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Eight times a week, in shows like MATILDA, SCHOOL OF ROCK, KINKY BOOTS, FUN HOME, LES MISERABLES and ON YOUR FEET!, Broadway's youngest stars amaze audiences with their talent and professionalism.
So maybe it's hard to remember sometimes that they're still kids and, just like any other kids, they need someone to watch over them.
That's the job of the child wrangler, a Broadway specialist whose job it is to care for young actors from the moment they enter the theatre until it's time to go.
ON YOUR FEET! is Felicia Velasco's eleventh show as what is officially known as a child actor guardian. She makes sure that Eduardo Hernandez and Alexandria Suarez are dressed and in their places throughout their performances as Young Emilio and Little Gloria, as well as keeping tabs on their standbys, Fabi Aguirre and Kevin Tellez.
In a video report from PIX-11 Velasco puts us through her nightly routine. Click the Twitter post below.
Child Guardian Felicia Velasco shows how she wrangles the child actors of 'On Your Feet!'https://t.co/sz2UDcT0Hi @IATSE #764strong
- IATSE Local 764 (@IATSELocal764) August 14, 2016
ON YOUR FEET! opened on Broadway on Thursday, November 5, 2015, following preview performances which began on Monday, October 5, 2015, at the Marquis Theatre in New York City. The musical is directed by two-time Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots, Hairspray) and choreographed by Tony Award nominee & Olivier Award winner Sergio Trujillo(Jersey Boys, Memphis), with an original book by Academy Award winner Alexander Dinelaris(Birdman, The Bodyguard Musical).
ON YOUR FEET! stars Ana Villafañe as Gloria Estefan and Ektor Rivera as Emilio Estefan, with Drama Desk Award winner Andréa Burns (In The Heights) as Gloria's mother, Gloria Fajardo; Alma Cuervo (Beauty and the Beast) as Gloria's grandmother, Consuelo; Alexandria Suarez & Fabi Aguirre as Little Gloria; and Eduardo Hernandez &Kevin Tellez as Nayib/Young Emilio. Rounding out the ensemble are Karmine Alers, Yassmin Alers,David Baida, Angelica Beliard, Natalie Caruncho, Henry Gainza, Linedy Genao, Carlos E. Gonzalez, Nina Lafarga, Genny Lis Padilla, Omar Lopez-Cepero, Hector Maisonet, Marielys Molina, Doreen Montalvo, Eliseo Roman, Luis Salgado, Marcos Santana, Martín Solá, Brett Sturgis, Eric Ulloa, Tanairi Vasquez and Lee Zarrett.
Completing the creative team are four-time Tony-nominated Scenic Designer David Rockwell(Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde), Tony-nominated Costume Designer Emilio Sosa (Porgy & Bess), Tony Award-winning Lighting Designer Kenneth Posner (Wicked, Hairspray), Tony Award-winning Sound Designer Steve Kennedy (Lady Day, Guys and Dolls), Projections by Darrel Maloney, and Hair & Wig Designer Chuck LaPointe (Beautiful, Newsies). With Music Direction by Lon Hoyt (Hairspray), Orchestrations by Gloria Estefan and Emilio Estefan, Dance Arrangements and Dance Orchestrations by Oscar Hernandez (The Capeman), the On Your Feet! Orchestra includes several members of Miami Sound Machine.
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