Warm, compassionate, relatable, thoughtful, funny, straightforward, intense, real.
Actor Liza Colón-Zayas, best known for playing Tina Marrero on the comedy-drama series “The Bear,” is all those things, students discovered on December 12.
She zoomed into John Jay’s auditorium for a conversation with more than 100 seniors enrolled in the elective Social and Theoretical Criticism in the Serial Narrative—known as the Series—taught by Chandler Lewis and Julia Padolf.
The virtual visit was the capstone of the class’s semester-long analysis of “The Bear.” It continued the class’s impressive tradition of meeting an actor from a series they’ve studied. In the last two years, building on a deep dive into “The Sopranos,” students spoke with Edie Falco and Vincent Pastore.
Colón-Zayas’s expressive face beamed with humor and humanity as she shared how she found her way as an actor and how she prepares for a part, as well underscored the importance of believing in yourself and doing the work.
Students learned that she was from a working-class family in the Bronx. When Colón-Zaya took an acting class in high school, she immediately knew she’d found her life’s work.
Along the way, while working two-to-three jobs, Colón-Zaya found a supportive theater community and honed her craft.
“What I’m saying is there’s not one way to do this,” she said. “Keep believing and striving to be you and be the best you can be. I never would have imagined I’d have an Emmy and win all those awards.”
One of the students kicked off the Q&A asking if Colón-Zaya faced challenges in getting parts as a Latina actor.
“Absolutely,” said Colón-Zaya. “You have to try harder. It’s tougher but not impossible. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and to the rest … para afuera.
“If you want to be an artist, start doing it! Explore all those things that give you joy. Jump right in!” she said. “Believe you have talent. Take acting classes. Do your homework. Show up on time. Do the best you can.”
Another student asked her if it was stressful to play Tina Marrero, the combative and hard-headed line cook in “The Bear.”
Colón-Zaya responded with an emphatic “No!”
“Tina has always lived right under my skin,” she said “I get it. I struggled to pay my bills. I was living paycheck to paycheck, job hunting. I was insecure; I was bullied. When Sydney asks Tina to become her sous chef and go to culinary school, I took a five-day program to learn the basics. I cut my fingers and burned myself. I was prepared.”
Lewis had the last question.
“You are talking to 16, 17 and 18 year olds who are about to leave high school. What do you wish someone had said to you at that age?”
“If I could speak to myself …" said Colon Zayas. “I heard someone else say this, and I’ll share it here. I’d thank that girl for not giving up.”
“You are in a tough part of your life, and you made it this far,” she said to the students. “Thank yourself.
