Jacqueline Castillo
Jacqueline Castillo first came to my attention in the NTPA production of In the Heights a few years ago playing the character of Daniela. Jacqueline gave Daniela such vivacious, sassy charm that I knew Jacqueline Castillo was a formidable actor. Cut to this past winter and Jacqueline is once again appearing in In the Heights this time at Theatre Arlington and in the lead role of Nina. Her gorgeous vocals and extraordinary stage presence blew me away and her Nina touched my heart. Keep an eye out for this super talented young woman on DFW stages and take a few moments to read all about Jacqueline Castillo.
When was your first time on stage?
My very first time on stage was for a youth version of The Lion King! It was a week-long camp during the summer, and I was terrified to go on stage for the first time. I played the role of Pumbaa, and I remember singing my heart out in my favorite brown print jeans (and trying not to forget my lines, or cry...or both).
When did you know you wanted to be an actor?
When I was around 13, I watched the 25th anniversary of Phantom of the Opera, and I fell in love with everything about it! Then, at 14, I saw a production of Into the Woods and was utterly blown away. I couldn’t believe that such fantastical characters were struggling with complex human problems (all told through a BEAUTIFUL Sondheim score at that!). I thoroughly enjoyed dissecting the show and reflecting on each character’s experiences and emotions within the story. And now at 24, it honestly amazes me that I’m still practicing exactly that in college. Then, when I turned 15, I kept exploring different musicals and eventually found In The Heights. I was shocked—in the best way—to see a show that reflected my family’s heritage, my friends, and the culture of my community onstage. I grew up surrounded by salsa and merengue, so seeing those rhythms and stories brought to life in a medium I already loved was incredibly meaningful. And from then on, I knew one way or another that being an actor and a theatre artist was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
Who is your greatest mentor?
I’ve been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to have more than one mentor. But the mentors whom I would love to highlight are Neicole Woodall, Vicky Nooe, J. Austin Eyer, and Greg Sturges. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them, and fortunately, they encourage me to strive for improvement continually. Each of them has seen me go through many different chapters of my life, and they have been present and supportive in ways that have only encouraged my growth and enrichment. Each of them has inspired and pushed me to explore my full potential as a student, artist, and human. And none of that would have been possible without the constant love and support of my parents. I’m endlessly grateful to them for giving me the space for these opportunities and for always believing in me.
What role have you enjoyed the most in your career so far?
Nina from In The Heights was definitely a pinch-me moment and my favorite role thus far. It was a full-circle moment for me to perform in one of my dream shows with fantastic people (twice!).
Do you have a dream role?
Nina and Daniela from In The Heights are two of my top dream roles, but I would love to play The Witch from Into The Woods.
What person(s) would you like to be on stage with?
I would love to be on stage with Diego Luna, Viola Davis, or Justina Machado!
What performances have you seen that impressed you?
I recently saw A Strange Loop at Circle Theatre, and I loved it! I found that the entire cast brought a fantastic presence to the characters’ inner conflicts, while also being incredibly distinguishable in telling their individual stories and perspectives. I was thrilled to support my fellow UTA students and alums, and I believe it’s an important story that needs to be shared.
What are your career goals?
I want to focus my career on BIPOC queer stories, especially in creating environments that highlight voices that have been otherwise silenced in artistic spaces. I want to focus on creating opportunities for Latinx actors and expanding the mediums through which our voices can be heard. I love being Nicaraguan-American, and now more than ever, it is essential to share those complex stories about our community and the communities that support and care for one another.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I’m usually an open book; I love keeping up with fashion week, I love to read, and I have a motorcycle! However, I think people would be surprised to learn that I used to have a massive love for analyzing published psychoanalytic articles. I would spend hours annotating one article on the couch with my dog keeping me company. JSTOR is an amazing (and free!) database.
