Mary: Hello! Welcome Ioanna! Thank you for spilling the tea with me today. You were actually our first AWT member to be nominated by another AWT member!  You were nominated by the lovely Haley Albin. Want to hear what she said?

Ioanna: Yeah! I didn’t know I could be nominated for this. This is new.

M: Yes, it’s new! I’ll take this opportunity to share that if you’d like to nominate someone to be featured in AWTea with Mary you can do so HERE. 

Here is what Haley said about you. “Ioanna knows how to lead a crowd in a creative and fun manner, how to support her fellow cast members, make newbies feel welcomed, AND she has a great sense of humor! Although I first met her through AWT mutuals, seeing Ioanna perform her heart out in Dance Out: Throwbacks was one of the major sparks why I signed up for my first show with Afterwork Theater. She’s truly one of a kind in our community.”

I: Ugh! Hayley is the best! I can’t with her! She has such a great energy. She’s so sweet! 

M: And she thinks the same about you! Ok, so let’s find out more about you! Please introduce yourself! Name, pronouns, anything that represents you.

I: Hello everyone reading this blog! My name is Ioanna. The best way to say my name is like “Joanna” with an “I” sounds like an E— so, “E-oanna.” I’m half Greek, half Peruvian. My pronouns are she/her, and I’m 33. 

M: Just newly 33! Happy birthday!

I: Yes! Thank you, thank you. Newly 33.

M: So, is “Ioanna” Greek or Peruvian?

I: It’s actually both. In our family, the firstborn is named after the father’s side. They wanted me to be a boy originally, but when I was born a girl, my mom wanted to honor her mom, Juana. So they converted Juana into Greek, and Ioanna was the closest name. So it’s kind of a mix of both. The best of both worlds! 

M: Love that!  Can you tell us a little more about your family background?

I: Yeah! So I’m one of two, the youngest, with an older sister. We were both born and raised in Astoria, Queens. AWT and Astoria have a lovely relationship! 

M: Yes, I’m always a little jealous I’m not a part of the Astoria crew! 

I: Yes, born and raised here!  I love all the restaurants and cafes! I always recommend Sweet Afton, The Bonnie. Astoria Park is beautiful—great skyline view, running track. It’s a lovely neighborhood.

M: Tell me a little more about growing up here!

I: I grew up in dance! I’ve been dancing since I was three and singing since I was four. I always loved moving and letting music move through me. I also did Greek dancing — ballet, tap, jazz — but culturally, my house leaned very Greek.

My dad’s whole family is in Greece, so we had to learn the language, the food, the culture to communicate with them. My mom’s side is Peruvian, but more spread out across Peru and the U.S. We learned Spanish too, but it was definitely more Greek day-to-day growing up.

M: Are you trilingual?

I: Almost! Technically, yes. But I wish I was more fluent in Spanish. I kick myself for not knowing it better. I know a little, but not enough to teach it.

M: Did you travel to Greece a lot growing up?

I: Yeah, every year. My dad’s from the city inland, not one of the island boys. People always say, “Go to Santorini or Mykonos,” but there’s beauty in the inland too—and quieter islands that are not as crowded. If you need an itinerary, hit me up!

M: It is definitely on my list! So, did you go to college in the city also?

I: Yup, Queens College—both undergrad and grad. I studied teaching and media studies with a counseling minor, then got my master’s in teaching English as a second language.

M: Very cool! So tell us about your career now, you’re DURING WORK.

I: I’m a middle school teacher. I never thought that would be my life. 

M: What did you want to do? 

I: I always imagined having a big elementary classroom with an outdoor playground like on Barney! But after subbing for four years and teaching abroad, I couldn’t get a job in elementary. I ended up in middle school—especially after COVID. Needed benefits, you know? I had to survive and it’s been a whirlwind!

M: How long have you been teaching?

I: I count it as eight years—four as a sub and four as a full-time teacher.

M: And you teach ESL?

I: Yes, English as a second language and also English Language Arts, like reading novels, poetry, all that. 

M: Bless you! Bless all the teachers! Are you teaching in Queens?

I: I am! It just happened like that! Queens is so diverse. You have to go to Jackson Heights—74th Street is amazing. Great food, great culture.

M: You mentioned teaching abroad. Where did you go, what was that like?

I: Vietnam first, for six weeks. Loved it. The people are amazing, but conditions are rough, and it really made me appreciate home. Then I did six months in Spain. Learned more Spanish, but comprehension is still hard—they speak so fast! 

M: You already speak a second language, there is only so much room in ones brain! Right?! 

I: Right? I also have to learn all these dance steps! 

M: Oh my gosh! Yes, right? So let’s talk about AWT. How did you come to find AWT?

I: I found AWT in 2019 after coming back from living/teaching abroad. I first read about High School Musical but I didn’t sign up because I didn’t think I was good enough for it. Which is crazy thinking about it now. 

At one point, my mom had put away some money for me during the pandemic, but I didn’t know about it. Then, unfortunately she passed away in 2021 and I found her card and it said “For when the theaters open back up”. I found the card when Shrek was announced on the AWT website which obviously was a sign. I used that money to do Shrek in Spring 2022.

M: That is amazing. And so sweet, what a special gift.

I: It was really great, I was ensemble in that show—Goldilocks, a dancing skeleton, a deer, a bishop. I had a lot of roles!

