JJ (José Juan) Pérez Velázquez

(1986 - ) Creative Artist, Producer & Marketer

 

 

     An Actor, Composer, Director, Editor, Graphic Designer, Marketer, Producer, Singer, Teacher, and Writer, José Juan never rests on his achievements and always seeks for ways to further evolve and grow as an artist in our challenging times. 

 

     Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico from a family of singers and musicians, this bright and energetic performer showed from a very early age an innate passion for the arts.  During his junior high & high school years, he started in recitals, plays, and musicals; creating lively characters, dancing ballet and jazz, playing the guitar and trumpet, and learning the skills required to sustain a live production both in front and backstage.  Some credits from his early years include Little Red Ridding Hood, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, El Rebozo de la Caldera (The Cauldron’s Shawl), and Cajitas de Dientes (Happy Dentures).  

 

     After high school, José Juan relocated to the city of San Juan and began his bachelor's degree in Drama at the University of Puerto Rico (UPR).  He immediately started to get noticed by his professors and peers for his leadership, passion, and professionalism.  As a student, José Juan appeared in lead and supporting roles for productions such as La Posadera (The Mistress of the Inn), La Dama del Mar (Lady From the Sea), La Muerta Viva (The Alive Dead), El Desmonte (Cutting the Woods), A Vuestro Gusto (As You Like It), and La Rosa de Papel (The Paper Rose), among other titles.  During this time, he also served as carpenter’s assistant, prop master, marketing coordinator, and associate producer for the University Theater Company and the UPR Traveling Theater.

 

     While still in college, José Juan was very active in the professional arena as an actor, director’s assistant, and stage manager.  Some credits include En Aquella Playa (That Beach), Las Mujeres de Juárez (Juarez Women), ¡Feliz Cumpleaños, Mi Amor! (Happy Birthday, My Love!), La Hormiga y la Cigarra (The Ant and the Grasshopper), Recuerdos de Mamá (Memories of Mother), Salome, El Caballero de La Mancha (The Gentleman of La Mancha), La Perla (The Pearl), La Carreta  (The Oxcart), and Chicas de Clóset (Closeted Girls).  While many others tend to choose one path, José Juan dipped his toes in multiple areas of the art business, getting a holistic experience that gained him the respect and admiration of his colleagues., mentors, and teachers.

 

     On 2006, José Juan wrote and produced the musical Martita y su Aventura en el Mundo del Reciclaje (Martita Learns to Recycle); revived in 2010 for a year-long tour.   Later on April 2011, José Juan had the opportunity to direct and produce John Patrick Shanley’s Doubt for the University of Puerto Rico Drama Department.  On December of that same year, José Juan produced and directed Feminicidio: Extractos (Feminicide: Extracts) for the UPR Violence Prevention Program. 

 

     Graduated with honors in 2012, this classically trained actor continued his professional career keeping a balance between performing in front and behind the scenes; and putting to work the academic and technical skills acquired over the years. A self-taught video editor and graphic designer, José Juan was particularly in demand as art director and marketing manager for startups and well-established companies.  He also kept busy collaborating with brands like Ediciones SM, Pizza Hut, Soft & Creamy Ice Cream, Tres Monjitas, and Walgreens, creating memorable characters for different marketing campaigns.

 

     From 2012 to 2016, José Juan served as producer, director’s assistant, marketing manager, and video producer for professional companies such as Artefacto, Casa Productora, Effectively Creative Group, Teatro Repertorio UPR and Theater Partners.  Some professional credits include Evita, Dentro del Bosque (Into the Woods), The Mikado, El Gíbaro, La Casa de Bernarda Alba (Bernarda Alba’s House), La Juguetería (The Toy Store), and ¡Amor! ¡Valor! ¡Compasión! (Love! Valour! Compassion!).  There is never a moment's rest for this passionate soul.

 

     On 2014, José Juan premiered with rave reviews his first screenplay Cyberbullying, which he also directed and produced.  In the same year, he starred as Jesus in Cristo 33 (Christ 33) and, some months later, played the Devil for the horror short film No Te Duermas, Cabrón (Don’t Fall Asleep, Motherf…er), which won the Jury Prize for Best Short Film at the Puerto Rico Queer Film Fest in 2015. 

 

     Concurrently in 2014, José Juan began working for the TV game show Quién Sabe Más (Who Know Best) as actor and producer’s assistant for two seasons, a total of 130 episodes.  During the same period, Jose Juan became program manager for Taller Cien, an after-school skill improvement supplementary arts curriculum for public junior high schools.  As part of this effort, a documentary was filmed with student and professional talent regarding the cultural heritage of the city of Yauco, Puerto Rico. 

 

     José Juan’s ever-present desire to thrive for excellence in his craft led him to relocate to Rochester, New York to complete an MBA in the prestigious Simon Business School, University of Rochester.  From the beginning, José Juan became involved in students clubs and volunteer work, lending his helping hand wherever it was needed and demonstrating his natural leadership skills. During his second-year, José Juan became teacher’s assistant for the Marketing Research and Information Systems Management courses offered to first-year MBAs. 

 

     For his summer internship, José Juan joined the family of Rochester’s own Vigneri Chocolate as Associate Marketing Director.  His work and contributions to the company provided the opportunity to work past the summer internship for the rest of his second year at Simon School. 

 

     Now graduated and matured in his skin, José Juan has set his sight on California to pursue his passion for Film, Television, and Theater.  Can’t wait to see what comes next from him.