Salsation Theatre Company, NFP

What’s your history with Salsation?
I had first heard about Salsation when they came out with My Big Fat Quinceanera. I never actually went to one of their shows, but I remember checking out there website and seeing they also did Touring. I thought, “Hey that would be cool to work with them, looks like fun”.  Then last summer while doing my daily Craigslist search for Talent under Gigs. There is was, in big, black, bold print, “SALSATION THEATRE COMPANY OPEN AUDITIONS“.

I was so excited and nervous all at the same time. I had done theatre before but not much of improv, aside from the games I used to play in my high school acting class, and watching Who Line is it Anyways?. I figured it couldn’t hurt, and like your told that every job interview is a good experience…so is every audition. So I emailed Salsation, got my 6:10 pm slot, and auditioned. I remember how I reacted when I read the email that I was accepted as part of their 2009 Touring Cast. I was screaming and jumping up and down with excitement, “I got in!! I got in!” Watching me you’d probably think I got accepted in Harvard or something. Better yet I was like Olive from Little Miss Sunshine...oh yes and all of this was while I was at work. Not to worry my co-workers just saw it as “Oh Maria is just acting like her silly self”. Nothing they’re not used to.

So I toured with Salsation and performed in The Brown Supremacy, SalsaSketch 2009, and Chicago Sketch Fest 2010. Now I am doing my first Main Stage Revue  Ctrl+Alt+Deport, and I am very happy and excited just like I was the day I was accepted into La Familia de Salsation.

What got you started in comedy?
I love to laugh!!!!! For as long as I can remember I love making others laugh. I remember the first time I made a group laugh was when I was six years old. My school was doing a Christmas show and me and my 1st grade class were supposed to be little human Christmas presents. I remember my mom along with other mom’s came in to help make the presents. We were literally in wrapped boxes. You could only see our feet, hands, and head. I remember my box was too big for me. So when we had to do our dance number and raise our hands in the air, the box completely covered my head. So I couldn’t see where I was going and I pretty much looked like that kid with a bucket over their head only I had a really big Christmas present instead. So, I think I ruined the whole dance, because I was bumping into walls, students and falling over. Sure I was six and much cuter back then, so maybe that’s why they laughed.

But I remember how oddly good it felt to be laughed at, and how much I liked the sound of laughter. Especially if it was from something I did. So I kept dancing, and kept falling but the laughs kept me going. From then on I enjoyed performing, imitating people, actors, and of course my crazy family members. The way I see it is everyone has problems to deal with big or small. I got into comedy because of the notion that I have the ability take some ones mind away from their conflicts for an hour or even just a minute. To me that is very satisfying and makes me happy. Everyone has enough to cry about. The remedy…LET’S ALL LAUGH MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!

What’s your favorite sketch in “Ctrl+Alt+Deport”?
I’m really looking forward to a lot of the sketches. Everyone has really brought so much to the table. One that comes to mind is Nelson’s “Can You Hear Me Now?” sketch. It was funny reading the part as the Customer Service System with a sassy attitude.

What does the future hold in store for you?
I guess no one can really plan for the future because your never know what sort of curve balls this thing call “Life” is going to throw at you. However, I do have goals that I would like to reach. I would like to get as much experience and knowledge as possible in all aspects of performance (improv, dance, singing, etc). I won’t lie, I am that person that would love to be on Second City’s MainStage one day; hey, maybe even go from there to SNL (and make it funny again), maybe have my own sitcom and make movies. My goal is to someday quite my day job and be able to make a living just out of acting. I want to wake up, make my cup of tea, grab my script, and head out to the theatre, studio, etc and just PLAY!!! After all it’s not work if you’re doing what you love right?

If you could be meet any famous person, past or present, who would it be and why?
Ok I can’t just chose one. So many to chose from. I love the guys form the Madison Company. I love Tom Hanks (love the Money Pit) and Johnny Depp. They are both so versatile. I would also like to meet Carol Burnett. She is fearless and will do anything for a laugh.

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