Then Fall 2022 was Dance Out Throwbacks. Olivia Lincoln told me, “You HAVE to do Dance Out.” Then Winter 2023 was 9 to 5 (Ensemble/Bob), where we met! Spring 2023, I did Wonderland Dance Out. Fall 2023 was Something Rotten (Gypsy/Witch/Chef). Spring 2024 was Cinderella, my first lead! I was the Stepmother Madame. Fall 2024 was The Prom (ensemble), and I just finished up Dance Out: Good Vibes. 

M: And you are taking on a new role next season, right?

I: Yes! I’m going to be Choreographer/Associate Director for SpongeBob The Musical this fall! I’m so excited, the sign up deadline has passed, but you can all still get on the waitlist! It’s going to be so much fun! 

M: Amazing! You’ve barely taken a break!

I: I take summers off to travel. But yeah, once you start, it’s hard to stop. Everyone’s like, “Are you doing a show?” and the FOMO kicks in.

M: Do you have a standout moment from a show that you can think of you’d like to share?

I: So many! But being Dance Captain for Wonderland was big for me. It was about trust—leading others, supporting each other. That cast felt like a family. Having my first solo in Dance Out really healed my inner child. And Cinderella, my first lead, was special. People helped me with costume changes, lines—we really supported each other.

I also have a funny story about Cinderella. During dress rehearsal for Cinderella, there’s a number—”The Prince is Giving a Ball”—and right before the next scene, I asked the A2 to tighten my dress. He pulled the wrong string and made it too loose. So I went onstage and my dress was gonna fall off! Then someone didn’t show up for their entrance, so we had to improvise. Kailey said it was two minutes, but it felt like forever. I turned to the actress playing Cinderella and whispered, “Fix my dress now!” Then when I exited, my dress got caught in the door. I ad-libbed, “Look what they’re doing!” and everyone laughed. It was a great moment. 

M: I think that’s great that some of your most memorable moments are when you just really felt seen and supported.

I: Yeah, I think that’s what’s great about AWT, you know if you grow up being a dancer you’re constantly told “You’re not good enough”, “You don’t look good enough” and here it’s just the complete opposite. You CAN do it. EVERYONE can do it. Let’s help each other get it. It’s really beautiful. 

M: It is, can you tell us more about your dance/music background before AWT.

I: I started dancing at 3, singing at 4. I did recitals, competitions, choir, but my school didn’t have theater. I went to a Greek private school, so theater was only for holidays. So most of my performance background was outside of school.

I danced until early college, then stopped for a bit. Greek dance was the one thing that stayed consistent because of cultural societies. We still do it now! We wear traditional outfits, it’s fun. I’ll let you know if we ever have a show.

M: Please do! That sounds so fun. So outside of theater, what else was your life like? Any interesting jobs growing up?

I:  Yes, I worked at the New York Hall of Science as an “explainer” — the people in red aprons who explain exhibits. I wasn’t good at science, but I loved it! Especially the bubble section!

M: What did you want to be growing up?

I: When I was six, I wanted to be an astronaut. But then a space accident happened and I was like, “Absolutely not.” Later, I wanted to be a teacher.

M: Do you feel like you’re where you want to be now?

I: I love teaching and my students, but not the politics of education. There’s not enough support for teachers or students. I want to grow, but also feel seen and valued. The future’s uncertain—I take it one day at a time.

M:  What other hobbies or interests do you have outside of AWT and working?

I: I love trying new foods. I’ll go to a new restaurant and try anything. I also love to travel. I try to go to different places, even if it’s within a country I’ve been to before. This year, I’m going to California in the summer—for the first time! I’m excited.

M: Any hot travel tips? 

I: Going back to Vietnam! I highly recommend it. It’s a hidden gem. Its cheap to travel there and there is also so much natural beauty there. Highly highly suggest it! 

I also recently became a godmother and I love spending time with my goddaughter. My friends are like my family. I love hanging with their kids too. I love concerts and brunch. I’m going to see Shakira—I’m so excited! I also love photography, especially nature shots when I travel. 

Randomly, I also love word searches. And I love hosting game nights—board games, Cards Against Humanity, Uno. 

M: Love! I feel like there is a lot of crossover between theater nerds and board game lovers! Or now it’s time for the rapid fire round. Try to answer these quickly and don’t think too much! 

M: What’s something you’ve done recently for the first time?

I: Went to a pilates class!

M: What makes you happiest right now?

I: Singing karaoke in my car.

M: If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

I: I want all the powers! But if I had to choose… teleportation. I want to go places without paying—and no parking tickets!

M: Favorite stage show or dream role?

I: Dream role—Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray. I just want to dance!

M: Favorite food?

I: Everything. Except chickpeas—I’m allergic.

M: Favorite karaoke song?

I: At a karaoke bar—“Don’t Stop Me Now.”

M: Favorite dinosaur?

I: I don’t know… I guess a T-Rex?

M: Favorite way to spend a Sunday with no rehearsal?

I: Making breakfast with my sister, walking around, hanging with friends or family. I love being in the sun—spring, summer, a little fall. Then relax, watch TV, YouTube, whatever’s on. Then lesson plan at the last minute—oops!

M: Zodiac sign and the most sign thing about you?

I: Taurus! I can be stubborn, but I’m loyal and dependable. If you mess with us once, we’re done—but we’ll drop everything for our people.

M: What advice would you give to a newbie at AWT?

I: Be yourself and have fun. Don’t be afraid—everyone’s here for the same reason: to learn, grow, and enjoy. The best way to be in the community is to actually be in the community. We’re vibing!

M: Amazing! Thank you! Any last thoughts?

I: I hope this helps people get to know me! I know it’s hard to translate humor into text, but I swear I’m funny in person.

M: You are! Thank you!