I’m a senior at Reed College
completing my Bachelor’s thesis on the sex/gender politics of the Rocky Horror
Picture Show, and this year was my first experience directing my own production
of the show.  My degree is in Literature
and Theatre, so it lends itself well to the combination of film and
performance.

I’ve been acting since I was about
12.  I’ve done more than a dozen shows
since then and had the privilege to get some excellent training at the
California Institute of the Arts’ summer program when I was a sophomore in high
school.  My hometown is down in San
Pedro, CA, right on the Port of Los Angeles.  Moving up to Portland for school was a
fantastic change of scenery, even though most Californians complain about the
cold.  Everyone’s much friendlier up
here.


Tell
us your history, inspiration and motivation to pursue acting and performing?

This is the first time I’ve ever
been offered a stipend for performances.  Before this I’ve always performed for free.  It’s an exciting change for me; I feel like I
can actually claim acting as my profession.  When I was in 8th grade, a schoolmate of mine’s
father happened to be a big time actor in LA, and at that time his wife was
directing a show I was in.  They told my
parents I had some real talent and if they’d ever considered connecting me with
an agent.  My folks were not stage
parents by any means—for which I’m thankful—, but they encouraged me to keep acting.
 There was a time between high school and
college where I swore I’d never perform again due to a traumatic experience while
acting in a show with an ex, but lo and behold I ended up back on the stage
within a year or two.


How
has your experience been like since being a part of the Guapa and Milagro family?

It’s been lovely.  Milagro Theatre is a great operation; makes one feel at home.  When I first started working in the office as
a literary intern, I loved the decor and the sound of birds chirping.  It struck me that I might be able to make a
professional career working in a theatre.


Could
you tell us a little about your character, and how he is intertwined in Guapa’s life?

Hakim’s had a rough life, but shines
it on well.  He had a violent home life
before he finally had to seek out his next of kin, probably due to his father
putting his mother into a coma.  He’s the
equalizer of the family, wants to make everyone happy, or distract them from their
troubles with his craziness, so that his new home doesn’t become another broken
one like the last, all the while working his butt off to rise above, just like Guapa.  He loves Guapa
like the little sister he never had.  He
also is blown away by her love of fútbol,
as he’s a big fan of the sport just like the rest of the family.


Would you like to say anything to your awaiting
audience?

Come see the show!  There’s passion and fighting and corny jokes
galore!