JANUARY 21, 2011 LIVING ARTS 9

Rocky Horror ShowThis is the fi rst of a three-week series leading

to the musical production of the "Rocky Horror Show" in the College Theater.

Actress vocalizes in first lead role

Janet

The

By Yuca KosugiThe Advocate

Despite her petite frame, it’s hard not to notice Elizabeth Sanchez waiting patiently in the middle of the stage as choreographer Clara Hillier works with the group dancing and singing around her.

“I’ve never played the lead role – ever,” said the 20-year-old with wide eyes, lined with pale, glittery blue eyeliner which made her astonished ex-pression pop even more.

She has never danced or acted, she said, other than a few chorus parts in middle school plays.

Sanchez is playing the role of Janet in the upcoming MHCC Theater production “Rocky Horror Show,” the cult classic by Richard O’Brien.

Sanchez moved to Gresham from Albuquerque, N.M., with her girlfriend Mariah Ortiz in December 2009 because of the MHCC Funeral Services Program, which is offered in only a handful of colleges throughout the nation.

“She dropped everything to come with me,” said Sanchez.“Liz set it all up for us,” recalled Ortiz, a 22-year-old nursing major who

is also a custodian at the college. Sanchez booked the fl ight, made a list of apartments to look at, and set up other arrangements for a weekend a month before they moved, Ortiz said.

They agreed it was a good move.“We love the rain,” said Sanchez and Ortiz, each echoing the other in sepa-

rate interviews.Although they moved here for Sanchez, things didn’t pan out they way she

wanted at fi rst, said Ortiz. Sanchez was unable to get into the limited en-try funeral services program last year, and is currently listed under general studies.

Then last term, the two took the technical theater class where sets and props are created for productions when Sanchez found out about auditions to plays.

Sanchez is no stranger to being on stage. Although she hasn’t been in a play since middle school, she was in choir in middle school and for a year in high school. Her sister Jennifer, 29, performs on Broadway and is her idol. Both her parents and another sister Junelle, 27, play the guitar.

She sang “Imagine” by John Lennon at her high school graduation, said Ortiz. That was the only time Ortiz saw Sanchez performing to an audience.

“She sings all the time,” said Ortiz, laughing.Things were a bit grim, said Sanchez, when taking daunting classes like

medical terminology. She wanted something more.“I was like, let’s go for it,” said Sanchez. She had never even heard of “Rocky

Horror Picture Show”, so she rented the movie and watched it to learn the songs for the audition.

At the audition, she wrote a checkmark next to Janet, the lead role, because she’s never been the lead before.

Despite her initial confi dence, she looked under the chorus list when the casting was posted. Sanchez didn’t fi nd her name under that category, so she turned to Ortiz who was with her

and told her that she didn’t make it. Ortiz comforted her as she scanned the list herself.

“Look, you’re Janet,” Ortiz told Sanchez when she spotted her name else-where.

“I cried,” said Sanchez. “I was so happy.”“Rocky Horror Show” director Jennifer Hunter said, “She had the physi-

cality and the singing for Janet.” Sanchez said she doesn’t relate to the character at all. “She’s too innocent,”

she said.One thing about Sanchez, said Ortiz, is that when she is determined, she

consistently works hard. Since being picked for the lead role, Sanchez has been singing and practicing for the play at their apartment.

“I’m really excited for the play,” said Sanchez.The show starts Feb. 17 and has eight shows through Feb. 27. Tickets will

go on sale in the box offi ce at the College Theater or online at www.mhcc.edu/

Photos by Devin Courtright/The Advocate

Elizabeth Sanchez rehearses the part of Janet for the “Rocky Horror Show” in the College � eater Wednesday.

cality and the singing for Janet.”

