Caitlin, a friend from high school. We’ve never lived in the same city, but we met at Spanish camp and have kept in touch ever since. She’s a Starbucks coffee master, so I gave her some Arabic coffee roasted in Bahrain.
“This is a blend I’ve been working on - the first one I’ve created by myself. The idea behind the blend was to mix some of the earthier coffees from Indonesia with the sweet nutty flavors of Latin America. You’ll be one of the first to try it.”
“So it seems like you’ve discovered your passion here.”
“Honestly, I joined for the healthcare, the benefits and the job stability. And that’s been great because it lets me work acting and auditions into my schedule. I’m at the point where I’m good enough to start getting parts I want, and to not work for free. I get paid for it now.”
“What are you acting in now?”
“I’m auditioning for a part that every Asian actor dreams of being typecast for: a little role in Avenue Q named Christmas Eve. I’m so excited. I’ve gotten the role before, but couldn't make the commute because I have to know my worth as an actor and take jobs that pay what I deserve. ”
“...But you’re Filipina, not East Asian.”
“In this area I’m racially ambiguous. There aren’t a lot of minorities in Tampa Bay. I’ve played White, Pacific Islander, Japanese, non-specific Hispanic, Mexican and a character that's clearly meant to be black. When I was a toddler, I was one of two kids being considered to be the toddler for the first national tour of Miss Saigon. I was turned down because I was too white. Not Asian enough. This is the curse of my ethnicity. I'm not Asian enough or I'm not white enough. But that’s acting.”
