Naya Rivera Auditions For Steven Spieberg’s ā€˜West Side Story’ On Instagram

Naya Rivera

Naya Rivera is ready to take on ā€œWest Side Story!ā€

The ā€œGleeā€ alumna auditioned for Steven Spielberg’s upcoming remake of the musical film in an unconventional way: by posting her audition to Instagram!

On Saturday, the 31-year-old shared a video of herself sitting in front of a camera. ā€œHi, my name is Naya Rivera, I’m 5’4″ and I’m singing for the role of Anita,ā€ the songstress said before bursting into her rendition of ā€œAmerica.ā€

ā€œ@unitedtalentagency file was too big to send via email for my audition. Thought I’d try it this way,ā€ Naya joked in her caption.

The role of Anita, which Naya is hoping to nab, was made famous by Chita Rivera in the original 1957 Broadway musical. Rita Moreno played Anita in the 1961 film version of ā€œWest Side Story,ā€ earning her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Naya has had some practice in the role; her Gleeā€ character, Santana Lopez, played Anita in the William McKinley High School musical.

Shortly after Naya posted her audition to Instagram, Heather Morris – the actress’ former ā€œGleeā€ co-star – came to her friend’s support.

ā€œBut no seriously I can’t stop watching this video,ā€ Heather commented. ā€œSo good.ā€

Naya’s post followed a trend set by ā€œDear Evan Hansenā€ star Ben Platt, who also posted his ā€œWest Side Storyā€ audition tape on social media.

ā€œActors spend lots of time making tapes that never see the light of day- usually embarrassing, poorly shot ones,ā€ the Broadway veteran tweeted on Thursday. ā€œThis one I liked (it’s still poorly shot) so I’m sharing it- I encourage fellow actors to do the same so long as the material is public stuff.ā€

20th Century Fox, the studio that’s producing Spielberg’s remake, released a public casting call to fill the musical’s main roles – Tony, Maria, Anita and Bernardo – in January.

— by Stephanie Case

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