Teej Morgan-Arzola
Teej Morgan-Arzola (Usnavi)
In The Heights
JUNE 23 — JULY 30
What excites you about In the Heights?
What excites me about In The Heights is how it embraces the togetherness of the BIPOC
community through singing, dancing, and acting. In The Heights is a musical with dramatic and romantic overtones that also acknowledges those relevant issues addressing the American BIPOC community. I am excited about showcasing a captivating story about finding identity through ethnic culture, as well as the effects of American society's assimilation on BIPOC individuals, the negative impacts of gentrification, the relationship of all Latinx cultures, and, simply, what to do if your dreams come true. In The Heights is an opportunity for all BIPOC artists to celebrate various backgrounds in a racially diverse neighborhood and bring attention to the current issues that American BIPOC people confront today. It is an eclectic combination of art and activism that I can’t wait for you all to see and feel.
What’s your process like in preparing for a show like this, and how does that process change (if at all) from other shows?
When preparing for this show, the process has included many new techniques that I’ve begun to practice. It does help that I have experience with this show. When I was a sophomore in high school at Denver School of the Arts, I played the role of Sonny. With that experience, I already had an understanding of the characters, story, and plot. Therefore, my preparation was focused mainly on building my new role of Usnavi, and reviving my musical performance talent.
I needed to improve my endurance, stamina, and brush up on my dancing and singing skills. I met with a vocal coach, Sarah Barber, to practice my singing. My dancing chops were sharpened by the dance captains in this show, Madison Manning and Lina Ramirez. I added cardio to my workout split to improve my stamina and endurance. I recited my lines and rap verses while sprinting to enhance my lung capacity. This helped me get trained for the pacing of the show and musical numbers.
What’s your biggest challenge about taking on this role?
It was more about the “challenges.” In musicals, rapping is not common, so the role of Usnavi demands a diverse talent. This also means Usnavi’s primary strengths are rhythm and
inflection. Vocal lessons are also needed for a rapping role like Usnavi. To rap efficiently and on beat, running through the numbers by emphasizing diction and articulation was key. At the same time I have to focus on singing, dancing, and acting. All of these qualities and demands had to share rehearsal time, but it was a great challenge for which I’m grateful.
Another challenge was not to sound too much like Lin Manuel-Miranda. I didn’t want to be a copy but, instead, have my own interpretation and delivery for Usnavi. It’s easy to be influenced by Manuel-Miranda’s first and most popular rendition of Usnavi, and his primary clout. I also made sure not to watch the movie version and avoid being influenced by Anthony Ramos’ Usnavi. I believe a goal when playing a character is to make it your own in some unique way. I have my own ideas about how to approach this character and hope my version is just as unique and credible as these previous two.
Why do you still perform?
I perform because it’s challenging, thrilling, and I will always enjoy performing. I can’t pinpoint a main reason that motivates me to perform. It’s a combination of things. For one, I hope to deliver a performance that changes someone’s life. Like has happened to me before. If I can have a positive impact on one audience member then it's all worth it. Art and performance is not supported enough by the community although it has the power to make positive change and provide a creative approach.
Theater has been a part of my life since 3rd grade when I was King Louie in The Jungle Book Jr. From then on I was passionate about theater and studied acting at my schools, but I also wanted to get into film. I love to write and direct, which is why video media is so appealing to me. In today’s modern society, film and tv are mediums of art that manifest ideas to the general public more than any other art form. However, as an actor, you work within the confines of a character and the director which is also appealing to me in a different way. I give credit to my college acting professor, Mr. Betts for reviving my love for the theater. I was accepting to move on from one art form to the other but he has shown me that I can have both. As the director, Mr. Betts cast me in An Octoroon last summer at Benchmark Theatre. During one of the showings, director Geoffrey Kent was watching and he invited me to audition for Our Town at the Arvada Center. From that audition, I earned the role of George and finished a long run of the show.
Life moves in weird ways and God has a way to bless you in ways you never would never know. Returning to theater has reminded me why I originally loved it and how all art is the most universal, profound, and influential way of communicating.
What’s your dream role, and what do you feel you would bring to it?
Usnavi has always been a dream role of mine and I will bring authenticity, charisma, and energy to it. I've wanted to play Usnavi since I played the role of Sonny but I love and appreciate
every role in a different way. However, my favorite role will always be my next one. As a professional actor, you are searching for your next opportunity and are curious and willing to
learn and give it your all. If we are thinking “big” then I’ve always wanted to play Robin from a DC movie and Hamlet on a theater stage.
What’s a fun fact people may not know about you?
A fun fact that people may not know about me is that I am in the process of learning how to do a backflip. I have not broken my nose (yet).
