"This is someone's story..." A moment with Piagua Guy, Michael D. Alonzo

I was first exposed to In The Heights while watching the 62nd Annual Tony Awards ceremony in June of 2008. That night, the cast of ITH performed "96,000" and I just remember being blown away. My immediate first thought was, "Whoa, they are rapping in a musical…How cool! AND it sounds incredible!" Their performance that night had such a familiar style and flare which was so representative of my culture. I recount being swept with excitement and joy because the Latino community had made another mark on Broadway! It was at that moment where I added In the Heights to my bucket-list of shows I must to do before I die.

Soon after, I purchased the soundtrack and songbook. I, just like everyone else, spent countless hours listening through the entire album. There was never a song I could skip past because it was obvious that an immeasurable amount of heart and soul went into each and every song; a feeling I had never experienced with any other album prior. The lyrics reminded me of conversations my family members and I would have at the dinner table at family gatherings. The instrumentation would send me into nostalgic memories of walking through different tiendas and mercados. However, there was one song in particular which resonated within’ me: "Piragua."

"Piragua" is an all-around fun song. It’s upbeat and salsa characteristics make one feel as though they have to get out of their seat and dance around. Every time I listen to this song, I feel as though my Hispanic heritage courses through my veins, so much so that I am overtaken with a huge sense of Latino pride. This was the first song I had learned from the show, and I was insistent upon performing this number one day.

And now that day has come! I could not feel more blessed to be performing Piragua Guy. To be quite frank, the audition process was scary, mainly because of how artistic and gifted each and every person was. There was so much talent POURING out of the theater and it was incredible watching all these DFW actors taking risks and living their dream onstage. I am still to this day extremely humbled to have been considered by Adam Adolfo and his creative team, as well performing alongside the best cast I have ever had the pleasure of working with.

Fast-forward a week or so after getting cast. I thought to myself, "Where do I find inspiration for this role? What can I research or listen to so I can do justice for this character?" Piragua Guy is essentially "fresh off the boat," just stepping onto American soil for the first time in hopes of making a better living here in the states. I have told myself countless times that this role is not a fictionalized character, this is someone’s story. In fact, it is hundred’s of immigrants’ stories. It then occurred to me that someone in my family has lived Piragua Guy’s story in some way: my grandfather, José Velasquez.

Dad José, at least in my book, truly captures the essence and image of Mexican pride. He is such a caring and loving individual, not to mention one of the strongest and bravest men I know. Dad José was born in Torreón, Mexico, and is the third child of a large Mexican family of thirteen children. He went to school up until third-grade, but unwillingly left to pursue work to help make a living for the family. Dad José remembers enjoying school and wishing he could pursue an education, but he felt obligated to do whatever he could to help out his family, regardless of his age. However, no matter how hard my Dad José worked, all the little money he would receive would go straight to his parents.

Yet, Dad José cherished any free time he had as a kid. As a reward for working hard, he and his brothers would go down and swim in the river as a relief from the scolding heat! Eventually, he and his family immigrated to the United States. He worked as a shoe-shiner until the age of 13, but asked to do something different because he would get embarrassed when the cute girls would laugh at him. Because of this, Dad José worked construction from age 14 until he retired at the age of 68.

 

During this time, he met my abuela (Mom Guille) and was the father of four children, one of whom unfortunately passed in the early years of childhood. Dad José worked long hours every day to ensure there was food on the table and a roof over their heads. He also made it a priority to educate himself, and would do so by reading quite a bit (including the dictionary).

I recall an early memory from my childhood. As I sit in the living room of my grandparents’ house, I see a young, Hispanic man pushing a tiny cart attached with bells on the side and a plastic umbrella on the top through the cracked streets of an arid El Paso afternoon. It is the Paletero man, the Mexican equivalent of the Piragua Guy. He would walk down these streets everyday in hopes of earning a hard-earned dollar, hoping to live the American dream.

As I continue rehearsing for the musical, I constantly envision myself in the shoes of my abuelo. I want people to relate to the Piragua Guy like I have and say, "Oh, that is my uncle," or "That’s my father as a kid!" I dedicate this role for the people who risked their lives and had sweat drop down their faces just for the opportunity to have a better life, for people like my parents and my abuelo.

The cast and I are very dedicated to this production; it is going to be spectacular! I am constantly inspired by my cast, family and friends, and look forward to our final few weeks before opening night.

No pares, sigue sigue

Michael Alonzo

Sonny: Future of the Barrio with Rashaun Sibley

The Future of the Barrio….now that’s a title. Wow. Growing up I’ve always wanted to be considered as the future of something or some sort of spokesperson for my generation. What kid doesn’t? In my life some of the things I’ve achieved include: getting into college to learn more about my true love (performing), eating a lot of chicken nuggets, and getting cast in Artes De La Rosa’s In the Heights! I’m really hoping this is the path that helps lead to a successful and happy actor and even a voice for people…especially the eating part.

