We look to the past to shape our future. Who are you? Where are you going from here?

I am a feeler and a thinker and the theatre welcomes both. I plan to continue unfolding and finding the bravery to follow my passion.

What excites you most about being a part of TAM’s Tragedy Tomorrow, Comedy Tonight Season?

I love exploring comedic roles and comedic productions! I’m often wondering, “Huh. Why is that funny?” figuring it out, and seeing how I can apply it to my own craft as an actor. As for tragedy — yeah, it’s a different beast so I’ll figure it out tomorrow. I’m a procrastinator, so I can get behind this mantra. Perfecto! 

We’re all about making old things new and new things classic. Why are you drawn to classic theater? How do you shake it up?

I am humbled by the process of doing classic theatre. I like being one of thousands of others who have played a certain role. While the timelessness of classic theatre may sometimes make me feel small, the breaths I take and the actions I employ in my performance are mine, and they are real, and they matter. Somehow.

From what sources do you draw your inspiration?

Moments with the breath, the body, basically anything bottom-up and nuanced (“what are my knees doing?”), thinking about theater as a human ritual (as it is one), assuming myself in a role as one part of a larger story (which inspires and grounds me as an actor), certain line readings and interpretations that others have given, either fellow castmates or other laudable actors who have had moments in theater or on screen that I’ve basically taken to the bank, my own memories and felt experiences (mostly from my childhood), interesting linguistic context for plays (e.g. that the last name of Orlando from As You LIke It is de Boys, which means “of the woods,” where he ends up and finds happiness), other “Easter egg” moments like that one, and, finally, the author and poet Mark Nepo.

You can have dinner with any three influential people. Who are your dream guests, why them, and what is the topic of conversation?

Regina Spektor, Spongebob Squarepants, and my maternal grandfather, whom I never met. We all talk about their influence on me as I was growing up.

How have the past few years changed your view of making theater and what action are you most proud of?

I’ve been most proud of getting back to the piano and bringing that element to my work in theater.

What’s your super power?

I am bilingual in English and Spanish.