NYC Gazette

Gabriela Torres, a Juilliard alum from Group 50, reflects on her journey after graduating from Juilliard amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Torres expressed the impact of missing out on the traditional fourth-year experience due to the pandemic, stating, "Because of COVID, my class and I didn’t get the 'traditional' fourth-year experience I had witnessed during my first three years at Juilliard. While that was heartbreaking, I learned the skills that equipped me to face a brand-new industry."

The transition from the structured environment of Juilliard to the uncertainties of the industry prompted Torres to delve into personal challenges alongside the professional ones. She admitted, "I was so focused on preparing for the professional challenges actors face after graduation—the rejection, the part-time jobs, the auditions, the sacrifices—that I didn’t think much about the personal ones."

Reflecting on her growth over the past three years, Torres highlighted the learning curve she navigated post-graduation. She contemplated her identity as not just a great student but also as an artist, acknowledging the ongoing journey of self-discovery. Torres shared, "I knew I was a great student, but was I an artist? That was my biggest question, and I still don’t have the answer, but I’m no longer afraid of not knowing."

Since graduating, Torres has delved into various creative avenues, including theater, TV, and film, as well as engaging in workshops, podcasts, and readings. She emphasized the significance of learning from both successes and rejections, noting, "And yet it’s the projects I don’t get that teach me the most about where I am and where I need to go. There’s still so much to learn, so many questions, and so few answers. And that’s very exciting."

Torres encourages other Juilliard alums to share their "Life After Juilliard" stories, fostering a sense of community and shared experiences post-graduation.