Sonny is absolutely a voice for the people. He is so passionate about making the world a better place. He knows he can help fix huge issues like housing and the "edjumication" system. He is not afraid to discuss topics like gentrification and immigration and he encourages his peers to do the same and stand up for what they believe and what they think they deserve. He’s also funnier than a fart and I basically just want to be him in life.

When I first heard the music from In The Heights, I was literally amazed. I had heard nothing like it before in musical theatre and I identified with it and its amazing characters and story immediately. I found Sonny in this show and just couldn’t believe a character so close to me existed. It actually reminded me of when I watched The Lion King when I was little and discovered Simba for the first time. (If you’re reading this, Lion King on Broadway, call me. I’ll be there.)

Sonny is fiery. He is so much fun. Nearly everything he says you either laugh at or you marvel at the passion he has behind his words. He wears his emotions on his sleeve so when you’re with him, you never get anything else but the real Sonny. What I admire about Sonny is that he goes for what he wants and he goes hard. He has too much passion for him to just sit around. He will definitely go out there and do it for himself. Sonny will succeed in changing the world. And he won’t stop until he does. I think Sonny and I have that same mentality in common. Life is just too short to not be persistent in your dreams and goals and to notgive 110%. Hardships and struggles help make us all soldiers. And I can’t wait to show everyone my portrayal of a soldier.

Getting to play Sonny is going be one of the most fun roles I’ve ever gotten the chance to play and I can’t wait to share him and the rest of this show with the community. Everyone needs to come see this show. Even if you’re in New York, or London, or a treehouse in an Amazonian rainforest…you need to come see this. It’s going to touch you and be something you can’t see anywhere else. Get ready cuz I’m ready

Blessings, love, and chicken nuggets,

- RASHAUN

Tradition Honored or Defied? Learning to balance tradition with drive with Pamela Garcia Langton

Tradition Honored or Defied?

Learning to balance tradition with drive with Pamela Garcia Langton

 

I believe your life experiences make you who you are.  My personal history has driven me to become what I am today, a very strong Latina woman who has goals for herself, pride in her accomplishments, high aspirations for her children and an unconditional love for her family and friends.

Getting to know Camila Rosario, I am starting to realize how alike we are.  Being from similar upbringings, I imagine her female role models were much like mine; wonderful mothers, attentive wives, amazing cooks and immaculate housekeepers, who never thought they could, or, felt they deserved to pursue their dreams.

I had seven aunties, my mother's sisters, all who were very beautiful and come to find out, extremely talented artists, dancers, writers, musicians, singers etc.  Growing up around them, I would have never known any of this because none of them shared their talents.  In fact, I would say that it was never mentioned.  It was shameful to their father, my grandpa, that my mother wanted to be a singer. He taught her women had their place, it wasn't outside of the home and definitely not on stage.  At age 21, my mother had to sneak out of her bedroom window to perform with the jazz band that hired her as the beautiful lead singer because if her father knew what she was doing, the punishment would be unbearable.  I loved my grandpa but I don't believe he would be proud of me today and that makes me very sad.

When you grow up surrounded by old values and traditions you have two choices.  You go along with the way things have always been for generations or you fight for yourself and the future of your family and culture.  Well, here I am.  I am a fighter and I believe Camila is as well.  It is not that we don't love and respect our heritage, we want to make it better.

Don't get me wrong, I know we both love traditions like; Tamales on Christmas Eve, Piñatas at birthday parties, homemade flour tortillas (yummy), Quinceaneras, and Mariachi's at weddings!!!  However, passing down the tradition of being a woman afraid of living, afraid of dreaming, afraid of change, afraid of strength with no goals for yourself or your family is a tradition neither one of us wants to share.

Being a fighter isn't easy, you have to really want to change.  You have to leave a lot behind, which was a huge sacrifice for me the day I left my family in Los Angeles and I am sure for Camila when she left Puerto Rico.  You carry the burden of knowing you may be hurting your family by leaving, knowing they may never understand you are doing it for them and future children who will carry on after we are gone. 

 

Camila wants Nina to be a strong role model for her family, she is fighting for the future of her culture.  I want my children to be strong role models for their younger cousins, and believe me, I am seeing a change.  When I was growing up, many of my family members and friends were having babies at 16, with no goals or dreams for a better life.  I would love to believe my nieces and nephews want to go to college because my kids did, want to pursue their dreams because my kids are, want to make a difference because I am.

