Double Triple Threat
She can be found in the Student Center working on Montclair State Players’ next production working with her actors and production team. She might be at the Student Recreation Center upstairs in a multi purpose room blasting music and putting her group through a workout. If she is not on campus, she is in New York City advancing her skills and career at an internship. When she finds time to rest, she is lounging on her bed in Williams Hall with a glass of wine watching Jane The Virgin on her laptop.
Krystal Alexis Aguilar was born June 4, 1995 in Secaucus, NJ. The gemini celebrated her 21st birthday this past year. She came to Montclair State as a television production major with a minor in Spanish.
Aguilar has been an active member of Montclair State since she stepped foot on campus in 2013. She was a peer leader for orientation during the summer of 2015, was an admission ambassador for two years welcoming new students to the university, has been involved with Players since her freshman year and is a Zumba instructor at the Rec Center. “I made MSU my second home,” she said with a smile.
The Players members elected her president for the 2016–2017 year. “I’ve always loved theater so coming to MSU I knew of the theater organization and I immediately wanted to get involved.” She kicked off her senior year as a Hot Lip dancer in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and was the producer and assistant director for the comedy You Can’t Take It With You. As a president, Aguilar knows when it time for business and accomplishing goals while still being a theatre geek and having fun.
Alexa Draganosky is a sophomore theatre studies major with a minor in musical theatre and is a member of Players. She time warped in The Rocky Horror Picture Show this year and played Rheba in the comedy. She got to work close with Aguilar during those productions improving her dance technique, acting choices and self-confidence. Before working with Aguilar, Draganosky was in last spring’s musical production of Urinetown. Aguilar immediately noticed Draganosky’s stage presence. “Even though I was only ensemble, she saw me on stage and came up afterwards praising my performance. She encouraged me to keep on auditioning for more Players’ shows,” she explained.
Before each show of You Can’t Take It With You, Aguilar was styling actors’ and actresses’ hair, perfecting lighting and sound cues, and overseeing the finishing touches of the production alongside her director and right hand man, Sal Bellomo.
Aguilar’s sophomore year was her debut in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. “I was just exposed to the show and I learned so much from it, more importantly about myself.” Her first time doing it made it her favorite Players production and favorite memory from MSU.
“From the moment I met Krystal, I knew she was a genuine person who cares so much for everyone in Players,” Draganosky said with a smile and nod.
Aguilar became a Zumba instructor her senior year. She found a way to continue her love of dance while making some money. She hopes to continue Zumba after graduation sharing her energy and routines at other gyms. Her classes are Sunday and Tuesday at 7 p.m. and Wednesday at 1 p.m.
Brianna Quigley is a junior family child and studies major with a minor in musical theatre. She works with Aguilar during Players productions like this year’s Rocky Horror and last year’s dance revue and musical revue that Aguilar choreographed. She first met Aguilar when Players announced the “big” and “little” assignments for the 2015–2016 year. “When I was littled by Rachel Estrada, Krystal jumped up and welcomed me into the ‘family.’ I could feel the love and she also really appreciated my dancing ability,” Quigley said laughing.
Quigley spends her Tuesday nights at Aguilar’s Zumba class. She started Zumba as soon as Aguilar began instructing. Quigley admires “The way she (Aguilar) leads a group of people and how she helps others.” Her playlist consists of hip shaking songs to throwbacks from the early 2000s, to what is popular now.
Montclair State Dance Company hosted a Zumba master class that was cosponsored by Players and instructed by Aguilar. The event ran from 9:30 p.m. for two hours on Dec. 5 at the Rec Center MPR1.
During her busy schedule in college, time was somehow found for internships. Univision, SiriusXM, Wendy Williams, Aguilar has made her rounds. Her last day with The Wendy Williams show is on Dec. 18. As a production intern, she learned how a talk show is developed and experienced how each department works together. She recalled her favorite memory when she met Wendy Williams. “She was so sweet and super encouraging. We bonded over Jersey and she loved my hair,” she said as she laughed.
“Krystal Aguilar is leader who is able to recognize everyone’s effort in any production. She uses her communication skills to give positive reinforcements to all the cast members,” Draganosky said. Aguilar uses her skills for all areas of her life. She is motivating and knows how to speak to people differently to encourage them.
Aguilar aspires to be a television producer for NBC. She has an interest in radio as well, but her immediate goal after MSU is to, “Go wherever the wind takes me,” as she put it. “MSU has shown me the strengths that I have and what I can handle as an adult.”
