ALISON MIKES

Roughly, when did you work/study/perform with Tina? (years?)

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​1987-2006

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Did you take voice lessons with Tina?

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Yes

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Did you take acting lessons with Tina?

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Yes

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What is your favorite memory of your time with Tina?

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Tina used to pick me up from my house and we would go perform with showstoppers. Usually we would stop by the studio first…as we were backing out of the studio my eight year old self yelled stop (because a car was coming). She didn’t flinch and looked and me and said “I’m glad you said something cause I didn’t see it”. We just kept going like nothing had happened. I know this isn’t an entertaining story, but it shows the comfort and ease I had with her. It also shows the calmness under pressure. She was so unbothered by the fact we almost got in a pretty good accident.

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What was your favorite song that you sang for Tina?

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For Good from Wicked 

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Did you perform in any community theater musicals with Tina? If so, which ones?

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​Sound of music, best little Whore house in Texas, Annie.​

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At which theaters did you perform for Tina?

 

Cypress Creek Christian Community Center, Tina's Studio in Popolo Village, Tina's Studio in Greenwood Forrest,  Playhouse 1960, The Crighton Theater.​

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What is the most valuable lesson you learned from Tina?

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Tina truly taught me how to be in front of a crowd and never let them see you sweat.

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What did you go on to do in life/career?

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​NICU nurse​

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What is your favorite memory of Manny?

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I have so many. I remember him popping in and out of lessons. I remember him driving me home from lessons cause I had a single mom and she could. I remember how kind and patient he was when I truly couldn’t believe how he wasn’t going to explode from all the shenanigans ‘​​

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Is there anything else you'd like to say?

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I’m not sure where I would be without Tina and Manny. They gave me a place to grow up, to meet friends. They believed in me and my talent. More importantly, they saw me for who I truly was.​​