Kurt GardnerArtsBeat LA reporting! San Antonio native Paulina Reyes is in a new film!
Opening this Friday, Oct. 30, at a theatre near you is Brotherhood, a cinematic musical drama written and directed by Ross Boothe.
Brotherhood tells the story of two next-door neighbors. Jon is a lifelong US citizen and his neighbor, Fabián, is a Mexican immigrant who has been waiting more than a decade for progress on his US asylum application. As the two men and their families navigate a divided 2026 America, they are awakened to a new sense of their shared humanity and what it really means to love your neighbor.
In Your Neighborhood
San Antonio native Paulina Reyes is one of the stars of Brotherhood, and she graciously gave an exclusive interview to ArtScene SA about her experience making the film and where she plans to go next.
ArtScene SA: How were you cast as Sofia? How does your character fit into the story?
Paulina Reyes: My mom actually sent me the open casting call for Brotherhood on Instagram, and I remember reading the character description and immediately thinking, “Oh my gosh, that’s me!” I connected with Sofia right away because of our shared Mexican-American upbringing. After doing the initial audition, I received a callback and then joined a Zoom call with our director, Ross Boothe, and he offered me the role at the end of the call. It was such a surreal moment, especially because growing up, I always dreamed of being part of a movie musical.
Sofia is a 17-year-old girl born in Mexico who moved to the United States with her family when she was very young. Throughout the film, we see her navigate what it means to grow up between two cultures. At home, she’s surrounded by her Mexican heritage, but outside of her home, she experiences a different world through her friendships, particularly with her best friend, Landon.
She sometimes feels too Mexican in one environment and too American in another. Although Sofia and I have different experiences, I understood many of her feelings. To prepare for the role, I spoke with my mom, my aunt, and other family members about their experiences immigrating to the United States. I wanted to honor their stories while making Sofia feel like a real teenage girl trying to figure out where she belongs.
Being a native of San Antonio, do you think the film will be well-received here?
Absolutely! San Antonio has such a rich Mexican-American culture, and I think so many people in our community will be able to see themselves or their families reflected in this story. Growing up in San Antonio, I was surrounded by both Mexican and American traditions, and that’s something I’ve always been incredibly proud of. One of the things I love most about Brotherhood is that although it explores immigration and cultural identity, at its heart, it’s a story about family, friendship, love, and belonging.
These are universal experiences that can resonate with people from all backgrounds. Having the opportunity to bring this film back to my hometown has been incredibly special. San Antonio is where I first fell in love with performing, and being able to share this part of my journey with the community that helped shape me means so much. I hope audiences leave the theater feeling proud of their roots and reminded that our differences can bring us closer together.
What other productions have you participated in?
I’ve been fortunate to work on several film and theatre productions throughout my career. Some of my film credits include Before They Forget, Teenage Girl: Valerie’s Holiday, among others. Alongside film, musical theatre has always been a huge part of my life. I’m currently pursuing my BFA in Musical Theatre at Northeastern University in New York City, formerly Marymount Manhattan College.
I’m also the creator and producer of Canciones del Corazón, a concert series I started at 54 Below in New York City. The series celebrates Latin music and culture, and being able to create opportunities for other Latino artists while sharing the music I grew up listening to has been incredibly rewarding. I’ve always loved being able to explore different forms of storytelling, whether that’s through film, theatre, or music.
For you, what’s the most satisfying aspect of working in the performing arts? What’s most challenging?
For me, the most satisfying part of being a performer is having the opportunity to tell stories that make people feel something. I’ve always believed that storytelling has the power to bring people together, and there’s nothing more rewarding than knowing that something you’ve created has resonated with someone else. Working on Brotherhood reminded me of why I fell in love with performing in the first place. Being able to tell a story that reflects my culture and the experiences of people I love was incredibly meaningful, especially because I didn’t always see people who looked like me represented on screen in such authentic ways.
I think one of the biggest challenges of this industry is learning to navigate rejection and uncertainty. There are so many things outside of our control as performers, and it can be difficult not to take things personally. I’ve learned that it’s important to stay grounded in why I started performing and remember that my worth as an artist isn’t determined by whether or not I book a role.
What do you think of the growth of performing arts in San Antonio?
I think it’s incredibly exciting to see the performing arts community continue to grow in San Antonio. It’s a city filled with so much talent, culture, and creativity, and I think there’s something really special about the artistic community there. I grew up performing in San Antonio, and so much of who I am as an artist comes from the opportunities and training I received there. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the teachers, mentors, and fellow performers who encouraged me along the way.
Recently, I had the opportunity to return to my former high school, Communications Arts High School, to teach an acting workshop to the Taft Theatre department, and it was such a full-circle moment for me. Being able to share what I’ve learned with students who are now in the same position I was just a few years ago reminded me of how important arts education and mentorship are. I would love to see even more opportunities for young performers to pursue their passions professionally without feeling like they have to leave their hometown to do so. San Antonio has so many talented artists, and I think continuing to invest in arts education, local productions, and opportunities for emerging performers is incredibly important.
Would you like to work on a project here on your home turf?
Absolutely! San Antonio will always be home, and I would love the opportunity to work on a professional production here. It’s where I first discovered my passion for performing, so being able to return and work alongside artists from my hometown would be incredibly special. Even though I’m currently based in New York City, I still try to stay connected to the performing arts community in San Antonio.
I’ve had opportunities to teach and work with young actors back home, and that’s something I really value. I would especially love to see more film and theatre projects that highlight the stories and experiences of our community. San Antonio has such a unique cultural identity, and I think there are so many meaningful stories waiting to be told.
What’s next on the agenda for Paulina Reyes?
Right now, I’m in my senior year pursuing my BFA in Musical Theatre at Marymount Manhattan College in New York City, and I’m looking forward to graduating in the spring! I’m continuing to audition and pursue opportunities in both film and theatre. One of my biggest dreams is to perform on Broadway, but I also hope to continue working on film projects that tell meaningful stories and challenge the way Latino characters are represented on screen.
I’m also passionate about creating my own work and hope to continue expanding Canciones del Corazón, while finding new ways to celebrate Latin music and create opportunities for other artists. Ultimately, I want to continue growing as a performer, telling stories that matter, and hopefully inspiring other young Latina artists to believe that there’s a place for them in this industry.
Feature photo courtesy of Craftsman Films.
Pauline Adamek
