This is the third time I’ve had the pleasure to be part of In the Heights. The first time was in 2019 with a wonderful cast in Portland Center Stage. The second time I had the wonderful opportunity to be the associate director alongside Luis Salgado as director. This production was very revealing for me and my career. Being in a creative position within a show that I know so well, telling a story that is very close to my heart, really opened up a new perspective of seeing theater and my position as an immigrant, a woman, and a Latina in this medium.

The sooner they can let go of any concerns about people-pleasing, being liked, impressing, not being enough, etc., and truly reframing their mission, the sooner they will be liberated and they will be living truthfully authentically to themselves.

First thing’s first; understand that none of the people that you admire know what they are doing. They’re all making it up as they go along because there isn’t a perfect recipe that you can follow that will give you a great play, book, script, or record. That’s the madness and the glory of it.

Hmmm... Seeing as I feel like I'm just getting started myself, any advice from me should be taken with that in mind. But I would say first, always say yes to anything you are comfortable with. Even if you have limited experience, you owe it to yourself to try. Coming off of that though, never allow anyone to make you feel like your boundaries are wrong. There is no opportunity in the world that is worth you belittling yourself.

What advice would you give any aspiring artist during these crazy times? 

“Since uncertainty is part of the game, learning how to acknowledge and be happy where you are at this very moment is key. I think reminding ourselves, 'Where I am now is exactly where I am supposed to be’, can be very powerful.”