For any kid growing up in musical theater, starring in the Broadway smash, “Hamilton” would be a dream come true.

It’s been almost a decade now since “Hamilton” first premiered in New York and now it’s back at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre.

It’s also a homecoming for Camarillo native Kendyl Sayuri Yokoyama, who plays Eliza Hamilton in the show. “LA Times Today” met up with Kendyl on her day off.

Yokoyama first saw “Hamilton” on Broadway when she was 19. As a musical theater lover, she dreamed of one day performing in the show. Her chance came while she was attending a conservatory on the East Coast. 

“I went in for ‘West Side Story,’ just an open call just to get my face seen. And then I happened to find the ‘Hamilton’ room, and I saw that there was another group of dancers waiting to go in. I kind of knew at the time that I wouldn’t really have an opportunity like this if I didn’t do it then,” Yokoyama recalled. “I did a little white lie. I was so nervous every step of the way, I was convinced that they were going to say no, or get out of here. And when she went to go ask if it was okay if I audition and she came back and said yes, I was like, ‘All right, game on.’”

After joining the cast of “Hamilton” as a swing in the ensemble, Yokoyama understudied the Schuyler sister characters, and is now playing Eliza Hamilton on the national tour. 

“I’ve done all eight female tracks in the show. So I can tell you very accurately that it is really hard to do any of them. Even though touring is very taxing, it’s very rewarding to go to places where I don’t see a lot of Asian girls in the audience, and I’ll see one Asian girl amongst a very white community and how she’s so excited that I’m there and I’m visible for her,” she shared. 

As a Southern California native, Yokoyama visited her local theater when “Hamilton” came to LA. She spoke about the importance of one’s support system and how she tries to amplify Japanese-American voices through her work. 

“I’d like to think that I was always meant to do a show like this because I’m also very passionate about Japanese-American history. And with Hamilton, I like to use that opportunity to represent my Japanese-American history. I think being in Hamilton makes people want to listen a little bit more,” Yokoyama said. 

“Hamilton” is currently playing at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre through Oct. 13. For more info and tickets, go to BroadwayinHollywood.com.

Watch the full video above.

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