Senior Dianne Garriga is a thespian and vice president of Coral Gables High Troupe 476. She also is vice president of the Drama Club.
As a member of the troupe, Garriga goes to competitions. Those who score a superior or excellent for their acting are eligible to go on the state competition. Garriga took part in an ensemble piece, which was a small play.
“It was about six different couples and they are all weird in their own sense and they all get to know each other in the end,” she said. “It’s a small play that we found in a book. It’s called It’s a Small World.”
This will be the first time at the highest level of competition. She only joined the troupe last year and while she performed well at districts in her first competition, she did not score high enough to quality for state. But this year her scores were strong enough to send her to the state competitions.
Garriga is planning on a future as an actress. And while she hasn’t been in a play outside of school, she has been exposed to professional productions outside the school setting.
“I volunteered at the 24-Hour Project at Gables Stage at the Biltmore,” she said. “I was assigned to a group of people. I was assigned to a director. I had to learn everything they were doing. We got there at 7 a.m. and they had already written a play.”
At Gables, Garriga also is a member of the Cavalier Singers and the Woman’s Ensemble. “I went to state last year with the Women’s Ensemble,” she said.
The chorus sings at a number of community events — especially during the holiday season. They also take part in the annual caroling competition. “I’ve always been in the arts, whether it was dancing or singing,” she said.
“I’ve been accepted to the New World School of the Arts for my BFA in theater. I also applied to FIU Theater and I was accepted there as well.”
— Linda Rodriguez Bernfeld
