Meet the Educators: Krystal H.
Krystal brings unwavering enthusiasm, an A+ Snapchat game, and a dedication to her craft as an actor and educator to the Speak About It team.
Krystal, front right, with her her cast at Boston College.
As we write this, Krystal is on tour, crossing numerous states and performing with her cast for thousands of college students. She's no stranger to the stage. A graduate of Salem State’s BFA acting program, she received the school’s annual Creativity Award for her work in theatre and also won a Kennedy Center College Theater Festival award this past winter. She was involved with Salem State’s orientation program, Human Action Theater, and brings that experience with her to Speak About It. She also recently appeared in a critically-acclaimed bilingual, Spanish and English, production of Romeo & Juliet in Providence, Rhode Island. She’s also a Pisces, and rumor has it, an amazing dancer.
Being on tour is a whirlwind, and Krystal has been sure to keep us updated on her adventures with her cast on social media, sharing snapshots from backstage, dinner, the tour van, pool-side run throughs, and more. We’re so glad that she’s having so much fun, and so grateful to have her energy and enthusiasm on the team.
We caught up with Krystal before she embarked on tour to learn a little bit more about why she gave an enthusiastic “Yes!” to a summer on the road.
SAI: When you got the call to join Speak About It, why did you say yes?
KH: Honestly, I love the work this company does but, it really was my Skype interview that sold me on the job. Directors, Dave and Shane, made me feel so comfortable and gave me free reign to be my complete self. I got a very good vibe from the production team and it made me even more passionate about being an educator.
What is something you’re hoping to learn on tour?
I hope to learn more about the universities my group will be performing at. I've never heard of some of them and I can't wait to explore the campuses and all the different traditions at the different schools.
You’re an actor: why is theatre an important way to share our message with students?
Theatre is an important way to share our message because it makes the educational aspects of the performance more accessible to people. Particularly for high school and college students, they might have knowledge that comes from a variety of different--and probably pretty boring--presentations they’ve seen throughout their educational experience. But Speak About It can deliver important information in this awesome, exciting way!
What is something you learned from your two weeks rehearsing with Speak About It?
After the rehearsal process, I learned how important it is to trust your cast. The subject matter is heavy, but when you have a cast that is there to catch you whenever you may falter, the flow of the show becomes magical. I am so thankful for my team, cast Diamonds!
What is your go-to self-care practice?
If I can, a day at the beach. I love the sand in my toes, the smell of the ocean and a good tan doesn't hurt. It's very therapeutic for me. I'm a Pisces so anything water based is self-care.
What is your sexiest, most consent-iest 'pick-up' line?
"I wanna be in there like your swimwear, you down?"
If you had to give a TED talk on something, what would it be?
I would probably talk about the difference between spicy and savory. Because everyone thinks that just because I'm Puerto Rican I have to like spicy food. I've become very good at differentiating the two.
If you could read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
It's a play, but Marisol by Jose Rivera.
Selfie with her fellow educators.
Consent is important to Krystal.