• Equality
  • Community
    • Health
    • Youth
    • Seniors
  • Voices
    • From CEO Lorri L. Jean
    • Take Five
    • Why I Give
  • About the Center
  • Galleries
  • Calendar
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Trending
  • Los Angeles LGBT Center Condemns the Supreme Court’s Overturning of Roe V. Wade
  • Los Angeles LGBT Center Hosts Pride Picnic, a Celebration of Joy and Community at Hollywood Forever on June 26
  • Los Angeles LGBT Center Presents Trans Pride L.A. 2022
  • Los Angeles LGBT Center Mourns the Passing of Legendary LGBT Activist and Leader Urvashi Vaid
  • Incoming CEO Joe Hollendoner Poised to Continue Moving Center Forward
  • Lorri L. Jean: “Great Things Must Come to an End”
  • Los Angeles LGBT Center Welcomes Jonathan Muñoz-Proulx as Artistic Director of the Lily Tomlin/Jane Wagner Cultural Arts Center
  • Perfect Partner: Center Chief of Staff Darrel Cummings Has Been Ideal Complement to CEO Lorri L. Jean
Twitter Facebook Instagram YouTube
LGBT News Now
Learn about career opportunities at the Center
  • Equality
  • Community
    • Health
    • Youth
    • Seniors
  • Voices
    • From CEO Lorri L. Jean
    • Take Five
    • Why I Give
  • About the Center
  • Galleries
  • Calendar
LGBT News Now
You are at:Home»Community»Before RENT Goes Live, Valentina Visits the Center
Rent WeHo

Before RENT Goes Live, Valentina Visits the Center

0
By on January 25, 2019 Community

How do you measure…what research actors will do to portray their characters with authenticity? For Valentina, the RuPaul’s Drag Race sensation who will make her professional acting debut as Angel in Fox’s upcoming live production of the musical RENT on January 27, it included a visit to the Los Angeles LGBT Center.

The role of Angel Dumont Schunard—the drag queen percussionist living with AIDS but embraces life to the fullest—is a demanding one. It won a 1996 Tony Award for Wilson Jermaine Heredia when he originated the character on Broadway. Now it’s Valentina’s turn.

To prep for her interpretation, Valentina, who recently revealed they identify as gender non-binary stopped by the Center-WeHo to learn more about services the Center offers and how treatment for people who live with HIV has changed since the era in which RENT takes place. Valentina spoke with the Center’s Linkage to Care Coordinator Blossom Brown and AIDS/LifeCycle Ride Director Tracy Evans to develop a more expansive knowledge on the current state of life with HIV and AIDS.

What research have you done to play Angel?

Valentina: I’ve spoken to a lot of older gays who lived through the AIDS crisis in the ‘90s. I have a friend who is very compassionate and selfless, and I spent time studying him. When I hit a mental block, I wonder What would my friend do in this situation? Today I’m at the Center, and I spoke with Blossom who is so sweet and has done things like Angel did for the community and really cared for other people. She’s really fulfilled in life, knowing she was able to help people. I’m very happy to pull from my experience as coming out as non‐binary and breathing that non‐fluidity into Angel.

What’s the difference in living with HIV as Angel did in the ‘90s compared to today?

V: The stigma has changed and, back then, it was considered a plague that was contagious and that you shouldn’t interact with people who were suffering. People were dropping dead left and right because there was no treatment. Through the beauty of science, we now have treatments for people to live full, healthy lives. It’s really important to have grown and come a long way, but we must also encourage people to be in charge of their own sexual health. And, as far as breaking down taboos, that’s something we should always be working on.

What was your first experience with RENT?

V: It was in my high school’s choir class. We did Seasons of Love in a show that incorporated songs from famous musicals. I fell in love with Seasons of Love. Then I discovered the rest of the music, then the movie and the characters, and I’ve been a fan ever since.

How would you describe Angel to people who aren’t familiar with RENT?

V: Angel is the heart of the story. He’s the most selfless, caring, and compassionate person who is so fulfilled in life by knowing she made a difference every single day. He lives life to its fullest. He’s a hustler who will always keep going and moving. I think it’s a role that’s come into my life and motivated me to become a better person. We should all be more like Angel. I’m excited for people to tune in and see what the character is all about—that Angel’s not just a drag queen. He’s a really sweet human being who held everyone together in the story.

There have been numerous productions of RENT over the years. How will your interpretation of Angel be different from the others?

V: What will distinguish it from the others: I can bring some authenticity to the wardrobe, and my stage presence is very much like a drag queen. I unapologetically hit the stage and give you the gig. With FOX and Michael Greif (the original director of the play)…we’ve been playing with the fluidity of the character. Is she trans? Is she fluid? Is she gay and likes to do drag? We’ve been playing with that. Someone asked me how I felt about Angel and how she stood with her gender identity. By coming out and feeling liberated, exploring myself and feeling those things has helped me have an idea of the kind of life I get to breathe into the character. I’m really excited for people to tune in because I’m really diving in as best as I can and delivering something very authentic that’s mine.

