GTA Blog

By Jeilianne Vazquez

Living Out is the story of two hard-working mothers who want better lives for their children. One happens to be an undocumented Latina worker named Ana, employed by the other, Nancy. The story is funny, warm, and heart-breaking. This post is extra special for me as I have the honor of being the Swing for Ana. I get to see firsthand the rehearsal process and experience. Everyone involved in this show is passionate. Our fantastic director, Elisa Carlson, has really taken her time with every scene, blocking, and reading. The details matter, and she stays true to the script. Her dedication and our fantastic team of actors and technicians really bring it to life. This play has had a special place in my heart for a while now. I am so grateful to be a part of this production.

I was able to ask my fellow cast mates their feelings on the show and what their role means to them.

 

Emily Starace, senior BFA Musical Theatre Major

What is your role in Living Out?

I play Zoila! She is a very fun and bold nanny from Guatemala. She tells it like it is and isn’t afraid to be herself. Playing this role, I found myself pulling tons of  inspiration from my very unique Abuela. She is a very passionate woman who is never afraid to voice her opinions.

Why is this play important to you?

As a Latina actress, I have always found that it is sometimes difficult to find plays that are about our culture. Of course, there are the ones that everyone has heard of like West Side Story or In The Heights, but I have always wanted to see or be in a show that is a little more personal. As soon as I read the script for this show, I fell in love instantly. Without saying too much, the show drew me in with its clever jokes, but completely won me over with how real it can get. I could truly see each and every one of my family members in all of the characters. That is why I am happy to be a part of a show about my people.

Why is it important that people see this play?

I love how this show reflects on the struggles of not only being a woman in society, but also the challenges of being a wife, mother, and person of color. That is a story that needs to be heard. These are still issues that are seen today. People should come and see this play to open up their hearts, have a good laugh, and also get in their feelings. This show is an amazing piece of art and I truly believe everyone should experience it.

 

Sarah Kay, junior BFA Musical Theatre Major

What is your role in Living Out?

I play Wallace Breyer. She’s an upper-class mom who finds trouble connecting with other people, specifically undocumented immigrants. Despite this, she is incredibly charming and loves her children with her whole being.

Why is this play important to you?

The play is important to me because it tells a story that was relevant for it’s time and is still relevant today. Undocumented immigrants are frequently treated as less than, due to racism, classism, and misguided patriotism.

Why is it important that people see this play?

This play teaches compassion and understanding, with all of the characters feeling real and truthful. It will keep you laughing and crying.

 

Emmanuel Cologne, senior BA Theatre major

What is your role in Living Out?

I play Bobby Hernandez (Ana’s husband). Bobby is a hard-working carpenter who has had a rough upbringing, but he has a good sense of humor and a big heart. He loves his family more than anything and just wants the best for them.

Why is this play important to you?

This play is important to me because it exemplifies the disparities between race and class, but despite all of this, it reveals the humanity in all of us despite those differences.

Why is it important that people see this play?

I believe audiences will resonate with these characters, and even move them to see beyond cultural and economic differences.

 

Estef Martin, senior BA Theatre major

What is your role in Living Out?

My role is Ana, and she is a Salvadorian immigrant mother and a nanny who just loves children and is trying to get by in her unique reality. She’s just trying to figure out how to go about her situations for her family to be a family.

Why is this play important to you?

My sister-in-law is from El Salvador. I’ve known her since I was seven so she is my sister. She and her mom share a very similar story to Ana and the people in the play. It’s important because I’ve never been able to represent a Latina on stage. I’ve been a witch and an Italian, and I’ve never been so close to who I am. I think it’s essential for people who look like me to watch me in a leading role.

Why is it important that people see this play?

People should come to see this show because it’s lovely! It makes you think, loves differently, thinks of others differently, teaches empathy, causes catharsis. People should come and support students, learning actors, and their community. We are members of the world of our community members. We are trying to survive in the same space, so why not support?

 

Tyus Martin, senior BA Theatre major

What is your role in Living Out?

I was honored with the role of Assistant Director, from which I gained valuable experience from. I worked alongside Elisa, who entrusted me into the part and helped her maintain rehearsals and work alongside actors both onstage and offstage, which I fully loved every minute of. I then got the opportunity to work with Jayme, who stepped in and finished the rest of the process. My role as Assistant Director got more hands-on in the experience since Jayme relied on me a bit more to help with rehearsals, so it was a blessing to learn from two different wonderful directors and dive into the process in various ways.

