Disfrute de esta entrevista con el director artístico de Playhouse Marcos Shanahan y Lino Genao. Linedy is an actor and the performer in her upcoming concert Linedy Genao: Songs From My Sala.
MARK SHANAHAN: You’ve had such a dynamic journey to Broadway — from En tus pies a Cenicienta mala, the current cast of El gran Gatsby and more. How did you first find your way to becoming an actress, and how have the roles you’ve played shaped you as an artist and performer?
LINEDY GENAO: Thank you so much! It was my high school theatre teacher that helped me find my way to becoming an actress! I had always sung since I was little, but I didn’t know you could sing, act and dance at the same time. I did my first musical in middle school, but it wasn’t until high school that I truly discovered my love for theatre and acting, especially because I had an incredible teacher that saw all of the potential in me, and really helped open my eyes to this amazing world I had discovered. This art form truly fulfilled my soul, and I knew it was something I wanted to do, needed to do, for the rest of my life. The roles I’ve played have shaped me as an artist and performer because they’ve taught me to get out of my own way. They’ve helped me feel more comfortable and confident in who I am, what I offer and in my artistry. They’ve also allowed me break free of my own insecurities, allow myself to try new things and to not be afraid. I’ve grown so much from each and every role I’ve done, both as a performer and as a human.
MARK: You grew up in Connecticut — what’s it like returning to perform at the Westport Country Playhouse? Does it feel different performing so close to home?
LINEDY: It feels so good to be back at the Playhouse! I had such an incredible experience here last season, doing my first ever non-musical, professional play! I grew and learned so much from that experience, and it means the world to be able to come back and perform in Connecticut, so close to my friends and family. It feels different to perform so close to home because I feel a sense of comfort and ease, and because so many people that I love can come see me perform.
MARK: What sparked the idea for this concert? Was there something personal you wanted to express through this evening of music?
LINEDY: What sparked the idea for this concert was wanting to share my unique story with everyone from my very first performance stage, my living room. I knew I wanted to do a concert that felt like, me, and from the place that started it all. I wanted it to be authentic, bringing the audience along my journey from performing in my living room, my sala, to the stages of Broadway. In this concert, I wanted to express how the love of music, singing and dancing are an innate part of me. Also, how, my sala was the first venue in which I expressed and developed this talent in front of my first audience, my family.
MARK: How did you go about choosing the songs for the show? Is there one that feels especially close to your heart right now?
LINEDY: I started a playlist of all of the songs I grew up with! All of the songs that were immediate flashbacks to certain parts of my life, as well as current songs that I felt told a specific part of my life, perfectly. It was so much fun to do that, and to discover new songs I had never heard of with the help of my director. The song that feels especially close to my heart right now, is Pray by Sam Smith. The world feels so heavy right now, so it’s a good reminder, helps give a glimpse of hope, and is honestly therapeutic to sing because it breaks me open.
MARK: When you’re not onstage, what’s something surprising or unexpected that brings you joy a hobby, a ritual, or even a guilty pleasure?
LINEDY: Something that brings me joy when I’m not onstage is watching cooking videos, or cooking shows! I love food, cooking and learning new recipes! My dream is to be on a cooking show, or to have a show where I literally travel and try new foods, just like Guy Fieri in Diners, Drive-ins and Dives! I also love doing a crossword puzzle and word search every morning and sometimes do them during my breaks off stage!
BONUS QUESTION!
MARK: What inspires you to be your most creative self as an artist?
LINEDY: What inspires me to be my most creative self as an artist is thinking about little Linedy, Linedita. Her literal dream came true. I’m also so inspired to be my best and most creative self because of all of the little girls that finally may see themselves represented on stage. There are so many people that have already shared that with me, and it means the absolute world because I know it did for me when I finally felt that for myself.
HAGA CLIC AQUÍ or on the graphics above to read Linedy’s bio.
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