Hometown: Paterson, NJ
Education: BFA in Acting from Montclair State University
Select Credits: The Devil Taught Me (Elizabeth, Minetta Lane Theatre); Barrio Grrl! (Ana, Kennedy Center National Tour); This One Girl's Story (Lourdes, Abingdon Theatre); Tres Vidas (Frida Kahlo, Rufina Amaya and Alfonsina Storni, Core Ensemble); Kingdom (Marisa, ReVision Theatre)
Why theater?: Why NOT?? :) I feel like that we as artists are the only people in the world who get to play pretend for a living! Honestly, to me, there is no other medium like it. You may be doing the same material and storyline, but every night, it's a new performance. You get to play and discover something different each time and your audience experiences it with you and lets you know if they love and appreciate what you're doing for them.
Tell us about This One Girl’s Story: This One Girl's Story is about four young girls who have gone out for a night on the town to leave behind the drama of life for a little bit. We're ready to dance and maybe even find romance with someone special. The night is filled with high ups and low downs, and an incident that follows that leaves us questioning things about ourselves and life. But ultimately it's a beautiful love story about finding one's voice and having the courage to tell your story to whoever will listen.
What is it like to be a part of This One Girl’s Story?: I. Love. This. Show. I really do! I got to play Lourdes in the workshop version of it last year for Gayfest, and to have the privilege to do it again is awesome. I've gotten to see this piece grow and develop into a show that truly touches people from all walks of life. And I cannot praise our music enough, there is a style in it for everybody: R&B, gospel, musical theatre, salsa, the WORKS. You WILL leave the theatre humming.
What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as artists?: Theatre that comes from an honest and soulful place but at the same time takes me away to another kind of reality is what speaks to me. It will make me laugh one minute, cry the next, and ache to be up there doing it with them. I find inspiration from a myriad of places: a song on the radio, books that I read, real people in my life.
Any roles you’re dying to play?: Elphaba in Wicked, Nina in In the Heights, Wednesday in The Addams Family
What’s your favorite show tune?: Gaaah! So many..."Mama Will Provide" "Let It Sing" "Pulled" "Breathe"
If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: In a dream world, Meryl Streep and Seth Macfarlane. In the real world, anyone willing to hire me!
Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: Hmm in a movie about me...I'd say...ME? And it'd be called something corny and catchy like, "Corny AND Catchy: A Desireably Desiree Story" Yeah, I know, it still needs work.
What show have you recommended to your friends?: The Book of Mormon, Memphis, and This One Girl's Story while we're playing at NYMF!
What’s up next?: This One Girl's Story is playing till Oct. 9th and after that sky's the limit. Maybe some much needed R&R, if not, bring on the work!