The Journey to Finding Nina... Lorens Portalatin reflects on the role of a lifetime

My journey to Nina began my senior year of high school. You know, the year that everyone is trying to find their perfect college and university and money to pay for it all? Well, I was looking for myself... AND a full time job but that was the least of my worries. My final year I had officially started vocal training for the very first time and was completely enamored with music. The notes, the sounds, the vocabulary... All of it was entrancing and it made me want to become a better singer and performer so that people could love music as much as I do.

 

Anyway, I was introduced to In The Heights by my vocal teacher at the time, Kelly Himes, who was convinced that I was NOT a Second Alto but that I was indeed a First Soprano. This blew my mind. For my entire life I had been thinking that I was only meant to sing lower vocal parts, but here this soprano songbird was telling me that I have the ability to make my vocal range soar beyond what I knew. She handed me multiple pages of sheet music to add to my repertoire and Breathe was one of the few song selections. I listened to the entire soundtrack to Heights and fell in love. From Nina’s concern about her parents, to Vanessa trying to get out of the Heights, to Sonny who just wants a future for himself and the Barrio… I loved them all.

The characters, the storyline, the music. It was like listening being able to go back home to Puerto Rico and listen to my Abuela tell a story about her childhood. Or to have my cousins rap to me in the middle of the street. Heights hit so close to home that it hurt and I knew that I someday had to be a part of this production. Playing Nina became my dream role and I hadn’t let the thought go since first listening to the original cast recording all the way through.

 

When I found out that ADLR was putting on Heights I went straight to work and decided that I had to choose the perfect song and the perfect arrangement and just be perfect. I had worked on my song, Kerrigan & Lowdermilk’s How To Return Home, a million times with my now vocal teacher, Kristin Spires, who is brilliant, helped me learn new tricks to make my singing seem flawless and easy. She’s helping me extend my vocal range even further with each lesson and with every lesson she learned just how much I really wanted Nina.

 

I truly didn’t understand how badly I wanted Nina until I had my audition… I had been preparing for it for months and here was the moment that I got to sing and pretty much say, “OK, You want a Nina? You’ve got her.”  I stepped up to the stage after having my name called and handed Kristin my music and stepped center. And... I left it all on the stage. Emotionally, physically, mentally. All I ever had thought about being Nina, or how to get into The Heights, or anything that I possibly emotionally felt about the show hit me all at once and I was a singing mess. Somehow I got to callbacks and left the rest of me there. Between the love, bonding and fierceness at the callbacks I just knew that ANY ONE of these girls could get to play the role I dreamed of and that at that moment I was happy just being a part of the process.

 

And of course my life changed whenever I was offered the role of Nina.. There were tears and hugs and the obligatory call to my mom saying how excited I was. Being cast as Nina is a dream come true in SO many different ways. Not only do I get to play my own ethnicity for the first time in my musical theatre career, but I also get to explore being a lead role for the first time as my dream role. So NO PRESSURE. Sometimes I just have to remember that it’s just me “and the GWB” and that I just need to “breathe” because whatever happens now I know I can handle it. I’m ready and I KNOW the cast is just as nervous and ready as I am. Together I hope that we show DFW that you don’t HAVE to go to Dallas to see incredible live theatre! To some people it’s right in their own backyard! So come and see this show cause I KNOW you won’t wanna miss it! #NoPareSigueSigue #InTheHeightsFW #JustBreathe

How Nina dreams for 'everyone' IN THE HEIGHTS: Reflections with Pilar Ortiz & Natalie Coca

PILAR ORTIZ – “IS IT A MIRACLE or IS IT PACIENCIA Y FE?!”

The role of Abuela resonates with me because of my immigrant background as well as the challenging experiences I have faced as a person of unique ethnicity.  My grandparents on both sides of my family tree came from Old San Juan, Puerto Rico and Alicante, Spain respectively.

 

I grew up in New York as a direct result of my Puerto Rican grandmother’s desire for something better for her family.    Meanwhile, my father’s parents emigrated from Spain and lived in lower Manhattan.  It was there my parents met and married.  My paternal grandparents moved to Washington Heights around 1954, which coincidentally is the setting of our musical. 

As a child I would visit my grandparents in what would become The Heights the setting of our musical but then was primarily a Jewish community.  Just imagine how my family stuck out in this picture.

One of my earliest friendships was with Lou Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) who would become another success story from The Heights. His family added yet another layer to the ethnic changes taking place in Washington Heights. 

I asked many questions as a school-aged child.  I wanted to know why we looked so differently from all those around us.  My grandparent’s neighborhood was absorbing many Cubans and Salvadorans.  All of them with the same dream of my parent’s family – opportunity and success!  My parents responded to my curiosity by telling me that we all come to America to be safe.  Even my character Abuela, remembers a Cuba that was beautiful and willing to embrace all people.

