Andy Senor describes his initial thoughts about RENT before he became a cast member; “During my final year as a student in 1997, RENT was fresh on Broadway and I was obsessed. Never before had a show spoken to me in such a way! I sang song after song, everyday, with the hope that I would someday be in RENT.”
The FIU Theatre alumnus and artistic director of District Stage Company, along with School of Music’s Carbonell Award winner Emmanuel Schvartzman (class of ’09), are currently in Havana working with local Cuban actors on a Spanish production of Jonathon Larson’s musical RENT. This is the second time the two will be teaming up as director (Andy) and musical director (Emmanuel) of the Tony Award-winning, ninth longest running show in Broadway history. After being involved with the show for many years and performing for millions of people all over the world, the two colleagues had the honor of directing the production right here at FIU in 2010. More recently, they have worked together on a musical production titled On Your Feet, about the life of Miami’s own Gloria and Emilio Estefan.
Senor has portrayed the role of Angel on tour nationally and internationally. Additionally, he worked as assistant director with the original director, Michael Greif, when RENT was revived off-Broadway. The show in Cuba will open on December 24 and run for three months at Havana’s Bertolt Brecht Theatre. This will be Cuba’s first fully produced Broadway show since the revolution, with a cast of all Cuban actors.
Since graduating from FIU in 1997 Andy has worked on numerous projects. He has appeared in commercials and music videos, presented on the Latin Billboard Music Awards. Some of his film and television credits include You Can’t Stop the Beat, Dummy, Ed and Lola.
The Department of Theatre is proud our alumni and wish them both great success in Cuba!
