Meet Charlette San Juan of Chicago

Today we’d like to introduce you to Charlette San Juan

Charlette, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born and raised in Manila, Philippines. From a young age I have always been interested in Musical Theatre. My first ever experience with musical theatre was in 2002– Trumpets Philippines produced their staging of The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe. I remember it vividly, it was in Meralco Theatre in Ortigas, my entire family was there, we got Orchestra tickets from my parents’ friends. Color me impressed, this changed my life! I remember asking my mom how this little girl, who was probably my age, was able to sing and talk in english the whole time. I forgot what her exact response was, but I do remember that she said that they had a lot of practice.

Around this time, I was doing Gymnastics and Theatre in school. At nine years old, I would fervently pray that when I’m older, I either become an olympic gymnast or go to Broadway. My olympic dreams remain to be relics of a bygone self, I retired from Elite Gymnastics at 16 years old. Since, I’ve decided to concentrate intently on becoming a theatre artist, headed for Broadway. I devise plans on how to make these dreams come true, research for hours and hours. My inevitable step one was to study in the US. This would eventually come into fruition but not until I take my Masters.

For my undergraduate degree, I studied Theatre Arts at the University of the Philippines. Like most college-aged students, I was an addict, and my vice was theatre. On multiple occasions, I was practically living in the theatre; I would do any production that would want me, sometimes ending up learning on the job and often, even accept unpaid work. But I was getting the reps I needed, everyday was a learning experience.

Upon graduating in 2018, I felt that it was time. My family and I took a trip to the US and after a month, I stayed behind to examine the land, by that I mean, watch theatre shows– Broadway as well as regional theatre shows in Chicago. It felt promising, and more importantly, I felt ready. Fall of 2019, I made, what would turn out to be the biggest adventure of my life, the big move to Chicago. Being in Chicago felt like driving a car that does not slow down, it felt like my foot was always on gas and I was living for the thrill of it, going to my classes downtown, taking improv classes at Second City, watching shows at least 4-times a week, going to parties and meeting new people! It was the life I imagined it would be!

What started out as an accelerated life, eventually got Ad nauseam, and the world reflected it as the COVID-19 breakout began. It was very unfortunate that half of my time in grad school was spent inside because of the pandemic. Despite this, I remained true to my mission and stayed focused on my goals and dreams. In 2020, I did an internship at the Actor’s Theatre Workshop, New York. They were navigating on how to keep their operations online through the pandemic, and I was a willing student trying to see where I might fit-in in this work environment. It was a great match and I was able to complete the entire internship virtually. Through the pandemic, I made many successful attempts at creating opportunities for myself. For one, I created the project Filipino Theatre Artists in America, which won the Weisman Award in 2021 and was selected to be displayed at the Hokin Honors in 2022. Like I always say, creating opportunities for yourself through a difficult time shapes your character. My proudest moment in graduate school was being selected to speak for during the Masters commencement program, while both my parents were front and centre in attendance. There is no greater win than making your parents proud.

A year and a half after getting my masters, I am proud to share that I am now a Stage Manager at The Second City in the productions Don’t Quit Your Daydream and Eat, Pray, Bigfoot in Love. A producer for the all-Asian showcase at the world-famous Laugh Factory. I have done the production for MJ The Musical (First National Tour), and for the Broadway-bound Death Becomes Her. I have also now worked at several theatres around Chicago; Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Nederlander Theatre, Cadillac Palace Theatre and CIBC Theatre. This summer, I am joining the Stage Management team of Second City Mainstage as an understudy for “The Devil’s in the Detours”. In the late-summer, I will assist the Production Management team of Harry Potter: Cursed Child (First National Tour).

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I often take the road less travelled. I knew from a young age what I wanted to be and where I see myself in; however, there are plenty of challenges in following a life-long dream. It takes insurmountable amount of courage and patience. It isn’t easy to trust and listen to my 9 year old self and her plans of massive proportions. It’s taboo to speak about financial struggles, but that’s one constant struggle that’s just a part of reality as an artist. My peers have their 401k and grand retirement plans; while I simply want to pay my rent, afford my health care and groceries. This is the primary worry of family and loved ones when you pursue a career in the arts, this is why only the brave can survive. I don’t think I’ve fully figured out what to say when people come for me for advice on how to completely live-off of your art, but having multiple income streams from being a freelance artist has worked out great for me, in Manila as well as in Chicago.

I doubted myself and my own capabilities all through-out college and have considered abandoning the dream altogether. It’s a constant internal struggle of believing in yourself. My dreams aren’t rare, I share it with thousands of people and we all hope for the best outcome. But the important thing is to learn from your struggles and to never forget where you come from; the journey is not the destination but the path you’ve bravely hiked.

The road less travelled is bumpy and full of detours; it took me 25 years to make the move to finally pursue my greatest dream! But this road is filled with generous artists, great stories and while we aren’t riding a tesla, sometimes you’re taking an Amtrak from Chicago to New York and the view is unmatched.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Everyday, I get to wear so many different hats. A producer, a director, a stage manager, production manager, and occasionally, DJing at Laugh Factory. While I’ve devised elaborate plans for myself, I’ve found that what I have been yearning for was to live a creative life everyday.

I recently came across a video that said, “The art is not the artifact. Art happens in the making of something. Making is the creative act, not the artifact”, I’ve been ruminating on what this means as an artist in theatre. The artifact is what the audience sees on opening night, they’re proud of what we’re created, they’re able to see the finished artwork. The art itself is the process and creation. How we got along behind the scenes will become evident on stage. How we treat our co-creators, how seamlessly we’ve collaborated, the artistic choices we make everyday, this is the art.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
My website: charlettesanjuan.com. I am most active on Instagram, @MsCharletteSJ. And I love connecting with people on Linked In:https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlettesanjuan/

I would love to get support for Model Majority, the all-asian showcase I produce at Laugh Factory, our instagam is: @model.majority! In July, I am co-producing and directing a variety show titled, LIVE! From Chicago with Grace Bahler. It will be every friday at 7:30 at the Blackout Cabaret theatre in Second City, follow the link for tickets https://www.secondcity.com/shows/chicago/live-from-chicago-with-grace-bahler-chi.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://charlettesanjuan.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mscharlettesj/