Actor Spotlight: Nikki Castillo

SPOTLIGHT:  NIKKI CASTILLO at La Jolla Playhouse

I recently got to sit down with Nikki Castillo, the eighth grader playing the title role in La Jolla Playhouse's World Premiere production of "The Nightingale" (from the creative team of Broadways SPRING AWAKENING).  The twelve year old landed the job during the "Actor's Alliance" All City Auditions. I remember being impressed by her monologue and song during a rehearsal and I guess I wasn't the only one. (I understand she hit the jackpot after her performance, however she remains quiet about any other job opportunities she received).

Nikki told me that "The Nightingale" tells the story of a dying Chinese Emperor who reflects upon his regrets of having been constricted behind the walls of the Forbidden City. He discusses his choice to be with the woman who was arranged for him to marry instead of the woman he loved.  The Nightingale, a bird, helps him escape his hemmed-in life through her voice/music. 

I asked Nikki if there was anything challenging about the role.  She replied, "The director wants me not only to be graceful, but to show the more animal side of the bird."  She said that she is already standing on someone's shoulders and harnessed in to fly so to be both lovely and graceful as well as animalistic is challenge but also fun.  The director, Moises Kaufman, is helping her find the balance.    I was expecting her to say that she had a list of "dream roles", but she answered the question quickly and intelligently.  "This one. This is my dream role."

Nikki Castillo started acting when her parents "forced" her into a talent show in elementary school.  She didn't want to perform but ended up singing a solo and people told her she was good.  After that she realized she loved performing, more specifically musical theatre and more recently, pop.  BTW, she told me Lea Salonga is a performer she loves and looks up to and said that she hopes to continue performing for a long time.


You can see Nikki in the "The Nightingale" from July 10-August 5, 2012 at the Potiker Theatre at the La Jolla Playhouse on the campus of UCSD.  Go and support your fellow AASD member, Nikki Castillo!! 

FOR TICKETS, visit:  http://www.lajollaplayhouse.org/nightingale

By:  Benjamin Lopez

Actors Alliance of San Diego Intern