Get to Know Destiny Denny an Ensemble Member in “In the Heights”

Destiny Denny’s first production with SDMT was when she played Cameron in our pre-professional show “Bring it On! The Musical” and we’re so happy to have her back in our production of “In the Heights” to showcase not only her voice and fierce dance moves, but the wonderful backstory she’s able to infuse into her character. Her stage presence adds lightness and vibrance to the show, and we’re so excited to see what she does next on stage in San Diego or beyond!

What inspired you to get into musical theater?

I was introduced to musical theatre in elementary school and I absolutely fell in love with it! As I got older, I realized I was leaning more towards dance and I decided to pursue that for awhile. Then I saw my friend doing In the Heights at the Rep and UCSD and it reignited my passion to do musical theatre again, so in my junior year of high school at SDSCPA I decided to change my major and pursue musical theatre and I’ve been with it ever since!

How many shows have you done with SDMT?

This is my second show with SDMT. The first one was their first ever pre-professional production where I was playing the role of Cameron in Bring it On! the Musical. In the Heights is my first professional production with SDMT.

What are your favorite shows that you’ve performed in?

My favorite shows that I’ve done will have to be Legally Blonde (Margot), Anything Goes (Ensemble), The Wolves (#7), Bring it On! (Cameron) and of course In the Heights.

What is your role and give us the significance of it?

I am part of the dance ensemble and we help create the atmosphere of the barrio. We tell the story of togetherness, unity, and community through movement and interactions with one another.

How did you feel knowing you’d get to be in “In the Heights”

I was truly over the moon to be doing In the Heights. It is my favorite musical and it holds a special place in my heart for always reminding me of my love of theatre, for showcasing people of color, and for breaking the boundaries of typical musical theatre. I feel as though In the Heights was a driving force for bringing me back to musical theatre, so I couldn’t wait to give my all to a show that I feel has given me so much.

Have you developed a backstory to your character? What have enjoyed the most about being in the show?

My character, Patricia, is a young woman who has lived in the barrio all her life and relied on this sense of community in order to get by when her actual family weren’t able to support her. She has a few familial connections as well as some family friends, neighbors, old friends/tutors, and various other connections to the people in her community. I throughly enjoyed getting to know my fellow cast mates and bonding with them because it made the show that much easier to do. This cast is really a little community and we’ve been supporting each other and lifting each other up since day one. Because of this, the sense of community translates on and off the stage and I couldn’t be more grateful to work with such amazing and talented people.

Favorite song in the show?

My favorite song in the show is definitely Carnaval del Barrio. I love the celebration and the dancing, while representing the various cultures in the barrio. It always makes me smile to see the audience members light up when they see their flag on display.

Dream role?

My dream role always changes and I have so so so many but right now I would say my dream role is Ti Moune in Once on this Island.

When she’s not on stage, she’s sharpening her craft at SDSU’s Theatre, Television, and Film program. We can’t wait to see what she does next!

SDMT Presents “In the Heights” | Now – June 5th, 2022
Director: Carlos Mendoza
Choreographer: Laurie Muniz
Music Director: Richard Dueñez Morrison
Click HERE to purchase tickets!