2018 Alumnus Gabriel Florentino Lands Role in World Premiere Production at Pittsburgh Playhouse Alumni Profile
Meet Gabriel Florentino
- Job Title & Employer
- Actor
- Major/Program
- Musical Theatre
- Minor
- Dance
- Graduation
- April 2018
- Hometown
- Brooklyn, N.Y.
- High School
- Marlboro High School
- Now Living In
- Washington Heights, N.Y.
"One of my goals in my life was to originate a role. I never thought it would be this soon and in the new Pittsburgh Playhouse. It’s all an honor. Also, it’s such an interesting and rewarding perspective to come back to the place you trained, but this time as a professional. My heart is full of gratitude."
How did you land a role in The Old Man and the Sea?
An audition was posted on Playbill and shortly after I contacted Kim Martin, producing director of the Pittsburgh Playhouse. I was performing in Hairspray at North Shore Music Theatre, but Kim and Ron Lindblom, Playhouse artistic director, were gracious enough to let me send in videos of the sides as part of my audition.
As a recent graduate, what’s it like making your Pittsburgh Playhouse debut in a world premiere stage adaptation?
It’s so surreal. One of my goals in my life was to originate a role. I never thought it would be this soon and in the new Pittsburgh Playhouse. It’s all an honor. Also, it’s such an interesting and rewarding perspective to come back to the place you trained, but this time as a professional. My heart is full of gratitude.
How did your Point Park experience prepare you for this role?
All of the tools my acting and voice and speech teachers gave me in college came into play for this show. This part resonated with me more than I anticipated. When that happened, everything I learned aided me in bringing this part to life.
Point Park changed me as an artist, its triple threat approach really prepared me for life in this business. In the last six months, I have played six distinctly different roles that required all very different skill sets. Without having gone through this program I wouldn’t have been able to tackle each one.
What are your career goals?
Broadway, film and television almost everyone has as goals – and of course I would love those for myself – but I think my overall goal is to authentically live in my artistry. I want to learn to understand/share what my artistry is as I change and grow as a person. Whether that be acting, making music, directing or film.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
To all those in the midst of training, power through and have faith (even in your moments of doubt). You get out of it what you put in. But most importantly never lose your authenticity, nurture it. It is the only thing that truly makes us special.
Video: Meet the Cast
Photos: The Old Man and the Sea
