Alumni Spotlight

Graciela Rey, photo: Ted Ely

Graciela Rey (CAS 鈥20)

鈥淚 left AU with a toolbox of approaches and resources I could bring into every rehearsal process and audition room, and a network of peers and mentors that have become friends as well as collaborators.鈥澨

Graciela Rey graduated from AU with a BA in Musical Theatre in 2020, and has since built a successful career as a musical theater performer, dancer, and singer across the DC area. She appeared in two world premieres: On Your Feet! en Espa帽ol at Gala Hispanic Theater (which won the Helen award for Outstanding Musical Production) and Make Way for Ducklings at Adventure Theater, for which she was nominated for a Helen Hayes award for Outstanding Lead Performer in a Musical. She recently played Vanessa in In The Heights at Nextstop Theatre and has worked on productions at Olney Theatre Center, Rorschach Theatre, Imagination Stage, Arts on the Horizon, Synetic Theatre, Flying V Theatre, Fickle Theatre Co, and Gloucester Stage Company.

Graciela views her time in the AU Department of Performing Arts as vital to her career trajectory. 鈥淎U is small enough that I was able to develop specific interests and skills alongside musical theater鈥攊ncluding business, communications, and dance,鈥 she says. AU鈥檚 liberal arts background provided Rey with different perspectives and contexts to study art. 鈥淚t enables graduates to think critically about artistic practice and take ownership over the impact of our choices..鈥

These experiences instilled Rey with core values that have transitioned into her career. 鈥淭he AU theater program prepares actors to be ethical and responsible artists,鈥 she says. Rey is currently in performances for Fiddler on the Roof at Olney Theatre Center and will be understudying Lend Me a Soprano there in the spring.听

Website:
Instagram:

Alumni News & Notes

Actor and comedian Jana Bernard's (CAS '17) work was profiled in the Forbes article

Sirra Faal (CAS '24) was cast in by Mfoniso Udofia at Round House Theatre, September 11-October 6.

AU Theatre alumni nominations for Helen Hayes Awards: Graciela Rey (CAS '20) (Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Musical/In The Heights at NextStop Theatre Company), Paige Austin Rammelkamp (Outstanding Musical Direction/ Urinetown at Workhouse Arts Center), and Josh Sticklin (Outstanding Set Design /听Seussical听at The Keegan Theatre).

Emma Wallach and Arielle Moore (CAS '23) performed inat Theatre J.

The 麻豆传媒 Alumni Associated hosted a talk about the Broadway musical Here Lies Love featuring Don Mike Mendoza (SOC/BA 鈥10, MA 鈥17). and read Mendoza's profile.

Embracing Passion(s)鈥擯lural鈥攁t AU featured alumni Aisley Wallace Harper (CAS/BA 鈥23, SPA/BA 鈥23, MS 鈥24) who graduated summa cum laude with dual-degrees in musical theatre and justice and law in May 2023.