Helena Padial: Broadway's Next Triple Threat

It’s a very rare occurrence that a young performer, straight out of college, could win an award that would thrust them into the Broadway theater community. And it is even rarer if that person is a Palisades native. In May, Helena Padial, 21, having just graduated a week before from Elon College, was the winner in a brand-new category in the Chita Rivera Awards for Dance and Choreography: Broadway’s Next Triple Threat Award.

Since 2017, named after the legendary dance icon, The Chita Rivera Award’s mission is to promote and recognize dance and choreographic excellence on Broadway, Off-Broadway and film, while nurturing an ongoing sense of community in the world of dance. Dancers, the workhorses in the performance arts, rarely receive accolades, so the Chita Rivera Awards give well-deserved recognition to both the nominees and the winners.

While regular nominees are selected for their performances in current shows, Broadway’s Next Triple Threat nominees had to actually compete. Helena, at the encouragement of her voice teacher, reluctantly sent in her application. With her application accepted, there was a rigorous process of video submissions over a three-month period, written responses, performance of two songs and a dance solo. The contestants were narrowed down to 15 semi-finalists. To prove she was a “triple threat” (an equally talented singer, dancer and actress), she submitted a video performance montage of “Sparkling Diamonds” and “Diamonds are Forever” from Moulin Rouge. That landed her a spot in the final five.

The final stage was an intensive three days of classes in NYC, mock auditions, singing, dancing and 17 hours of rehearsal for “Too Darn Hot,” a number from the Cole Porter musical Kiss Me, Kate, which was performed live at the awards. When her name was called, Bebe Neuwirth presented her with the honor; she shared the stage with Lifetime Achievement Award winner Ann Margaret. As the winner, Helena won $10,000 in financial support for living expenses and to continue her training in NYC.

Helena began dancing at three-years-old. “My mom, Alyssa, was a beautiful dancer and has always been a huge role model for me.” Helena started with ballet, then jazz, studying at Coupé Theatre Studio from the age of seven until 18. At Long Lake Camp for the Arts, she was cast as Princess Winnifred in Once Upon a Mattress where it was clear that she could sing, too. She added musical theater classes to her studies; “I realized I wanted to take this on as my career, so I began taking voice lessons with Celeste Simone.” It was Celeste who encouraged her to enter this competition.

As a seventh grader at South Orangetown Middle School, at a performance of Bye Bye Birdie, Chita Rivera came to a performance and visited backstage, where Helena got to meet her. At the time, it seemed like a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but here she is, years later, this time holding an award in Chita’s honor.

This summer, Helena had the exciting experience of performing in the international arena at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with fellow Elon University students in an original show Antigone 1989: A Town Hall Musical. An early review said, “it’s a must-see show,” with mention of a “standout performance by Helena Padial as The Oracle.” Dating back to 1947, The Fringe is recognized as the world's greatest celebration of art, performance and culture, taking over Edinburgh in August. This year, there were 3,649 shows.

Now back in New York, Helena is ready to continue her training and hit the audition circuit. We all wish her great success!