Amidst the props backstage of the Performing Arts Center sits a faded red-brown couch known by choir members as “Sienna’s Couch.” The worn chair is where Sienna Rodriguez (‘26) — makeup smudged, shoes kicked off, voice hoarse — collapses after another marathon session of rehearsals. 

She says, only half-jokingly, that she “practically lives” in the PAC. 

By singing in all three show choirs (Masquerade, Spellbound, and Tiffany’s), acting in Musical Theatre, and setting lighting cues with Theater Tech, Rodriguez seemingly does reside on the BOHS stage. 

A typical weekday for Rodriguez involves: lectures on inflation in her first period economics class; a couple of scenes of Hamlet in second period English; rehearsals in director Kim Ofcacek’s Musical Theatre class; a trio of choir programs during fourth and fifth periods (she’s the only student in all three choirs); making pizza in sixth period Culinary Arts; and lighting tests for the Winter Magic choir show with Theater Tech. 

Rodriguez’s schedule is overwhelming, a daily blur of activity and responsibilities, but the senior would not have it any other way. 

“Performing has always been an outlet for me,” Rodriguez said. “I’m not very expressive with my emotions, but through performing, I can let go, relax, let my emotions out. Life would be beige if I didn’t perform.”

Her passion for performance is most evident in her participation in BOHS’s choir program. In Masquerade, the co-ed, and most advanced, choir, Rodriguez is often tasked with singing and dancing up to six songs, back-to-back. In Spellbound, the all-girls advanced choir, she leads “sectionals” two times a week, helping to fine-tune the vocal technique of those in the soprano 2 section. And as a four-year veteran and current president of Tiffany’s, the all-girls intermediate choir, Rodriguez is a role-model to the younger members. 

Rodriguez’s work in choir isn’t just confined to her fourth and fifth periods, however; some days, she spends up to eight hours rehearsing after school. But she smiles through her tiredness, elated to be in the environment that she loves.

But it’s not just joy she feels, it’s pride.

Before she even sings a note, Rodriguez has already fought a battle her audiences never see. Dyslexia, which affects nearly 20 percent of the population and 80 to 90% of all those diagnosed with neurodivergence, flips around every line in a script in her head. 

During an Inside Out-themed choir performance in February, for instance, Rodriguez had difficulty memorizing her lines as the main character, Joy. Her dyslexia (which is linked to increased creativity and big picture thinking) made it harder to process letter-sound correlations in the script. But the audience never noticed Rodriguez’s challenge as she masterfully sang her lines.

It also takes Rodriguez longer than her peers to internalize complex choreography, motivating her to put in the extra work to master intricate dances. “I have to work really hard to make sure I get all the moves right, practicing over and over again,” she said.

Instead of giving up on theater and choir, two pursuits that involve choreographed routines, dialogue, and song lyrics, Rodriguez turned the challenge into motivation. “It’s a mindset for me,” Rodriguez said. “If I tell myself, ‘I can do this,’ and push through long enough, it becomes easy.”

This determination has become a personal mantra. “Anyone can sing, but not everyone can move people,” Rodriguez repeats to herself when she feels the stress overtake her.

Choir director Molly Gooch, whom Rodriguez has performed for since seventh grade, sees her student’s commitment every day.

“Sienna is always singing, dancing, and performing full out during rehearsal,” Gooch said. “She puts 100 percent of herself into her performing.”

Performing has shaped Rodriguez beyond the stage, too. It’s through singing that she has found her voice – both literally and figuratively.

“In the beginning, I really had to push myself out of my comfort zone, challenging myself to audition for things,” Rodriguez said. “I think if my younger self could see me now, I think she’d cry with joy. I’ve literally done everything I wanted to do.”

Sienna’s mother, Meagan Rodriguez, has played an influential role in Sienna’s love of performing. The constant music and dance that was introduced to Sienna at a young age shaped her into the young woman she is now – brave, bold, and vocally gifted. 

“Performing has helped shape Sienna into a confident and strong performer,” Meagan Rodriguez said. “It’s given her a sense of purpose and joy that I know she’ll carry with her for the rest of her life.” 

Looking back on her journey, from learning her first routines as an eight-year old at Momentum Dance Academy, to under the spotlight of the PAC, Rodriguez feels proud of what she’s accomplished.

“I used to not be very confident in myself, not answering or asking questions, but choir has given me a voice to express myself,” Rodriguez said. “Now I will express my opinions if there’s a problem. I’m not going to stay quiet on it.”

Even with the exhaustion that comes with rehearsals, quick changes, memorization, and long days, Rodriguez has no regrets.

“I feel accomplished and proud of myself, and hopefully in ten years, I’ll look back at myself and feel proud again, like I’ve done everything I could,” Rodriguez said. “I feel even more determined to make my future even better.”

After graduation in May, Rodriguez hopes to attend either California State University, Fullerton, California State University, Northridge, or a performing arts academy. She plans to join the Disney College Program while earning her degree in the arts.

“Up until recently, [performing] was just fun, a hobby, but now, I see it as my future,” Rodriguez said. “I’m a very determined person. If I have a dream, I’m going to go for it.”