Why is this play important to you?

This play is important to me because it tells a beautiful story of struggle, love, and sacrifice in the lives of different races and cultures, but keeping the warmth of laughter everyone will get to share together.

Why is it important that people see this play?

It is important that people get an opportunity to hear the stories of different cultures and their experiences of making it in America and wanting acceptance and everyday life just like any other human being. The world is going through some exciting and historical moments right now. The most important thing for everyone to remember is that we are all human, and we all deserve countless chances at a better life and the importance of spreading love.

 

Paris Aguilar, sophomore BA Theatre major

What is your role in Living Out?

I am the dramaturg, along with being the swing for Zoila and Sandra. As a swing, I learn the roles of my two characters and work as an understudy in case something happens to one of the actors. My role as a dramaturg is different than what I’ve done for previous works. I guide the actors playing Spanish-speaking roles in this production, working as a translator, dialect coach, and cultural advisor.

Why is this play important to you?

I have a deep connection to this show, as this is something I’ve grown up around. I grew up on the southern tip of Texas in Brownsville, a city on the border of Matamoros, Mexico. As a Latina woman who has permanently been submerged in Hispanic culture, it’s beautiful to see the same things I’ve known all my life to be onstage. Although, it’s painful to see the hardships of “legal ethics” surrounding people who choose to move to America for a better life, even if it means losing everything in the process.

Why is it important that people see this play?

The audience needs to understand that these powerful women are real. They’re not farces, not satire, and they’re not stereotypes (although there are a few comments). They’re meant to be interpreted as realistic fiction; it could happen. Even the white couples go through their struggles, though not as legal. I love my culture, and I love this cast that brings it to life. I’m so proud of the work everyone in this production has done – I can’t wait for everyone to see it.

Come see this lovely show September 17-25th at the Ed Cabell Theatre. We hope to see you there. Salud, amor, dinero y el tiempo para disfrutarlos.

GTA is delighted to introduce Michael D. Jablonski, Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre at Brenau University. Michael will be teaching courses in dance, directing and musical theatre. He has been a successful musical theatre artist for over 20 years, and has taken his experience on the stage and has transitioned it into the classroom.

Michael performed on Broadway in Cry-Baby, The Book of Mormon and the 2009 revival of West Side Story. He toured the world with 8 different National Tours including Matilda, The Book of Mormon, West Side Story, Saturday Night Fever, Doctor Dolittle, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas starring Ann-Margret, Victor/Victoria, and Brigadoon. Michael also performed with the Radio City Rockette’s in the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall. On film, he can be seen as a featured dancer in the movie version of The Producers starring Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane. Michael also performed at many prestigious theatres across the United States.

Michael is an award-winning Director and Choreographer. His credits include Fame, Edges, Mamma Mia, We are Proud to Present a Presentation about the Herero of Namibia…, Wildwood Park, Another Day (Devised), Grease, The Producers, Hello Dolly, Eurydice and multiple productions of West Side Story. He created additional choreography for the National Tour of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas starring Ann-Margret. He supervised 4 national tours and multiple regional productions as their Dance Captain.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Dance from SUNY at Buffalo and a Master of Fine Arts in Directing from Florida State University. He has been a Guest Lecturer and Master Instructor of dance & Musical Theatre technique at many universities and academic programs across the U.S and Canada. His previous academic appointments include Elon University, Florida State University and is thrilled to be joining the faculty at Brenau University this fall as an Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre.

Michael is a member of American Actors Equity Association, American Guild of Variety Artists, Society of American Fight Directors and Canadian Actors Equity Association. He serves as an Assistant Faculty member of Theatrical Intimacy Education. Visit Michael’s website at michaeldjablonski.com.

What drew you to Brenau University and Gainesville Theatre Alliance?

As a professional actor, I always enjoyed the artistic community in and around the Atlanta area. I came across Brenau University and Gainesville Theatre Alliance while in Graduate School at Florida State University by the recommendation of one of their professors. As I was researching possible academic institutions, GTA and Brenau kept floating to the top of my list with the incredible collaboration that is present, with facilities of the highest professional quality and a focus on honoring integrity in the artistic process. Although, what truly won me over was the incredibly supportive and welcoming community that I was able to engage with during my search.

