The Wayne Theatre’s upcoming production of RENT opens Friday, April 25 in downtown Waynesboro, Virginia. Ahead of opening weekend, Waynesboro-based marketing firm Standout Arts, LLC caught up with cast member Victoria Lynch, who takes on the role of Mimi Marquez, to talk about what it’s been like stepping into such a complex and emotionally charged character.

What does being part of the story of RENT mean to you?

“For me, RENT has given me the opportunity to tell stories I haven’t had the chance to tell before,” Victoria said. “This is my first time playing a serious character, and I’m excited to bring that part of my acting experience forward. It’s allowed me to tap into a different part of my actor’s spirit.”

What would you like the audience to see in the story of RENT?

Victoria emphasized the importance of embracing the imperfections of the characters.

“I’d like the audience to see that these are very flawed people,” she said. “A lot of times when people think of musicals, they picture something upbeat, happy, and filled with characters who rarely make mistakes. But in RENT, we’re watching people mess up, deal with those mistakes in real time, and grow through the consequences.”

She spoke about how that dynamic has influenced her portrayal of Mimi. “Mimi is a very flawed character. So I’ve had to step out of what I, as Victoria, would do and instead ask, what would Mimi do? It’s made me approach acting choices differently.”

Victoria shared that RENT stands out because of its honesty. “It’s a beautiful show. Jonathan Larson did a fabulous job writing it, but more than that, it gives people a chance to be messy on stage. It doesn’t ask the characters to be perfect, and I think that shows humanity more than something polished and upbeat ever could.”

What would you like the audience to think about after seeing the show?

“I want people to remember that these aren’t just characters on a stage,” she said. “Some of them are based on real people Jonathan Larson knew. These events, these emotions, they’re drawn from real life, not just for Larson, but for so many people.”

Victoria hopes the audience leaves with more compassion. “Maybe it will help them show the same kind of grace in real life that they offer to the characters in the show. When you get to know someone’s story, when you see them laugh, cry, and feel deeply, you begin to understand their struggles instead of judging them.”

She added that playing Mimi has changed her own perspective. “Some of the scenes are really heavy, and it’s been refreshing to experience those emotions from someone else’s perspective. I’ve done a lot of happy, joyful, sassy roles in the past, and there’s some of that in Mimi too, but this role has helped me grow.”

Victoria explained that the experience has deepened her empathy. “I hope that one day, if I meet someone like Angel, or Mark, or Mimi, I’ll remember how I treated these characters. I’ll be able to extend that same kind of grace and understanding to real people, just as I’ve tried to give these characters the respect they deserve.

RENT opens Friday, April 25 and runs through May 4 with four performances each weekend. For showtimes and ticket information, click or tap here.

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PHOTO CREDIT: Joshua Donohue