Meet the Nominees: Best Bear Artist

Mark-Eugene Garcia is a a Mexican/Honduran playwright and actor. He is a member of the Dramatists Guild and A.S.C.A.P. Bear audiences will recognize him as one of the lead actors in Sidekick Productions’ Demon Doctor. He has also guested on Skeleton Crew and is slated to star in the upcoming A Taste of Youth.​

​(sexy photo after break) 

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How does your identity as a bear or your ties to the bear community influence your art? 
When I was younger and coming out, my first hook up, crush and gay heartbreak was a bear. A really cute one. Then the friends who guided me out of that mess were also my Bear friends. They were the guys who led me through the process and welcomed me into the gay community. They  also taught me that I, along with the body I was self conscious about, was something to celebrate. That’s something I’ve always held close to my heart. ​

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Why have you chosen to feature bears in your art?
In the professional world, I’ve been really lucky to work with groups, casts, and productions that value all body types- especially my favorite 😉 I’d like to shout out another nominee, Joshua Pangborn, who really goes above and beyond for the community by creating a spotlight and platform that showcases and celebrates bears. I’m so grateful to know him and be part of his Sidekick productions. I don’t know if I’ve ever experienced a community as welcoming and wonderful as the bear community. Of course I want to work with and be a part of it! 
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