How did you first get involved in dance and what keeps you involved?

I was an athlete my whole life and played almost every sport imaginable in some type of organized fashion. When I was in 7th grade, the news reported how many NFL and NHL professional athletes were taking dance to help with the coordination. This led me to taking a jazz class at a dance studio in hopes to help me in my agility on the ice playing hockey. Unfortunately, it was your typical story where I was made fun of by “friends” at school and I chose to quit. Fortunately, that did not stop my journey as I have supportive parents that introduced me to theatre and dance at a young age and I never lost that interest as I grew older.

In my undergraduate days at the State University of New York at Buffalo I fell into the dance program. I initially went to UB to study mathematics and compete in division 1 athletics on their track & field team. Because of my interest in theatre, I was able to minor in acting. During an acting class a professor said “you should take a dance class to loosen up your body for acting, plus it would help with flexibility and stretching for track & field.” Because of my many years of playing sports, dance felt like an extension of that training. I fell in love with the euphoric energy of performing. I realized that the life of an artist and athlete runs many parallels of hard work, discipline, and emotional expression. The many years of being an athlete helped me transform into the artist I am today with the passion and drive that not only do I love the arts, but that I need the arts.

What is a memorable project you have worked on that you felt made a great impact or moved you in a significant way?

To be honest, it is difficult to pinpoint one project as every project I work on lives with me forever. I will share a couple that stick out in my mind. First and foremost, as a professional actor, I will never forget being in rehearsal for Dreamgirls here at the Atlanta Fox Theatre, starring Jennifer Holliday. One day during that process I received a phone call from my agent that I was receiving an offer to make my Broadway debut in NYC in the original musical Cry-Baby. I will never forget that moment the rest of my life, as our Atlanta cast had many Broadway veterans, they created an energy circle and started improvisational singing to celebrate this wonderful opportunity I had on the horizon. It went on for like 20 minutes and the supportive energy in that moment still lives with me today.

Second, I will have to say playing Riff in the Broadway revival of West Side Story. Currently to date, I have performed in 10 productions of West Side Story and worked on the creative team in three professional productions. But this experience of the Broadway revival allowed me to gain an intimate knowledge of every aspect of that show directly from the original writer Arthur Laurents as he directed this production. The one-on-one conversations I had with him during rehearsals were priceless. I never tire of that show, and it has become a passion of mine to pass on this priceless knowledge.

Finally, I have to share that directing We are Proud to Present a Presentation about the Herero of Namibia… by Jackie Sibblies Drury during my graduate school directing program had a massive impact on me personally and professionally. It is a difficult play that confronts tough racial issues through a devised format. Because of my research and training with Theatrical Intimacy Education we were able to build a community of trust and empowerment to bring that production to life. The performance was impactful but the journey toward that performance was life changing.

How are you preparing for your new position with GTA?

Currently I am continuously prepping our production of 9 to 5 for the Fall. It is a massive show that is going to take the entire team working in collaboration to bring this to life. I also am working on the foundation of each class I will be teaching with a focus on how to create the greatest learning outcome for each individual artist.

What is your theory of teaching and theatre education?

My main goal as an artist and teacher is to enlighten young minds. I want to prepare students for every possible opportunity. As a professional, I believe that integrating theory and practice in the classroom, as well as on stage, is very important to succeed as a professional artist. I want to help each student develop their confidence, both intellectually and ethically, to develop talents and abilities to achieve their goals. Exploring many different styles and techniques helps prepare the artist for the multitudes of various art forms they will eventually encounter.

I believe that it is important to build a foundation of trust with a consent-based practice revolving around a praise-correct-praise methodology. The professional world is not easy so we must build the confidence necessary now with rigorous training so that our students can succeed in the competitive professional market. I also believe in building the professional work ethic from day one with our students. In my eyes, the academic world we live in must be the road leading to professional success. That success is different for every individual artist and bringing that professionalism into our studio work and productions will set our graduates up for a lifetime of growth no matter what path they choose.

What message would you like to share with Gainesville Theatre Alliance students?

I just want to say Thank You for welcoming me with open arms into this community. I am here for YOU and I will do everything in my power to support your journey as a young artist. My only success is when you find success.