These are the people I came from, and the many stories I absorbed as a child now make sense to me.  The story of the new Washington Heights is our story – MY STORY!  I, like Abuela Claudia, have passed down to my sons and their children the truthful, inspiring history of our family’s experiences.

The character, Nina in our play, has a dream of bettering herself; completing college just as I dreamed of being the first Puerto Rican female mayor of Nueva York. 

Dreams are what keep us alive.  Dreams are what Abuela believes in even if she doesn’t reap their rewards she knows that the power of her dream will enable others to move out of the barrio like Vanessa in our play.

Never giving up – recalling the past with honor and presenting a vision of the future – that’s Abuela Claudia’s sage advice.  It is the mantra, I believe in, which perpetuates in all Latino families of the working class; a mantra which maintains our pride and moves us forward to the fulfillment of our dreams.  Paciencia y Fe!

 

 

NATALIE COCA – RATTLED WITH EMOTION…

“When I was younger, I’d imagine what would happen if my parents had stayed in Puerto Rico. Who would I be if I had never seen Manhattan? If I’d lived in Puerto Rico with my people?”

These lines from the show sung by Nina in Act I, are pretty much what I wondered throughout my entire childhood, the only difference being that my mom and dad are from Mexico and Colombia, respectively. Let me be the first to say how happy I am that they met. Not only because my entire existence was contingent upon their meeting here in the U.S., but also because they have built such a beautifully fulfilling life for me and my three brothers. I literally owe them EVERYTHING.

Fast-forward to June of 2008 and my very first introduction to IN THE HEIGHTS. After the cast performance of “96,000” at the Tony Awards, I was hooked. So much so, that by the time Lin Manuel Miranda gave his acceptance speech on stage, I was sitting proudly on my couch sobbing like someone who had known him his entire life. I got online afterwards and researched everything I could find out about the show. To be honest, I don’t remember breathing AT ALL my first time listening to the soundtrack all the way through. I couldn’t believe that there was a show that could so eloquently articulate not just my story, but also my parent’s story, my grandparent’s story, my teachers’ and friends’ stories. As a self-proclaimed musical theatre snob, I was always one for the classics, but IN THE HEIGHTS simply hit it out of the park for me. I was lucky enough to get to see the Original Broadway Cast in New York that same summer and it really was magical. After that I prayed almost nonstop for the day that I would get to audition for the show that made me re-evaluate what it is to be a 1^st generation Latina woman in the U.S.

Finding out about the audition at Artes De La Rosa was a dream. At callbacks you could sense how special the people were and how exhilarating this entire project was going to be - I just knew that I had to be a part of it! When I found out about my casting I think I went into a state of shock. After my initial shrieks & squeals of excitement, I got lost in my head thinking about the music, the costumes, choreography & most importantly wondered about who my cast mates would be. Turns out they are some of the fiercest talent the DFW has to offer –who knew!

I firmly believe that the choices we make every day, good and bad, lead us to the places and people we are supposed to be. It is simply not enough for me to say that I’m excited to be a part of this production when the truth is everything inside of me rattles with emotion. I don’t know how I got so lucky to be cast in THIS production with THESE people. All I know is: I am beyond ready to not only bring this show to life, but to give it life!

“I’m home!”

Xoxo,

Natalie

Michael Anthony Sylvester & Rashaun Sibley on finding their home In the Heights!

Cast members Michael Anthony Sylvester and Rashaun Sibley play best friends Graffiti Pete and Sonny, the young hip hop generation of In the Heights. In today's blog the pair discuss their casting reactions in their Dream Show!

MICHAEL ANTHONY SYLVESTER - "REP OUR PEOPLE!"

In the Heights has been my dream show since it first came out. It was simply one of those shows I knew I was born to be in! The show had hip hop in it, I was a hip hop dancer, the show was about Hispanic people, I was Puerto Rican, and the show had Hispanic male leads... I WAS A MALE AND HISPANIC... I was HOOKED! Then one day I start hearing whispers that Adam Adolfo down at Artes De La Rosa has the rights to the show and is planning on producing it down at the Rose Marine Theatre! I LOST MY MIND for a second because I didn’t think DFW would produce it any time soon! It's such a beautiful story but not many theatres in this area could pull it off, but knowing that it was going to be produce at Artes (a theatre that celebrates Latino Culture) and having worked with most of the Production team on various other projects I knew without a shadow a doubt that it would be a Ferocious production! Auditioning for the show was such a blast! I encouraged a couple of my best friends to the audition because I didn't want them to miss out on this opportunity. I just had a great feeling prior to going in.... Kind of like that feeling where you know you are exactly where you are supposed to be in life?? The callbacks were filled with so many talented friends from the DFW scene; it was like being at a family reunion rather than being at an audition! Everyone was so professional and supportive of each other, I knew that day that this was a journey I wanted to be a part of now more than ever! I left everything on that stage at callbacks! I knew that whatever happened I tried my best and it was now up to the production team and the ambivalence game of casting!

