Student Blog: Catching Flights, and Feelings

Spring break is more than just basking in the sun. As an aspiring theater artist, I’m constantly being inspired by everywhere I go and everything I see. This is why I LOVE traveling. Exploring a new place? Being fully immersed in its culture, language, and cuisine? Say less.

Traveling to Mexico City, I wanted to see and do everything I possibly could. You would be surprised by everything my friend and I packed into our six-day trip. We explored so many neighborhoods, including Condesa, Polanco, Roma Norte, San Ángel, Juárez, and Coyoacán. We walked the Chapultepec Castle, went cycling, indulged in some shopping, tasted delicious Mexican food, and had so much iced coffee. We also woke up at 4 a.m. one day to go kayaking in Xochimilco at sunrise!

As musical theater students, of course we had to see a show one night. Our show in choice was MentiDrags, a drag adaptation of Mentiras: El Musical, a popular Mexican jukebox musical that has been running for over sixteen years. The comedic plot is led by four women, played by drag queens in this version, who discover they have all been in love with the same man. The show was high-energy and captivating, with glamorous makeup, wigs, sequins, high heels, death drops, and stunning vocal harmonies. One queen literally came out in a five-layer cake dress and belted out a high C. The stage presence and fearlessness of the drag queens caught my eye, and I was so impressed when I found out that the actors knew every single track in the show to rotate characters night to night.

Watching performers take up space so unapologetically made me want to do the same, so I threw myself into a hip hop dance class with my friend. Honestly, I was nervous at first. I know, it seems ironic. I dance ten hours per week at school, why would I be nervous for one class where I literally know nobody? I felt totally out of place. I am accustomed to going to a dance class with my polished LaDuca heels or my pretty pink ballet slippers. Here, there was no amount of holding my core or perfectly pointed feet that I could hide behind. Having never taken a hip hop class like this one before, I could not rely on any technique. I just had to let loose and dance. I picked up what I could, and it was so freeing. I didn’t have to worry about hitting every single accent or getting my lines just right as I have to in school. Was that the most amazing I have ever danced? No. Was it super fun anyway? Yes! Will I probably be so much better at picking up the combo and style at the next class? Absolutely. At my first class back at school, I already felt more free in my dancing. My classmates and teacher even commented on how released and grounded my movement quality is now.

My experience exploring the rich history and culture of Mexico City lingered with me as I came back to my musical theater training in Boston. It was refreshing to step outside of my usual routine and be surrounded by new people, art, and performances that move me creatively