One thing about Sanchez, said Ortiz, is that when she is determined, she

Sanchez said she doesn’t relate to the character at all. “She’s too innocent,”

under that category, so she turned to Ortiz who was with her

cality and the singing for Janet.” Sanchez said she doesn’t relate to the character at all. “She’s too innocent,”

“She sings all the time,” said Ortiz, laughing.

been singing and practicing for the play at their apartment.been singing and practicing for the play at their apartment.“I’m really excited for the play,” said Sanchez.

JanetJanet

“She sings all the time,” said Ortiz, laughing.

“I’m really excited for the play,” said Sanchez.

she said.

“I cried,” said Sanchez. “I was so happy.”“Rocky Horror Show” director Jennifer Hunter said, “She had the physi-

cality and the singing for Janet.” Sanchez said she doesn’t relate to the character at all. “She’s too innocent,”

“Rocky Horror Show” director Jennifer Hunter said, “She had the physi-

JanetJanet

Ortiz. That was the only time Ortiz saw Sanchez performing to an audience. “I’ve never played the lead role – ever,” said the 20-year-old with wide eyes, lined with pale, glittery blue eyeliner which made her astonished ex-

JanetJanetJanet“Liz set it all up for us,” recalled Ortiz, a 22-year-old nursing major who

Sanchez is playing the role of Janet in the upcoming MHCC Theater production “Rocky Horror Show,” the cult classic by

is also a custodian at the college. Sanchez booked the fl ight, made a list of apartments to look at, and set up other arrangements for a weekend a month

waiting patiently in the middle of the stage as choreographer Clara

apartments to look at, and set up other arrangements for a weekend a month is also a custodian at the college. Sanchez booked the fl ight, made a list of

Although they moved here for Sanchez, things didn’t pan out they way she wanted at fi rst, said Ortiz. Sanchez was unable to get into the limited en-

Sanchez moved to Gresham from Albuquerque, N.M., with

Although they moved here for Sanchez, things didn’t pan out they way she

is also a custodian at the college. Sanchez booked the fl ight, made a list of

MHCC Funeral Services Program, which is offered in only a

“She dropped everything to come with me,” said Sanchez.“Liz set it all up for us,” recalled Ortiz, a 22-year-old nursing major who

is also a custodian at the college. Sanchez booked the fl ight, made a list of apartments to look at, and set up other arrangements for a weekend a month

waiting patiently in the middle of the stage as choreographer Clara Hillier works with the group dancing and singing around her.

“I’ve never played the lead role – ever,” said the 20-year-old with wide eyes, lined with pale, glittery blue eyeliner which made her astonished ex-pression pop even more.

She has never danced or acted, she said, other than a few chorus parts in middle school plays.

Sanchez is playing the role of Janet in the upcoming MHCC Theater production “Rocky Horror Show,” the cult classic by

Sanchez moved to Gresham from Albuquerque, N.M., with her girlfriend Mariah Ortiz in December 2009 because of the MHCC Funeral Services Program, which is offered in only a handful of colleges throughout the nation.

“She dropped everything to come with me,” said Sanchez.“Liz set it all up for us,” recalled Ortiz, a 22-year-old nursing major who

is also a custodian at the college. Sanchez booked the fl ight, made a list of apartments to look at, and set up other arrangements for a weekend a month

She has never danced or acted, she said, other than a few chorus parts in

Sanchez is playing the role of Janet in the upcoming MHCC

Then last term, the two took the technical theater class where sets and props are created for productions when Sanchez found out about auditions

“We love the rain,” said Sanchez and Ortiz, each echoing the other in sepa-“We love the rain,” said Sanchez and Ortiz, each echoing the other in sepa-

Theater production “Rocky Horror Show,” the cult classic by Theater production “Rocky Horror Show,” the cult classic by Sanchez is playing the role of Janet in the upcoming MHCC

Although they moved here for Sanchez, things didn’t pan out they way she

props are created for productions when Sanchez found out about auditions

Hillier works with the group dancing and singing around her.

try funeral services program last year, and is currently listed under general

Theater production “Rocky Horror Show,” the cult classic by

“We love the rain,” said Sanchez and Ortiz, each echoing the other in sepa-

She has never danced or acted, she said, other than a few chorus parts in

props are created for productions when Sanchez found out about auditions

Theater production “Rocky Horror Show,” the cult classic by

props are created for productions when Sanchez found out about auditions

try funeral services program last year, and is currently listed under general

waiting patiently in the middle of the stage as choreographer Clara waiting patiently in the middle of the stage as choreographer Clara Hillier works with the group dancing and singing around her.

