Name: MJ RodriguezHometown: Newark, New Jersey
Education: Berklee College of music (some)
Select Credits: RENT 2011 Revival, "Nurse Jackie", "The Carrie Diaries", and "Luke Cage".
Why theater?: I have always thought of theater as a place where I can spill my soul on stage and completely express myself like how I want to be seen.
Who do you play in The Last Word?: I play the transgender character Carlies, who is very rambunctious has just the right amount of sass, and very grounded in who she is.
What is it like being a part of The Last Word?: I'm truly and completely enjoying the process. It's extremely fun and very invigorating!
What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: All types of theater really speak to me but what mostly intrigues me is the new pop Theater scene. I would have to say the person who was and always has been, is my mother.
Any roles you’re dying to play?: I am completely dying to play Peggy in Hamilton the Musical. That's my next dream role.
What’s your favorite show tune?: "Seasons of Love"
If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Oh, I would have to say my girl Lavern Cox. I feel like we would make some magic together, whether it be on sets or onstage.
Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: Oh my I hope this doesn't sound selfish but I would like to play myself in my own movie (haha) and it will be called "T Rated" or "Rated T"
If you could go back in time and see any play or musical you missed, what would it be?: So, I missed the chance of getting the see Little Shop of Horrors, so that would be the one I jump in my time machine and go back and check out.
What show have you recommended to your friends?: HAMILTON!!!!!
What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: So there are these wonderful cake pops that I get at Starbucks and they have different flavors and I just can't get enough of the pink cake pop, that's literally my guilty pleasure!
What’s up next?: A lot is happening for me right now,some things that I can't really speak about, but I definitely assure you that they are good and I'm excited to be working on them!