Daily Lobo: Why film?
Nathaniel Chavez: Why film? Well, originally I was going to be doing theater because that's my passion. I've been doing it ever since I was little, and then because of my disability - I get money from the (Department of Vocational Rehabilitation), and they kind of wanted me to pick a degree that would really get me more employed right after I get out. Sometimes I feel a little chained. Sometimes it can be kind of stifling, but at least I can change a bit and still do some of the stuff that I love.
DL: May I ask what your disability is?
NC: I am diagnosed autistic, a type of autism called Asperger's syndrome, so social things are not very easy for me and certain things - I don't know how much you want me to go into that.
DL: Why are you so passionate about theater?
NC: Because it's just something that I've loved to do. When I'm up there, the disability doesn't really matter as much. And I know some people would think a person who has an anxiety disorder would be like "theater would not be a good thing to do." It's totally opposite with me. When that fourth wall comes up, I'm a different person and everything is just great.
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DL: What plays have you done?
NC: My favorite play that I've done is a few years ago. I was Clarence Odbody in "It's a Wonderful Life" at (Albuquerque Little Theatre). I've also worked in the Desert Rose Playhouse, done some stuff in The Vortex with CNM. I've performed in "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," and as far as musicals go, I really liked that. The character of Charlie Brown was well-written, and you can really begin to see and understand, because this guy has his own depression, his own issues. It was great discovering that character and trying to take it to another level.
DL: What's your favorite play?
NC: "(Waiting for) Godot" is one of my favorites that I've ever seen. It stretched my mind to see what was possible with theater. It's absurdist and it makes you think. You try and grasp at straws that aren't really there. It takes it to a whole other level. ("Romeo and Juliet") was fun. That was a good one.
DL: And your favorite film?
NC: There are so many. There are lots of good ones, for different reasons. Some have better camera work; some have a better story line than others; some I'm just partial to because I like their subject matter. Some popular stuff, some not-so-popular stuff I like.
~Pat Lohmann
