Meet Cassandra Caruso | Performer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cassandra Caruso and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cassandra, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I pursued a creative career because nothing in my life can fulfill me the way performance can. Having an artistic outlet is so important because being creative and artistic is the most truly human thing imaginable. Giving people a chance to escape to a world so different (or not so different) from our own makes all the hard work and sacrifice worth it in the end. I know at times darkest in my life I have always turned to entertainment, be it art, music, books, film or theatre it has always given me a light in that darkness- knowing no matter how bad things get there’s always an opportunity to escape to a world that’s been created just for me. Musical theatre has been my passion since the first time I ever stepped on a stage because it’s the only thing that’s ever truly brought me to another world. My only hope is to bring that joy and imagination to anyone who truly needs it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a vocal performer. I have been classically trained for opera since the age of 15 and I learned how to sing pop, rock, and musical theatre on my own. It’s been a long road for me to get here and I am always still learning and improving. I started piano lessons at the ripe age of 5, then joined the band and the choir in elementary school. Once i got to high school was when I joined the theatre and all of my time after school was taken up by theatre, drumline and choir. After I graduated high school, I went to the University of Kansas to pursue biochemistry-in order to be a plastic surgeon, since my parents didn’t think being in the arts would end up a lucrative career. I ended up realizing that I did not in fact want to be in the medical field, but that my passions have been and always will be in the arts, and that money will come to those who never give up. I returned to school on a Jazz choir scholarship, and pursued a degree in vocal performance. Sadly, COVID-19 happened in the middle of my college career, forcing me to leave school. During the pandemic my best friend and I decided that the best course of action would be to move to Los Angeles to be able to freely embrace all of our artistic pursuits. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned along the course of my journey has been that money comes and money goes but the things that bring you happiness are things that money will never be able to give or take away. What I want the world to know about me is that I will not stop, no matter how many times I don’t book a role, or have to work a job just to keep the rent paid – as long as I am able to do what I love, every day will be a blessing and there is nothing in the world that can stop me.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Some breakfast spots we would have to hit would be Hugo’s in Sherman Oaks, Another Broken Egg in Burbank, EAT in NoHo, and Hungry Fox In NoHo. Definitely I would have to show them some of my favorite stores, such as the Iliad bookstore, Horror Vibes Coffee, SuperVinyl Record Shop, Halloweentown, Catnip, Bearded Lady Vintage, The Last Bookstore, Amoeba Record Shop, Atomic Record Shop, and the Ripped Bodice bookstore. For dinners we would have to go to Spumoni’s in Studio City, Anojak Thai in Studio City, République Café Bakery in Hollywood, Easy Street Burgers in Studio City, any Korean BBQ spot in K-town, Sweetfin in Burbank and Bill’s Hamburger in Van Nuys. For entertainment I would probably take them to a cheap seat of whatever is showing at the Hollywood Bowl, skip the boulevard stars (pretty boring) and go to Malibu, Santa Monica or Venice Beach and also take a long hike at Eaton Canyon up to the waterfall. We would have to go to the Academy museum, the Getty, and also LACMA. Late night I would probably swing by Breakroom 86 in K-town, Davey Wayne’s and Black Rabbit Lounge in Hollywood, and Mrs. Robinson’s for some Karaoke in Toluca Lake.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would love to shout out Joclynn Cortez founder of Vocal Love! She was the first voice instructor I’ve had that truly made me feel like myself and taught me how to truly let go and let the music take ahold of me. I would also like to thank my best friend of 10 years, Haley Wolff. She is the hardest working person i’ve ever had the pleasure to know and would never compromise her dreams for anyone. She got me into theatre and encouraged me to move to Los Angeles with her, without her I wouldn’t be where I am today. Conundrum Theatre Co definitely deserves some recognition for giving me the chance to shine in LA and taking me in, being so welcoming when I didn’t have a community to turn to.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecassandracaruso/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEkwE6EaLJUck9WHNGFGq_g

Other: tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theatrekidcass

Image Credits
Erika Cruz Iah Bearden-Vrai