The Herbert and Nicole Wertheim School of Music & Performing Arts at Florida International University introduces college students to the world of theatre and music. The school offers several programs for students to pursue their passion as performers and composers through artistic expression.
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This photo gallery offers an intimate glimpse into the quiet moments before the spotlight shines. We capture the dedication, focus and transformation that theater actors undergo as they prepare for a performance. Follow along to see the rehearsals and final touches that bring each character to life.
Mariantonia Mejia, a senior studying theater and English at Florida International University, starts off rehearsals by making sure she is physically equipped for her role on stage. She stretches and does some yoga poses to help relieve any anxiety she may be feeling ahead of her performance.Mejia now proceeds to choose what makeup to put on for the rehearsals. This process usually involves going through several makeup kits to best match the character she is portraying.The transformation into her character usually takes up to an hour. This involves applying eyeshadow, lipstick and blush to look good for the audience.Mejia then starts practicing her lines for the performance before getting dressed and heading to the stage. She uses several techniques to remember her script like repetition and reading aloud.Mejia puts the final touches to her costume before starting the rehearsal. This is when she starts feeling inspired and ready to bring the character to life.She takes her final deep breath to shake off the nerves as she steps out of the dressing room to head onto the stage.She walks to the stage filled with excitement to begin rehearsals and after a few hours feels more confident about her upcoming performance.Mejia finally makes her way out of the building as she reminisces about her rehearsal and the work she put in.
Zachary Yiris is a senior at Florida International University who is interested in digital and interactive media. Yiris hopes to become an animator to use visual storytelling to produce content. Yiris will graduate from the Lee Caplin School of Journalism & Media with a bachelor's degree in digital communication & media in the Summer of 2025.
Daniel Perales is a Florida International University junior interested in producing. Perales has worked on websites to raise environmental awareness and projects on local cuisine. He currently archives media from artists for music fans to enjoy. In In the future, the future, Perales hopes to be a producer in the film Perales will graduate from the Lee Caplin School of Journalism & Media with a bachelor's degree in digital communication & media in Fall 2026.
Amanda Lazo is a sophomore at Florida International University who hopes to have a career in the entertainment industry. Lazo has experience creating audio and broadcast stories. Lazo would like to be a producer or writer for projects spanning from feature films to televised broadcasts, specifically for production companies. Lazo will graduate from the Lee Caplin School of Journalism & Media with a bachelor's degree in digital communication & media in the Fall of 2026.
Kacey Gibson is a Florida International University senior interested in teaching. Gibson has experience teaching her class as a permanent substitute. She wants to pursue education and become a first-grade math teacher. In the future, she also wants to pursue social media and entrepreneurship. Gibson will graduate from the Lee Caplin School of Journalism & Media with a bachelor’s degree in digital communication & media in the Summer of 2025.
Luis Pascal is a bilingual journalist at Florida International University interested in the entertainment and sports industry. Pascal is a writer for FIU’s student-run publication, Caplin News. He has also contributed to the Miami Herald on a story about a 6-year-old from Haiti with epilepsy who came to South Florida for a better life. Pascal hopes to work for Univision or Telemundo in the future. Pascal will graduate from the Lee Caplin School of Journalism & Media with a bachelor’s degree in digital communication & media with a focus on sports journalism in the summer of 2025.
