Amazing Asians in the Arts: Kay Sibal

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Kay Sibal is a singer and actress based in NYC. She got her start on her parents’ karaoke machine at home, inspiring her later to audition for her first musical in the third grade (and later attend UCLA!) Now, her credits include Season 26 ofThe Voice, Invincible The Musical (with Pat Benetar and Neil Giraldo),The Tempest: An Immersive Experience,Spring Awakening,Grumpy Monkey. She can also be seen singing with her girl group (grlhood) or vocal ensemble (Tonality), but you might recognize her starring inSIX on Broadway! Her advice for young artists? “Really listen to the thing that you’re obsessed with, even if no one else is doing it, and even if it’s really niche or random… It doesn’t feel like work or preparation when you’re obsessively curious about it–so follow that instinct.” Read on to learn more about Kay Sibal and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts! 

Name:   Kay Sibal 

Heritage:   Filipino

Hometown:   Piedmont, California

Current City:   New York, NY

Current project:   SIX on Broadway

 

What are some of your favorite credits/projects: 

TV:The Voice Season 26. 

Regional Theater + Concerts:Invincible the Musical (with Pat Benetar and Neil Giraldo),The Tempest: An Immersive Experience, singing with Natalie Weiss,Spring Awakening at East West Players,Grumpy Monkey at Pasadena Playhouse. 

Music: singing covers with grlhood (my filipina girl group) and singing with Tonality (vocal ensemble).

 

Any advice for young people getting into the arts?

On top of taking classes and finding fantastic mentors, really listen to the thing that you’re obsessed with, even if no one else is doing it, and even if it’s really niche or random. Chances are, if you’re obsessed with it at a young age, you will spend hours and hours practicing, improving, refining, and researching without even trying. For example, I’ve always been obsessed with group singing and harmonies, because my parents put me in the choirs at a young age. That obsession led to me learning music theory, learning how to arrange, learning how to music direct; which led me to performing a cappella at a competitive level, arranging small pop covers that got lots of views on social media, being part of many singing networks. That obsession that I had when I was young carried me to what I’m doing today–being part of a Broadway musical that is similar to a girl group concert! It doesn’t feel like work or preparation when you’re obsessively curious about it–so follow that instinct. 

How did you get your start?

Before my parents put me in music lessons at a young age–piano lessons and children’s choir–I sang on our karaoke machine. At family parties, my relatives would always ask me to perform for them. In third grade when I did my first musical,Once on This Island, at the local high school. I had a great start because I had the privilege of having access to wonderful arts educators in my hometown.

Do you have any favorite moments in your career that you'd like to share?

One of my favorite moments of my career was the first professional theater job that I ever booked,Invincible The Musical. I got to work directly with Pat Benetar and Neil Giraldo, I got to see what it was like to be in the room while a brand new musical was being workshopped, I met amazing people who taught and inspired me so much. I got to be onstage for the first time since the pandemic. It was a moment that I had been waiting for for a long time, and I truly felt so happy and proud. Another favorite moment in my career was when I was inGrumpy Monkey the Musical. It was another workshop of a new musical in which I got to work directly with the writers, which was inspiring and exciting. My favorite part of that job, though, was performing for young audiences. Performing for kids is unlike anything else I’ve ever done - it’s challenging, it’s surprising, it’s enlightening. I loved seeing the impact that the show made on young people. That job was healing and fulfilling.

What have you found is the biggest challenge in your career?

As a person, I feel really comfortable following instructions and being told what to do. I love seeing a clear path, and going towards it. The biggest challenge for me in this career is honestly not having any of that–there is no one path towards success in this industry. There is no one person who can tell you what decision to make, or what you should do when you’re feeling stuck. No one in this career knows the “right answer,” even the most successful ones. Of course I had wonderful support from my family and community, but at the end of the day, it kind of always felt like shooting in the dark. As a type A person, I really struggled with that–having to teach myself, and having to try things out before knowing what they look like. If I had chosen a more linear career path, I imagine that isn’t as much of a challenge, but I know that it’s worth it.

Do you have any mentors?

Yes! Mentors are so important in this industry. One of my biggest mentors is my high school acting teacher, Kim. She is the first person who taught me how to act, and the first person who really understood me as a theater artist. She gave me wonderful training in theater, but also gives me wonderful life advice. I lean on her when I have larger auditions, or when I have big reflections on art and the world. I’m very grateful for her!

Did you always want to be in the arts or did you have another path before you got here? When did you know you wanted to have a career in the arts?

Growing up, I was encouraged to choose a more linear career, in the STEM or medical field. However, my family put me in music lessons at a very young age, and I sort of always felt like performing arts was the thing I was good at. I knew that if I were to pursue the arts, it would be a very big leap of faith. My junior year of high school, I played Elle Woods inLegally Blonde. The town that I grew up in was predominantly white, and didn’t have many Asians auditioning for the musical. When I got the lead of the show in which I had to wear a blonde wig, I was happy to have landed that role, but it felt strange to be the girl wearing a blonde wig in a town full of actual blonde people. That discomfort, and the whole experience of playing this lead role, is what really ignited the fire of me wanting to pursue this professionally. I thought, I shouldn’t have to feel uncomfortable playing the lead role–people who look like me should feel welcome in roles like this, shows like this, industries like this. People who look like me should see themselves onstage and onscreen because they deserve to feel that empowerment, that inclusivity. Ever sinceLegally Blonde, I knew I wanted to take that leap of faith to pursue the arts. I knew that fighting for representation was worth the risk.

