Funeral student doubles as outgoing artist in musical

Outgoing and courageous, Maureen seems to be the polar opposite of the actress who portrays her.

Self-described as a shy, 22-year-old funeral service major, Elizabeth Sanchez is looking forward to playing “outgoing” Maureen, her second lead role, in MHCC’s upcoming production of “RENT.”

Sanchez moved to Oregon from Albuquerque, N.M., in late December 2009 for the funeral service program but due to the restricted entry program, “I finally got in this year,” said Sanchez.

“Funeral and theater are completely opposite. You go to the funeral room and everyone is very independent,” said Sanchez. “I’m usually the quiet type and in theater, since everyone is so vocal, I try to be more vocal. I really try. It’s definitely out of my comfort zone, but I try.”

Sanchez has a full plate with 20 credits this term and rehearsals four nights a week.

As for time management, Sanchez said, “I am still working on it. My classes, seriously, are from 8 (a.m.) to 4:30 (p.m.) What I do is I color coordinate everything. I cannot learn without coloring. I have to highlight everything.”

But it’s a different story when it comes to her “RENT” script. She hasn’t been able to highlight the script because it must be returned, “so it’s been a struggle. I keep practicing the CD and studying the CD. I go to sleep every night singing the songs. I dream about singing the songs,” she said.

“(Maureen) is really passionate and I can feel with that, too. I am doing the funeral program but I keep running back to theater. I keep going back to these auditions — well, this is only my second audition, but still. I’m at 20 credits. And I went to the audition knowing I’m going to be packed. But I’m like, ‘It’s really fun!’” said Sanchez.

Sanchez’s older sister pursued acting and performs on Broadway in New York City. “I saw how all the people just critique everything she was and is, you know,” said Sanchez about her sister’s career.

While Sanchez hasn’t gained a career’s worth of experience, she understands the demands of the industry. “I’ve seen (my sister) try and change for all these roles and I see the challenges,” she said.

The role of Maureen presents its own challenge to Sanchez with her personality and the range of the songs she sings.

“This show is so challenging for my vocals. It’s really high and I’m just really trying to learn how to breathe and learn how to sing appropriately,” said Sanchez.

While this is her second musical production, Sanchez hasn’t taken any vocal lessons. “I’m just kind of raw,” she said. “You could say my vocal training is recently on YouTube. I’ve been looking up on YouTube how to sing,”

Maureen’s outgoing personality is a contrast to Sanchez’s quiet demeanor. “It’s fun because it makes me get out of my comfort zone a little bit. She’s just really courageous and out there,” Sanchez said. “I am seriously so shy and people don’t believe it. When it comes to social gatherings or even being in funeral, I am so in my own little place.”

“I’m not good at socializing and being around people. (Portraying Maureen) is going to build and help me bring a confidence to myself because she’s so confident and overly courageous. I think that it’s actually beneficial for me,” Sanchez added.

Although she has limited stage experience, it’s not the performance that makes Sanchez nervous — it’s the group she is performing with.

“I don’t want to look like I’m over-acting. I want to just be able to really breathe Maureen’s role and breathe what’s happening in the show,” she said.

“I just feel a little intimidated. (They all are) theater majors. I really want to perform to their standards. I want to prove to them that I can be there, too. I’m not just performing for me,” she said.

Sanchez has a strong desire to succeed with her cast.

“My main goal is to make everyone proud, the people in the cast and the directors. To make them proud and feel they did the right choice. I’m not trying to be catty. I want to do a good job. I really do feel, sometimes, like I don’t deserve it.”