So after all was said and done I later received an offer to be a part of the In the Heights family! I was beyond thrilled, and even more exited once the cast list was announced on Broadway World. Graffiti Pete is such a great role and I’m ready to tackle it one dance step at a time! I feel so blessed to be working with so many talented friends, and living out a dream by being a part of this show! It’s not every day you get to do a Musical that lets you "REP OUR PEOPLE!" #BORIQUA #YATUSABESLORENS!!! Huge Thanks and Love to Elise Lavalle for never giving up on me you advice and mentorship means A LOT to me. Kristin I’m so pumped to work with you again!! Thank you Adam for taking a chance on me! 7 years of preparing and training for this moment...and the work doesn’t stop here! Its' just begun but I've finally found my island, and I’m going to enjoy every moment of this trip!

(Check out Michael’s Fan- page at www.facebook.com/machaelsylvester7

RASHAUN SIBLEY - I'm Home

Before I start, I really just need to get something off my chest. I promise it won’t take long. Just give me a moment.

ARE YOU KIDDING? I’M IN THE HEIGHTS! IT’S THE FIRST PROFESSION PRODUCTION REGIONALLY! I GET TO SING, ACT, DANCE, AND RAP! THIS SHOW IS INCREDIBLE. IS THIS REAL LIFE?! IT’S GONNA BE SO GOOD! WAIT TILL I TELL MOM! MY LITTLE BROTHER HAS TO LIKE THIS ONE! ARE MY GRANDPARENTS READY FOR THIS? I DON’T CARE, I’M SO EXCITED!

Almost done. I promise.

YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. YEEAAAAA BOOIIIIIII. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. I GET TO BE SONNY! JUST WHAT I WANTED! THANK YOU JESUS!

Okay I feel so much better now. I knew I would be excited if I got this show but I did not know I would be THIS excited. I cannot wait to get this puppy on its feet and show the community what this show is about and how much we love it.

My initial audition for this show happened so fast it seems like a blur. I do remember perfectly though getting a prime parking spot right in front of the theatre’s doors (which does NOT happen often!) and that was already a victory for me in the day. Even if things didn’t work out and I didn’t get the callback, at least my little walk of shame to my car would be literally 6 seconds long. Then I could play some cheesy, sad song to let out my feelings to and then move right on to the next audition. Fortunately, I got that parking spot and the callback!... I’d say I had a pretty good day.

At the callback, I could not understand where they found all these talented people. Were they trying to make me nervous? Well…………it worked. But I knew I couldn’t let this opportunity slip away. This show was too good and I wanted it. I basically just tried to act like I already got the part and all of the actors were there to see the show. To quote my cast mate Aigner Mathis, "Since I had shown up, I might as well show out!" Give 110% and leave the rest to God.

The next afternoon, Artes De La Rosa is calling my phone……yes. yes. yes. yes. I answer and try to sound professional and collected but I’m pretty sure I stuttered at least 4 different times. Adam Adolfo asks me about my schedule……and that’s it. End of phone conversation………poop. I thought that was it. And I watched my phone for the rest of the day just waiting for a phone call to come and say "Oh. Wait. Did we mention that YOU’RE CAST!" That didn’t happen. I checked my Facebook right before I went to bed and saw a message from Adam telling me to check my e-mail….I didn’t get any notifications about e-mails though. What does this mean?... I check my e-mail and see nothing. What is happening?!! Then I just happen to check my spam folder and lo and behold there’s the e-mail offering me the part of SONNY……..YUSSSSSSSSSSSS! Definitely NOT spam...

It only got better when I arrived at the first cast meet and greet. First, I noticed food and that alone made me realize this is going to be good. Then, I’m greeted with so much excitement, love, and "How are you, boo boo?" hugs that I can’t help but feel at home. This family is already soaked in everything In the Heights is about: ("home, family, finding where you belong") on the FIRST day. This journey is going to be nothing short of amazing and I couldn’t be more blessed to be a part of it.

 

Tickets for In the Heights are now on sale!

http://youtu.be/O10UOhy_qiY

Getting Cast! Members of the Ensemble reflect on being cast in IN THE HEIGHTS

Today we spend time with three different cast members as they share with us what it was like for them to not only audition, but be cast in what is the biggest show to hit Fort Worth in some time!

AIGNER MATHIS - Now I'm Artes de la Rosa Too!

