title:This is New York City

Conversation text:

Rachel Park: Times Square. Midtown Manhattan. And the heart and the home of the theater district:
Broadway! This is New York City! And no trip to New York is complete until you go to a Broadway play or musical.

Broadway is a busy and exciting place to be. It's also the dream of thousands of actors, dancers, musicians, and other artists.

Let's talk with some of the people who actually work here on Broadway.

Rachel: Hi, Sylvia.

Sylvia: Hi.

Rachel: This is Sylvia Santiago— Sylvia, were you born in New York?

Sylvia: No, I was born in Mexico.

Rachel: And when did you come to New York?

Sylvia: I came here five years ago. I want to be an actress.

Rachel: Wow. Do you want to be in a Broadway show?

Sylvia: Yes! That's my dream.

Rachel: Did you study acting before you came to New York?

Sylvia: No, I didn't. I studied law.

Rachel: Law? Really? That is a big change. What did your parents say about you coming to New York?

Sylvia: They were worried.
They thought this was a big, dangerous city, But last month they came to visit New York, and now they love it. I do, too!

Rachel: That's wonderful. Well, Sylvia, good luck to you!

Sylvia: Gracias! I mean, thanks!

Rachel: This is Andrea. She works right here in the theater.... Hi, Andrea.

Andrea: Hello, Rachel.

Rachel: So, Andrea, what do you do?

Andrea: I'm a percussionist. I play the drums.

Rachel: So, you're in the orchestra?

Andrea: That's right.

Rachel: That's interesting.

Andrea: Yeah. We play a show every day and two shows on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Rachel: Do you get any time off? Can you take a break?

Andrea: Sure. The theater is closed on Mondays.

Rachel: I see. So, Andrea, were you born in New York?

Andrea: Yes, I was. Not too far from here, actually. In Brooklyn. My parents were born in New York, too.

Rachel: What did you study in college?

Andrea: Music, of course. I always wanted to play on Broadway.

Rachel: And now you're doing it! Congratulations, Andrea, this is your dream come true!

Andrea: Thanks.

Rachel: This is Frank Norris… Frank, what do you do here?

Frank: I'm an usher.

Rachel: An usher? What exactly do you do?

Frank: I take customer’s tickets and I show them to their seats.

Rachel: Why did you become an usher?

Frank: Because I needed the money. I like it, though. I get to meet a lot of nice people. And I get to see a lot of shows for free!

Rachel: Nice. What else do you do?

Frank: I'm a college student. I came to New York to study writing. I want to write Broadway plays.

Rachel: Are you from New York?

Frank: No, I grew up in Colorado.

Rachel: OK. Good luck, and thanks!

Frank: Thanks.

Rachel: There you have it - Broadway stories.
Remember the names and faces you saw today because, who knows,
You might meet them again when you come to Broadway!