Paloma Garcia-Lee has been lighting up the stage as “Meg Giry” in national touring company of The Phantom of the Opera for the past 18 months. An accomplished actress, singer and dancer, she joined the Broadway show at the Majestic Theater straight out of high school at the tender age of 17. Paloma is one of the youngest performers ever hired for the production and the youngest to ever play “Meg.” She is also the first person hired for the Broadway show to have been born after Phantom began its run in New York in 1988. Paloma will set out to chart the next phase of her career once the curtain comes down for the last time on Phantom October 31st at The Pantages Theater in Los Angeles.
Mike Parker – You were born into a theatrical family. What was life like, growing up?
Paloma Garcia-Lee – It was different. I grew up with artists. My mom was a Broadway performer and my dad was a lighting tech and a scenic designer. I grew up thinking normal family dinner table conversation was about lighting gels. Because my parents were involved in all aspects of the theater I had the best of both worlds - the technical and the performance. My parents were so supportive. I was involved in the arts from day one.
Parker – I understand you were homeschooled until your high school years. Was that a positive experience for you? Do you feel like you missed out on anything?
Paloma – I loved every minute of it. I have a great relationship with my parents and I feel like I got to do things that other kids didn't get to do, like going to a Broadway play in the middle of the week. I don't think I missed out on anything. I think I would have missed out on much more if I had attended a regular school.
Parker – You attended the North Carolina School of the Arts, starting when you were just 14 years old and graduated with core studies in both dance and drama. I didn't know that would even let you take a double core. For those who are unaware, NCSA is an arts conservatory high school, and the level of work that is required is enormous when compared to a regular high school.
Paloma – It was intense. They don't normally let students participate in two fields. I started out in dance and spent two years in the ballet department, then I moved over to the drama department, and I graduated from the drama department. I was able to stay involved in dance, but it was a special consideration for me. Because I was so far ahead due to being homeschooled I was able to skip my junior year and graduate when I was 17.
Parker – From high school to Broadway. That's pretty heady stuff.
Paloma – It was, but it was one of those things that I was completely prepared for. I didn't think college would have been helpful at that point in my life, and I had a lot of support from my parents, so after I graduated I packed up my suitcases and headed for New York. I landed my first Broadway role at 17, but there was a lot of time between that first audition for Phantom and when I was actually cast. I auditioned for lots of shows and got lots of callbacks, but getting that first casting call was so exciting.
Parker – I'm sure you get asked this all the time, but what's next for you?
Paloma – I've been touring for a year and a half, and getting ready to close here in LA. This tour has been going on almost as long as I've been alive. It is incredible to be part of this cast; they are like my family. I move back to New York on November 1, and I'm excited to let people in the industry know I'm available for work. I would love to go back to Phantom on Broadway, but I'm open to all kinds of things from stage to film to TV.
Parker – Last words?
Paloma – My time with Phantom has been incredible. I've learned so many life lessons and have met so many people who have impacted my life. And I've had the opportunity to impact so many other people's lives from the stage. To have that type of opportunity is huge. I never take that for granted. Phantom is a beautiful story and people who haven't seen it, must see it.
The Seven Questions
1. What’s your favorite sound?
Paloma – Rain. It is so calming.
2. What makes you happy?
Paloma – Doing what I love. That could mean being with my family, performing, being around animals. Just doing what I love.
3. What makes you angry?
Paloma – When people can't appreciate other people for what they do. I think people don't look at people as individuals. That makes me angry.
4. What is the secret of success?
Paloma – In the arts, doing what you love for the sake of the art. Do it because you are passionate about. If you pursue your love with passion without regard for reward, success will come.
5. If you could have dinner with anyone in history, living or dead, who would it be?
Paloma – Agnes De Mille, Jesus, Bob Fosse, Leonard Bernstein and Albert Einstein.
6. What is the epitaph that is written on your tombstone?
Paloma – "She lived her life passionately. She was in love with life."
7. When you get to heaven, what is the first thing you want to hear God say to you?
Paloma – "You did a good job. I'm proud of you."
PSPA mission is to inspire a lasting passion and appreciation for Theater- Dance & Music through artistic performance excellence, exhilarating performances, touching choreography and powerful educational programs. 215.598.8513 pspadancer.com buckscountyperformingarts.com