Galia Backal

This year has challenged every part of me in every way imaginable. But as I enter my thirty, flirty, thriving years, I also am reminding myself to step back and put on my gratitude glasses. When I moved to New York, I had to work 4 jobs while going to school so that I could afford school and living on my own. I had a full course load and spent my evenings working at Aerie in Times Square from 7pm to 4am after working my Counseling Center job, my Nespresso job, my internships, and having class every hour in between. I couldn’t afford fellowships or observerships as I supported myself and my family financially, and job rejections kept coming. Right before SIX called, I had accepted that maybe Broadway and commercial theater just didn’t want me and I would have to find another avenue. And now, I have not only looked after two Broadway Tours, and launched SIX Canada, but I also just put in my first Broadway Company. And even more beyond SIX: worked on amazing projects with @la.espi and @noellevinas , cheered for my first graduating class at @circleinthesquaretheatreschool , directed the show that held my whole heart at @brooklynvmpa , finally directed Into the Woods, and saw more of the world in one year than I have my whole life. 18 year old me dreamed and put in literal blood, sweat, and tears in the hope that she would make it. It hasn’t been easy and the reckoning on my body and the balance of life outside of work has challenged every friendship and relationship I have, but now I write this from my parent’s couch and I am overwhelmed with gratitude. For the parents that dreamed of a better life for their kids and gave me the best childhood/family a girl could ask for, for the love of my life who holds me when I cry of exhaustion and loves me beyond what I thought I deserved/was possible, for the friends and loved ones who understand/love who I am and my bonkers lifestyle, and for the girl who didn’t get her license because she knew she would go to New York and so she dreamed and worked and put herself through hell because she knew she could get here. And we got here.

Couldn’t have asked for a better opening. SIX in the SIX is live and ready for yah Toronto! 🎉👑🍾

Cheers to more time with loved ones, community, girlhood, and moments that make me smile so much it hurts 💕

It was an absolute DREAM to finally get to direct Ride the Cyclone and I couldn’t have asked for a better place to do it than @queenscollegetheatre ! Thank you to all the designers and staff for making my Eurovision dreams a reality and thank you to the INCREDIBLY talented students for pouring their hearts and souls into this show!! Directed and Choreographed by me :) Music Direction by Eric Juneau Costume Design by @meghanhealeyscenography Scenic Design by @raulabregodesign Lighting Design by @mdeins Projection Design by Michi Zara Sound Design by Caroline Eng Production Stage Manager - Samantha Goldman Production Managers - Ralph Carhart & Allison Queen Photos by Dominick Totino

I may be over a year late posting this, but this production is one I will never forget 🤍 El Huracán by Charise Castro Smith Directed by me :) Brooklyn College Production Stage Manager: Karla de Leon Set Designer and 📸: Thea Goldman Costume Designer and 📸: @rosie430 Lighting Designer: @__debreeze Sound Designer: Charlene Ruscalleda Music Director / Composer: @violetstanza Intimacy Director: Michael Magliocca Magic Consultant and Coach: Tanya Solomon Props: Well Thorne

Tried over 30 gelato flavors, climbed a mountain to a medieval castle, walked the roof of Milan’s Duomo, accidentally witnessed Venice’s largest boat race, ate several meals that we will dream about for the rest of our lives, walked over 30,000 steps a day, visited 14 cities/towns, and still feel like we have more to eat and see! Can’t wait to go back 🇮🇹

It was an absolute dream to not only continue working on @noellevinas ‘s beautiful play, but also to do so at @woollymammothtc , a theater I have dreamed of working at for so long! Thank you to the amazing artistic team, staff, actors, @danicarodriguezcasting ,and of course Noelle for an unbelievable week! • Last week, Woolly proudly welcomed Northern Virginia playwright, @noellevinas , for a workshop reading of her new play, CÓNDOR, as part of the Weissberg Finishing Commissions. 🇺🇾💛 The Weissberg Foundation actively seeks to dismantle structural racism by continuously building access, opportunity, and power so that all can thrive. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to support Noelle through the process of bringing CÓNDOR into the world! 🎭 📸: @_stevenfranco #WeissbergCommissions #WoollyProud #NewPlayDevelopment #WoollyNewWork

And to all a good night 🎄👑

Throwing it back to @camilaperezsantiago and @schneezybaby ‘s STUNNING wedding with the most incredible people! Thank you for not only having me be a part of your special day but also for trusting me to officiate! It’s an honor I will always hold close to my heart. Can’t wait for our next PR Chili’s trip! 🤣 First three photos by @angellopezphotography

A year ago today I got the call inviting me to join the Queendom and I can never express how grateful I am for this opportunity that has truly changed my life. I have found life long friendships, grown so much as an artist and leader, and have seen more of the US than I ever thought I would. And now on the one year anniversary of my time at SIX, I am packing to head to Canada to lead the next process! Thank you to everyone at SIX for believing in me and trusting me with this beautiful and powerful show. It took many years, many unpaid gigs, countless all nighters, and many tears to get here, but I got here 💜 (Photo from our first day with the Boleyn Queens 👑)

I am thrilled to share that @la.espi and I have been rewarded a grant from @nalac_arts for our D&D Project! Alisha and I have been working on this dream project for 3 years with our respective partners/ DM geniuses (Brandon Meeks and @danegiuffre ) and are so excited for the next step! Thank you @newgeorges for supporting us through the Audrey Residency and thank you to @latinxplaywrightscircle for the fiscal sponsorship! DM me if you are an actor, designer, SM, or producer who loves D&D 😏

Can’t put in to words the infinite joy I felt last night sharing @sixustour with my family, so I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves 💜❤️💜