Caleb Quezon ‘18 (also known as Star Quezon), proud Tampa Prep alum, is a true triple threat and a trifecta of talent: actor, singer and dancer and is about to make his Broadway debut! Caleb graciously took time out of rehearsals to catch us up on his favorite roles and what to do when you forget the lyrics.
Tell us what’s happening with you!
“I am going to make my Broadway debut with a revival of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, opening April 23rd in New York City (preview performances began March 26th). I will be part of the on-stage ensemble, so I’ll be in the show every night. I’m also the understudy for the roles of Rocky and Columbia.”
What was the audition process like?
“I was doing a show called Saturday Church, a new musical that ran off-Broadway for two months. The director of Rocky Horror came to see that show one night. I met him briefly and a couple of days after, I got an email from my agent, saying that they wanted me to come in to audition for Rocky Horror.
They had already gone through their initial audition so I was brought in at call backs, which was really nice. I got the breakdown, which is what they ask each actor to prepare, but since I was currently in a show and they were asking me to prepare for several different roles, I felt really under prepared. Instead of stressing, I just decided to have fun with it and I got a dance call back for that same day! Then, they asked me to come for final call backs on the same day that I had two shows for Saturday Church and they asked me to prepare four different roles that I had not prepared for previously. So, needless to say I thought I did terribly in that final callback. But, I found out about two weeks later that they wanted me to join their company.
It’s so funny – because of my education at Tampa Prep and also in college, I always aim to be overprepared. But, this was one time I felt completely underprepared and the only time I completely forgot the lyrics while auditioning!”
What have you been up to since graduation from Prep?
“When I graduated from Tampa Prep in 2018, I hadn’t gotten accepted into any school for musical theater. So, my “Plan B” was to be an English and math major at Boston University. I was actually at orientation in Boston when I just had an overwhelming feeling that I was making a huge mistake and I decided to change course. So, with my parents’ blessing, I took a gap year to really try my hand at auditioning again. And this time, I got accepted into the musical theater program at my dream school: the University of Michigan. I had the absolute time of my life, was cast in some shows in college and graduated in 2023. The University of Michigan does a “senior showcase,” where every senior in musical theater gets a two minute solo to perform in New York City for the top agents, management, show casters, etc. And, through that opportunity, I got representation through my agency and manager. The first show I booked was RENT in Aspen, CO and then I moved to Brooklyn in September, 2023.
And, from there it’s been a slow and steady climb to where I am now.”
What was your theater involvement like at Tampa Prep? Do you have any favorite memories or roles?
“My graduating class in 2018 was an incredibly artistic year, full of active and talented theater students. Mr. Mann completely inspired us and chose shows that would highlight different students and their talents. A big standout for me was RENT, in the 2015-16 school year (my sophomore year). It was almost entirely sophomores that made up that cast and I got to play Angel for the first time (I have since played her two more times). It’s significant to me because it was the first time that I played someone who was more than just a character, but a real, true expression of me. Having that opportunity to play such a risque role at that time, it completely changed the trajectory of what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go.
Another role that was a pretty big standout to me was the Emcee in Cabaret in Spring of 2018 (which was also the last show my classmates did together). The source material was pretty “adult” but Mr. Mann trusted that his students, along with his direction and guidelines, would be able to tackle these very adult concepts and material. It was difficult work but Mr. Mann has a way of seeing the potential in his students and that allowed us to take the work very seriously.”
What are your future plans?
“Well, I’m committed to Rocky Horror for at least 6 months and then we’ll see what New York has in store for us. It’s the Roundabout Theater Company and the show will be in Studio 54. After 6 months, the current theater might want us to stay on or another theater might want to pick us up.”
Do you have a dream role?
“Not really – Mr. Mann let me play most of my dream roles at Prep! Well, maybe the role of Roxie in “Chicago.”
Any advice for others who are interested in following in your footsteps?
“Tampa Prep and the University of Michigan helped prepare me for the execution of my “Plan B.” For example: Me not getting accepted into any musical theater school the first time I tried. And me, forgetting the lyrics in the callout for my Broadway show.
Tampa Prep had laid a foundation that helped me be confident that I was a capable and smart human being who could figure it out along the way and be able to deal with road blocks, speed bumps and the unexpected or less than optimal.
Obviously, being the most polished and prepared is the goal, but sometimes things are out of your hands. I credit my education for giving me the ability to keep the ship afloat when waves are crashing everywhere.”
