Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sofia Figueroa. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Sofia , so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?
Gratitude. My optimism and my ability to share love with others comes from my sense gratitude to myself and the Universe for the life I live. As a Performer and Freelancer it’s easy to fall out of a routine as shows continuously end and new ones start. However, something I always do when I wake up in the morning is a list of things I’m grateful for and a way in which I will be reminded of them throughout my day. I don’t always feel positive but when I count my blessings it always grounds me in reality–it feels like medicine for the soul. Apart from this, I also think that when I take the time to look after myself, I always end up feeling in alignment with myself and I’m able to show up for others in my family, friendships and in my community.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m currently performing the lead role of Mirabel in Disney’s Encanto in New York City. I have never played such a beloved and well known character and I feel the most excited embodying and honoring her as much as I can. This is an Immersive Show that takes you through “Casita” the house in the movie, Encanto, and you get to see the characters come to life and interact with them as they sing and dance with you. I feel extremely fortunate to be part of the cast and invite NYC locals and tourists into this beautiful world. I had never had the opportunity to sing, dance and act in major production before, so there has been a lot of learning for me. I am understanding all the necessary care my body needs, in order to sustain four hours of performances per day for, what will now be, a seven month period. I’m very strict with my vocal warm ups, I steam before and after shows, I take Vitamin C every day, I stretch a lot so that my body, my instrument, won’t give up on me, etc. There are still things I’m learning in relation to my body as I go through many hours of singing and dancing, but for now, I feel the most supported and safe with the wonderful work environment that exists in the cast and crew of the show. I invite anyone that will be in New York City from now until April 16th, to come to the Encanto Immersive Show!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Punctuality, respect and empathy are the three most important qualities that have impacted my life and my career today. Most of the projects and acting gigs I’ve gotten in New York City have been through friends or past collaborators. This is due to their good experience working with me. Something they all agree on is that my level of professionalism made them want to recommend me to other opportunities. Punctuality falls under professionalism because when you arrive on time, you are respecting someone’s time in a non-verbal way; it shows interest and a desire to be there. Respect is one of the most important qualities to have in a healthy work environment. Not only to foster a safe environment for your peers but also to show your character outside of the work space. Something I learned throughout the years is that I tend to want to work with people again that don’t talk down to others. The way you talk about others says a lot about you. If you are disrespecting other artist and directors just because you didn’t like them in the past, and you are in a professional room with other artists, it says more about you than them. The opposite is also true! Honesty is also an important quality to have and it’s important to communicate if someone’s behavior is problematic, but when it comes to gossip in the acting industry, it is better to air on the professional side and be respectful of other people’s lives. Lastly, empathy in the competitive world of acting is crucial. True empathy for other people’s success and failure is needed to build trust amongst artists. My advice for younger artists wanting to act and be on stage is that they always have to remember that, regardless of how much they like or dislike their peers/how good or bad the show they’re in is, the professional way they present themselves in any work environment will ultimately open doors in the future. I would say, these three specific qualities have gotten me this far in my career
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
YES! I’m always looking to collaborate with artists. I’m specifically looking to collaborate with O-1 Artists (international artists) in the US. I had a virtual show called HOME Art Expo with the objective of creating community and amplifying voices of artists like myself, that have been finding their space in this industry. Due to the pandemic, Home Art Expo became a virtual experience but it’s my full interest to make it an in person event in Fall 2023. I’m open to collaborating with visual artists, performers, dancers, poets, etc., there is no limit to the art form. Additionally, I’m always looking to jump into new projects with an open mind and work with passionate collaborators. So, if you are ever looking for an actress, feel free to reach out!
Contact Info:
- Website: sofiafig.com
- Instagram: sofialittlefig
Image Credits
Reilly Johnson