My heart thumped so loudly in my chest when I first walked into the dance call backs for the Artes de la Rosa production of In The Heights, I was sure everyone else could hear it. Looking around I saw so many young, handsome, beautiful (and extremely flexible) talented performers, so I did what any other person would do: sat down, stretched along with them & decided that since I had shown up,

I might as well show out! It came to no surprise that everyone else had the exact same thought!

 

A week later, I walked into the theatre for the first cast meeting and was stunned! Instantly, Adam's arms were crushing me in an enormous hug while other hands and arms quickly replaced his. I have never been received with such warmth in my life. If it had not been for the name tags everyone wore, there would have been no way to distinguish who was a lead and who was in the ensemble. Faces blended together so easily, and laughter rang from every where in the room.

It was clear during introductions that the cast was filled with enough personality to fill the stage every night for the next year and still have more left over for another six months. Each and every person chosen was cast perfectly! Almost everyone already embodied the essence of their characters, no script needed. I knew then that the show would be easy (not to be confused: nothing would be easy about rehearsals; "Go home, get on a treadmill & sing your butts off" Adam told us) but easy in a sense of community, friendships, and the family spirit.

 

Later, while watching the PBS documentary on the history of the Rose Marine Theatre, I was incredibly educated and inspired. Suddenly being apart of In the Heights was about much more than having fun at rehearsals and being able to add something to my resume. I realized the importance of the show and how it would effect the community. I wasn't just an actress anymore…I was Artes de la Rosa, and much like everyone else I was one step closer to finding home.

 Theatrically Yours,
Aigner Mathis

KEVIN ACOSTA - It's Just Starting to Sink In

So I want to be completely open and honest. Before I had been cast or even heard about the auditions, let alone really know how big of a deal this show was in general, I had never even heard a song from the show.

     

I literally remember YEARS before in 2008 when the show opened and exploded into the phenomenal show that it is, I had every person in choir who even remotely liked good music and theatre bumping these CDs and knowing every word about some new musical called “In The Heights”. I’m pretty sure I had three different people: 1) ask me if I had heard about the show, (2 be shocked that I hadn’t, and (3 proceeded to burn me a copy of the original Broadway soundtrack within the following days. Unfortunately, for me, I would never get around to listening to the soundtrack.
     

So when I heard about the auditions for the show I was more than a little disappointed in myself for never taking the time to listen to them. I went into auditions knowing the very basics: It was a show pretty much for Hispanic people AND the leads RAPPED. I was sold. Callbacks were ridiculous! With more than 50 of the most talented people around and most of them knowing the show like the back of their hand, I was more than a little intimidated. Not to mention being at a new theatre that I had never been to. It was, if you’ll go there with me, a Leap of Faith.
     

But as fate would have it, none of that would matter cause I would be cast in the show despite all of that. I was beyond ecstatic to hear that I would be a part of this amazing show with an amazing (and also really, really, really ridiculously good looking) cast!
     

So after we found out we were cast we had be secretive about it and not tell a soul. And while we waited to be able to tell everybody our amazing news, I watched videos from the show and kept tabs on Director Adam Adolfo and what he would next reveal to us let alone to the world. I kept discovering a little more about the show here and there through clips and people just letting me know what they know.

Then all of a sudden one day I woke up and we’re on the Broadwayworld.com.

 That’s when it really started sinking in.

But what really got me was our Cast Greet & Meet. I, of course, was still working when it started and would arrive, fashionably, 45 minutes late. I was greeted with the most, legit, warm welcome from the cast and we started our meeting. In 4 hours, Adam Adolfo would help change my outlook on not only the show, but on topics IN MY LIFE that I can genuinely say that he has helped changed for the better. I would learn about the history of Artes De La Rosa; where it came from, what it stands for, and how as a young Hispanic what it means to the community and myself. It would give you a sense of pride for the journey that we would begin to embark on whether you were Hispanic or not.
      

I would get to watch a documentary about the original cast’s journey up to opening night. A journey that will be, without a doubt, just as intimate and special to everyone involved in this production. And last but not least, we come to this night. The night that I would actually sit down at my computer and listen to the soundtrack all the way through while I followed along in my libretto. All I can say is wow. It’s cheesy and they say it ain’t easy being cheesy but I feel like I’m doing a pretty good job so far. I was in tears by the end of the Finale.
    

Everything just makes sense when you know more about it, you know? After getting know the little I, MYSELF, know about the show and what it means to this theater and what it meant to Lin-Manuel Miranda, I can proudly say that I have never been more excited about a show than I am now about this show.

Thank you Adam. Thank you for giving us this chance to be apart of something so special and so much bigger than ourselves!

