We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Bibi Sanchez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Bibi, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I’m from Coatzacoalcos, a tiny town in southern Mexico, in Veracruz State. There weren’t any big productions or professional performing arts classes there. I used to dance and loved it, but I had no idea about the world of Musical Theatre. When I was nine, I visited New York City for the first time. My parents took me to see The Lion King on Broadway. I’ll never forget how I felt during the opening number—it was like nothing I’d ever experienced. I looked at my dad with tears in my eyes and said, “This is it, this is what I want to do.” He just hugged me.

After the show, I couldn’t stop talking about how it made me feel. I wanted to learn everything about it so that one day I could do the same. But back home, I could only take dance classes. Acting and singing lessons were out of reach, so I had to wait patiently.

I got accepted to AMDA, but my dad insisted I finish a “normal” degree first. So, at 18, I moved to Mexico City to study Marketing during the day and trained in singing, acting, and dancing in the afternoons.

Studying Marketing eventually took me to the UK for a Master’s degree. I tried to study performing arts as much as I could during all of that time. After five years, I proudly showed my dad my degrees, and finally, he said, “Okay, you’ve done your part. Now I’ll support you to go to New York <3.”

Since I was nine, I’ve chased this dream with everything I’ve got. Whenever I see a Broadway show, I still feel that same magic from when I was a kid. I know that Musical Theatre is what I want to do forever.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am Bibi Sánchez, a musical theater-trained actress based in New York City. My journey into this industry began with a transformative experience when I saw The Lion King on Broadway as a child, which ignited my passion for musical theater. From there, I pursued formal training at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in NYC, where I graduated from the Integrated Musical Theater Conservatory. I have trained extensively in jazz, Fosse style, and tap dance at renowned studios such as Broadway Dance Center (BDC) and Steps on Broadway.

I recently made my Off-Broadway debut in February 2024 as HÊLO in the Original Musical “Barba” at Pregones PRTT, under the direction of Luis Salgado. Last December 2023, I portrayed Barbara in “Stay” at The Vino Theatre in NYC. I am also proud to be a member of Wincey Co. Theatre Company, where I contribute to educating kids in Queens, Brooklyn, and New Jersey through art and musical theater shows, guided by Wincey Terry Bryant, the Arts Director of the New Jersey Coalition against Human Trafficking.

My theater credits in Mexico include Grease, Legally Blonde, The Rocky Horror Show, and Little Shop of Horrors amongst others.

As a Latina, I take great pride in my cultural heritage and the richness it brings to my artistry. Recently, I also produced a successful cabaret through my nonprofit initiative, Muy Muy Productions. Our mission is to promote arts education and provide platforms for diverse artists to showcase their talents. I’m thrilled about our upcoming plans to produce more showcases, offering opportunities for international artists to shine on stage.

My goal is not only to excel as an actress but also to contribute to the cultural tapestry of New York City’s theater community. I believe in the power of storytelling and connection through musical theater.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Making people feel good, alive, forget about their problems for a little bit. I love performing because I get to bring happiness, to make people connect with their feelings, to touch souls.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

My dad insisted that I complete both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree before pursuing performing arts school. For five years I studied Marketing and waited for the opportunity to focus solely on acting. Every single class I could just think “this will be over and I will be dancing and singing the rest of my life”

However, plottwist, as I’ve developed as an artist, I’ve come to appreciate how my background in marketing has actually enriched my career. I’ve realized it’s not a choice between one or the other; both disciplines can coexist harmoniously in my life. Right now I have a remote marketing job in a Mexican firm and here I solely do performing arts.

Hannah Montana style.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bibisanchez.com
• Instagram: bibisanchez.o
• Linkedin: Bibi Sánchez