By. Kevin Ray Johnson (Staff Writer for OnStage Blog)

I would like you to meet wonderful and oh-so-talented Helena Orts. Helena is a Writer, Actress and playwright of 23 Turnips which is currently a part of The Brisk Festival in LA where it is a finalist. (Courtesy of her IMDB page)Born and raised in Barcelona, Spain, Helena fell in love with theatre at an early age performing in school theatre starting with "The Jungle Book" and "A Mid-Summer's Night Dream." In her adolescence, she continued with her two main passions- acting and basketball. Helena stood out playing professional Basketball for Spain National Team, competing at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games (bronze medal) and five European Championship U16, U18, and U20 (4 gold medals and a bronze) among other international competitions. Academy of Art University in San Francisco allowed her to graduate with a BFA in Acting and play college basketball.

Helena's talent is truly endless and I am so excited to see where this industry and life bring Helena. I am so honored to have the chance to feature this amazing Artist and Olympic Medalist in my series.

How old were you when you knew you wanted to go into the performing arts?

I would say around 5/7 years old. Growing up I watched a lot of Disney movies and I was always dancing, singing around, and acting everywhere. Nobody could pull me out of the clouds and my imagined world. I remember my grandmother calling me across the plaza to go where she and her friends were and asking me to dance and perform for them. I loved entertaining people. Watching movies and musicals was such a joy and a fulfilling experience for me that I quickly knew that my purpose was to impact people the same way. Later on, my dad introduced me to the Marx Brothers, Buster Keaton, and Charles Chaplin and I loved so much how they used their bodies as a tool of expression and storytelling. So I kept asking my parents to put me in acting classes until they did.

Are there any mentors who helped you become the wonderful Artist you are today?

Absolutely. One of my teachers in college, Anthony Montes, motivated me to start writing and creating my own projects. That’s how I started finding my voice as a writer and my need to express myself. Moreover, for the past two years, I have been at the Imagined Life, an acting studio created by Diana Castle. The Imagined life has expanded my empathy and humanity. My mentor and teacher, Lacy Fisher has taught me to develop a healthy creative mentality, cultivate my artistry, and has intensified my mission as a storyteller. The transformation and growth I have experienced these past two years, as an artist and as a human, are thanks to her and Diana’s teachings and they will continue to impact the rest of my life.

Congratulations on 23 Turnips which recently moved on to the finals at The Brisk LA Festival. What a wonderful, fun, and relatable piece (especially for artists and survival jobs). What originally inspired the creation of this piece?

Thank you. It has been such an incredible week to hear people’s responses and their connection with the story. I was working in catering right before the pandemic and for someone from Barcelona, Spain, working at big Hollywood events was very exciting and thrilling. Therefore, I decided to write this play that explores some of the most basic human needs like being heard, seen, acknowledged, and respected. The complexity of us humans living in contradiction criticizing the Hollywood hierarchy but also the acceptance of wanting to be part of it. The belief is that ascending the ladder will provide the life we want.

Helena along with the Cast of 23 Turnips at The Brisk Festival LA.

As a fellow hooper, I truly appreciate it when I find other Ballplayers who are in the Arts. From playing in the Youth Olympic Games where you were awarded a Bronze Medal to winning 4 European Championships, how has the game and the commitment it takes to play at that high of a level helped you in other aspects of your life especially when it comes to the stage?

The discipline, commitment, determination, hard work, resilience, teamwork, handling fear and failure, and mental toughness that basketball has taught me, now it is being transferred to my artistic career and path. A dear friend of mine asked me if I was applying the same logic of success that I did with basketball now with acting. And of course, I need to cultivate my artistry daily. My empathic imagination is like a muscle and needs to be exercised every day.

Are there any moments, stories, or memories in your career that sticks out and will always be near and dear to your heart?

Brisk’s first edition was such a great experience and holds a very special place in my heart. I had just moved to LA when Christian Rodrigo, the founder, told me about the festival. The festival helped me find my community and gave me friendships that have become family. It is very impressive to see how much this second edition grew and see people coming back because of its magic.

What advice would you give any aspiring artist who wants a career in the performing arts?

The sooner they can let go of any concerns about people-pleasing, being liked, impressing, not being enough, etc., and truly reframing their mission, the sooner they will be liberated and they will be living truthfully authentically to themselves. We actors get to tell a story and expand people's hearts, we give voice to all those who have gone through these circumstances and connect bridges. As Diana Castle says “there isn’t a bigger revolution than the one that happens within” and we get to do that on a large scale. It is pretty powerful and super freaking cool.

23 Turnips will be playing at The Brisk Festival this weekend. To learn more make sure you visit - https://briskfestival.com

And to learn more about Helena make sure you visit - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10383309/

Helena Orts discusses 23 Turnips at Brisk LA, Basketball, and Not People Pleasing!

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