Actress vocalizes in first lead role

Hillier works with the group dancing and singing around her.

Then last term, the two took the technical theater class where sets and props are created for productions when Sanchez found out about auditions

eyes, lined with pale, glittery blue eyeliner which made her astonished ex-

“We love the rain,” said Sanchez and Ortiz, each echoing the other in sepa-

wanted at fi rst, said Ortiz. Sanchez was unable to get into the limited en-

before they moved, Ortiz said.

Then last term, the two took the technical theater class where sets and

Actress vocalizes in first lead roleActress vocalizes in first lead role

“I’ve never played the lead role – ever,” said the 20-year-old with wide eyes, lined with pale, glittery blue eyeliner which made her astonished ex-

apartments to look at, and set up other arrangements for a weekend a month before they moved, Ortiz said.

They agreed it was a good move.

is also a custodian at the college. Sanchez booked the fl ight, made a list of

“We love the rain,” said Sanchez and Ortiz, each echoing the other in sepa-

waiting patiently in the middle of the stage as choreographer Clara Hillier works with the group dancing and singing around her.

She has never danced or acted, she said, other than a few chorus parts in pression pop even more.

She has never danced or acted, she said, other than a few chorus parts in

wanted at fi rst, said Ortiz. Sanchez was unable to get into the limited en-try funeral services program last year, and is currently listed under general

espite her petite frame, it’s hard not to notice Elizabeth Sanchez

before they moved, Ortiz said.

handful of colleges throughout the nation.

is also a custodian at the college. Sanchez booked the fl ight, made a list of

“We love the rain,” said Sanchez and Ortiz, each echoing the other in sepa-

Although they moved here for Sanchez, things didn’t pan out they way she wanted at fi rst, said Ortiz. Sanchez was unable to get into the limited en-try funeral services program last year, and is currently listed under general

pression pop even more.She has never danced or acted, she said, other than a few chorus parts in

Then last term, the two took the technical theater class where sets and

her girlfriend Mariah Ortiz in December 2009 because of the

eyes, lined with pale, glittery blue eyeliner which made her astonished ex-

Richard O’Brien.Sanchez moved to Gresham from Albuquerque, N.M., with

apartments to look at, and set up other arrangements for a weekend a month

“She dropped everything to come with me,” said Sanchez.handful of colleges throughout the nation.

“She dropped everything to come with me,” said Sanchez.“Liz set it all up for us,” recalled Ortiz, a 22-year-old nursing major who

is also a custodian at the college. Sanchez booked the fl ight, made a list of

By Yuca Kosugi

handful of colleges throughout the nation. MHCC Funeral Services Program, which is offered in only a

D“I’ve never played the lead role – ever,” said the 20-year-old with wide

eyes, lined with pale, glittery blue eyeliner which made her astonished ex-

Theater production “Rocky Horror Show,” the cult classic by

her girlfriend Mariah Ortiz in December 2009 because of the MHCC Funeral Services Program, which is offered in only a

apartments to look at, and set up other arrangements for a weekend a month before they moved, Ortiz said.

They agreed it was a good move.“We love the rain,” said Sanchez and Ortiz, each echoing the other in sepa-

MHCC Funeral Services Program, which is offered in only a

Richard O’Brien.Theater production “Rocky Horror Show,” the cult classic by

handful of colleges throughout the nation. “She dropped everything to come with me,” said Sanchez.

Richard O’Brien.Richard O’Brien.

pression pop even more.