Outstanding Alum Fernando Carsa returns to UCLA with a message of hope and belonging

On Tuesday Sept. 26, the UCLA School of Theater, Film & Television welcomed back to campus recent alum Fernando Carsa, star of the Apple TV+ comedy “Acapulco” (set in the dayglo 80s vibe of a fictional Mexican resort owned by Americans) to honor him with the school’s  “Outstanding Achievement Award,” given annually to a remarkable alum.

"A dynamic presence on both stage and screen, Fernando entered the world of TFT through the Ray Bolger Musical Theater Program as a transfer student and left a lasting imprint," said Brian Kite, interim dean of TFT.

Carsa performed in several campus productions at UCLA including “Lainie’s Cabaret: Movie Musicals,” “CAMP SONG: A new Musical” and “Rebel Genius.” A mere six months post-graduation, he embarked on his television journey with “Acapulco” and is slated to dazzle audiences in the upcoming Paramount+ feature film, “At Midnight.”

Off-camera, Carsa is a fervent advocate, supporting Encircle to aid at-risk LGBTQ+ youth, and championing body positivity and immigrant stories.

“I consider the phrase ‘what do you say to taking chances?’ to be my life motto,” Carsa said. “This catchy Celine Dion lyric has been the inspiration behind every decision I’ve made as an immigrant. Applying and attending UCLA was one of those decisions, and also the best one I’ve ever made.  It is thanks to this institution that I was able to find my purpose as an artist, but most importantly, it is thanks to its amazing faculty that I was able to find,  accept, and celebrate myself (which, spoiler alert, has been a huge part of my success as an actor).

Carsa took questions from an audience of enthusiastic TFT students. He advised them to make the most out of their experience at UCLA, with a special message to transfer students, like he once was. He recalled a powerful feeling of imposter syndrome, having migrated to the United States from a small town in Mexico in 2013.

“Just two months after I moved here, I visited UCLA with my cousin who was going to be going to school here, and I thought ‘there’s no way,” he said.

 Once he got in himself, he threw himself into his experience at UCLA, taking summer courses every year so he had plenty of room in his schedule during the school year to participate in student groups and get in every performance he could.

“If you’re a transfer student, the first thing you should tell yourself is ‘congratulations,” Carsa said. “The best thing you can do is be in constant community with others. Get involved with everything. And just know that you belong here and everyone is going to embrace you.”

Carsa said he was also thrilled to be able to bring along his father to the orientation ceremony as he accepted the alumni award. He graduated from UCLA in the fateful 2020 year when commencement was virtual.

“I kind of feel like this is my graduation ceremony today,” he joked.

Story by Jessica Wolf
Sept. 28, 2023
Header image by Todd Cheyney.