Today we’d like to introduce you to David Cerda.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I was a late bloomer. I started my Chicago theater career in my early 30’s. I struggled with addiction and depression, so I spent most of the 80’s trying to escape. Between that and the AIDS crisis I feel lucky to have survived. I became involved in theater with a small company, Sweetback Productions, led by Kelly Anchors- and I felt I had found a home. They had done a highly successful run of Plan 9 From Outer Space and when I found out they were doing a version of John Water’s Female Trouble I got a small part in that show as a hairdresser. This was in 1996. From there I had my first show produced, SUPERPUSSYVIXENS, Go FASTER! KILL! (A Russ Meyer parody), and later, SCARRIE: The Musical, a parody of the film, Carrie, which became a big hit and ran 18 months. This helped me there were other people out there who had an appreciation for the style of theater I love- campy parody and satire. Ihad found my purpose.
Please tell us about your art.
I write plays. Campy, silly and very ridiculous plays that range from satire to parody of everything from films that I love to current events. My pieces usually involve a misfit battling the world, because growing up as gay, effeminate man in Indiana I had to do battle every day of my life. I learned to cut people down with words and discovered I was funny- people laughed. We are an equal opportunity offender at Handbag. We spoof everybody and everything. My plays can be horribly inappropriate, and vulgar but always have a positive message. Heart is the key to all Handbag shows. You can laugh with the characters and ridiculous situations but never AT them. I like a happy ending, because I know happy endings exist and I want people to know it too.
As an artist, how do you define success and what quality or characteristic do you feel is essential to success as an artist?
The definition of success differs for everyone- it can be a very toxic word. I have seen so many brilliant people give up because of societal parameters of success. I don’t put much stock in that word because it suggests you are finished. I prefer ‘content’. Are you being true to yourself? Can you look at yourself in the mirror? Do your actions reflect your values? Are you challenging yourself? Everything you do should bring closer to exactly what you want to do or be. It’s okay to say no to things. VALUE yourself. Learn from mistakes and move on. This doesn’t happen overnight but if you do the work, it’s worth it.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
People can go to our website at www.handbagproductions.org or are Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/HandbagChicago/ They can donate online at www.handbagproductions.org/store/
Contact Info:
- Website: www.handbagproductions.org
- Email: handbagproductions@gmail.com
- Instagram: @handbagchicago
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HandbagChicago/
- Twitter: @handbagtheater
Image Credit:
Rick Aguilar Studios
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