Another Southland Ballet Academy and Festival Ballet Theatre alumna is making her mark on Broadway! Sareen Tchekmediyan is part of the cast of Anastasia.

FBT: Hi Sareen, congratulations on your role in Anastasia! Tell us more.

Sareen: “I am a swing with Anastasia, which mean I cover all 7 women in the ensemble – this involves singing, dancing, acting, and ballet! I’ve always had a love for musical theatre and came to a point in my career, where I wanted to branch out from ballet. I went to New York and did every Broadway/theatre audition I could find. I went in 7 times for Anastasia auditions/callbacks before getting offered the job.

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from left, Bryn Gilbert, Evan Strand (in mask), Sareen Tchekmedyian and Megan Yamashita, front. Source: OC Register

From the Orange County Register (2007): From left, Bryn Gilbert, Evan Strand (in mask), Sareen Tchekmedyian and Megan Yamashita, front.

FBT: When did you first take classes at Southland Ballet Academy?

Sareen: “I had my first ballet class at Southland Ballet on my third birthday and studied there until I was 16. That’s thirteen years! Wow!”

FBT: How did your time at Southland and Festival prepare you for what you are doing now?

Sareen: “My time at Southland and FBT above all else prepared me to be on stage and comfortable performing for an audience and to be a team player while doing so. It not only gave me a foundation for strong classical technique, but the ability to adapt to different styles of dance and to tell a story through movement. Salwa always knew that I loved to act and sing as well, and encouraged me to be true to myself and to expand as an artist, which helped me take the leap into theatre.

FBT: Finally, what does SBA/FBT mean to you?

Sareen: “SBA/FBT was where I developed my love for performing. It was my second home growing up and where I made so many childhood memories. It not only helped me develop as a dancer, but as a person. It taught me work ethic and discipline all while enjoying it! It means hard work, community and a passion for what you do. Salwa and all of the teachers invest so much time and love into their work and set that example for students no matter what profession they end up in.”

Thanks, Sareen! Good news for Orange County locals, Sareen is actually scheduled to perform at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, November 12-17 as Anastasia the Musical hits Costa Mesa.

Sareen Tchekmediyan in Festival Ballet Theatre Gala of the Stars

Sareen in a past Festival Ballet Theatre Gala of the Stars performance.