Is where you are now where you thought you’d be?

In my heart of hearts, yes. Deep down, I always had a feeling that I would be doing theater or performing at a high level, because it’s the thing I’ve been committed to for years. I wasn’t going to let myself dream of doing anything else. Of course, I pursued many delightful “survival” jobs in the meantime–music teacher, box office associate, housekeeper, choral singer, emcee, music director - but it doesn’t mean I wasn’t always picturing myself here. I also had many moments where I had no clue how I was going to get here. But yes, I always imagined that I would end up in New York doing theater at some point. 

Did you have any interesting “odd jobs” you worked at between gigs to pay the bills?

See above :)

Do you have any other “special skills?”

My other special skills come from my music training growing up. I was in a children’s choir for 13 years before pursuing my theater career, where I learned music theory, sight reading, music leadership, and arranging skills. I also was a classical pianist for years, and always part of an a cappella group. I’d say my special skills are being a musician!

Do you have any side projects you’d like to highlight?

One of my favorite side projects is my girl group, grlhood. We’re a music group of 4 Filipinas who do covers on our social media. Ever since moving to New York, the project is figuring out what it wants to be, but what we have done so far is something I’m really proud of. Nothing fills my soul more than singing with other people, much less my closest girl friends who share my Filipino culture with me! Check us out on Instagram and TikTok (@grlhood.music).

If you come from parents who aren’t in the arts, what parts of them do you see in yourself that

have helped you succeed in the business?

This is a great question, especially for the Asian community. The thing I see in myself the most from my parents is my work ethic. My parents both immigrated from the Philippines. My mom is a dentist, my late father was an architect, and both of them were addicted to their work (for better or for worse). I think that moving to this country was also a huge leap of faith, and an act of bravery, which led to an intense “survival mode”-like work ethic. I inherited that, and I definitely think it helped me succeed–I was always thinking ahead, coming up with creative ways to get by, learning new skills and putting myself out there so I could stay afloat. I was always pushing. However, I highlight this with caution because being addicted to working is also very stressful and not always healthy. Working like that to stay afloat is important, but burnout is real! There’s a reason why the young Asian American community is tired and stressed–we put so much pressure on ourselves. I wish I knew earlier on how important it is to learn how to draw boundaries, take breaks, and listen to myself and my needs! 

If you could go back in time, what would you tell your younger self?

I wish I could tell myself to be who I wanted to be, instead of being who I thought I should be. I’ve since learned that performers are so much more successful if they allow themselves to be authentic. People can tell immediately if you’re not being genuine, or if you’re forcing something, or if you’re holding something back. I wish I could have given myself the affirmation that who I wanted to be–the girl wearing sparkly pink and singing pop songs–was who I was meant to be.

What skills did you find to be the most helpful in your career?

I think my artistic training and skills were important, but being a good listener and collaborator is what got me far. Anyone can be skilled at singing, or acting, or reading music, but being a good team member is what’s the most valuable in my opinion. Growing up as a choir kid, I was taught that doing my part generously, in a room full of people who are also doing their part generously, was what made great art. I learned to give up what I wanted to do individually, for the purpose of the overall picture, and I think that’s the type of person who people want to work with over and over.

Where did you study at?

I studied at UCLA’s School of Theater, Film, and Television, in the theater department! 

What’s it been like being in the national spotlight, appearing on The Voice? How does preparation for something like that compare to other performances you’ve done?

 

Being on The Voice was surprisingly similar to being in theater! They really take care of contestants on that show–we have a lot of time and resources to put our performances together. Much like theater, we had experts helping us with our musical arrangement, our vocal technique, our blocking, our appearance. In that regard, I was pretty comfortable. The thing that was foreign to me was talking about myself for the cameras. I was so used to playing other roles that I wasn’t quite sure how to play myself at first. It was a wonderful learning experience for me in that way, and I’m grateful to have received the recognition.

What is your greatest accomplishment?

My greatest accomplishment is living the life that my younger self dreamed of. Younger Kay wanted to be on Broadway so bad. She wanted to live in New York, have a dressing room with her name on it, she wanted to dance, sing, act, feel empowered, and have an awesome community. My life is not stress-free by any means, but it feels like a huge accomplishment to have worked towards something I’ve been dreaming of for years.

What are some goals you hope to achieve?

I hope to originate a leading role in a new Broadway musical one day. I also hope to be a high-level musical leader in some way, whether it be music directing on Broadway, or a choir conductor, or music producer. And, I’d love to voice a character in an animated film.

What do you love most about what you do?

I love the community the most! Theater people are wonderful collaborators, hilarious lively people, amazing friends, inspiring activists, and intelligent inventors. 

How do you deal with performance anxiety?

To make a theater show happen, it takes the work of a village. There are 70 people in the building alone who work on the show that I’m in. Whenever I feel performance anxiety, I remember that everybody in the building is working hard to achieve the same goal as me, and that I’m never alone. I can rely on the amazing experts all around me to have my back. 

Do you have any self care practices you do to stay focused and sane? 

On my day off, I make sure to have no plans. I’ve learned that it’s really good for me to have one day of the week where I have no agenda!

To find out more on Kay Sibal, please visit her at: 

Instagram:  @kaysibal

Instagram/TikTok:  @grlhood.music