“Mine is just one of a billion paths,” explains Alan Medrano (BFA Musical Theatre ’13) who grew up in Gainesville, Florida, and is currently on a national tour of Skippyjon Jones as the title character. Medrano found theatre late in high school. “Theatre is just where I should be,” he says. “It makes sense. It feels like the right fit in every way.”
For Medrano, seeing the country while doing what he loves is a dream come true. “The fact that I am paid to do this is just awesome.”
In Skippyjon Jones Medrano plays a popular children’s book icon and says that kids treat him like a rock star. “They all chant my name, and it’s unbelievable,” he says. For Medrano, this has been one of the most rewarding experiences of his career.
“This has been so gratifying,” Medrano says. “The kids laugh at you and love you and it makes it so worth it.”
Medrano misses the Swamp but feels right at home in the Gator community in New York. “They are the people I most look forward to seeing,” says Medrano. Although there is nothing quite like game day in the Swamp, the New York City Gators still meet up and watch Gator games together. “It is great and comforting to see someone else in orange and blue and throwing a chomp at them,” he says.
Even though the Skippyjon Jones tour ends soon Medrano is cherishing every step along the way and embracing every moment while he is living it.