RENT will be broadcast live on Sunday, January 27. from the Fox Studios in Los Angeles.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

Related Posts

Los Angeles LGBT Center Condemns the Supreme Court’s Overturning of Roe V. Wade

Los Angeles LGBT Center Hosts Pride Picnic, a Celebration of Joy and Community at Hollywood Forever on June 26

Los Angeles LGBT Center Presents Trans Pride L.A. 2022

Comments are closed.

Upcoming Events

Jun 29
11:30 am - 3:30 pm

Pride Open House

Jul 9
12:00 pm - 5:00 pm

El Sabor de Mi Centro

View Calendar
Learn about career opportunities at the Center
About Us

LGBT News Now

LGBT News Now is a publication of the Los Angeles LGBT Center. Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2019, the Center is the largest LGBT organization in the world, dedicated to building a world where LGBT thrive as healthy, equal, and complete members of society. Learn more at lalgbtcenter.org.

Follow Us on Instagram

lalgbtcenter

The Los Angeles LGBT Center is building a world where LGBT people thrive as healthy, equal, and complete members of society.

Los Angeles LGBT Center
Join @aia_la , designers, and LGBT Leadership for Join @aia_la , designers, and LGBT Leadership for a free virtual panel discussion tonight at 5 p.m. to learn how architecture and design helped support the Center’s affordable housing, social, and cultural programs. Registration link in bio.
The Center’s Nick Panepinto shares how Liberatio The Center’s Nick Panepinto shares how Liberation Coffee House creates a safe space where everyone can feel comfortable coming in for whatever they need. 
Read more at https://bit.ly/3Nj4SMb Link in bio!
#LGBT #LGBTQ
The Los Angeles LGBT Center strongly condemns the The Los Angeles LGBT Center strongly condemns the decision by the Supreme Court to overturn Roe vs. Wade. There is no right to privacy or bodily autonomy for
the queer community when reproductive rights can be ruled away.
ABORTION MUST BE PROTECTED.
#AbortionIsAnLGBTQIssue #AbortionIsQueerLiberation #AbortionIsBasicHealthcare
See the full press release: https://bit.ly/3A6CaeD See the full press release: https://bit.ly/3A6CaeD (link in bio)
#AbortionIsAnLGBTQIssue #AbortionIsQueerLiberation 
#AbortionIsBasicHealthcare
Chef @susanfeniger is partnering up with @masterca Chef @susanfeniger is partnering up with @mastercard this #Pride month to raise money for the Center! 

Join us for this exclusive family-style multicourse feast for the last day of Pride Month on June 30. You'll start with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres at Liberation Coffee House before touring the Culinary Arts training kitchen to see students and teachers at work. Dinner will be served on the Center's rooftop with views of the Hollywood sign and live music, while Susan tells stories and talks through each course. 

Close out Pride month in style, link in bio.

#priceless #chefsusanfeniger
There is still time to have a #priceless Pride exp There is still time to have a #priceless Pride experience! We've partnered with @mastercard to make a truly unforgettable pride dinner party! Enjoy an amazing family-style meal curated and prepared by chef @susanfeniger! Sip cocktails at our very own Liberation Coffee House and join a tour of our culinary kitchen. Celebrate Pride with Susan and Center Leadership while enjoying a stunning view from the Center's rooftop. Exclusively for Mastercard® cardholders. Terms Apply. Quantities limited. For more info visit link in bio!
The Los Angeles LGBT Center is the nation’s larg The Los Angeles LGBT Center is the nation’s largest community-based provider of LGBT-related legal services, supported by a team of staff and volunteer attorneys, law students, paralegals, and interns.

We serve the legal needs of all LGBT people with a special focus on survivors of violence, undocumented immigrants, and transgender people. We also provide workshops, trainings, and technical assistance for institutions and service providers.

Our Legal Services Department and the Immigration Law Project provides support to LGBTQ+ asylum seekers.
All of our services are provided in English or Spanish.
Contact ILP@lalgbtcenter.org or call 323-993-7670 for more information.

#WorldRefugeeDay2022 #ImmigrationLawProject #lgbtq
Join us at the @bespun "Showcase Your Pride" Queer Join us at the @bespun "Showcase Your Pride" Queer Pole Jam on Saturday, June 25 from 6-8pm. Enjoy special performances, try some pole moves, participate in the raffle, and come have fun! All proceeds benefit the Center. Register to attend: bit.ly/3tSC1HH

#BeSpun #PoleDance #PoleDancing #LGBT #LGBTQ #Pride #PrideMonth
There is only one way to do pride right! That's ou There is only one way to do pride right! That's outside with your community at Hollywood Forever! Pride Picnic is only 2 weeks away! Spots at our tastefully outfitted @joybird VIP outdoor lounge are going fast! Make sure to nab your Pride Picnic tickets today! For more info head to lalgbtcenter.org/picnic (link in bio)
Load More... Follow on Instagram
Stay Connected
Subscribe

Copyright © 2022 Los Angeles LGBT Center

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy
  • Contact Us
Copyright © 2022 Los Angeles LGBT Center
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy
  • Contact Us

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.