We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Rachel a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Rachel, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
I’ve worked on several meaningful projects, and I believe that every project has a story! However, I work in several professions, so I’m juggling so many different mediums at once. All of my favorite projects are when it comes to acting, I’ve been in two Off Broadway plays with my theater troupe – EPIC Players, which is a troupe for actors with disabilities. I got to be in “Tartuffe”, “Spring Awakening”, and a few cabarets, which I’m very proud of!
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 have served as a board member for C.A.R.D. USF, Unicorn Children’s Foundation, Els for Autism Center of Excellence, Dyspraxia Foundation USA, and worked with The Global Autism Project, Doug Flutie Jr Foundation for Autism and Victoria’s Voice Foundation, all of which have impacted the lives of families everywhere. I worked with Victoria’s Voice when I won Miss Florida for America, which was a really great experience!
I am also a public speaker, where I’ve spoke about my autism journey internationally, including the Czech Republic and Canada.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect about being an artist/creative is that the field is so versatile! You can do anything you set your mind to and whatever inspires you, you can go for. I’m really into public speaking, so I go for that, but I love to make it a performance, not just me talking the whole time; that’s why people love it! Another thing is that in theater, it doesn’t always have to be about acting. You can sing and dance, which are two things I love doing.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
I moved to New York City on my own four years ago, and it wasn’t easy! I knew since I was in high school that I wanted to moved there and be somebody, but when I first moved to the city, I got covid and nearly died in the hospital! I started out living on Long Island, where I recovered and eventually got a job at a radio station. I stayed there for two years until I worked my way up to living in Brooklyn.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rachelbarcellona.com
- Instagram: Instagram https://share.google/QnrbJf4XJZBIXpAnL
- Facebook: Facebook https://share.google/P4E18kHwxV4AnYolj
- Linkedin: LinkedIn https://share.google/8wyXCNAPiNX47qrJf
- Twitter: X https://share.google/Ejl523Jv4qPhy164U
Image Credits
Austin Ryde
United Nations
Created by Zu
Barbara Barcellona