BENICKA JANAEE GRANT - "Dreams Do Come True!"

Getting cast in In The Heights was such a shock. I had no idea what In The Heights even was when I was told about the audition. A friend of mine, Michael Sylvester who is playing Graffiti Pete, told me that the play was Urban and that they needed some dancers. I said “Oh what the heck, Ill go for it. What I didn’t know was that I would have to sing. I am NOT a singer…..AT ALL! I was mortified. “What the hell had I gotten myself in to??” The day of the singing audition I was terrified. I was shaking and sweating like I never had before. Thank God that once I got on stage to sing, I just had to sing for the pianist and just do a few scales. The next day, I went in to the dance audition and gave it 110 percent. I had to show the production team that I may not be a great singer but I can dance my butt off. I wanted to leave the audition knowing that even if I didn’t get cast, I did something I’ve never done before; I sang at an audition and gave my absolute best in both the dance and singing portion.

The next day, March 12, 2013 at 12:58 pm, I received the email, letting me know that I had been cast in In the Heights. “Are you kidding me right now?” was the first thought to come to my head. I read the email a couple of times to make sure it said what I thought it did. YEP, it did! I wanted to get on Facebook and let the world know the great news, but I couldn’t.  In the mean time, I researched all I could about In the Heights so I knew what kind of musical I had gotten myself in to.  Finally, on March 21, it had been announced on Facebook that the Ft. Worth production of In the Heights was revealed on Broadwayworld.com. NO FREAKING WAY!! That’s when it really hit me. The feeling you get when you see your name on a website like Broadwayworld.com, is indescribable.  I began to cry. For me, this was huge. I had never been in a real Broadway show.  “Would I be able to do this?” “Did I make the right decision by accepting the offer?” “Is this right for me?” “Am I ready for this challenge?’……………….YES!

In 23 years of my life, I would have never thought that I would be doing a musical and actually singing in it. I had always been just a dancer. Everyday, I thank Michael Sylvester for telling me about the audition. He has motivated me and become a mentor and an amazing friend throughout this process. I look forward to working with a truly gifted cast of people. I am so blessed, honored and humbled. I know the road to this production will not be easy. There will be many tears and lots of days when I tell myself I can’t do and want to give up, but I will keep going and become a better performer and a better person after it is over with. DFW better get ready for us! The cast of In the Heights is coming with a vengeance. #dreamsdocometrue

 

 

 

 

The Article referenced on Broadway.com can be found by CLICKING HERE.

MEET & GREET: Photo Blogging with Music Director Kristin Spires

Yesterday 26 of the brightest and best singer/dancer/actors met at Artes de la Rosa's home, The Rose Marine Theater to begin a journey toward what everyone could feel will be a very special production of the Tony Award Winning Musical, IN THE HEIGHTS. The cast and crew spent several hours together on Sunday evening, eating, talking, and being merry as they got to know eachother, learned about the history of the Rose Marine, and experienced small tastes of the genius that is Lin Manuel Miranda's masterful musical. Musical Director Kristin Spires took to her IPHONE and captured many of the special moments throughout the evening. These are just a few of those moments...

Artes de la Rosa welcoming everyone to their new home for the next 10 weeks.


Artistic Director Adam Adolfo got to flex his party planning skills for this Meet & Greet! Check it out!


Nachos made with 4 different types of cheeses including smoked gouda and green chiles?! Where's the plates?


Now that's what we call a spread! Let's eat!


That's quite the spread - the cast was very full at the end of the night...


But not so full that they didn't have time for the Tres Leches Cake!


Cast members posing for a pic... say Cheese! Or should we say NACHOS?!


Some of the ladies of the Heights!


We're kinda fabulous. No big deal!


One of these things is not like the other!


Artistic Director Adam Adolfo going over paperwork...


...and even more paperwork!


Artistic Director talks to the cast about 'reinvisioning the heights' - not reinventing. It's important to make the distinction that reinventing is about change while reinvisioning is about changing the way we see!


Adam Adolfo and Heights Star Matt Randsell have a small suprise for the cast...


Letters and well wishes were sent to the cast and read by Adam and Matt from members of the original broadway cast of In the Heights! In this photo Matt is reading a note from the Original Broadway Latin Dance Choreographer...


One final moment from cast members before we say goodnight...


IN THE HEIGHTS OPENS MAY 17th! See you then!

REACHING NEW HEIGHTS: Matt Randsell Jr. talks on dreams realized...

Over the next 6 weeks we will get to know members of the cast of IN THE HEIGHTS which is recieving it's Fort Worth debut this May at the Rose Marine Theatre. Today we spend time blogging with Matt "Superman" Randsell, Jr. who will be starring as Usnavi, the hip hop bodega owner of Washington Heights.

