Life & Work with Sandra Ochoa Rice of Redlands

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sandra Ochoa Rice.

Hi Sandra, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
At eight years old I was belting my heart out to the soundtrack of The Phantom of the Opera and the Little Mermaid in the comfort and privacy of my home, and in the shower. Ever since I can remember I have been moved to the core with music and singing. One of my very first memories was when I was about 4 years old spending hours on my swing in the backyard and singing the entire time as I dangled my legs and feet up and down in the air, reaching higher and higher. Singing is euphoric, it’s a force that ignites deep within me. I was born in Anaheim, Ca and at the age of 5 moved and was raised in Corona, CA. I asked my mom when we were moving if we were taking the swing set with us. She sadly replied, “I’m so sorry, but no, we can’t.” “But then how am I going to sing while I soar through the sky?” was my response! I am the daughter of a born and raised Mexico City mother who moved to the states when she was 17 years old. My father is of German descent and was raised in southern California and moved quite a bit. So, I am half Mexican and half German. My two Uncles, her brothers, had a band called Tempo 6 in Mexico City and recorded an album with RCA Records in 1968 and toured throughout Mexico. I like to think I got my musical genes from them! One of my uncles heard me singing ‘Part of Your World’ from the Little Mermaid and brought to my attention that I have a strong and beautiful voice, but more importantly I knew how to share a story. He brought music to my life by playing the guitar with me and encouraging me to listen to all genres of music. A few years later, my older sister was a dancer and part of a dance company that put on large scale dance performances, and they needed a singer to perform a couple of solos in between some of the dance numbers to allow quick changes for the dancers and set changes. Next thing I knew, at the age of 13, I was singing ‘Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again’ from the musical ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ and ‘Memory’ from the musical ‘Cats’…I WAS HOOKED! The thrill of live performance and hearing the audience applause was captivating, but more importantly, my heart swelled as I told a story through song. I knew right then and there I wanted to be vocalist and performer. That same year my mom took me and my siblings to see the National Tour of Miss Saigon at the Ahmanson Theatre. It was the first theatre performance I ever saw…I was completely captivated by the entire show and was sobbing at the end. I stayed in my seat staring at the stage after the show and was one of the last people to leave the house, watching the orchestra pack up their instruments in the pit. That show rocked my core. The commitment of the performers telling the story, the vocal performances were powerful and effortless, the acting was phenomenal. I was in complete awe and my heart ached, in a good way! I always knew I wanted to be a vocal performer, but now I was introduced to the world of theatre and wanted to be a storyteller as well. I attended Centennial High School and joined the Madrigals choir. My Senior year I had the honor of performing in my first lead role as Reno Sweeney in the musical “Anything Goes”. This experience enhanced my already jet fueled passion for the arts! After High School I attended Riverside Community College and joined the Chamber singer choir and Show Choir under the direction of Professor Roger Duffer. This experience was life changing! Mr. Duffer taught me how to sight read choral music and how to perfect harmonization. This also allowed me to take private vocal lessons with the incomparable Mark Almy, who introduced both opera arias and musical theatre vocals into my repertoire. All the while, I also took theatre acting classes and performed in numerous musicals and plays. For the first time in College I performed a straight play called “Come Back to the 5 and Dime, Jimmy Dean” as a lead character, and now I am hooked on play acting for the stage in addition to musicals! This experience of story telling, without singing and large dance numbers, was a different aspect of performing that I very much wanted to further explore. So, ultimately, I see the world and live my life as a storyteller, whether it’s through cabaret vocal performance, in musicals, in vocal groups and in acting. After RCC I transferred to Cal State San Bernardino to pursue my passion in the arts. I was still uncertain as to whether I wanted to focus solely on vocal performance or musical theatre, or both. CSUSB provided a perfect home of the theatre arts, introducing me to all aspects of the theatre…lighting, sound, costume design, directing, dance, choreography and the behind the scenes production elements. I was becoming not only a theatre performer but also a more well rounded theatre creator, in all aspects! While attending college I was in a Christmas Caroling Group that performed at Disneyland, had a modeling and talent agent who sent me to various gigs and shoots in Los Angeles, and was auditioning and performing musicals at various theatres such as Performance Riverside, Candlelight Pavilion, and the Redlands Theatre Festival. I met the love of my life and husband of 23 years and was married at the age of 22! I was driving to LA several days a week for auditions and recorded a demo album in the hopes of writing and recording my own music. I was performing in coffee shops throughout Southern California, trying to chase the ‘Jewel’ life of a singing career! I auditioned and made it to the filming stage of American Idol’s second season, auditioning in front of Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Paul Abdul and Ryan Seacrest. While I didn’t “make it to Hollywood”, it was a fascinating experience and I passed three rounds of auditions in front of producers