🎙️ Sculpt N Create – Episode 10 with CeCe Suazo, RJ Cortana & Ariel Ortega
The Power of Representation: Behind the Scenes of 'Soft'
In this powerful episode of Sculpt N Create, host Trea Da Fit Artist sits down with director CeCe Suazo, actor RJ Cortana, and Ariel Ortega to unpack the emotionally charged stage play Soft, written by award-winning playwright Donja R. Love.
Together, they explore the play’s raw themes—mental health, masculinity, identity, and systemic injustice—and the importance of authentic representation in theater.
CeCe shares her vision as a director and her intentional approach to casting talent that reflects real-life stories. RJ and Ariel open up about stepping into vulnerable roles and how their creativity becomes a vehicle for social impact.
From immersive staging to original music, this conversation dives into how Soft blends performance with purpose—and why stories like these matter more than ever.
🎯 Key Takeaways
✔ Soft explores themes of vulnerability, identity, and healing
✔ Authentic representation is vital for Black and Brown narratives
✔ Music deepens emotional impact in live theater
✔ Casting prioritized lived experience and truth
✔ Immersive theater invites audience connection on a deeper level
✔ Directing means blending vision with authenticity
✔ Vulnerability is power, not weakness
✔ Aspiring actors benefit from exploring diverse creative pathways
✔ Community and support are essential in the arts
✔ Theater can challenge norms and spark social change
🎤 BARS from the Episode
"This needs to be done."
"This is my league."
"Acceptance of vulnerability."
⏳ Episode Chapters
00:00 – Introduction to the Play and Its Creators
02:43 – Exploring the Themes of Soft
05:11 – Character Insights and Preparation
08:01 – The Role of Music in the Play
10:18 – Casting and Authentic Representation
13:14 – Audience Experience and Immersion
15:45 – The Director’s Vision and Collaboration
18:22 – Personal Connections to the Characters
20:52 – Challenges in Acting and Storytelling
23:02 – Final Thoughts and Future Endeavors
31:03 – The Essence of Authenticity in Storytelling
32:38 – The Dynamics of Live Theater
34:50 – The Transition from Theater to Film and TV
39:12 – Advice for Aspiring Actors
42:51 – The Journey into Acting from Music
45:51 – The Importance of Vulnerability and Acceptance
53:04 – The Need for Diverse Narratives in Theater
57:22 – The Role of Representation in Storytelling
🌐 Connect with the Guests
🎭 CeCe Suazo
Instagram: @softtheplay
Instagram: @garifunavixen
🎭 Ariel Ortega
Instagram: @riel.nyc
🎭 RJ Cortana
Instagram: @rj.cortana
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