Known for his undeniable talent and successful career with numerous international roles in soap operas, films and plays, the Dominican actor Anthony Alvarez, returned recently to his country, the Dominican Republic, in order to do “his bit” at the “Magical Splendor For Life” event by the Foundation MIR last Saturday the 19th of January. During the dinner-gala and fashion show, Anthony Alvarez was accompanied by journalist Sophie Lachapelle, who together entertained the guests whilst presenting the Badgley Miscka fashion show.
It was in the midst of rehearsals for the premiere of a play in New York when life presented him with another opportunity to attend this glamorous event in Casa de Campo. As he’d already taken part in the past with the talented actress and Puerto Rican, Adamari Lopez, Anthony Alvarez was thrilled to return to Casa de Campo for this beautiful cause. Prior to the event we were given the opportunity to meet Anthony at the new Rústicos y Más in Altos de Chavón – a time when we caught up with the charming actor about his achievements, experiences and future plans for this 2013!
[NOTA: Esta entrevista fue redactado originalmente en Español – para leer el texto original haga click aquí.]
@cdcliving: We imagine that you have high expectations for the Fundación MIR event….
I have high expectations! Good expectations because I’ve seen what they have done and it is very nice. I know Fundación MIR through a friend, we worked together in the United States, she works with them (MIR) and even mentioned my name and facilitated contact.
I took part in the MIR event two years ago with Adamari López and the truth is that we had a great time, we had a good chemistry on stage. The funny thing is that I have to forgive professional emcees (laughs) I was called to be the emcee and that’s not really who I am, all I do is try to relax and do a good job. It’s a great cause, you must give where you can.
Anthony Alvarez on the Fundación MIR
My mission is to help spread the message more. I feel part of this and it’s nice to be part of something that has to do with your person or your career or your personal ego. Knowing you’re contributing to help a person who has talent, but perhaps not have the means. I want to continue carrying the flag of the Dominican Republic wherever I can. I wish there were more people, even more famous people to give more publicity to the event and the cause. That I think would be great for the Fundacion MIR, to keep it growing and gaining support.
@cdcliving: Speaking of causes and realities, what worries you about the Dominican Republic and what makes you proud?
What concerns us all … I worry about the welfare of the people. I’m not very interested in politics, but I do think that our country is blessed in some way, for we have experienced many set-backs yet we keep going. Sometimes, unfortunately, we have to find the option to leave the country to grow because here we do not have the same opportunities. This country has a lot, this is a land blessed in every way. We must give back, it’s the same thing we are talking about about the Fundación MIR.
I am proud of my country! The people, the music, the food, the air we breathe. I really miss the Dominican Republic … I visit all the time.
@cdcliving: Tell us about the moment you decided to emigrate and began to excel as an actor abroad.
I began in La Vega, doing theater, experimenting and doing my “thing” when I was very young. I had a dream, I’ve always been a dreamer. After living in New York I went to Mexico with nothing, not knowing anyone. I struggled and managed to slowly make my way in this race and I still do. It’s a race where you’re always knocking on doors and you are always waiting to grow, as everything in life. I am proud to have with me [at the Magical Splendor for Life event] two friends and actors who have done well internationally too; Cortina Memo and Carlos de La Mota – they had the same dream I had and they did well.
@cdcliving: Tell us how you started in the production of television / film.
There’s not much to tell, I have a lot more to learn. I’m very curious. I was studying to be a director of film and television in the United States and took a course in audio engineering. I had to do it out of necessity, I wanted to know everything from the most basic editing, things you as an actor you don’t normally know about. Working behind the scenes makes me a better actor, knowing the basics of a script – gives you respect for writers, writing is an art – then working around from there to create the design, directing and editing to reach the final product. It is a beautiful experience!
@cdcliving: What are your career highlights?
What I am doing right now! (Laughs) It’s a tough career, it’s so difficult that one day you’re “it” and the other not. My mission in life and my career is to entertain. I have to entertain in some way, whether on television, in a soap opera, a movie theater or wherever I can. I am a frustrated singer and always sing whenever I can!
@cdcliving: Do you have any projects planned for the Dominican Republic?
We would like to make a film, all three of us together (Memo, Carlos and Anthony). It would be interesting. Carlitos has not yet made a movie here, but Memo has. We want to do something cool! There is a group of actors and a generation of talented people who have left the country and have done well. Now it’s time when we would all like to keep doing things and building our name outside of our country. These are Dominican actors who are doing really well and it’s an opportunity to uplift the Dominican film industry to an international level.
@cdcliving: What does the Dominican film industry need to do to go international?
Something I have criticised is the lack of good stories. We do many comedies. Dominicans love laughing, as does the whole world. Comedy is relief; soup for the soul. But if you can make a good comedy, it doesn’t have to be badly acted, poorly directed, poorly shot and poorly edited. If you have a good story and a good script, it is more likely it will come out well.
We have the talent to do it, there are good directors, the best equipment, the best scenery in the world and a lot of talent in the Dominican Republic. It is an evolution, Dominican film is young, the moment will arrive when the Dominican film industry will participate in festivals for the enjoyment of Dominicans as well as non-Dominicans too.
@cdcliving: Is there anything you wanted to do with your life but didn’t?
I wanted to be a Major League Baseball Player! I played baseball when I was little in La Vega. Also in Mexico I got into a softball league and won the championship. That was 7 years ago! At that point in my life I was an athlete in a sense! I don’t know if it was the age I was, but I bought lots of sports clothes and spent a lot of time at the gym.
It’s been a longtime since I’ve done soaps. I would like to return to that once the play ends.
@cdcliving: What are you working on right now?
I’m doing a classic, the play “Fuenteovejuna” by Lope de Vega with an Argentine director who is making a modern proposal. I’m doing verses! It will be released in February and is a new challenge … challenges are the beauty of life. In the future, I would like to produce, keep expanding, to create a business. We have a small production company in New York – working in television.
@cdcliving: And your personal life….
I have a daughter, I am a happy father, she has brought me the most happiness in life. At this point in my life I did not I would be a dad, but I am! I am dumbfounded. It is a beautiful experience that I’m living right now in my life. She’s bringing peace and this year I feel that comes in handy in every way, if God gives me life and health. I feel a big change in me – I feel like I’m starting over!
Thank you Anthony! It was a real pleasure meeting you!
On Saturday the 19th of January 2013, the Fundación MIR celebrated its 22nd annual fundraising event “The Magical Splendor for Life” and as we entered through an archway in the shape of a Tiffany’s Box and were greeted with a chorus of “Buenas Noches” by the smiling and adorable faces of the children of the MIR schools – we knew it was going to be an outstanding evening…..
The Fundación MIR is a non-profit organization which works to provide education to the children of the greater La Romana area, who are most in need. They run 3 schools; the MIR Esperanza (boys vocational school), the Escuela Tecnica Vocacional Fundación MIR (girls vocational school) and the Primaria MIR (infants school).
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