Remembering Hugo Pozo: A Master of the Arts
It’s not every day that we get to raise a toast—or perhaps a jug of soy sauce— to an individual who embodies what it truly means to dedicate oneself to the arts! Enter stage left: Hugo Pozo, the man whose life was basically a one-man show that continued even as the curtain came down. I mean, talk about commitment—dying on stage? That’s not just method acting; that’s the Marvel Cinematic Universe of dedication!
The Maestro of Discipline
According to his former students, Pozo wasn’t just any old teacher. No, he was a strict but gentle taskmaster, wielding discipline like a sword and punctuality like a shield. “He expected us to be on time, but he also understood us,” said Maddlen Terrazas. I like to imagine Pozo standing on the stage like a benevolent overlord—the kind who’d give you a gold star, then promptly take it back the moment you were late. They say he didn’t tolerate half-measures. Half a measure? Please, you might as well have shown up wearing a clown wig!
A Life for the Stage
Hugo Pozo lived a life footnoted by his love for theater. It’s almost poetic, don’t you think? Dying just after a performance of Zambo Salvito? If he had to go, at least he went out in true theatrical fashion—“To be or not to be,” but like, “To perform or not to perform.” And not even severe belly pain could prevent him from delivering that final act. That’s dedication, my friends! Take note; it’s not just a job, it’s a “soul, life, and heart” kind of thing. Who knew entrusting your bowels to the stage would be part of the job description?
“If you want to do it, you must train yourself and work soul, life, and heart.”
– Hugo Pozo
Forging Generations
As if being a one-man theatrical juggernaut wasn’t enough, Pozo also found time to launch the artistic ambitions of students who came through his workshops. That’s right—he wasn’t just a mentor; he was practically a theatrical assembly line! Many students were probably lured into his world by the allure of the stage—Adrianni Ramos admitted she was captivated after watching him perform. A love story that started with an audience chair, and culminated on the stage? Almost sounds like the plot of a sweet rom-com, doesn’t it?
“He was a very technical teacher who provided the best information.”
– Nancy Flores
Ah, the sweet scent of knowledge mixed with aspirations! He didn’t mess around either. For Hugo, it was all about discipline, punctuality, and dedication. It’s like he had a three-point checklist for raising future actors: “Be early, be ready, and for crying out loud, commit!” His teachings went beyond mere acting; they were like a crash course on how to be successful in life—show up, give your best, or someone else will snag your role faster than you can say, “Oops!”
Profile in Legacy
BIRTH: August 25, 1949.
DIED: November 4, 2024.
CAREER: Began acting in 1972 and formed his own company, Compañía de Teatro Hugo Pozo Bolivia, in 1992, nurturing three generations of talent and participating in over 300 plays. That’s a lot of curtain calls!
Even as we mourn his passing, we celebrate the legacy of Hugo Pozo, not just as an actor, director, and educator, but as a beacon of inspiration for all who dare step onto that stage. He taught us all a lesson: life is an act, and we should give it our all, even if that means dying with our boots on—or in his case, our stage shoes! Cheers to you, Hugo! May your next performance be in the great beyond, filled with laughter, reverence, and perhaps a mischievous ghost or two!
Promotional photograph by Hugo Pozo from archive. PHOTO: Hugo Pozo Company
For the acclaimed actor, director, playwright, and educator Hugo Pozo, discipline, punctuality, and dedication were not merely traits but essential tenets for thriving on stage. Drawing upon these principles, he dedicated an impressive 32 years to nurturing and shaping the talents of numerous generations of aspiring actors through his artistic training.
Maddlen Terrazas, a former student and member of the Hugo Pozo Bolivia Theater Company, fondly reminisced, “He was, at the same time, a strict but gentle teacher. That is to say, he was firm when it came to teaching and during practices he did not tolerate delays and half-measures. But he was also a teacher who communicated with his students to see what was the best approach to solve our problems.” Another former student, Nancy Flores, echoed this sentiment, saying, “He understood us.”
“It is not easy to make a living from art in the country. If you want to do it, you must train yourself and work soul, life and heart.”
