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n e v e r s a y y o u d i d n' t e x p e r i e n c e o n e' s u n i q u e t a l e n t
-For those that don't know, who is La Quette Milner?LaQuette Milner is a native from Rialto, CA, who has accomplished a number of things with the help from the Great Man Above. Not only is she the director, creator, producer, playwright, and head chreographer of her hit stage play, "Da' Hip-Hop Wizzard of Oz," but she's also a wonderful proud mother of her beautiful twin daughters, Jayda and Jayla. She has intensively studied tap, play writing, ballet, jazz, acting, and hip-hop for the last 20 years. Upon graduating from Rialto High School, she relocated to New York City, where she graduated from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Milner landed a national tour with the Nickelodeon Rugrats for a year. After the tour, she decided to move to Bakersfield, where she became the co-owner/head instrucor at Studio 106. She's performed and appeared in several plays, events, and also a movie. Upon graduating from Cal State Bakersfield with a B.A. in Theatre Arts, thoughts of opening up a performing arts center came to mind. And low and behold, LQ's Performing Arts Center opened its doors to the public in April 2004. Through LQ's, Milner is able to provide a safe learning enviroment for all who wish to discover, inspire, show, and define their hidden talents. -Where are you from and where do you now reside?I was born in Fontana, CA, grew up in Rialto, CA, went to school in New York, NY, spent the last 10 years in Bakersfield, CA, and now reside, partially, in Los Angeles, CA. -Who are some of your greatest influences? (actors, dancers, etc.)Michael Jackson is definitely one of my greatest influences. His creativity, sense of music, performance, and uniqueness is something that I look forward to implenting in my own entertainment career. Tyler Perry is another individual who I've looked up to-he's been an inspiration-he carries a lot of hats and I respect him for that. The list can go on and on, because pretty much, anyone who is out there striving for greatness and pushing out their dreams-they're an inspiration to all. Whenever I see someone else out there doing it, making it happen; like you, Mr. J Taylor, it influences me to get going and keep pushing. -What inspired you to create a hip hop version of "The Wizard Of Oz"?Back in 2003, the idea of Da' Hip-Hop Wizzard of Oz came to me in a daydream, as I was driving out of town. I was like, "Wow! Wouldn't it be cool to have a Hip-Hop version of The Wizard of Oz. From there, it was just a mere thought. It wasn't until I survived a fatal car accident (where I was hanging off a cliff) and made it trough a medical scare with a bad case of pneumonia (in which, the doctors gave me a limited amount of days to live)- that I decided to make every moment in my life count and turn the idea of a play into reality. I took the next summer to sit down in my pjs, for 2 weeks, and write the first version of play. The 2nd version of the play, features all original music, written by myself, and was done so after I was struck by another health issue. I was diagnose with cellulitus, where my face had ballooned up to 3sx its size and I wasn't able to do anything but stay indoors. I had purchased a notebook and 2 weeks later completed the soundtrack for the show. So basically, the fear of losing my life without being able to accomplish or complete the things that were destined for me to complete, inspired me to write "Da' Hp-Hop Wizzard of Oz." -How long has this play been running?The 1st showing of "Da' Hip-Hop Wizzard of Oz" was in February 2008, in Bakersfield, CA. We did it again, in Bakersfield, in May 2008. There was a small break, but then from November 2010 thru May 2011-we've hit up the following California cities: North Hollywood, Fontana, San Bernardino, and Beverly Hills. -How similar is this play to the 1939 MGM film "The Wizard Of Oz"?Since "Da' Hip-Hop Wizzard of Oz" is loosely based on "The Wizard of Oz" there are some similarities in the characters and the basic storyline. So, you have the same main characters-like, Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tinman, Lion, Toto, the Good Witch: Glenda, the Wicked Witch of the Westside: Evilbean, Da' Wizz, and the Munchkins. However, this Dorothy is not from Kansas, but Bakersfield, and she is taken to a Hip-Hop infused Land of Oz. And, basically, everything else is different. -What characteristics do you look for when choosing your cast?Choosing my cast has turned out to be difficult at some times, only because when you have a project-you want to make sure that you choose individuals who not only have the look you desire, but the talent and commitment that you need. In past auditions, I've look for those performers who have energy, the