Mario Golden was born in Mexico City in 1964. When he was 14 his family immigrated to South Texas. He graduated from high school as a valedictorian and attended Stanford University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Psychology and a master's degree in International Development Education (SIDEC) and Teacher Education (STEP). During his time at Stanford he completed internships in clinical psychology at Miramonte Mental Health Services in Palo Alto (California) and at the Constance Bultman Wilson Center for Adolescent Psychiatry in Faribault (Minnesota). He learned about theories on social transformation, feminism, Freirian pedagogy, and sexual politics and became an activist.
In the early 1990s, Mario worked as a teacher specializing in bilingual curriculum development in the California public education system. He then worked as a trainer and counselor in the field of HIV/AIDS. In San Francisco he was a coordinator and counselor at the Hermanos de Luna y Sol Program at the Mission Neighborhood Health Center Clínica Esperanza. As an activist, he participated in various organizations and movements.
Mario began his acting training with Rob Reece, a veteran member of the Actors Studio, whose teachings concentrated on the Stanislavski method combined with psycho spiritual growth work. While in training, he founded OneHeart Productions, a non-profit theater company. In New York City he continued training under the tutelage of Actors Studio veteran Alba Oms. As an actor, he has won accolades and several awards. During this time, Mario gained an interest in playwriting, and began studying with Yale University School of Drama alumnus Allen Davis, III. He then joined the Puerto Rican Traveling Theater as a member and co-director of the Professional Playwrights Unit. His plays have been staged in New York, Berlin, Münster, San Francisco, and Mexico City.
In 1998, Mario wrote and co-starred in the feature-length screenplay, Del Otro Lado, with Gustavo Cravioto. The movie premiered in 1999 at the International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival in San Francisco. It was screened in other countries, including the First Lesbian and Gay Film Festival of San Francisco in Mexico City.
In 2018, Mario published Semillas, a Spanish language novel about a young gay revolutionary. The book has been received enthusiastically by readers.
For over 30 years Mario has contributed to the healing and growth of countless individuals, couples, families and communities. This includes innovative work with marginalized populations focused on empowering psychological and cultural transitions in order to make positive adjustments towards a freer and more genuine life. As a psychospiritual teacher and counselor, through his School of Mysteries, he offers counseling services, training, facilitation, and tools in areas of self-awareness, interpersonal communication, conflict resolution, empowerment, and community development.
Mario is married to German theater director and journalist Andreas Robertz. He lives in New York City. MARIO IS A SURVIVOR OF SEXUAL ABUSE AS A CHILD
You can contact Mario at: www.theschoolofmysteries.com
