 Name: Shakira Barrera Hometown: Englewood, NJ Academy/Year: Theater-2008 College Attended: Rutgers State University Current Profession: Actress, Humanitarian What are some of your favorite BCA moments? Some of my favorite moments at BCA had to be during our school assemblies. I still remember how seriously I would take them. I HAD to do at least 1 every semester. It was mostly a promise to my 14-year-old self about leaving a “legacy” behind. I remember always wanting to be involved. I was absolutely known as the dancer. That’s mostly how everyone knew me, including teachers and staff, but more importantly, the upperclassmen. Didn’t we all just want the attention of the older, cooler crowd (wink)? How did BCA help shape your career? (Ex. Did you end up pursuing a major similar to your academy? Did you end up going a totally different direction?) I decided to stick to the “dancer” label and pursed a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance at Rutgers State University, graduating from Mason Gross School of the Arts in 2012. What are you currently working on? Passion projects etc? I am currently ambassador of a non-profit organization that I am very proud to discuss. The 501C3 is called “Amigos De Nicaragua,” which translates into “Friends of Nicaragua” for the English speakers. We are currently helping Nicaraguan doctors that are refugees in Costa Rica and who are preparing to take an exam that will grant them the license to continue to practice medicine. It is such a wonderful blessing to be able to help our fellow brothers and sisters, who have had hope taken away from them and have been ripped from their countries unjustly. “Amigos De Nicaragua” has been featured on CNN International and Univison, along with other media. I would love for you to join in on the journey of helping these professionals reintegrate back into society. You can follow our Instagram page- @amigosdenicaragua or our Facebookpage- @Nica Azul Y Blanco for ways to DONATE or SPREAD THE WORD. We are currently looking for sponsorships or partners interested in collaborating and helping refugee students and families.
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 Names: Eileen Conneely, Emily Lowinger & Stephanie Regina Hometowns: Little Ferry, Teaneck, Ridgewood Academy: AVPA Theatre Class of ‘08 Current Town: Wood-Ridge, NYC, & Brooklyn What are some of your favorite BCA moments? Going to Boston Market during rehearsal breaks. We were such frequent patrons, some of us even had Boston Market VIP cards. How did BCA help shape your career? (Ex. Did you end up pursuing a major similar to your academy's? Did you end up going a totally different direction?) BCA’s theatre program gave us an incredible education, plus our AVPA family, many of whom we still see on a regular basis. What are you currently working on? Passion projects, etc.? We are working together as Heck No Techno, a musical sketch comedy group with a Black Mirror vibe. Our first ever show was in May 2018 and while it had many stand-alone sketches, it also featured a healthcare (or hellcare) thruline, which we’ve been expanding upon ever since. This past June we did a full-length healthcare show at Caveat, called Explanation of Benefits. Explanation of Benefits combines live music with history, storytelling, and a chance to gain some useful info and catharsis when it comes to our crazy healthcare system. It was such a success that we’re going to perform version 2.0 in August. Come check it out! Or, if you have a healthcare story or perspective that needs to be told, please reach out to us! Feel free to add any additional information you want to feature. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @hecknotechno. |
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