Wendy Raquel Robinson – Our Westside Story

By: Lisa Steinberg

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

A) “Grand Hotel” is going to be premiering in a month from now on ABC. We just finished shooting that and we’ve got thirteen episodes ready to deliver on Monday nights right after “The Bachelorette” on ABC at 10pm! I’m really super-duper excited.

Q) How did you come up with the idea for Our Westside Story and in what ways is it different than the original production of Westside Story?

A) I’m born and raised in Los Angeles. South Central Los Angeles has had so much going on with Nipsey Hustle with his untimely and unfortunate passing that we were in the midst of production with all of that happening. Just what happens with gang violence and when stereotypes are forced upon us what happens when the unfortunate passing over something that is all about cultural differences or just differences – what happens with that. We wanted to do something that not only was resounding with the youth, but would open their eyes. Not only for the children, but for the community. And for us to come together in spite of everything that was happening. There are no coincidences because we had already chosen to do Westside Story, but it just took on a greater sense of relevancy after that. So many times we say, “Stop the violence,” but we don’t give our young people an alternative. So, we’re standing out on this and using it as a way to not only open eyes, but hopefully to heal and as a conversation for the greater understanding of gang violence and all of the other negative things that can happen with our community.

Q) How involved were you in the casting process?

A) Amazing Grace Conservatory began our semester in February. We started off teaching the kids all of the songs, the dances and the music. It’s not an easy show to do. We took them through all the processes and gave master classes. We held auditions and workshops. Then, we had a full panel (myself included) of alumni who are actually directing the show. We brought the students in one by one and they had to show us everything they had an we had call backs. It was a pretty competitive audition process, but it’s all a part of the training as well. It was exciting! Then, when the cast list went up of course there are the cheers, the tears and the fears all the way around. It’s really, really turning out to be something special.

Q) Are there any familiar faces in the cast?

A) I want to say that these are the stars of tomorrow today. There are a couple kids who have done commercials and workshops and things like that. They are ages 8-18. So, no faces or names that you would actually know, but just really, really incredible talent. Many of the alumni that have come out of there were in the same boat and ended up getting discovered later. We have had Oscar and Emmy winners that have come out of our program as well as Grammy nominees. So, you are going to be able to see them on their way on their journey.

Q) Was there something you found the most challenging or most surprised you about creating the production?

A) This is our third reincarnation of this. We did it back in 1999 and we kept it back in the original content of 1957. Then, we revisited it back in 2010. We made it present day. To see it go from 1957 to a present-day interpretation and still have impact and relevance was pretty interesting. This time we’re doing it I feel like it’s the trilogy, but hearing the words and the dialogue now it just resonates. The young kids are talking about justifying being a part of a gang and this is 1957 and to see young African American kids talking about that and what they’re going through right now is like…I don’t want to say it’s full circle, but when does that continuous circle and cycle stop? So, I think that is the most eye-opening part of it.

Q) What are some of your favorite songs from the performance?

A) I choreographed “America” so, of course, that’s going to be my favorite. I dusted off my dance shoes and we got busy with it! “America” is my favorite one. The dance in the gym is the most exciting. There are a lot of tricks, flips, spins and all of that. Actually, we did take a bit of liberty and added a song called “Mi Hermano” and it’s in tribute to Bernardo who ends up, unfortunately, getting killed. When you look at the script there is no redeeming qualities. You don’t hear from The Sharks and the Puerto Ricans and they are mourning his loss. So, we did add in a song that is a tribute to him that is really, really exciting. It’s more of a mantra and a call and response. It’s really, really exciting. That’s one of my new favorites because it’s original as well.

Q) Do you have any pre-show rituals you will perform for luck?

A) Wow! What is interesting this year…Well, you know it’s the two gangs (the Jets and the Sharks), but you can get a shout-out. When you come to the audience, I’m going to have some young people that are either dressed like The Jets or The Sharks in 1957. You can buy a shout-out and a shout-out is a fundraiser, but you can write a congratulatory to one of the cast or one of the staff or artistic directors or whomever. You get a shout-out from the stage into the audience. So, that’s cute. Of course, we always start with a prayer for the cast backstage. I’m really looking forward to the shout-outs. You can get a Mambo shout-out or you get a Doo-wop.

Q) What is it about Amazing Grace Conservatory that makes these adaptations so special and links so well with this production?

A) It’s a place where everyone is family. We also have our junior production, which is a whole other spin on Westside Story. The content of Westside Story is pretty intense so for my younger ones that are ages eight to twelve they have a different production that they are doing. That one is catered specifically for them. So, instead of a gang battle it is a dance battle. I think that’s what makes it so special – that each and every child receives that individual attention and the production is shaped specially for their talent level as well as for their maturity level. We make everyone feel a part of the production as well as the conservatory. We’re pulling them as we climb, but we’re also carving out something that is so individualized for each one that it makes it really special and unique.

Q) What do you want to be sure we share with our readers about Out Westside Story?

A) It’s the hottest ticket in town! It’s kind of sad. You do all of this work just for one weekend of performance, but there is nothing like live theater. The artists playing live and it is performed live. We just don’t want them to miss out! To see this many people on stage and doing what they are doing and they come from all different walks of lives like socio-economic backgrounds and social backgrounds. So, really this whole thing is a cacophony of young artists. This is a milestone for us because in 22 years of doing this it is the first time that we have had alumni come back and give back and pay it forward in terms of directing and performing and choreographing with it. So, now it is a jumbo package. You have students that are pouring back into the current students. It’s been really, really empowering. It’s like watching the torch moving forward in a beautiful way.

Q) We recently had “the perfect date” of April 25 and we loved seeing you in Miss Congeniality. What was your experience like working on the film?

A) Oh really! Can I tell you how much fun I had on that?! As long ago as that was, it really changed my life in so many ways. Number one, I haven’t worked with another actress as kind and as giving as Sandra Bullock. She is phenomenal! Phenomenal! So, she made that experience shooting for three months absolutely amazing. They don’t film like that anymore. Now you are doing a project in ten days so I was spoiled. I was spoiled and I was elevated and surrounded by professionals that took production and film to a whole other level. That was fantastic.

Q) We also loved seeing you on “The Steve Harvey Show.” Have you kept in touch with any of your costars?

A) Oh absolutely! I just finished a film that Terri J. Vaughn directed. She played Lovita on the show and she directed her first film. I was able to go and play with her and be directed by one of my friends. Of course, Cedric [the Entertainer] and I still see each other. Steve and I talk, but I haven’t seen him because he’s so busy. We all keep in touch. That was something that was absolutely magical as well. It really was.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and the work you do?

A) Oh, I’m so humbled! I’m so grateful. I appreciate every show that they’ve watched, every ticket they have bought and every time that they have laughed. I just want to thank them and just say that laughter is healing. It’s like chicken soup for the soul. So, thank you, thank you, thank you!