TYLER, Texas — After earning a big award in Dallas, one Tyler Legacy High School student is heading to Broadway to become another East Texas star in the making. It's not a permanent move just yet, but rather an opportunity to showcase her amazing talents.
Fabiola Caraballo Quijada is an upcoming junior who was named the outstanding lead performer by Broadway Dallas in early June.
"I would have never imagined in a million years that my name would have been called out," Fabiola said. "It was just a moment of, whoa, what's happening right now?"
Fabiola took on the role of Motormouth Maybelle in her school’s 2022 performance of Hairspray. She said the character she played was sweet and very motherly, a personality that a 16-year-old like herself didn't really identify with. She took the role and modeled it after her theater director, Cindi Stokes.
Fabiola will travel to the Big Apple this Sunday to prepare for a big performance at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards – better known as the Jimmy Awards.
The East Texas rising star will learn multiple musical numbers with other talented performers at The Juilliard School. Her mom Maria Quijada said her daughter learned to sing when she was in the womb.
"I would sing to her when she was in my tummy," Maria said. "And I know in her mind and her heart that's why she's so great today."
Maria said her daughter's singing comes from their Venezuelan roots and that’s she’s very proud to see her talents thrive.
"I thank God for blessing me with a daughter like her," Maria said. "She's my friend, she's my light, she's my life because of her I am in this country working hard and thriving."
Fabiola said nothing comes more natural to her than performing on stage. It's something that comes very deep within her heart.
The Jimmy Awards will put Fabiola through multiple challenges, but she said she’s ready to represent Tyler and the rest of East Texas.
"I'm coming in I'm representing a big region," Fabiola said. "I'm not only representing East Texas, but my childhood, my parents, my teachers, my school all that I've come to live with in this country. I'm representing my culture, my Venezuelan culture."
After a week of learning several musical numbers, Fabiola will compete at the award ceremony where judges will determine the top eight finalists and announced a final winner.