look to fit the different characters, and those who hold the desired skill level. Everyone in the cast is playing various roles throughout the show-so versitality is something that is needed from the cast, as well. When choosing my cast in the future, I'll be making the same assessments. -Do you play any of the characters? If so, tell us a little bit about the character you play.Yes, I do play a character in the play; I play Dorothy. Dorothy, is quite similar to my walk in life. She's your average teenager, who has these dreams and desires of making it BIG in the entertainment industry-but for some reason, she experiences great opposition from everyone around her. Like, for example, her Aunt May doesn't think that Dorothy should be wasting her time thinking about a career in the entertainment industry because Dorothy's parents, who were performers, both died when their tour buses flipped over. And since they live in Bakersfield, Aunt May thinks that Dorothy has a better shot of making it in life with education. There are many other characters in the play that doubt Dorothy's talent, but through it all, Dorothy pushes forward and strives to have her dreams come to past. -Describe one of the greatest challenges you've had working in theatre?One of the greatest challenges I've experience in working in theatre has had to be the flakiness of some individuals. Creating a masterpiece in theatre really depends on everyone, who has been assigned a position, to do their responsibility to the fullest. Man, if I had to count the many people who were suppose to do this or do that, but didn't end up doing it- I would need to borrow your fingers as well. But, this is where my God came in; for every individual who flaked out, my God sent someone in to take their place. Like, my mom, for instance-there was a person who was suppose to be the set designer and then, all of a sudden, I wasn't able to get in contact with them. What was I going to do? I had no way out-but God had put it on my mom's heart to help out and she did. She was up in her garage, painting, cutting, and designing-and I was like, "Man, she did that!" I had to learn that sometimes you can't always think that others will do for your dream when they're trying to live out theirs. So with that understanding, you always have to have a backup plan-in my case, my backup was and still is my God and through my God is my family, as well. -What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment thus far?My biggest accomplishment so far has had to be the creation of this play and not allowing anything to detour me from doing otherwise. -What further plans do you have for the play?Well, first and foremost, I'm seeking some investors or sponsors to help me take this play to the next level. I plan on touring it all throughout 2012, in the following cities: Los Angeles, Bakersfield, Riverside, Atlanta, North Hollywood, Las Vegas, Chicago, Houston, New York, and Detroit. My plan is audition in those cities, as well, so that I could include local talent. Then, the following year, I plan to take this show on an international tour and focus some time on coverting the play into a film. This play is going to do big things in the future. -What's next for La Quette Milner?The sky and everything in it. And, hopefully, a great marriage, successful shows, and continued peace. I, honestly, take each day at a time and try to live it out to the fullest. So, when you see me on the stage, in your city, just know that I'm giving you the best that I've got. And, in return, I'll receive the best that life has in store for me. So, trust me, you'll be seeing alot more of me in the future! -Who is the one person that you would like to work with the most?The one person that I would like to work with the most is Missy Elliott. I loved her the moment she came out on the scene-her style and creativity in her music, does wonders for my soul. One day, that will definitely happen. -What advise would you give new artist in your industry?The best advise I could give a new artist in my industry, is to not give up! Keep going; no matter people around you are saying, no matter if you feel disappointed some times, no matter if things aren't turning out the way you would like them to-just keep going. Keep your dreams of making it in this industry alive; if you don't do it, nobody else will. -What does "Nsyde Out" stand for?"Nsyde Out" stands for allowing others to get inspiration by gaining a greater understanding of how others have made it through. And, now that someone, who is reading this, knows my "Nsyde Out", hopefully I could be the inspiration they need to live out their dreams."NEVER SAY YOU DIDN'T EXPERIENCE ONE'S UNIQUE TALENT"
Wizard of Oz
by:
Da Hip Hop
LaQuette Milner
LaQuette Milner
Da Wizz
LaQuette Milner
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