My Story
I was born and raised in Chilangolandia AKA Mexico City, and have been passionate about acting since a very early age. From classical dance, to Bel canto, to circus training - I'm a true hyphenated nerd!
My experience living in different countries has provided me with knowledge, long-lasting relationships, and a deep respect for diversity. Like a chameleon, I can adapt to any environment I'm in while remaining true to myself.
After obtaining my diploma as an actor, I wanted to find more meaningful ways to give back to others. My guiding principle has always been a sense of gratitude and of knowing where I come from - it's important for me to remember how far I've come and all of those who have helped me get here. No one is truly made on their own.
I decided to pursue a double Masters in Drama Therapy and Conflict Management in Paris, combining my love of storytelling with the power to make a difference in people's lives. By using expressive arts facilitation, I have been able to offer several workshops and sessions in order to advocate for healing, justice, and mental health. This has resulted in a deeper connection and empathy for us, as human beings, and the empowerment of underserved communities everywhere I’ve been.
Sharing our stories can help us heal trauma, create connections, and build bridges between different cultures and beliefs. At the end of the day, we're all made of stories; the stories of our land, heritage, culture, ancestors, tears, sweat and our families which are what gives our lives meaning. I'm on a mission to bring these stories to life and offer empowerment and representation to as many people as possible.
Currently, I'm a permanent resident of the US and a proud member of both SAG-AFTRA and AEA. Acting has become my life's pursuit, a constant learning journey of evolution into what truly means to explore the human experience.
“I believe in using our differences as assets. If human beings embraced uniqueness and tolerate diversity,
we could all aim for a sense of collectivity & balance.” -Tessie Herrasti
“Working with Tessie is an uplifting experience for mind, body, and spirit. As a professional with broad expertise and talent, she brings energy, empathy, and ebullience to everything she does. These qualities are only exceeded by her generosity of spirit.”
— PING HO, MA, MPH FOUNDER & DIRECTOR, UCLARTS & HEALING
My Achievements
Honorable Mention for Fantasy Proof of Concept: Jewels of Light.
Best Female Empowerment Short-film for Jewels of Light.
People’s Choice Award Semifinalist for the Short & Sweet Hollywood Festival with my original play Matilde & Lula.
Special Guest at the Women’s Week Short & Sweet Festival Sydney, Australia with my original play Matilde & Lula.
Guest at the Today Show in June 2021.
Featured Poet at the National Poetry Therapy Association- September 2021.
Presenter at the Expressive Therapies Summit LA 2021 with session "Nature-Based Expressive Approaches for Healing from Medical Illness: Coping Despite COVID”.
Cool Facts About Me
Fantasy Nerd. I saw the Lord of the Rings movies over 96 times each in theaters. In other words, all my saving went to see them over and over again and I know all the music movements and dialogues.
Obsessed with Celtic Culture and avid practitioner of Druidism.
Admirer of trees & of having existential thoughts around them.
Fan of Edgar Allan Poe and Samuel Beckett.
Taught Zumba to visually compromised people in France and in front of crowds of over 3000 people.
Into sour foods & drinks.
Speak fluent French, Spanish and English and I’m conversational in Italian, German, Danish and Scottish Gaelic.
Experienced in most areas of filmmaking, graphic design & editing.
Passionate about Bollywood Movies, the songs and dances.
Learning to play the Irish Bard’s Harp.
Qualifications
5 years of Expressive Therapies Workshops such as:
Playback Theater
Play Therapy
Drumming Circles
Poetry Therapy
Existentialist Therapy
Eco-therapies
Social-Emotional Learning
Journaling Therapy
Dance & Movement Therapy
Breema™
Puppetry
Psicodrama
Dramatherapy
Art Therapy
Kintsugi-The Art of Reparing the Broken Bowl
Taught by the best therapists and mental health professionals such as:
Dr. Ping Ho, Dr. Dee Preston Dillon, Armand Volkas, Mimi Savage, Kathy Cass, Jon Schreiber, Alexis Mulhauser, Erica Curtis, amongst many others.Kondaira™ Workshop Facilitator
My whole existence devoted to storytelling
HS Arts/ Specialty in Acting-Cedart “Diego Rivera” INBA
MA in Acting – National Dramatic School Mexico
20,000 hours of ActingSummer Intensive Acting Training with the Tom Todoroff Acting Studio
2 Years of editing and content creation for the Tom Todoroff Acting Studio
MA in Drama Therapy and Conflict Management-Sorbonne Nouvelle
Social-Emotional Arts Certification-UCLArts & Healing in California
Program Volunteer (InsideOUT Writers/ Creating Writing for Healing with youth who experience incarceration)
Translator and Interpreter for Workshops of the UCLArts & Healing
Administration for the ETSLA- Expressive Therapies Summit Los Angeles
6 Years of facilitating Arts for Healing and Mental Wellness Workshops
“Tessie is the greatest blessing of 2020”
— TOM TODOROFF