Cerritos College
Q & A With Renée Duron
Q. Who are you and what activities did you do at Cerritos College?
A: My Name is Renée Duron. I officially attended Cerritos College from the Spring of 2001 until the Summer of 2005. I started off in the fundamentals of acting class with Georgia Well and the Production Class taught by Susan Watanabe and Dave Ward. That same semester I was asked to be Assistant Stage Manager for the musical Production of 1940’s Radio Hour. From that point on I began stage managing shows to designing costumes. Then in the summer of 2002 I was cast in the Summer One-Acts’ Becoming Cleopatra. Since then I was in The Moliere Comedies, Stand and Deliver, The House of Bernarda Alba, and Man Who Came to Dinner. By the Summer of 2005 I had decided to pursue my graduate degree in technical theatre with an emphasis in Costume Design and Stage Management. That same Summer I attended the Professional Intensive Conservatory for Acting at South Coast Repertory. Then in the Fall of 2005 I returned to Cerritos College in the title role of the memorable production of The Diary of Anne Frank under the direction of Kevin Hoggard.
Q. Where did you grow up? Did you have people supporting your Theatrical Genius?
A: I grew up in Los Angeles California and then moved to the Cerritos area at the age of 17 (during my senior year in High School). I must say that I did not know that theatre was my calling at a young age. I’m a late bloomer of sorts. It took many years and an undergraduate degree to figure things out. While working in the “real” world I found myself frustrated and unsatisfied with my life, so I asked myself what would make me happy and I knew right away that it was theatre. I’d always loved it and appreciated it and deep down inside I knew that it was the one thing I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Once I made that decision my family was very supportive. The friends and mentors that I have come in contact ever since have been a crucial part of my success.
Q. How did you prepare for a Career in the Arts?
A: I followed my heart and went to school. I’m still in school.
Q. What classes/teachers would you say have helped you get thus far?
A: All of my classes ranging from technical to acting have helped me. You learn something everyday anywhere. It’s up to you to make things work. The teachers at the Cerritos College theatre department have been wonderful. Each of them have taught me so many different things ranging from character building on stage to character building in life. They have helped my develop my personal skills and apply them to what I do on stage and back stage. I could do a whole interview on how each of them have influenced me. Maybe next time.
Q. What motivates you and inspires you?
A: The people in my life motivate me and inspire me. I know that sounds cheesy, but it’s true. I’m inspired from their good traits and bad. It all helps me aspire to be better at who I am and what I do.
Q. What are you currently working on?
A: I am starting my final year in graduate school at Cal State Fullerton this semester. This means that I will be working on my thesis project. Scary! I have also been hired by Disneyland as an ASM. In the Spring I will be designing The Comedy of Errors here at Cerritos. Some of my friends from the Theatre Department at Cerritos and I have formed a theatre company by the name of Mozaic Theatre. We recently produced our first professional production at CASA 0101 owned by Josefina Lopez who wrote Real Women Have Curves. If that’s not enough, I am really tempted on auditioning for the upcoming production of Anna in The Tropics. I know it’s crazy but I really love this play and one should always follow their hearts, right?
Q. Where are you currently working? What is the title of that job and how did you get the job?
A: Like I mentioned before I am currently working in Disneyland as an Assistant Stage manager for their Entertainment Team. I was originally referred to Disney by Cerritos College Alumni, David Carreiro. David is a production stage manager at Disney for about 2-3 years now.
Q. What tips or suggestions would you offer people interested in pursuing a career in the Arts?
A: Just do it. The hardest part of any career is taking the first step. My advice is to just do it. Take a class, make a contact at an outside theatre, buy an issue of Back Stage West and become aware of what’s out there. Most important surround yourself with people who like doing what you do and who are positive about life.
Q. Where do you see your self in a few years?
A: Honestly I don not know. If I’ve learned anything over the past few years is that life is full of infinite possibilities.
Q. Will you still be performing or auditioning anytime soon?
A: I think I already answered that one.