before going to the taping audition (Something many viewers don’t realize). At the age of 26 I gave birth to my first son. Becoming a mother is magical and surreal! Two and a half years later I had my second son, officially becoming a boy mom! Raising my boys with my amazing husband has been one of the proudest aspects of my life. It has filled my heart with immeasurable joy and happiness. All of this under the age of 30! I have introduced the world of music and theatre to our sons their entire lives, and they witness their mom on stage telling stories and bringing joy to audiences who need to escape from the world for a bit. While raising my boys I performed for 12 summers with the Redlands Theatre Festival. This experience gave me the opportunity to hone in on my performing techniques, as this theatre provided me with numerous leading roles that allowed me to really craft my journey as a leading lady. It also gave me the confidence to seek bigger venues throughout Southern California. I proceeded to audition for the musical “Oliver!” and the Laguna Playhouse for the lead role of Nancy. My first time auditioning for a professional equity house theatre. Being a performer is an interesting world. It’s filled with unknowns and it’s vulnerable. You put yourself out there and the aspect of “rejection” is a constant. You must have thick skin. You put in hours and hours of dedication to your craft and your audition materials to be given the chance to perform 16 bars or 30 seconds to a room of people behind a table, judging you. I auditioned for the role of Esmerelda in The Hunchback of Notre Dame at a local theatre. I felt like I nailed it! I was so hopeful I would get the role. I didn’t get it. When I found out, I immediately scoured the internet to see what other theatres were having auditions. That’s when I found the announcement for Laguna’s “Oliver!”.
I went in a few days later and went through three long call back auditions for the role. When I got the call offering me the role of Nancy I was beside myself!
I share this because the saying “when one door closes another one opens” is a mantra, I believe, a performer must say to themselves. Not getting a role does not mean you are not talented or worthy. It just means there is something else in store for you. This is how I like to live my life. After my experience with Laguna Playhouse, I went on to audition for more professional equity house theatres. I have had the honor to perform on the stages of La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts in the role of Betty Haynes in White Christmas with the Theatre Royal Theatre Company. The Fred Cavli Theatre in Thousand Oaks as Mrs. Potts in “Beauty and the Beast”, Musical Theatre West in Long Beach as Cha Cha for a staged reading of a new musical “America Tropical”, The Moonlight Amphitheater in Vista as a Soul Sister in “Jesus Christ Superstar”, and where I am also currently in rehearsals for “Fiddler on the Roof” in the role of Fruma Sarah. I have had the honor and privilege to have performed on the stage of the Dolby Theatre in LA singing for Josh Groban ‘Stages’ concert, and at the Queen Mary for Murder Mystery dinners and as a group entertainer. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the professors, artists community members and colleagues of RCC, CSUSB, The California Theatre and the Redlands Theatre Festival. These places gave me my foundation and opportunities to discover the artistry within me. They also gave me resources and connections. I was introduced to numerous local directors and theatre companies that gave me my jumpstart to more leading roles at the California Theatre, Inland Valley Repertory Theater, and the Lewis Family Playhouse.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Is any road smooth? There are always pot holes, dips, bumps, cracks and a few cobble stones along the way. Being a child of seven kids, I did not have things handed to me! I grew up the 5th child out of seven. Six siblings in a 1,200 square foot manufactured home. I have the most loving, hard working and adoring parents any child could ask for. I had a very happy childhood with a lot of laughter and loving memories, but money was scarce and financial hardships played a role in pursuing certain goals. I had a full time job at the age of 16 so that I could buy my own car and pay for my own gas to get to auditions. But having a full time job at 16, while in High School, also meant missing out on a lot of auditions and opportunities. It was also really difficult to afford paying for headshots, character shoes, acting and voice classes. When it came to applying to colleges, it felt so out of reach to apply to Universities, as my parents and myself could barely even afford the application fees. Despite this, I never felt “poor”. I just rolled up my sleeves and went to work so I could earn money to do the things I wanted to do. And in hind site, I am fortunate that this aspect led me to RCC, because that was where I really grew my passion for the arts. It gave me a strong foundation. Attending a smaller scale school gave me the opportunity for more ‘one on one’ work with professors. I felt like I was really growing and learning from the best and was not just another number is large school setting. Becoming a mother was the best decision I’ve ever made. But it also meant navigating time and prioritizing performing versus family life. It’s a juggling act. I took a ten year hiatus in between Riverside Community College and transferring to Cal State San Bernardino because I was juggling being a mother, a wife, working as a real estate agent to help provide financially for my family, and performing. I chose more local theatres and venues to perform with to be able to help navigate my time raising a family. Now that my boys are older, I am spreading my wings a bit more. With the incredible support and my biggest cheer leader that is my husband, I am now able to seek bigger opportunities both locally and nationally.
