots while branching to continue our dreams. The Familismo is beautiful, but for him to serve us really, he must evolve to support the dreams of each member of the family. Women deserve the freedom to dream of great, to move away if they wish and to redefine what the family means for them.

To the other Latinas focused on the career, I say this: do not be afraid to kiss your inner egoísta. Protecting your dreams and setting limits for your well-being is not selfish. Your ambitions are valid and your goals deserve to be pursued. When we make room for our growth, we do not give up our families; We create a heritage that shows future generations that they can also follow their shameless passions. I am proud to be a Dominican woman cutting a new path, and I hope that by kissing my dreams, I help others to do the same.

Sasha Thank you is a first generation American actor, an actor and a viral digital creator. It highlights more than a decade of diversified experience in entertainment with roles in films like “Rightte Thieves” and “Lo Mio”, as well as collaborations with renowned brands such as Target and Bumble. She shares her roots of the Bronx and her passion for Latin culture by manifesting herself on mental health and comedy navigation.