Proper representation is one of the most contentious topics in the entertainment industry, and even though whitewashing is no longer as rampant as it used to be, people of color still often find it difficult to book jobs. Paulina De La Parra, a gifted Mexican actress and singer, wishes to continue the noble advocacy of fighting for diversity.
The veteran theatre actress has appeared in some of the most outstanding musical productions in Mexico City under the direction of Musical Aristica. She was also a member of the Metropolitan Theatre as well as the historical and iconic Fru Fru Theatre.
However, the young woman has since moved to New York City, where she currently resides and continues to pursue her acting career. As a result, she has the remarkable opportunity to be part of the most iconic cabarets and theatre companies in the area, including 54′ Below, LAByrinth Theatre Company, and The Tank.
The multi-talented individual has recently joined the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, a two-time Tony award-winning theater, where she was cast in A Christmas Carol. Paulina De La Parra was also recently cast in the upcoming tour productions as the titular hare in the Tortoise and the Hare and Flotsam in the Little Mermaid.
But perhaps, her most notable lead role will be Marinda in the upcoming production of “Terremoto,” which is a modern day/LatinX adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Tempest, where she will perform opposite Broadway and Hollywood star Ilda Mason. The production was written by Carl J Danielsen and will be produced by the Quemoción Production Company.
There is no denying that Paulina De La Parra is a highly skillful actress. But on the other hand, that is not all there is to her. The proud Latina always carries a sense of pride for her heritage. As such, she works hard to elevate the reputation of her people for every performance and project that she does. The insightful woman profoundly shared, “It is not enough to be good at what you do but to reach people and have a social change utilizing art as the medium.”
Fueled by her extraordinary values and principles, she plans to open doors for much-needed diversity in the arts. In addition, she wants to give a voice to underrepresented groups by portraying realistic and empowered versions of what being Latina really is.
To champion the causes she believes in, Paulina De La Parra has accepted roles in shows that tackle these issues and topics. For example, she was part of the open project for the LAByrinth theatre company Shame Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, which speaks about racism. She also performed in Wounded, a play by Sophie Macintosh that talks about femicides from the victim’s perspective. Lastly, she was part of Tony award-winning writer Tonya Pinkins, Truth and Reconciliation: Womyn Working It All Out.
In her 10-year career in theatre arts, Paulina De La Parra has demonstrated unrivaled artistry and skills. But most importantly, she is a testament that one person’s efforts are enough to raise awareness on important advocacies.
To find out more about Paulina De La Parra, visit her official website and follow her on Instagram.
