Melody at the West Side Story movie premiere, now nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards.// Instagram: @melodymarti_
Before the final callback which involved singing in front of Steven Spielberg, Melody Martí, describes the audition for West Side Story as a long process. The first audition was an open call in New York with 700 girls. Dancers were given stylistic choices to signal if they were trying out for the role of Shark or Jet girls. She remembers choosing the role of Shark girl because of her Latin heritage and Cuban descent. Casting recommended she continue the try out as a Jet girl and she didn’t hear anything back.
Shortly after, Melody’s sister who is also a dance teacher received a message from West Side Story’s associate choreographer, Patricia Delgado announcing open auditions in Miami. As if by fate, Melody was already in Miami that weekend.
The second time she auditioned as a Shark girl which consisted of singing, reading lines, and dancing in front of Delgado and casting director Cindy Tolan. She advanced to the last callback which was with Steven Spielberg in New York City. Martí recalls seeing a panel of vocal coaches, executive producers and the director.
“I sang "Tu Voz" from Celia Cruz, a ballad in Spanish. I asked Spielberg to sing it acapella because I didn’t have the sheet music. He said it’s beautiful what does it mean?” she said.
As a Latina and her mom being a Spanish teacher, it was important for Melody to explain the song's meaning. She mentioned the song meant the enchantment of one’s voice and what it has over another person.
“The way I explained it to Steven Spielberg was line by line. I told him it meant your voice is like palm trees swaying in the breeze. Your voice is the sound of violins in the dawn,” she said.
Spielberg said she would see him again soon and a month later she received the call that she had booked the movie. She portrays Pili, a New Yorkina and a member of the Shark girls.
Melody as Pili for West Side Story with Sebastian Serra as Braulio, member of the Sharks. // Instagram: @melodymarti_
Martí notes the rehearsal process in Brooklyn, NY was challenging but rewarding. The cast worked with Justin Peck, New York City Ballet’s resident choreographer. They practiced
Monday through Friday from 9 to 5 dancing, singing and acting.
Unlike the 1961 film, the Jets and Sharks rehearsed together. They supported each other and became like a family.
She found the choreography to be authentic. Although Martí hadn’t done Peck’s style before the movie, she enjoyed performing every minute of it.
“The choreography also had a Latin flavor which I found to be beautiful. It felt at home. It felt like I was meant to be there. It was a challenge, yes but it also felt like it was my movement which was great,” she said.
Martí also worked with associate choreographer Patricia Delgado who guided the dancers in terms of how to convey emotion through movement and gave feedback.
“She did a phenomenal job and it was a pleasure to have her on set. She brought the movement to life,” Martí said.
Melody as Pili, Shark girl for Dance at the Gym scene, costume design by Paul Tazewell.// Instagram: @melodymarti_
Filming "Dance at the Gym" took a week and involved 12- hour filming days in the middle of a heat wave. Dancing and reshooting in gorgeous 50’s dresses with tulle, stockings, and heels is no small feat.
“We would constantly tell ourselves “it’s freezing.” We would use reverse psychology to get us through the day. People were very supportive,” she said.
Despite the crazy weather conditions, Martí fondly remembers her first day on set, how well all the performers were treated, and drinking out of coconuts.
“In "Dance at the Gym," there was a day that was very hot and they brought coconuts for everyone. Steven Spielberg was sitting in his director’s chair drinking coconut water and directing the scene. It was a really cool experience,” she said.
Melody describes him as very personable and mentions he made sure to learn everyone’s name.
“It was amazing to have his presence there. He’s so down to earth. He really makes you feel comfortable and he wants to see you shine and do your best. That just meant everything to me,” she said.
Melody as Pili, Shark girl filming America scene in Upper Harlem and Paterson, New Jersey, costume design by Paul Tazewell.// Instagram: @melodymarti_
The iconic America scene was filmed in two locations, outside in Upper Harlem in the Upper West Side and in Paterson, New Jersey. In fact, the New Jersey set was near Martí’s hometown.
She was in awe of the set decorations, the 50’s style storefronts with Hispanic signs like “Muebleria Guzman.” Every detail told a story from the plantain street vendors to the Cadillac's parked along the sidewalk, Martí took it all in.
“It reminded me of a time when my grandparents were living. They’re no longer with me but I was very close with my grandparents. I felt being part of the movie was meant to be. They were watching over me and making it possible for me to be in a Steven Spielberg movie,” she said.
She was also a part of the recording sessions for "America" in the movie soundtrack.
Martí is of Cuban descent and recognizes the story of people leaving behind their home in search of the American dream so she felt very connected to the song, "America." An unforgettable moment for her was getting feedback from Stephen Sondheim who was in the booth listening to the cast record.
“I just felt so connected with my culture and working with all the boricua cast members, specifically from the island and becoming friends with them. It was truly something special,” she said.
The dancers and actors bonded outside of rehearsals going to Central Park, restaurants after practice and hosting cast pizza parties.
Both dance numbers Melody learned were difficult to film for different reasons. "Dance at the Gym" due to the heat wave and "America" presented its own challenges because they were dancing on concrete pavement in heels.
“We made it possible because we were so happy to be there and we were all doing what we love to do,” she said.
Martí is inspired by West Side Story’s associate choreographer, Patricia Delgado and her sister Jeanette Delgado.
“They inspire me because they’re both Cuban. I was able to connect with them in that way. They dance so beautifully together and they’re so close. It reminds me of me and how close I am to my sisters,” she said.
Martí started dancing at six years old and initially did not enjoy it because she wasn’t a fan of the strict class structure. She returned to dance class and noticed the teacher saw potential in her. After more classes, she developed her passion for dance and knew she wanted to be on Broadway.
Melody Martí. Photo by: Michael Ramos.
Martí graduated from Montclair State University with a Bachelor’s of the Arts in Dance Education.
Montclair’s curriculum prepared her for the real world and to be ready for what was to come as a student and teacher. A particular lesson that stuck with her was to just “do” rather than “think” and to follow your body’s instincts.
Her mentor in the field is Beth McPherson who guided her to look at various perspectives.
“I now understand a dance student’s perspective and a teacher’s perspective- preparing me to be my best at both,” Martí said.
Her goal has always been Broadway and she admits that booking the movie at 23 years old was more than she ever expected.
“That was never what I was shooting for. I was shooting for Broadway. I can only imagine now, if I'm shooting for film, what I will land on,” she said.
To aspiring dancers and actors she suggests to believe in yourself enough to be able to do well in whatever you choose. She notes that if you believe in yourself first, you are already halfway to succeeding.
“West Side Story was my first job in the industry. So I was thrown in there with dancers from So You Think You Can Dance and from Broadway. People who I looked up to my whole life and then I was working with them,” she said.
The lesson she takes away from filming West Side Story is to own your story.
“You don’t know who you are inspiring and you don’t know who you are impacting. Therefore, take pride in your story even if there have been bad moments. Take pride and continue to excel forward, inspire others and be confident in your story.”