How long have you been performing on stage? I started performing on stage when I was 8 years old and have been performing ever since. My very first show ever was here at Yorba Linda Spotlight. My brother’s friends had started doing shows and so he got myself and my sister into performing.
What was your first show with Yorba Linda Spotlight? My first show with Yorba Linda Spotlight was Beauty and the Beast in 2009. It was my first experience ever performing on stage, so you could imagine how 8 year old me felt being on the stage for the first time in a major production. Once Upon A Mattress will be my 22nd show at Spotlight.
Why do you like performing in shows with Yorba Linda Spotlight? I like performing in shows here because you won’t find a place like this anywhere else. Not only is their production value incredible, but the training and quality of shows they put together is unlike anything. Each show I do here, I grow into an even better performer and I continue to improve. We manage to put on incredible shows but still have so much fun putting them on. We have fun in rehearsals and have such a great support system with Yorba Linda Spotlight’s staff.
What is your dream role? I have been fortunate enough to have played one of my dream roles, The Witch in Into the Woods, here at Spotlight. Some roles that would be my dream to play would be Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast, Pennywise in Urinetown, and Bea in Something Rotten. Each of these roles add something unique to the show and are such strong women that I’d love to portray!
Of the roles that you’ve played, which has been your favorite? My favorite role to ever play would be a tie between the Witch and Erzulie in Once on This Island. They were both challenging for me as a performer because they are two completely different roles. It helped me grow immensely vocally and in my acting abilities.
Has Spotlight helped you grow as a performer? If so, how? Spotlight has definitely helped me grow as a performer in all ways possible. Ever since I was little performing, I have looked up to the older kids wanting to be like them and being my theater role models. I was able to grow through a constant support system and incredible training through the wonderful people who make up the Spotlight team. I have been able to go outside my comfort zone and push myself with challenging roles. I am constantly learning new ways I can improve myself in each show. They have also taught me how to be professional in this environment but still have an amazing time while I perform.
What do you like to do when you’re not performing? When I am not performing at Spotlight, I am actively involved in my high school. I love participating in my schools choir, whether it be a concert or traveling the world with my choir friends. I also spend a lot of my time just hanging out with friends and seeing other shows around the county and supporting my peers.
If you could choose a show for Spotlight to produce, what would it be and why? If I could chose any show for Spotlight to produce, it would be either Urinetown or The Addams Family. I think they are both such unique shows and have something special to each. They both incorporate acting, singing, and dancing, which I think would help all of our performers to grow immensely. They also seem like so much fun to do and be a part of.
What are your strongest and weakest traits as a performer? I would definitely say that singing is my strongest trait. I take weekly vocal lessons here at YL Spotlight and that has been my main focus growing as a performer. Music has always been a passion of mine, so it isn’t a burden to practice over and over again. I would say my weakest trait would be dancing. I’ve always been a little stiff, so dancing did not come naturally to me. So, knowing that its my weakest trait, I’ve been taking dance classes through my school and through Spotlight, and I can already say I’ve grown immensely and I will keep practicing and improving.
Of Spotlight’s past shows, which has been your favorite and why? My favorite show I’ve done at Spotlight would be School of Rock. It was such a new show to do and different than anything we’ve ever done before. I loved getting to see the younger kids work so hard to perfect their instruments and see how well they did on stage. I made so many new friends and was able to push myself outside my comfort zone. The show’s cast was incredibly close and I felt that after all of those long rehearsals and months of working hard, we were able to put together a fantastic show. It helped me grow as a performer by doing something that isn’t your typical musical theatre show.
Anything else you want to say? I would just like to say how grateful I am for Yorba Linda Spotlight. They are my second family and I have been fortunate enough to grow up having somewhere like Spotlight to come to every week. I have grown tremendously through Spotlight not only as a performer but as a person. They have truly shaped me into the performer I am and I would not have the passion and love for musical theatre without Spotlight!
