Xavier Annual Christmas Pageant

ZONA recently had the distinguished honor of visiting Xavier Prep to interview Senior Paloma Diaz who is playing Mary Magdalene in this year’s Christmas pageant:

Zona: What is the big difference between last year’s pageant and this year’s for you?

Paloma: A big difference is that last year I was an angel and a townsperson, while this year I am playing the lead part of Mary.

Zona: Are you nervous, excited, up to the task?

Paloma: I am so excited and privileged to be Mary. I am definitely up to the task and cannot wait to get on stage.

Zona: What is your dance and acting experience? Do you take dance classes anywhere else?

Paloma: I  have been dancing since I started preschool when I was three years old, and last year as a Junior I was in the ensemble of Hairspary, a Brophy/ Xavier production. I have been in four dance productions at Xavier. Currently I do not take classes because I am a member of Xavier Pom, which has practice Monday through Thursday, (morning practices on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s) and we also compete.

Zona: What was the best play you have ever seen? Where was it?

Paloma: The best play I ever saw was Wicked. I have had the chance to see it three times, once at ASU’s Gammage and twice on Broadway.

Zona: What do you want to be when you grow up? Where do you see your dancing and acting taking you in the future?

Paloma: Currently, I am looking into business and one day starting my own non-profit organization to help the homeless. I hope to dance and act in college and for the rest of my life. I  absolutely love performing and I cannot imagine living without it.

Zona: How many cast members are there in this years pageant? Are you all good friends off the stage?

Paloma: There are about 100 cast members in this year’s pageant and I would say that I am good friends with all the cast members off stage.  The show is truly a bonding experience that continues well beyond the stage.

Zona: If you could play any role in any movie in Hollywood, or any role in any play on Broadway, who would you play?

Paloma: Well, earlier I mentioned that Wicked is my favorite play, so, if I was blessed with some singing talent,  I would love to play Elphaba because she does not go the easy route and sticks up for what she believes in.

Zona: If you were stranded on an island and you could have two things besides food and water, what would they be?

Paloma: I would have to say my mom, so that she could keep me company and some music, of course, so that I could dance.

Not only was Paloma willing to speak with ZONA, but she also was kind enough to ask several of her cast members some questions as well. Thanks Paloma! Paloma interviewed senior Bianca Baker who plays an angel this year, senior Alex Loda who also plays an angel this year and senior Chrissy Porter who plays Gabriel this year. All three girls were casted in the 2010 Pageant as angels.

Paloma: What do you think is the biggest difference between this year’s pageant and last year’s?

Bianca: The story line is the same but the people change.  This year we have new cast for Mary and Gabrielle.  We also have different music each year.  The choreography is also new.

Paloma: What is your role in this year’s pageant and why is it significant to you?

Bianca:This year I am an angel.  It’s significant because it’s fun to play this role.  There are 17 Angels and it’s fun to all be part of Gabrielle’s team.

Paloma: Any College plans?

Alex: I’d like to attend Chapman in Orange, CA.  There are some others but they are mainly in Southern CA.

Paloma: What is your favorite live show.  

Alex: I got to see Footloose on Broadway.  It’s my mom’s favorite play.  The dancing was super intense.  I liked it a lot.

Paloma: What do you plan on studying after high school?

Alex: I don’t plan on studying dance but I do want to be a production designer on films.  I’ve wanted to be a Disney Imagineer for years. That sort of morphed into doing production design.  I don’t want to direct or produce as much as design the creative side with the costumes and sets and things.

Paloma: What are your college plans?

Krissy: I just finished applying. I’d like to go to USC or Vanderbilt in Tennessee. I’m waiting to hear back from them.  Vanderbilt has a really good psychology program.

Paloma: Have you always been a dancer.  How did you get so good?

Krissy: I started when I was about six years old.  I hated soccer and t-ball so my mom signed me up for a Jazz class.  It’s stuck ever since.  I danced at Royal Dance Works.

Paloma:  What is your favorite TV Show?

Krissy: My favorite TV show is Law and Order: Special Victims Unit.