PASSIONATE PROFESSIONALS

The Queens World Film Festival, New York Women in Film and Television, Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, The Gaia Zine and Epicenter – NY proudly announce PASSION in ACTION, a day-long mentoring event to bring high school and college students together with Passionate Professionals in the Arts, Sciences, Finance, Women’s Sports, Nonprofit Sectors and More.

The morning session of this day long event will concentrate on developing personal professionalism related to the arts including developing a mission statement, compiling ideas on how to promote your work and creating your back pocket networking tool kit. The afternoon is devoted to a round robin speed networking event so that all attendees have the opportunity to spend 30 minutes with 3 different Passionate Professionals.

The morning will concentrate on developing personal professionalism related to the arts with the afternoon devoted to a round robin networking event so that all attendees, have the opportunity to spend 30 minutes with 3 different Passionate Professionals.

Thank you to Venessa Diaz for being one of our Passionate Professionals!

  • Performing Arts, Screenwriting, Playwriting

  • Professional Affiliations

    Disney Jr., Noggin, Moonbug (Cocomelon, Little Angel), PBS, Age of Learning

Venessa Diaz

Writer/Performer: Organic Sofrito, Recipes for Disaster

Venessa M. Diaz hails from Queens, NY. She is a Puerto Rican writer, performer and winner of the coveted, “Excellence in Storytelling” award, beating out all the other snot nosed kids in her kindergarten class. An isolated latch-key kid with a vast imagination, Venessa discovered the performing arts and before long, she was cutting school to write and perform original plays and musicals alongside some of Broadway’s best. She is a founding member of accomplished youth theater companies and has taught Poetry Slam, Playwriting, Theatre and Musical Theatre in New York City public schools, community centers and detention centers. For over a decade, Venessa was able to share the power of the written word to other inner-city students, inspiring them to pursue their goals, despite their circumstances. Primarily, Ms. Diaz’s work is socially conscious. Her solo show, Organic Sofrito or Other Recipes for Disaster, is a dark comedy that addresses cultural norms and the elusive beauty of dysfunction. Named a bestseller at the renowned United Solo Theatre Festival, it has healed audiences throughout NYC and Chicago. As a mother of twins with Down syndrome, she is most proud of the advocacy work she has done for the acceptance and inclusion of individuals with developmental disabilities. As a screenwriter, Venessa has written for and developed projects with Nickelodeon, Moonbug, Disney Jr. and PBS. She is the founder of the Down syndrome Achievement Center: GiGi’s Playhouse Long Island, a proud member of the Actors Equity Association, alumnus of the 2019 NHMC Television Writers Program and 2021 Sesame Workshop Writers’ Room. Currently, she is a staff writer on the series Kindergarten: The Musical! set to air in 2024 on Disney Jr.

Question & Answer

What is a personal character trait that you have leaned on in your career?

Being relentless in the pursuit of my career goals.

What is your best advice for young creatives who are thinking about college?

Big names aren’t always the best schools! Go with your gut and don’t break the bank.

What is your best advice for young creatives who are beginning their careers?

Don’t be afraid to take creative risks! Always be on time, be professional and listen to your inner wisdom.