Today we’d like to introduce you to Emilia Drago.
Hi Emilia, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hello! My name is Emilia Drago and I’m and artist and creative here in Miami. My parents were professional dancers; and while they never forced me into the arts, I’ve always gravitated to it. I started at 3 years old with ballet and kept strictly to dance until I was 6, when my Tia who worked at MCT at the time invited me to take her summer camp.
I became quickly obsessed with theatre. From ages 6-9, I traveled around different studios with my mom. Wherever she taught, I danced. Finally, our home studio for the next almost ten years was MAD Performing Arts, owned by Cherilyn Marrocco, my tia who got me into Musical Theatre in the first place.
My love for theatre and dance grew. I attended performing arts middle and high schools outside of the studio which helped me nurture my craft even further. I competed and placed high in various acting, dancing, and theatre competitions over the years. COVID-19 closed my studio for good, and post-quarantine was very challenging for me. It was the first time in my life I realized I did not want to do musical theatre past an educational level.
I started looking more at choreography and straight acting. I had been teaching dance and choreographing since I was 13 at my dance studio to help with my scholarship. I started choreographing for my school’s musicals and competition pieces. I loved creating dances and teaching people as well as competing and working on straight-acting pieces.
Around this time the question of college came up. I wasn’t sure if that was what I wanted. I was heavily pressured into auditioning even though it wasn’t something I wanted. When you’re in the performing arts: a degree doesn’t equal a career 90% of the time. Those who do are lucky. I auditioned so people would accept me, and I got into the colleges I auditioned for, but declined. I decided to not go to college, and go straight into the workforce. It felt right for me. College was never something I saw myself in.
Post-graduation was very scary. Unlike my other classmates, I had no school to go to when the fall semester came around. It was a time of uncertainty and worry that maybe I made a mistake, and set myself up for failure.
I’ve been very fortunate, and the exact opposite happened. From the week I graduated, I have been booked and blessed. Taking up many jobs in choreography and dance instruction as well as starting to build my portfolio as an actor. I’m so thankful for all my directors and teachers who have given me the chance to hone my skills and create magic. I have also taken up many other jobs such as Digital and Social Media Managing as well as Photography.
I’ve been so blessed with work, and work in the fields I enjoy. I hope to keep working hard to improve every day in all facets and to one day be an accomplished actor and choreographer. This story is to be continued…
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I struggled financially, but lots of opportunities to attend a studio and compete were possible through the grace of the owner and other dance parents who from the goodness in their hearts helped contribute to funding me.
I’m thankful to them every day. Many people ostracized me because of the financial bracket my family and I are in.
We couldn’t go or afford to go and do the things my friends did. I also faced a lot of bullying in my early childhood through high school. I suffered a lot with self-worth and esteem.
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 am a creative who wears many hats! It’s always fun to be able to dive into my different talents. I am an aspiring actor leaning more towards film and TV. I’m a musical theatre and competition choreographer and dance teacher.
I’m a Digital Marketing Manager for a couple of small businesses around the US. I’m also a photographer for all kinds of things! As much as I love acting, I’m very proud of my choreography. It’s my pride and joy, my baby. Being able to make stories and spectacles for judges and audiences alike is so fulfilling.
I think what sets me apart from others is that I’m so multi-faceted, I bring a lot of skills and experiences to the table in whatever I do. And since I’m not going to college and I work remotely, I have a lot of flexibility to come in and out for jobs.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
If anyone takes away anything from this article: Follow your gut, and put yourself first. No one knows what’s better for you than you. If something feels off, whether it’s work or a relationship, follow it.
Pricing:
- Choreography: $35-$50 an hour. Dependent on hours needed and length of choreography.
- Photography: $30-$100 an hour. Variant of style of shoot and number of people in shoot.
- Digital and Social Media Managing: $25 an hour.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emiliacdrago/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emilia.drago.904
- Other: https://linktr.ee/emiliacelestedrago?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=3d7e1c67-5659-4394-91b4-333915ec0069
Image Credits
Photography by Emilia Drago and Amanda Pena
DBO the Don’t TV
