A first-generation college student and consistent Haugh Performing Arts Center performer gravitated toward musical theatre after she saw Lin Manuel Miranda’s “In the Heights.”
Domenique Dominguez, a 21-year-old theater arts major said she felt a connection to Miranda’s characters.
“Musical theatre, classically, is usually very ‘boy loves girl, they’re happy,’” Dominguez said. “I love ‘In the Heights’ because it deals with such real feelings.”
Dominguez said she identified with the character Nina— a first-generation Hispanic college student pressured to attend and pay for college.
“(‘In the Heights’) felt more like the life I’ve experienced growing up,” Dominguez said. “It’s nice to see representation.”
Before coming to Citrus, Dominguez planned to attend UCLA in 2015, but could not afford the cost.
She said she had a “gut feeling that she would spend her time and money better here at Citrus.”
Performing has been regular a part of Dominguez’s life. She grew up participating in theatre and recorded numerous television pilots.
At Citrus, she has participated in Citrus Singers, pop rock class band Nightshift, the summer conservatory program and various musicals at HPAC.
Dominguez said attending Citrus made her grow as a performer and opened many doors for her.
“This school will forever be my favorite place,” Dominguez said.
Although she said she worked a little bit in television, Dominguez said she prefers live theater due to the connection she makes with the audience.
“It’s addicting,” Dominguez said. “It feels like you made a billion friends in one room, even though you’ve spoken to none of them.”
Dominguez was cast to play “St. Jimmy” in a production of the Green Day- inspired musical “American Idiot” in April at the Haugh Performing Arts Center. The character is the figment of main character, Johnny’s imagination, and explores his character when struggling with the dark side of fame.
“It’s kind of fun,” Dominguez said. “I get to, like, not have any morals for an entire show and just be a bad guy.”
Once she earns her associate’s degree, Dominguez plans to focus on appearing in more shows and eventually move to New York.
Just like her inspiration, Nina from “In the Heights,” Dominguez aspires to do musical theatre to influence others.
“That’s what art is in general,” Dominguez said. “Trying to touch other people through what you do.”
