Kendra Rinaldi

Student

“My dad was in theater at SMC and he was always talking about it. So when I came here from Colombia, my choice was pretty obvious.”

Acting is a fire in the blood for those with the gift. And in the Rinaldi family, Kendra and her father—who lives in Cali, Colombia—have a rather unique way of fanning those creative flames. “I actually get tips on acting from my dad by calling long distance. It’s kind of expensive advice,” says Kendra with a laugh. “But even though he’s a teacher now, I know that in his heart he’s an actor. And I always respect his opinions about how I should go forward with my career.”

But when Kendra isn’t subsidizing the phone company with calls to South America, she’s busily putting together a practical game plan for life. “I want that four-year degree in Theater Arts, and I’m working hard on my GE’s right now,” says Kendra. “My biggest struggle is going to be finding the type of job that will let me go out on auditions. It’s a hard life being an actor, and I really feel that I’ll need almost another career to back me up. You have to be practical if you want to make it in the arts.” But being practical doesn’t mean Kendra plans on allowing the Rinaldi flare for the dramatic to flicker out.

“I’d like to do some movies, but it’s the stage and live performance for an audience that I love. That is the ultimate for an actor,” Kendra says. “And SMC has such great theater teachers, like Beth Hogan, who inspire you to really reach. So I’m auditioning for plays and musicals here,” she continues. “But if I don’t get a part, it’s really okay because I’ve certainly got enough other classwork to keep me busy.”

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