Q: Where did you grow up? Were there any activities you did as a child that led to your passion for the arts?
I grew up in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, just outside of San Juan. While other kids did sports, all I wanted to do was crafts. I also loved to sit and watch my Mom sew. Classic film musicals like West Side Story, The Sound of Music, and The Wizard of Oz mesmerized me. I knew from a very early age, after seeing a school Christmas play, that theatre was what I wanted to do.
Q: Where did you receive training? How did this prepare you for your work in the theatre world?
After my freshman year at The University of Puerto Rico, I transferred to The University of Tennessee in Knoxville. I immediately gravitated toward the costume shop where I met Marianne Custer who became my mentor, inspiration, and now, dear friend (Marianne will be designing our upcoming production of Of Mice and Men). Working in costumes was safe for me because English was not my first language. By graduation I felt confident enough with my English to pursue my passion, so I attended The University of Utah where I got my M.F.A. in Directing Musical Theatre. Still, I designed many shows. I was very lucky to have attended two great universities, both with resident professional companies, working alongside these professionals gave me a great foundation to be who I am today.
Q: Where have you worked previously before designing/working with Charleston Stage?
I have worked all over: Salt Lake City, Park City, Phoenix, Little Rock, and New York City, where I worked my way up from crafts person to General Manager of Izquierdo Studios Ltd.
Q: What is your full-time position with Charleston Stage?
Production Manager. I hire, supervise, and work alongside our team of technicians and artists that comprise our production staff. The easiest way to summarize my job is that my main responsibilities are to make sure it gets done. I am involved from the moment the show is selected to the moment a show closes, from the first conversation, the designing of the shows, rehearsals, openings, and the run of the show to insure a smooth and, hopefully, successful process and production.
Q: You are also the Costume Designer for Mamma Mia! Please discuss your process and what is involved with designing for this musical sensation.
I saw Mamma Mia! on Broadway, then most recently was the Production Manager for a production and first time as a designer. It is very important that I am designing the show the director wants, yet give her (Marybeth Clark) things she never expected. I start with the text and the music. I close my eyes and then imagine it. And if I can please myself, be excited about it, then I know I am on the right track because I am my own toughest critic.
Q: What are you most excited about that audiences will experience with your designs for Mamma Mia!?
I don’t want to spoil the surprises but I can say with certainty that our audiences will be transported to a different world and that there are many surprises in store all the way to the end of Curtain Call. So stay in your seats until the lights go up!
Performances continue running Sept. 6 – 23 at the Historic Dock Street Theatre. Purchase online today by clicking here.