—Hugo Pozo
Hundreds of former students and colleagues gathered to honor the legacy of Hugo Pozo during his funeral. The wake and body mass took place at the Alberto Saavedra Pérez Municipal Theater, a testament to his profound influence on Bolivian theater and cinema.
A life dedicated to theater
Hugo Pozo Arias devoted nearly his entire life to the stage. Remarkably, he passed away on Monday, November 4, shortly after delivering one final performance.
Guery Pozo shared that his father always emphasized the significance of fulfilling commitments. “He was a rock when I had a presentation scheduled, like what happened last weekend,” he recalled.
Despite suffering severe abdominal pain on Sunday, November 3, hours before the performance of Zambo Salvito in El Alto, HuPozo refused to cancel, showcasing his commitment to his craft.
“He acted with the strength he always had. Once we finished, the pain returned and we went to the hospital,” where he was later pronounced dead.
This Master of the Arts, as recognized by the Ministry of Cultures, departed from this world doing what he loved most: acting.
“He explained to us that, although everyone is necessary, no one is irreplaceable. If you don’t show up on time and don’t give 100%, there’s always someone else.”
—Madden Terrazas
Both his students and son remember that Pozo always professed his love for acting from childhood, inspired by the Mexican films from the golden era of that industry.
Despite the lack of formal acting schools for theater or cinema in the country, he trained with the esteemed Eduardo Cassis and made his stage debut in 1972.
His passion for teaching also stemmed from his experiences at the Normal School, where he understood the challenges of obtaining an education.
Forging the future
Shortly after founding his company in 1972, he began sharing his knowledge through workshops. Initially collaborating with colleagues, he soon took the reins to teach independently.
“Nothing was improvised. He was a very technical teacher who provided the best information.”
—Nancy Flores
Many students found their way to his workshops after being captivated by his performances. Designer and animator Adrianni Ramos shared, “I went to see him in a play at the Municipal Theater. I was enchanted and wanted to get into that world.”
Nancy expressed her belief that “it was God who took me to the workshops,” stating her interest in acting was piqued when she stumbled upon an advertisement for Pozo’s classes.
From the start, Pozo instilled in his students that “you don’t play” with theater. He demand for them to embody discipline, punctuality, and dedication—the same qualities he cherished in crafting his art.
“He explained to us that, although everyone is necessary, no one is irreplaceable. In the theater, if you don’t show up on time and don’t give 100% to the job, there is always another budding actor to fill in,” revealed Terrazas, who collaborated with Pozo for 17 years.
For first-time students, classes began with the fundamentals taught through professional techniques. “Nothing was improvised. He was a very technical teacher who provided the best information,” Flores reiterated.
Beyond mere classroom instruction, his teaching philosophy required students to present in public as a final exam, offering a real-world experience.
These end-of-term performances not only assessed student progress but also helped Pozo identify potential new members for his company, effectively planting seeds for three generations of theater talent.
PROFILE
° BIRTH Hugo Pozo was born in La Paz on August 25, 1949. He was 75 years old at the time of his passing on November 4, 2024.
° JOURNEY He launched his stage career in 1972 and founded his own company, the Compañía de Teatro Hugo Pozo Bolivia, in 1992, where he trained three generations of artists. Over his illustrious career, he participated in more than twenty films and 300 theatrical productions.
Ent for Pozo’s classes. “I quickly realized it was my calling,” she added, her eyes shining with gratitude at the memory.
Hugo Pozo’s influence extended far beyond individual performances; he was a cornerstone of the Bolivian theater community. His commitment to nurturing aspiring actors created a ripple effect throughout the industry, shaping the next generation of talent. With a career that spanned 32 years, he not only showcased his prowess as an actor and director but also as a dedicated educator who believed in the transformative power of theater.
As former students like Maddlen and Nancy reflect on their time with him, it’s clear that Pozo’s teaching methods were rooted in a deep understanding of the art form and a commitment to excellence. His philosophy of acting extended beyond the stage, teaching students valuable life lessons about responsibility, resilience, and the importance of showing up—both in theater and in life.
Hugo Pozo’s story is one of passion, discipline, and an unwavering love for the craft. May his legacy continue to inspire countless aspiring actors to pursue their dreams with the same fervor and dedication. Farewell, Maestro Pozo. Your light will forever shine on the stage you so loved.