Another hurdle I found I was facing was being half Latina. I look more like my father, who is of German descent, and have lighter color skin. My mother chose to not teach myself or my siblings to speak Spanish, in efforts to be seen as American and not be discriminated against. So I found myself not being considered for Latin roles as, I appeared to be “white presenting”. It’s a confusing thing to grasp as I feel connected to my Latin roots. I grew up close to my Mother’s Latin side of the family and always considered myself half Latina, even though I don’t speak the language. I had auditioned for the role of Daniela in “In the Heights” numerous times at several venues. I really connect to that character. I have Tias and Primas just like her! The way she talks, her attitude, her confidence, her style and flare, her toughness and secret softness. I would make final call backs but not get the role. Finally, two years ago I auditioned for the role of Daniela at the California Theatre and got it! To say it felt like a homecoming is an understatement. I felt connected and alive in my Latin roots with this show and the cast. I felt seen, heard and welcomed. To share that story with this character is one of my all-time favorite live performance experiences. I have hope that this is the start of a continued journey for myself and for others in my similar position.
All this to say that I have also had the honor and privilege of playing numerous leading roles that are not considered Latina. (A fact that I have hope is changing) Such as The Baker’s Wife in ‘Into The Woods’, Morticia Addams in ‘The Addams Family’, Ulla in ‘The Producers’, Val in ‘A Chorus Line’, Tzeitle in ‘Fiddler on the Roof’, Fraulein Kost in ‘Cabaret’ (which allowed me to tap into my German roots!), Judy in the ‘9 to 5 the Musical’, Aldonza in ‘Man of La Mancha’, to name a few.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in Performance. I am a theatre actor, improv performer, cabaret singer, choral singer, television and film actor, theatre director, choreographer and music director and have produced my own one woman show. I am mostly known as a musical theatre performer, but I like to see myself as an all around story teller, as I enjoy ALL aspects of performance, not just theatre. I have acted in an indie film streaming on Amazon Prime called “The Enchanted Cottage”. I loved being on set and experiencing the filming aspect of performing. The subtleness of facial expression is so different on film, yet so powerful. Being able to do multiple takes to explore different avenues of the scene and trusting the director to choose the best take. I was also in an episode of “Veronica Mars” with Kristen Bell as a Christmas Caroler in their Christmas episode. That was a very fun experience and enhanced my love for performing for film and TV. I have also Directed, Choreographed, and music Directed shows for musical theatre. I love exploring the direction of a show and how to guide other actors to tell a story to the audience, specifically comedies, as I love to make people laugh and have a good time. I directed and choreographed a show called “The Marvelous Wonderettes” and also performed as one of the main characters. Being able to put on a director and choreographer hat is so satisfying as it allows me to share my artistry as a creative, not just a performer.
Currently, I am most proud of producing and performing a one woman show. I handled ALL aspects of the performance! The set, props, hiring of musicians, lighting design, costumes, direction, advertising, promotions and the performance itself. It was exhilarating, a lot of work, and satisfying! It has sparked another aspect of the performance world…producing and directing!

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Yes, Producing a one woman show! It was a risk in that I have never produced anything before. I was financially responsible for the production while also being the performer in it. So it was vulnerable as an actor and as the personal financier. But I believed in the story so much that I felt it was worth the risk. It is a licensed show called “Love, Linda. The Life of Mrs. Cole Porter” written by Stevie Holland and William Friedman. It’s a beautiful show about Linda Porter, the wife of the Great American Songbook writer, Cole Porter. This story shares a glimpse into their 35 year marriage, all told through Linda’s perspective and lens. It’s a 90 minute show with 16 monologues and 17 songs. It’s beautifully written and a fascinating story. I wanted to share this incredible story with as many people as possible. And I’m so glad I did, as it received rave reviews. It was first introduced to me by the founder, producer and director of Inland Valley Repertory Theater, Frank Minano, who gave me the opportunity in performing it for his theatre. I enjoyed it so much that I didn’t want it to stop there. I wanted to share it around Southern California. So I reached out to New Village Arts in Carlsbad about the show. Kali Boston and Kristianne Kurner and their team welcomed me with open arms and artistic freedom to use their beautiful space. I am eternally grateful to them! I intent to continue to share this story by producing it at more venues, as it is just a beautiful and brilliant show! Story telling at its finest!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.SandraOchoaRice.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Singinsandy
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sandra.a.rice.33/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sandraochoarice

Image Credits
Man Of La Mancha – California Theatre of the Performing Arts
Love Linda, The Life Of Mrs. Cole Porter – New Village Arts
Cats – California Theatre of the Performing Arts
White Christmas – La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, Theater Royal Tours
Oliver! – Laguna Playhouse
The Marvelous Wonderettes – Center Stage Theatre
The Addams Family – Center Stage Theatre
Cabaret – Lewis Family Playhouse
On the set of The Enchanted Cottage
In The Heights – California Theatre