Daisy Infantas
Bessy Reyna/CTLatinoNews.comI noticed Daisy Infantas’ name when I was reading the program for Comedy of Errors, the new production at Hartford Stage of the play by William Shakespeare directed by Darko Tresnjak, which opens their new season. As I have done many times before, I wrote to David Henderson, Director of Marketing at Hartford Stage, to set up an interview with her. Turns out there is more than one Latino actor in this play; the other is Kalob Martinez, who plays an officer and is an MFA student in the Puppet Arts Program at the University of Connecticut.
I was very pleased when Infantas, who is very busy studying Psychology at the University of Hartford, agreed to this interview. She is part of the ensemble of Comedy of Errors and her previous acting also took place at Hartford Stage when she was one of 15 students selected to be part of a six-week paid internship program which ends with the presentation of a play by Shakespeare with music and hip-hop dancing. Last season Infantas played the role of Ophelia and she was quoted as saying about her experience: “It’s by far the best thing that I have ever been a part of. It’s challenging… but it is FUN.”
It is always a pleasure for me to present Latino actors to the readers of www.CTLatinoNews.com. Infantas is the youngest actress-to-be I have interviewed so far. We wish her the best in her studies and future acting career.
IN CONVERSATION WITH DAISY INFANTAS:
BESSY REYNA: Where are your parents from? Did they speak Spanish at home?
DI: My mother and father were born and raised in Lima, Peru. They both speak Spanish, however my mother took the time to learn English enough to understand and respond to non-Spanish speakers.
BR: When did you become interested in acting/singing?
DI: I became interested in acting and singing in high school in ’09 . I went to the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts under CREC, to which all four of my years went to theater, dance, and even singing.
BR: Your first play or concert? Memories about it?
DI: The very first production in which I participated was the musical Ragtime, which was directed by Brian Jennings. I remember seeing everyone from the school also audition and dance (to which I felt most confident with). When I realized I got called to be apart of the show I then realized that it was something I wanted to do forever. I met an amazingly talented cast and grew close to each one. I remember being onstage for the first time, which was an amazing adrenaline rush! I remember having powerful moments within the show that had everyone in tears. Ill never forget it.
BR: Favorite composer, music, playwright, writer?
DI: My favorite musicals would have to be Carousel, Ragtime, Phantom of the Opera, and more!!! I don’t have a favorite playwright, or writer. YET!
BR: If you have participated in different stages, do you have a favorite one?
DI: I have yet to perform outside of the USA, let alone CT, but so far my favorite place to perform is Hartford Stage. I can’t get enough of it.
BR: Do you have a preference as to the type of work you do?
DI: I would like to dance in performances more often. However, I am equally passionate in terms of acting as well and I would definitely not turn down an audition to do so!
BR: Your next project?
DI: My next project would be to put my work out there for others to see in terms of dance. I do want to push myself into acting as well and audition more often.
BR: What do you do for fun?
DI: I LOVE to dance! That is the number one thing I do for fun. I also love to sing, as well as write poetry.
Comedy of Errors, a truly wonderful comedy, is presented at the Hartford Stage, Church St, Hartford, CT until February 12. For more information about this and other plays please visit www.hartfordstage.org
Bessy Reyna is a member of the CT Critics Circle.