 

"Personally, I feel like there’s a task we all have to do as people before we truly decide what we plan to do with our lives. Since our younger days, people harp on us about “What do you want to be when you grow up?”, they preach to us about setting goals and how to plan, they also encourage us to dream big and to shoot for the stars. However somewhere along the line, we have to decide for ourselves if any of these things are even related or applicable. I mean sure, they all sound positive, and progressive, but how do they work, which ones matter more, and which are even possible. See, some of us are lucky, we have a dream and we’re on a one-way street to that destination with all of the support and encouragement we could ask for, and that’s pretty cool. However, I think most of us, myself, didn’t find it that easy. You see, to me, dreams seemed fictional, they were something to keep my imagination flowing, but not necessarily something to invest much into. I had dreams of spot lights, autograph signings, applause, however when I was asked “What do you want to be?” my answers ranged from lawyers, to teachers, to broadcast journalist. Dreams were unrealistic, and due to an environment that discourages the unrealistic, and encourages the possible, the mediocre, I started applying myself more to my simple goals than to my dreams. Excelling in general courses such as English, history, geography, and athletics, seemed more necessary than taking theatre, art, or music classes seriously. See, I truly believe that my teachers, and parents, they were right in encouraging me to follow the safe path, the secure path. I mean, realistically it’s a lot less scary, and a lot less bumpy of a ride. And for the most part, I stuck with the plan, the goals seemed more obtainable and spoke to me, louder than the dreams did. Dreaming was fun, but it was never clear, it never seemed obtainable. Then there’s this moment, most performers know what I’m talking about, when I say this moment that defines your passion for what you do. Something happens, you see, hear, try something that makes you feel as if you just woke up for the first time, your senses crisper than ever. Some call it, their calling, but as the moment I saw Lin Manuel Miranda rapping at the Tony awards, this whole “dream” of mine, seemed possible. Seemed realistic. Now don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t my intention to put all of my eggs in this basket, however there didn’t seem to be an alternative. Nothing seemed as fulfilling, or rewarding. Performing now, auditioning, traveling, rehearsing, had a different taste to it. It was undeniable. I was officially packed up and on the path, and by then, there was no turning back." - Matt Ransdell Jr. #Usnavi #InTheHeightsFW

 

Matt is a particularly interesting and inspiring young man and no stranger to the Heights having been called back for the role of Usnavi on Broadway, and both National Tours, he is incredibly honored to be officially cast as his dream role for the first time ever in his home state of Texas. Matt's journey on that audition was documented on the online series JOURNEYME. See it below.

 

 

Artes de la Rosa Welcomes New Family Member

Today we spend a few minutes with the newest member of the Artes de la Rosa family, Gabrielle Sanchez! A TCU Student Gabrielle will be working as an Arts Administration Intern. She'll be here with Artistic Director Adam Adolfo and Director of Education and Outreach Yvonne Duque for the spring semester as she prepares for graduation! Take a few minutes to meet Gabrielle and show her some ADLR love!

Hmm. So about me. My name is Gabrielle Sanchez and I am the new intern at Artes de la Rosa (Yay!). A little bit of background, I went to All Saints Catholic and Nolan Catholic before going to Texas Christian University. I am currently a senior theatre major and art administration minor and I will be graduating May 11, 2013.

There are a lot of things I love, one of them being school. I may complain about the workload, but the learning is worth it. I’m also in love with TCU. I’ve always known that one way or another that I would go to TCU. I also love football, so it’s a win win situation. I am also in Sigma Lambda Alpha Sorority, Inc., which I am so proud to be a part of (as well as VP). I have gained so many leadership skills, met tons of new people, and have gained sisters.

I am from the Northside community and grew up here. I have a strong connection with my family as well as my culture. My grandparents and parents are from Fort Worth, so I have some strong funkytown roots. Another thing I love is dancing! I was a part of Ballet Folklorico Azteca de Fort Worth when I was little and came back to it in high school. I stopped when college started but I learned how to dance bachata, merengue and salsa. As a result, when I am cleaning the house, I can be seen dancing with my broom. I also love to sing, although I know I am not very good at it. For the safety of others, I turn the radio on high so that I will not hurt anyone’s ears.

I saw my first production at the Rose Marine theatre when I was 14 years old. I saw The Outsiders as a field trip with my school. It was here that I became truly interested in theatre. My eyes were all over the place and I was truly engaged. When I started high school, I signed up for theatre, and the rest is history. I am also an alumnus of Artes Academy. I took a year off from theatre and joined the dance team. While the dance team was a ton of fun, I missed theatre. I cam back and never left.

I look forward to interning at Artes de la Rosa and meeting so many new people who love the arts as much as I do.