We recently connected with Shelvy Paredes and have shared our conversation below.

Shelvy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

In the 8th grade I was given an extra elective by mistake and that class was Theatre with Mr. Francisco Padura at Howard Doolin Middle. He already had his thespian theatre honor society established but he asked me go with them to the Miami-Dade County Youth fair competition where I performed a monologue and won first place, it was in that moment that I realized acting/performing was all I even wanted to do.

Shelvy, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Shelvy Paredes I’m currently the Visual and Performing Arts Theatre teacher at Somerset Academy Charter High. I have been acting since middle school I puraued. BFA in acting from University of the Arts in Philadelphia PA. But my humble teaching beginnings began 7 years ago in the heart of little Havana/ Little Haiti thanks to my theatre mom Ana Mederos Blanco also known affectionately as “Queeny” who insisted that I have what it takes to be a drama teacher. I started my career in the Overtown area one of the most underserved communities in Miami where I poured my heart and soul into my theatre program , those students got accepted into the most prestigious theatre programs such as New world school of the arts, Coral Reef senior High and Miami Arts studio. I believe in fostering the love for the arts in our youth. I approach teaching by always seeing my students potential and bringing out that fire in their performance. My students have been scouted by other professionals in the business been cast in professional shows in Miami/Broward and even appeared in films. We also received a 9,000 donation from Loxen entertainment a professional theatre company in Miami who generously sponsored my students to attend the Florida Thespian State competition. I’m most proud of their resilience and ambition to succeed in the arts. I have treated my middle schoolers at the high school level and now that I’m in high school I treat my program like a BFA I’m preparing the next generation of theatre makers.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When I was a Junior in College I was always criticized by my appearance in my acting juries nothing was ever mentioned about my acting it was always that I was too fat or not pretty to look at. As you can imagine as an upcoming actress not only was that hurtful but also discouraging to pursue the arts. I had a teacher in College who told me after a master class ” I don’t know why you sang that, I mean yes you can sing but you’re not pretty to look at. If precious ever becomes a musical you would definitely book that on Broadway”. His words hurt me for so many years, it took years of therapy and self belief to finally love myself. Last year for the first time I was in the final callbacks for my first Broadway show and the lead role too For Real Women Have Curves on Broadway I proved to myself and that teacher that he was wrong about me. I am beautiful and talented.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

A mission that drives my teaching journey is making theatre accessible for everyone. I welcome all levels all skill sets in theatre. I will say that’s one of my best attributes and why kids keep coming back to Ms. P’s theatre class because I make each child feel seen and valued. I love how excited they get or kids that you wouldn’t expect them to act because they are the cool kids, the jocks the trouble makers I see their potential and they feel valued that they start asking can they be in shows. That’s what I want every child to feel.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: onaroadtobeinghealthy

Image Credits

my own images