Today we’d like to introduce you to Irene Gonzalez.
Hi Irene, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Thank you. I’m a singer/actress from Miami, FL who has performed on South Florida stages for over 16 years. I first discovered I could sing when I was in 2nd grade and auditioned to sing a small piece at my first communion ceremony and I, surprisingly, was chosen over 3 other girls. Fast forward to high school where I really dove into singing at Lourdes Academy. I auditioned for the choir and was initially placed in Women’s Chorus, the intermediate group.
I was a soprano at that time. My teacher, Candace Wicke, was wonderful at teaching us technique and stage presence. The following year, I was placed in the advanced group, Lourdes Singers, and was able to sing several solo parts and perform in our dinner theatre performance. Two of my classmates Carla and Lisa Merhige (twin sisters) also sang in Lourdes Singers. Carla had an amazing, full belt that I admired so much, and hoped that I could one day have. She truly inspired me.
I wanted to study voice in college, but unfortunately got discouraged when I auditioned for the FSU School of Music and didn’t get accepted. Sadly I had a pretty bad cold that day that prevented me from singing to my potential. I never tried auditioning again. Thankfully that didn’t stop me from singing. When I was in my mid-20s, I went to a bachelorette karaoke party, and out of nowhere, as I was singing, I started belting. I had never belted before, so it was quite a surprise! Even my friends were surprised! From that day forward, I dedicated most of my spare time to trying to learn how to develop my belt and expand on it.
When I was 29, thanks to Candace Wicke, I got the opportunity to sing at Carnegie Hall in an all-female choir for a world premiere. During that trip to New York, I went to go see “Wicked” for the first time. The show had such an intense affect on me that as I walked out of that theatre, I made the decision to start auditioning for musical theatre once I returned home. After several auditions, and rejections, I finally got cast in my first musical, Jekyll & Hyde. Since then, I have been able to do quite a bit of theatre and play some wonderful roles like Maria in “The Sound of Music”, Nancy in “Oliver!”, Sally Bowles in “Cabaret”, Miss Hannigan in “Annie”, and Donna in “Mamma Mia!”. I was even given the opportunity to perform as the evil Dolores in the world premiere of the new musical, “Always Remember”.
An interesting side story about Mamma Mia… before I got cast as Donna, I was experiencing quite a theatre drought where I wasn’t getting cast in any shows. Consequently, for a time, I had given up on theatre. I have also suffered from alopecia (hair loss) since I was 18. After many different failed attempts to stop the hair loss, including a painful, expensive hair transplant, and a period of wearing wigs, I finally made the very difficult and quite emotional decision to shave my head in July 2021. So, when Mamma Mia auditions were announced at the beginning of 2022, I nervously decided to give theatre one more shot, but this time as a bald woman. I knew this could either go wrong or be the best decision I ever made. The latter won out. Best decision ever! Not only did I get cast as Donna, which was one of my dream roles, but they also wanted me to play the character as a bald woman. I was elated!
Additionally, I was lucky enough to perform that role in front of all sold-out audiences, and that role ended up being the role for which I won the 2022 BroadwayWorld Regional Metro Miami Award for “Best Performer in a Musical”. My first theatre award! The bald look has inadvertently become my brand and has made me much more recognizable and memorable.
Currently, it seems like I’ve come full circle, as I’m now rehearsing for what was the first show I did, Jekyll & Hyde. But this time, I’m playing the part of the female lead, Lucy Harris. I’m truly very lucky.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s rarely a smooth road. Only the luckiest are afforded that coveted smooth road. My parents are of the old-school mentality that studying music and the arts, in general, wouldn’t result in anything that would pay my bills in the real world. So they discouraged me from studying music in college. They weren’t very supportive of my love for singing at first. It wasn’t until I got my first lead that they realized I had the talent and potential. Now they are much more supportive.
I’ve also struggled with confidence. The many negative voices throughout my life trying to discourage me from improving my talent and trying new things didn’t help. Some of the negative/discouraging comments I remember most are “No one will come to see you because there are so many people who are so much better than you.” and “Irene, you’re a dime a dozen.” and “You’re a horrible dancer.” and “You can’t do comedy and will never be able to sing soprano again.” These voices kinda stay with you and never try disappear. They can either destroy your confidence or fuel your desire to prove them all wrong. I opted for the latter.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a stage actress/singer who specializes in musical theatre performance as a mezzo belter. I work hard at my craft and am most well known for the emotion I infuse into my performances.
I am most proud of my resilience, determination, being able to improve my craft without any formal training, and the courage to shave my head and reintroduce myself to the theatre community as a bald woman. I believe my genuine nature and my ability to vocally trigger audience emotions sets me apart.
Networking and finding a mentor can have a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I would say look to those with a lot of experience. They don’t have to be the most talented or the most famous.
Experience speaks volumes, especially from those who truly had to work hard for every inch of improvement and success. And don’t discount the small successes. It’s the small steps that develop us in the most well-rounded and humble way. We are our own worst critics.
Listen to yourself and learn, but don’t let those criticisms consume you. Always be yourself. Don’t try to be someone you’re not to try to impress others just to get a part or get on someone’s good side. Stay true to yourself and stay humble and you will get the attention of the right people and put yourself in the most successful situations.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/thebaldtheatrechick/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/Official.Irene.Gonzalez
- Youtube: youtube.com/@thebaldtheatrechick
