Former Santa Cruz resident Andrew Roubal, 22, is currently
performing in Houston, Texas, as a member of the touring company
of
”
A Chorus Line.
”
Roubal, a 2005 graduate of St. Francis Central Coast Catholic
High School in Watsonville, graduated from California State
University, Fullerton, last spring with a bachelor’s degree in
musical theater. He appeared as The Tin Man in last summer’s
Cabrillo Stage production of
”
The Wizard of Oz
”
before moving to New York City to pursue a theater career.
Former Santa Cruz resident Andrew Roubal, 22, is currently performing in Houston, Texas, as a member of the touring company of “A Chorus Line.”
Roubal, a 2005 graduate of St. Francis Central Coast Catholic High School in Watsonville, graduated from California State University, Fullerton, last spring with a bachelor’s degree in musical theater. He appeared as The Tin Man in last summer’s Cabrillo Stage production of “The Wizard of Oz” before moving to New York City to pursue a theater career.
“It’s crazy,” Roubal said recently. “It’s like I was shot out of a cannon. This is what I’ve wanted to do my whole life, and now I perform for something like 2,500 people every night.
“It’s a great experience to travel and do something you love as a job.”
The audition process was long and arduous, Roubal said. “It was very much like the documentary that just came out, “Every Little Step,'” he recalled. “I was called in about six or seven times. It was a long, stressful time in my life but I loved it.”
Roubal began studying dance when he was 3 years old. That led to a growing interest in theater and involvement in several local productions. Today, he’s one of the youngest cast members in “A Chorus Line.”
“I think what I love about art in general and specifically theater is that you’re able to escape from the real world and you’re able to entertain people,” he said. “It’s being able to feel something and connect to it.”
Traveling far from family and friends, Roubal said cast members quickly forge their own community.
“You learn about each other really fast because you’re taken away from everybody you know, your close friends. They become new friends. When you’re on stage – especially in this show – you’re just out there. You have to trust each other. It’s a great experience.”
Roubal is the son of Lewis and Christine Roubal of Santa Cruz.
“A Chorus Line” comes to Northern California with a run at the Sacramento Community Center Theater May 19-30.
