Mariella Laurel lives her childhood dream
Mariella Laurel comes from a family where music is a way of life. She grew up in it — the family lives and breathes songs, dances, theater, music. The performing arts was, and is, a natural destination for her future.
She confirms, “Yes, it always has been a dream. I loved telling stories as a child, I loved watching shows, or being in control of how a story goes. The first time I performed for a big audience, I felt like I was floating in excitement and happiness, my heart was racing so fast. I also saw how happy my grandparents and mom were. My passion to keep growing in it was there. I guess that’s when I knew I wanted to do it more and more.”
Today, she lives out that dream. Mariella gets to try her hands not just with performing on stage, but with directing and co-producing an original musical revue featuring OPM’s most classic hits, billed I Remember A Boy under Artist Playground’s Playlist, which ran on Nov. 11 and 12.
Mariella, who is also fondly called Yela by family and friends, didn’t think the break would come this soon and she is grateful. “I teach kids musical theater every summer since I graduated in 2015, but haven’t gotten the chance to direct. That was more of a long-term goal and prayer,” she says. “I’ve always wanted to influence lives through my craft somehow. As a child, breaking out in song was normal, as I was given opportunities to perform I always keep it close to my heart. This time around, I get to influence by directing.” She is proud to say that I Remember A
Boy, from the musical direction of Jesse Lucas, was made for millenials, educating younger audiences of the beautiful melodies of the ’70s to the ’90s.
Roeder Camañag, artistic director of Artist Playground, was the one who gave Mariella the break. He wanted to put up a second track for their concert series Artist
Playground Playlist for their music division but he originally wanted a cabaret-type of show. When Mariella came on board as a performer and director, the musical evolved into a revue because she felt that “singing songs with a story seemed more relevant for millenials. The writer and I interviewed the cast, got their real-life stories and used the beautiful lyrics of classic OPM work with a relevant millennial storyline. Someone is carrying someone else’s truth, story, life. It’s been such a thrill.”
Mariella also finds herself busier because she took on two more roles in another production for the holiday season. “I have started rehearsals for A
Christmas Carol also. Personally, I had to learn how to further balance my time wisely. Rest is important because my health is being affected.”
It is at this point, where her mom’s words of wisdom come into play. The proud daughter says of her mom Ayen, “She is my No. 1 influence. I’ve always looked up to her directing and her performances. And she always tells me to pray first. That I have to do my part by sharpening my craft through dance, voice and acting lessons, that I need to balance my time wisely and most of all, find time to rest.”
Five or 10 years from now, the budding actress-director sees an even better version of herself. “Married with children, still hard working and influencing people through my art — producing, directing, performing, and lastly, owning my own arts/production company,” she says with that wide-eyed look of expectation in her eyes.