By. Kevin Ray Johnson (Staff Writer for OnStage Blog)

It is my honor to introduce you to Claudia Mulet! Claudia is currently starring as Vanessa in In The Heights at La Mirada Theatre in California! Claudia was born in Havana, Cuba, and graduated from the Higher Institute of Arts (ISA) in Cuba, with a Bachelor in Performing Arts. After graduating, Claudia was cast in The Nederlander’s historic production of RENT in Havana, directed by Andy Sr Jr in collaboration with Michael Greif. The production was filmed and went on to become a documentary, “Revolution Rent”, now on HBO MAX. Soon after graduating she moved to the United States, where she is currently working as a performer and making her debut as Associate Director for a production of In The Heights with the Director and Choreographer Luis Salgado. Claudia has also been part of shows like On Your Feet Fist National Tour and In the Heights, among others. I am so thankful for the opportunity to feature such an unbelievably talented performer!

How old were you when you knew you wanted to be a Performer?

I was born and raised in Havana, Cuba and as a child, I had a very strong imagination. Since I was little, I had a feeling that I would be on stage somehow. My mother would oftentimes have small get-togethers where I would end up as the impromptu entertainment. From the age of 4, I took dance, acting, guitar, and piano classes, it was something that my mother always considered necessary for my training, but it was undeniable that art ran through my veins.

Where did you study? Are there any mentors that genuinely helped make you the outstanding Artist you are today?

Dancing quickly became my passion. Before I knew it, I was doing it professionally in one of the most important flamenco/fusion ballet companies in Cuba, the Ballet Lizt Alfonso. I owe a lot to this company, not only for my training as a dancer but also because it taught me the importance of punctuality, respect for others, and dedication, things that are invaluable in the professional world. I danced in that company until I was 18 when I was accepted to the University of the Arts of Cuba in the acting program. While there I had many teachers to whom I owe the trust they always placed in me. But I must say that it was my life outside of school that taught me and continues to teach me today. Antonia Fernandez, Carlos Diaz, and Palmero were among the many that helped me develop my sense of artistry within the craft.

Congratulations on In The Heights at La Mirada Theatre. How has your time been performing in this Tony Award-Winning Musical?

This is the third time I’ve had the pleasure to be part of In the Heights. The first time was in 2019 with a wonderful cast in Portland Center Stage. The second time I had the wonderful opportunity to be the associate director alongside Luis Salgado as director. This production was very revealing for me and my career. Being in a creative position within a show that I know so well, telling a story that is very close to my heart, really opened up a new perspective of seeing theater and my position as an immigrant, a woman, and a Latina in this medium.

The first time I heard In The Heights soundtrack was on the road several years ago. My friend Claudia Yanez and I were driving from Costa Mesa to Los Angeles and Claudia shared the story of these characters for the first time. Nothing has made me cry more with joy than listening to Paciencia Y Fe that day. Listening to Abuela Claudia's story, a woman who, like me, moved from Cuba looking for a better life and was born in La Vibora, made me feel like I was looking at my own reflection. Not every day I hear a story that is so similar to my own. That was a big turn in my career. It made me realize how much our stories move the audience and how theater can modify and even change someone. Just for that is worth all the sweat, long hours of rehearsal, and bad pay. Today I stand in La Mirada Theater and I get to tell this story that one day changed my life and I cannot be more thrilled.

Claudia Mulet, Lindsey Dantes, Daisy Marie Lopez, and Shadia Fairuz!

Are there any other shows, performances, or moments in your career that will always stick out and be near and dear to your heart?

I‘m very lucky to have shows in my repertoire that have become very special to me. Back in Cuba, I was part of the production of RENT which became a documentary about the process, now on HBO Max. Rent opened my eyes to the possibility of having a career outside of Cuba. While doing the show, relationships between Cuba and the United States began to improve (only for a short period). Having that feeling that everything is temporary and that we only have one life to make our dreams come true is something that made me take a step forward and move here. A year after I got cast on the 1st National Tour of On Your Feet. That was the first sign that I was on the right path, that my decisions were not wrong and that the future depends a lot on how we approach it. Looking forward to more moments like this.

What advice would you give any young artist who would like a career in the performing arts?

I have two things that I’ve always applied to myself and today resonate more than ever: to never be afraid of “Change”. Sometimes we get scared of changes because it shakes our status quo, but change is good, it means things are moving and it depends on you that they move for good. So, you have the keys to your own changes, meaning your future. That's a good thing. On the other hand, I would say “Learning”. We should never stop wanting to learn. Learning is what makes us evolve, it makes us grow. It doesn't matter from whom, we always have things to learn from the young, definitely from the oldest, from nature, and even from ourselves. As a performer, we have to be “ON” all the time in our learning experiences. Everything we can integrate into our personal catalog of information is always going to be for the best.

In the Heights is currently running until June 26th at La Mirada Theatre. For more information, please visit -https://lamiradatheatre.com/current_events/broadway_series/intheheights/; and to learn more about Claudia make sure you visit her official website at -https://www.cmulet.com

Check out Claudia discussing In the Heights here -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pe884ZKOqPI

Claudia Mulet Discusses In the Heights, Growing up in Cuba and Not Fearing Change!

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