More than a decade ago, Jose Balistrieri was just another student enrolled in business classes at MiraCosta College. He had always done well academically and was finding success in his economics coursework. But even then, Jose had this nagging feeling that he wanted to do more creatively."

For as long as Jose can remember, he has dreamt of becoming an actor. Yet the challenge and public perception that went with that career served as a deterrent.

“I loved theater from a young age, but I was too scared to tell anyone,” said Jose, who can still recall walking by The Old Globe as a child and thinking he wanted to one day perform there.

“My family and friends wanted the best for me, and I knew they would just point out how hard it would be to succeed since less than 1% of people make it as an actor.”

That all changed, though, when he got a call that would reshape his entire future.

While sitting in one of his weekly classes at MiraCosta College, Jose found out that one of his close friends, Derek Thomas, had just been in a tragic car accident. With most of his body burned, the doctors said that Derek had less than a 1% chance of surviving.

“I still remember sitting in my car that day feeling absolutely devasted,” said Jose.

Miraculously, that 1% was enough. Against all odds, and after dozens of surgeries, Derek slowly recovered. And Jose saw that as a sign.

“1% is all we need,” smiled Jose.

Soon after that experience, Jose decided to enroll in the MiraCosta College theatre program and chase his dream of becoming an actor. Guided by Professor Tracy Williams and Eric Bishop, Chair of MiraCosta College's Theatre and Film Department, Jose learned every little detail about the performance arts, from the influence of Shakespeare to how to prepare for a new role.

Noted Jose, “From the very beginning, I felt at home. At MiraCosta College, you’re not just another name in a sea of students. The professors give their full attention to every person – and not just to see them succeed in the classroom but to support their individual needs as well.”

With the support of his fellow students and the professors on campus, Jose thrived in the program. He later went on to pursue his Master of Fine Arts and soon found himself working in rooms with actors and directors he once idolized.

While he acknowledges the challenges that come with the career, Jose is proud to be pursuing his dream every day. Since graduating from MiraCosta College, Jose has worked with a long list of renowned actors and directors, including Herbert Sigüenza, one of the most influential people in that Latinx theater community, and Barry Edelstein, famed Director of The Old Globe, who has directed many of the biggest names in acting.

One of Jose’s favorite life milestones happened just recently when he got to play Sebastian in The Old Globe’s presentation of Twelfth Night, a role he first took on while enrolled at MiraCosta College.

“It was a beautiful full circle moment,” shared Jose. “MiraCosta College and Eric Bishop were the first to introduce me to Shakespeare and then more than ten years later I’m playing the same role at a theater where I always dreamed of performing.”

When asked about his journey over the past decade, Jose is quick to point out the foundation that MiraCosta College helped lay, and the impact its staff and students continue to have on his career.

“The theater program prepared me for everything,” shared Jose. “Even after graduating and taking classes at other schools, nothing compared to the support and education I got at MiraCosta College.”

To this day, Jose maintains a strong relationship with many of his former classmates and professors such as Eric Bishop.

Shared Jose, “Eric’s mentorship has allowed me to pursue my dreams. He saw something in me that even I didn’t see at the time and gave me the confidence to keep pursuing my dream.”