Just recently, I have had the pleasure of meeting Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator of In the Heights. He is such an inspiration.
Growing up with a passion for theatre was muddling. I didn't see enough Latino role models involved in the arts. Yes, I had Latino role models in front of me, on a personal level, whom inspired and encouraged me to engage in works that embraced the Latino community. However, when I turned on the television I never saw a Latino portrayed in a positive light. We always played the maid, janitor, or cashier. But worse, when I attended a musical on Broadway, I never saw Latinos on stage or stories told to represent the Latino community. Being a Native Latina New Yorker, I didn't understand why the story of my community was not being told.
I waited ten years for Broadway to tell the story of Latinos in New York City. Then In the Heights hit Broadway, after it's successful run Off-Broadway. Boy, was I glad. This musical touched upon so many levels of Latinos in New York. Not only did it share the story of three different generations, but it displayed Latinos positively.
I am forever grateful for Lin's In the Heights. I was humbled to share with him how much the show meant to me, and through his eyes I was able to see how humbled he was to hear it.
