Maria Maria

Saw West Side Story at Summer Dinner Theatre in Montgomery College with my boo Charlotte. Always a pleasure with her around I swear we have the best time. Always so good to cheer on my girl Amanda along with all the other stunning people I know involved (this time tis Laura & Zack killing the game). Always so good to see such insane talent work so hard. I have a flood of great things to say about the performance and production tonight (especially the best Maria I've ever seen omg). But I just want to use this chance to say that I totally get why people don't like this show or are tired of it. I will never not love this show. It will never not touch my emotions. I will never not feel so insanely connected to the story and the message and the brilliance of it all. It's so so so important to me. I'm happy to have seen it for the millionth time tonight haha

On Your Feet

I am in love with this musical.

I think as an actor, I always liked stories. And I liked that I got to be a part of stories. I actually really enjoy character research. Plays are a motivation for me to learn about different people in different places at different times. I may have absolutely nothing in common with these characters, but that doesn't mean I can't portray them. For the little bit that I'm onstage, I can be them. I get to know all about them. I can play pretend (professionally! hehe). It's why I love theatre so much. Someone else has a story to tell. And they think it's so important that it isn't just something they talk about, but they dedicate years to writing and refining it and sharing it with everyone. And if I'm lucky, I get to help them tell their stories. Stories that a girl like me would never know about otherwise.

Tonight, I saw a room full of people watch a story about people like me. And that's why representation matters. Because the stories of the people who came from Cuba wanting a better life are normal for me. The fast talking, dancing, food loving, family centered life of a Latina is not new to me. It's a story I know. But so so so many people never get to hear or see that story because stories like that are rarely popular. But tonight it was. People stepped into that world and I didn't feel like I was learning something new but like I was watching something already so close to my heart.

On top of that, I LOVE Gloria Estefan. My mom adores her and we've been fans as long as I can remember. Gloria Estefan is my mom's age. Her daughter has the exact same birthday as me. I found that out in middle school when I decided to do a project on her and learn everything I could about her. So, once again, the story was just a bunch of historical facts that I already knew. But I felt so much pride knowing that other people cared enough to learn about her, too. I think she deserves for the world to know and love her. She made a difference for her community through her music, and I'm so happy that this will inspire people to see that side of her.

I knew all the songs. I wanted to dance through the whole show. My heart was overwhelmed with pride. It felt like a concert. I don't think I only want to tell stories about things that I relate to. I think, as an actor, I NEED to be challenged and play roles that are outside my demographics. But I can never express my gratitude for the people who believe that stories from my people are worth sharing.

I don't know what I'll do if I can't act. There's no feeling in the world like it. Nights like tonight remind me that this is the only thing I want to do with my life.

One Week More

SO. One week until we open. We worked with volunteers for the first time. It was loads of fun, and great to hear them laughing at all our jokes. I'm glad we know what we're doing. And that we found people who enjoy working with us. Hopefully the real audiences will be as kind and willing to participate :D

Getting There

Today was easily our best rehearsal yet. We're on top of it, guys! I just need to practice twirling a baton more. But we all had fun! We got our cues! Our props and sounds are there! And not only did I make more people cry with my song, but I actually got some cheers with my rant. Hallelu!

Concentrate on Winning

We open Putnam in exactly one month! How crazy?! So crazy!! But today was a nice, calm, music rehearsal. Allison ran the songs with us and basically drilled Act 1 into our brains. I'm incredibly happy with the results. We sound a lot better. The solos are precious. And the opening number is way too much fun! We're gonna have a blast with this show.

Spelling Bee

So today in Musical Theatre, in order to prepare for our musical, we started watching a documentary about kids in a spelling bee. Oh my goodness, the pressure these kids have to face is cruelty. But wow was it eye opening! And it's incredibly helpful in terms of building a character. I love having source material. Always important for characters.

It's Warm Inside

I am done with finals! How lovely. I'm so glad people had fun at our Musical Theatre show. So much fun! And I'm glad people enjoyed the creepiness of Sweeney. Tomorrow I work for 5 hours and then I go home! Home home! Ah home for the holidays. So lovely.

The new Christmas jam

Circle of Life

A friend of mine reblogged this on tumblr today and I'm never going to get over it. How AMAZING IS THAT?!?! I just. Ughhhh. Disney aside, this show is one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. I've seen The Lion King live three times and cried every single time at this song. This video brings me incredible joy. Theatre kids are obnoxious theatre kids no matter how old and no matter where they're from. If you're too snooty and stuck up to enjoy this BEAUTIFUL sound and once in a lifetime moment, then tough. You're not the kind of person I want as a friend ;)

Pay Me Back With 1,000 Kisses

Reason 242: So Emily had a problem. She hadn't seen Rent before. I fixed that :)

Yes to this lyrics.

Grease Is the Word!

Original title is original.

NOT!

Reason 231: Grease at Albert Einstein High School. After months of looking forward to this, I got to go to my babies' last show. Oh the cuteness, I can't. Congrats to all, especially 2013. Also, whoever doesn't want to go to the dance with Noah Habenstreit is demented. That is all.