MP grad pursuing theatre passion

Recent Mountain Pointe High School graduate Jennifer Hernandez has been involved in theater for nearly a third of her lifetime.

The 18-year-old actress, singer and dancer has been a member of the cast and stage crew in productions with four different theater companies in the Valley, including Mountain Pointe High School, Valley Youth Theatre, Ahwatukee Children's Theatre and the Ahwatukee Foothills Theatre.

Hernandez, who is pursuing her passion of theater at the University of Arizona this fall, has been involved in many productions since her debut in Cinderella at the age of 6.

"Cinderella with Valley Youth Theatre is one of my best memories because it was my first show, and I really looked up to the girl who played Cinderella in the show," Hernandez said.

Her resume boasts roles in 18 shows, including Annie, Footloose, Once Upon a Mattress and, most recently, Beauty and the Beast, in which she landed the lead as Belle.

"What I ended up really liking when I was Belle in Beauty and the Beast was seeing the little kids coming up to me after the show," Hernandez said. "That meant the most and really hit home to me."

She has also had experience with backstage work on Mountain Pointe high school's productions of The Miracle Worker, and Much Ado About Nothing.

Hernandez said that although she enjoys performing, she loves the friendships she has made through theater.

"I have met some friends through theater that I know I will have as friends for life," she said.

The theater arts major has plans to audition for the University of Arizona's musical theater program in the winter.

Hernandez is also hopeful that she will work with the Arizona Theater Company in Tucson, and would like to end up on Broadway one day.

"I hope to get experience and do the most I can do," she added.

While in college, Hernandez wants to get involved in student council and become a member of the greek life community.

"(Managing performing with school) is hard because I care a lot about my grades," she said. "Sometimes you have to prioritize and drop the less important things off your plate."

Although Hernandez is concerned about balancing her college classes and extracurricular activities, she is confident she can balance her time well.

"In high school I always made sure to get my homework done first, so I didn't have to worry about it later," she said. "I try to prioritize and do what I need to do first. I have found that the things you want to get done, you will."

Hernandez loves connecting with the crowd during shows, and feels accomplished after landing a lead role.

"Theater is just a really rewarding experience. To be able to make people laugh, cry and share that emotion with the audience is great," Hernandez said. "I have spent a lot of time in the ensemble and it makes the whole process that much better to get that big role."

"It really is rewarding to come this far," she added.

In 2008, Hernandez received the third chair soprano award at the All-State show choir competition, and has also received recognition at acting festivals and conferences throughout the state.

She has traveled to Disney World and Disneyland as well as performed for Carnival cruise lines and Schnepf Farms with the Mountain Pointe select show choir.

Stephanie Riel is interning this summer at the AFN. She is a senior at Arizona State University.