& Juliet Hits the Road with a Fresh Face and a Second Chance at Love (and Life!)
By Cesar A Reyes
What if Juliet did not end it all for Romeo?
That is the big, bold, and kind of brilliant question at the heart of & Juliet, the hit Broadway musical that is shaking up Shakespeare. And now the musical is heading on tour across North America with a fresh new face in the spotlight. Say hello to Fabiola Caraballo Quijada, who is about to take her biggest stage yet as she steps into the title role of & Juliet this fall.
Just months ago, Fabiola was a senior at Tyler Legacy High School in Texas, closing out her high school years with one of the most prestigious honors in musical theatre: a win at the 2025 Jimmy Awards. Now, she is leaping straight from the school auditorium to starring in a national tour. The transition is almost unheard-of but one she embraces with humility and passion. “It’s definitely scary, seeing my life change completely and unexpectedly in the way that it has,” Fabiola says. “But it truly is beautiful to witness God’s plan for my life unfold like a perfect puzzle, every piece falling into place to reveal the beautiful picture I’m now a part of, which is the face of a production as special as & Juliet.” Her debut performance as Juliet took place September 23 in Sacramento, with San Diego audiences getting their first look October 14–19. Fabiola’s rise is a testament to the power of persistence, self-belief, and the kind of work ethic that develops when passion meets opportunity. “The Jimmy Awards provided me with the perfect environment of passion, encouragement, and opportunity to allow me to learn so much about myself and the performing industry in ways no other place ever had,” she explains. “The professionalism, discipline, and love for my craft I developed at the Jimmy Awards are what I carry with me every day into the story of & Juliet and the process of bringing it to life for hundreds of people across the nation.”
The musical itself is an exuberant remix of one of Shakespeare’s most tragic love stories. Created by David West Read, the show asks: what if Juliet did not die for Romeo? What if she lived and wrote her own story? Set to a soundtrack of iconic Max Martin pop hits like “Since U Been Gone,” “Roar,” “Baby One More Time,” and “Larger Than Life,” the show is part comedy, part romance, and full-throttle empowerment anthem. For Fabiola, it is a role that allows her to explore the full spectrum of emotion and bring her own identity into the performance. “This truly phenomenal musical … has so many elements of wonder, positivity, and enjoyment that let its performers find the spaces to have unbridled fun and not one dull moment onstage,” she says. “Juliet herself is written in such a beautiful way that allows me to constantly be making discoveries about who she is and how she goes through her journey in this unique story. In my performance, I choose to go through all of Juliet’s emotions along with her: her pain, her frustration, her happiness, excitement, and self-acceptance.”
But playing Juliet eight shows a week on a national tour is as demanding physically as it is emotionally. Fabiola is learning to navigate playing the role as she adjusts to professional life. “I am still learning to take care of myself, find my body’s physical needs and limitations, routines that help me recover after days of hard work and prepare for long days of performances, rehearsals, and press events,” she says. “But lots of sleep, liquids, and anti-inflammatory foods are my way of making sure my body can give the performance my heart wants it to every night.” Just as important, she finds joy and peace outside of the theater, making time for herself and the things that ground her. “I make sure to still do things I love when I’m not at the theater.”
The contrast between high school theater and the professional stage is sharp, but not in the ways you might expect. For Fabiola, the heart of performing has remained steady, even as the scale has changed. “The level of professionalism, complexity, accountability, and responsibility behind the curtain is definitely different from high school to professional theater, but the passion and motivation behind what we do as performers onstage never changes,” she says. “It’s comforting to know that … there is a team of technical, musical, and artistic professionals that will always work hard to have my back, keep me safe, and allow me to enjoy doing what I love.” That support system is vital, especially as she adjusts to the rigors of touring life and aims to sustain the energy and artistry needed for consistently inspiring performances. “I’m so excited to learn about myself on tour, discover what my needs are to keep my body, voice, and mind healthy,” she adds. “I’m also looking forward to explore different parts of the country, try new things, meet new people, have fun.”
There is something electric about watching a young artist step into her moment, and even more powerful when she knows the kind of influence she wants to have. “Keep your mind and your eyes open to any opportunity close to you that will help you grow in what you love,” she advises fellow young artists. “Find people who are willing and happy to help you succeed, show them how hard you’re willing to work … Always believe in yourself, even if no one else does.” That belief is central to Fabiola’s journey and it is the very essence of & Juliet. The show’s reimagining of Juliet’s story is about rewriting your life on your own terms.
“The WORD is Power,” she says. “There is so much power in the story being told in & Juliet, the countless messages of love and acceptance it leaves the audience with as they leave the theatre that have the power to change lives.” And as Fabiola continues growing into her own strength, both onstage and off, she is discovering the deeper meaning behind that word. “This experience is teaching me to find my own power in several ways: power in my individual performance and artistry, in the way I treat others with kindness and respect, in the bond I share with my cast and crew members, and in the impact I leave on the audiences,” she reflects. “Still, I know I have a special power within me, one I may not be aware of yet, but that will rise up as time and experience mold me into who I’m destined to be.”
From Shakespeare to stadium-worthy pop, from Texas high school stages to national spotlight, Fabiola Caraballo Quijada’s journey is already rewriting what is possible in American theatre, and she has only just begun.