Original IN THE HEIGHTS Star Mandy Gonzalez Leads Workshop in Santa Clarita

This weekend, Broadway star Mandy Gonzalez returns to her hometown of Santa Clarita to stage several singing and acting workshops for local high school students.

Gonzalez is an Broadway veteran best known for playing the roles of Elphaba and Nina Rosario in the Broadway musicals, WICKED and IN THE HEIGHTS.

Drama and choir students from Valencia High School and Saugus High School will be participating in this two-day program run by the Broadway star and several other professional musical performers that will culminate in a Broadway type production to be staged at Valencia High School on Saturday night at 7 p.m. and then again at 8:30 p.m.

Charity, volunteerism, and activism are principles embedded deep in the theater community so it's no coincidence that Gonzalez, a former Saugus High graduate wants to give back and nourish the future performers of tomorrow.

"For me, to seek out opportunities where I can also say thank you is really important," said Gonzalez.

Gonzalez can be heard on the Original Broadway cast recording of In the Heights and in the Disney animated film Mulan 2.