New York Musical Theatre Festival is in full swing and BroadwayWorld has taken the time to sit down with some of the stars of this years NYMF musicals.
Like any great art form, musical theatre is shaped by the events and philosophies of the day. The strength and vitality of musical theatre lie in its ability to stay fresh and relevant. It was with that idea in mind, ten years ago, that the New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) was created - to provide an effective platform to introduce new shows, new perspectives, and new blood into the musical theatre canon.
MEET THE STARS OF NYMF sits down with Zachary Infante of CALICO BUFFALO
What's your favorite thing about performing as part of NYMF?
As a first time performer at NYMF, I'm learning how incredibly supportive the NYMF community is. There's a dynamic, talented group of actors, designers and creatives working in the festival, and I love how ready and willing we all are to discuss our work.
Have you participated in NYMF before? If so, what's your favorite part and what drew you back to the festival?
Oh well, cats out of the bag already - I'm a proud newbie! After seeing my friends
Gerianne Perez and PJ Adzima in
Volley Girls and then
Fable as an audience member, I've always felt welcome and apart of the NYMF environment. Gerianne is 100% correct when she say's there's nothing like NYMF out there, and I find it a great place to meet like minded artists enveloped in mounting new work.
What other NYMF shows are you most intrigued by or excited to see?
I'd be fibbing if I didn't say how exciting it is to know that my buddy Gil Abraham-Perez will bring the role of Manuel in
Manuel vs. The Statue of Liberty to life. As actors of minority decent, Gil and I have been celebrating NYMF's presentation of theatre that opens a dialogue regarding immigration. I am also excited about
The Cobalteans, written by graduates of my alma mater, NYU Tisch, so I trust that one is going to melt hearts. Their story, loosely based on true events, is one we will all be raptured by. Last but certainly not least, the epic
Claudio Quest! Conceptualizing technology, especially video games, in theatre always grabs my attention.
Tell us about your show/your character?
Now what astonishes me about
The Calico Buffalo team is how swiftly we've been able to make our own community reflective of the show's message. I play Bora-Boh, the Calico, and his tribe is full of pride but unfamiliar with and shaken by change. Though Bora-Boh's journey of self-discovery comes with bumps along the road, his difference invigorates and changes a nation. Something you may take away with you and your family are conversation starters for engaging a dialogue about diversity and acceptance.
The Calico Buffalo is a story about embracing our differences as much as it is about trekking through the mud to find how those differences make our whole community stronger. Our younger generation today needs a new legend to believe in, and this buffalo tribe may be the crew to lead the way!
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