Meet Raquel Lebish

We had the good fortune of connecting with Raquel Lebish and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Raquel, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
Simple — is the answer as to why I’m doing what I love the same as when I started? Has it changed for the better or for the worse? Does my answer still align with my current life and who I am as a person?

In my case, I love to act and create art because it is the best way I know how to help people. I don’t see myself making any kind of drastic career change in the future. However, if that answer to “why’ becomes one of “because It’s what I’ve done”, then maybe it’s time to start a new journey. Personally, I think you can’t be a sustainable or effective actor unless your heart is in it. Once the heart is gone, the impact of the art and the meaning goes along with it.

With that in mind, I struggle with this idea of “giving up”. You haven’t given up if you’ve given it your all and it just meant that something else was destined to happen. Sometimes “giving up” means putting yourself and family first. Acting can be such an unpredictable industry. Sacrifices have to be made constantly, and if a performer decides that they need to focus on their mental health or financials or relationships before this career, that isn’t failure — its finding success in choosing the quality of life you want to live.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
So I’ve been doing local theater since I was young — I wanna say 7 or 8? Started with the typical school play, then began doing some theater camps and performed there (shoutout to Artistic Vibes!). I went to a drama magnet middle school, and then eventually New World School of the Arts in the Acting track. It’s kinda followed me everywhere. My parents were both Theater majors in college, but I really wouldn’t say that they were too influential on me choosing theater. It just sorta happened. I mean, my dad tried to put me in sports, but that failed haha. What’s crazy is that I never intended to do professional work until after college. I had this whole plan in my head — continue training at a conservatory, move to New York, then do plays. Then in 2022/23, I booked ‘Becoming Vera’, my first film. I was a senior in college, and a friend sent me the open casting call — looking for a lanky Hispanic girl, and I thought hey that’s me! I sent in a tape I filmed in one of my school’s dance studios a day before they were due, forgot about it, then heard back, did my callback in the car, and….booked it! It was really such a whirlwind of a process. Even after booking it I faced a lot of pushback from the school, unsure if I was gonna be able to, but the Vera team was so kind and passionate about having me on board, so we made it happen.
Becoming Vera follows Vera, a recent aged-out foster kid navigating her dream for Latin jazz while experiencing pushback from outside forces. I am so thankful for that job, and those people. Mikaela Monet, who plays the antagonist in the film, has become like a big sister to me. Sergio Vizuete, the director and writer of the project, took a chance on a-lot of us newcomers and that is something I wish would happen more often. I’m honored to have played Vera and brought this character to life in my feature debut. The trailer is out now, as well as the website (BecomingVera.com), so you should definitely check it out!
After filming Vera, I ended up working on two other films that same year — It Needs Eyes, directed by Aaron Pagniano and Zachary Ogle, and Parable, directed by Ritchey Cable. Both were such wonderful projects; from story to cast to crew. It Needs Eyes is in post-production, and Parable just had its Kansas City premiere, and will be entering the film festival circuit!
2023 was a big year for me. To go from no professional work to suddenly working on three films was never something I anticipated. I’ve been so grateful to have worked on sets that embraced who I was — I never felt unsafe, which is very much a fear as a young female newcomer. I got to meet so many wonderful people, create fulfilling memories, and channel these powerful female characters that I’m so proud to say I was entrusted to bring to the screen.
Now, I currently attend the University of North Carolina School of the Arts BFA Acting Program as a Kenan Scholar, which allows me to pursue my education for free. While I’m mainly focused on training, I have done commercials for McDonalds, Lenovo, Harris Teeter, and Sedano’s — but I’ve decided that, for the most part, the best thing I can do for myself at the present time is work on my craft. After Becoming Vera, I decided to start professionally working, and that really took a toll on my mental health. It’s not easy being an Asian-American and Hispanic actress in this industry. A young woman in general! Despite the great waves of progress being made in terms of diversity, navigating the theater environment in the body I’m in and those like it can get really overwhelming. All actors face rejection, yes— but when your unsure of whether that rejection was because of how you look, or what box they couldn’t put you in because you don’t fit a certain vision, it becomes deeply personal. I’ve had to defy all sorts of expectations in the roles I’ve played, and that will probably never stop. The fight against stereotypes and to constantly prove that I can play anything outside or in being a Filipina/Puerto Rican is exhausting, but knowing I am making even the smallest of change makes the battle all the worth it.
If there’s any artists reading this: Ameenah Kaplan recently visited my school, and spoke on this call to taking back power as creatives in our own industry. So I’ll leave you with that to think about!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Ouuu alright! So I’m a big foodie, so we’re gonna have to stop at some of my favorite spots — Greenstreet, Reconcito Latino, Vicky’s bakery, Pincho Factory, Tropical Chinese, El Bambino, Mario’s Pizza in Downtown, the list goes on. Of course, can’t do a Miami trip without the beach; I prefer Crandon Park cause it’s usually pretty quiet —then a day trip to the Keys with a seafood dinner by the water is somewhere else we would go. 1-800-Lucky is a really fun spot in Wynwood to check out some cool scenery, and Vizcaya gardens is a must for beautiful architecture. Ocean Avenue to peruse and walk at night to partake in lively environments. I live by Tropical Park, so a bike ride in the later afternoon would be fun too! Can’t not do the Everglades, so a swamp airboat tour is next on the list! A visit to Wall’s ice cream and a movie at Sunset Place in South Miami for a chill Saturday night out, and Pinecrest Farmers Market on Sunday morning to grab some açaí bowls to end the trip! A lot of these places I associate with the memories where I had such hearty laughs with friends. I love to just get to do the goofiest shit with them, and even if were not doing much, just walking around, or watching a movie, or eating, I was always in such good company.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Gosh. SO many people to thank. But the first people who came into my mind were my mom and dad — Francesca and Ben! You deserve to be shouted out by name! They have never once hesitated to invest in my love for the performing arts, and always encouraged it. The money, time and love poured into my passion over the years has made me this woman who can advocate for myself, believe in myself, and be the best version of myself. My stepparents, my grandparents, the best friends a girl could ask for, my partner — my sisters, who are always at the forefront of my mind when thinking of a better future for girls like us. I have always had such a solid support system, which I know is a gift in itself. Silas Hoover — an equally great man as he is an educator. He was my acting teacher at New World School of the Arts, and I spent nearly every third or fourth period of my senior year in his office, confiding in him in my life, acting, everything. I found him as my mentor in the craft and in my daily life. He believed in me so strongly, and that meant the absolute world. Still does.

Website: https://www.becomingvera.com/

Instagram: Raquellebish

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Other: IMDB – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14555484/ 

Image Credits
Dan O Brien Jamie Zhao Emalee Kay