Pursuing a career in acting is considered risky business but a 22-year-old Sacramento State theater student, Dominique Dates, is committed to achieving success in entertainment despite its many challenges.

Formally attending American River College, Dates started singing at a young age and naturally moved into dance and theater as she got older.

“I feel like I have an eccentric personality and theatre just compliments me. Being in stage is like my second home,” Dates said.

Her dream is to play the character Velma Kelly from “Chicago” on Broadway.

“She’s always been an outgoing and smart woman,” said Chantel Aldana, a 28-year-old junior theater major at American River College. “She can do anything she puts her mind to. She’s great at what she does.”

Dates has performed in numerous plays since she began acting. She got her first leading role as a junior at Rocklin High School playing Sylvia in “All Shook Up” by Joe DiPietro.

Dates also won first place during her senior year in Rocklin’s version of American Idol.

“That was really awesome. The whole school voted for me by applause – and that was in front of a 1000-plus people,” Dates said. “So that was pretty cool.”

Dates has been playing one of the three Dynamites, a choral group, in the musical “Hairspray” put on by American River College.

“If you’ve seen the movie, you’re going to love it,” said 22-year-old recreational therapy senior Vika Crisostomo.

“Hairspray” is a musical by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan set in the middle of the civil rights era. It showcases the journey of Tracy Turnblad, played by Anna Russell, as she challenges notions of weight and race in television.

The body and race issues presented in “Hairspray” are also real challenges that Dates faces herself.

“I lost 70 pounds and ever since then I’ve been more confident on stage,” Dates said. “There is always something that has to deal with weight and I haven’t been casted for roles because I wasn’t thin enough. I’m a curvy person and I love my body the way it is but it’s going to be difficult to find roles that I can be without having to be skinny.”

Dates goes on to describe her own experiences trying to find roles as an African-American.

“There are certain roles that I can’t be because I’m black and plus there are some racial things that happen with being in shows,” Dates said. “You have to have thick skin and learn from your experiences. It’s difficult at times but I love it so I stick with it.”

Another one of her goals is to change the mindset and values that are perceived of African-Americans and curvy women.

“It’s a harsh environment and you can get turned down a lot,” Dates said. “We shouldn’t be hating and fighting each other and it hurts that people have mean spirits. We should be caring and helping each other get through things.”

Dates’ personality has had a lasting effect on fellow castmate Aldana.

“I want people to know how fun and caring she is as a person and fellow actress; she’s a wonderful person. If she wasn’t here, I don’t know what I would do,” Aldana said.

“Hairspray” runs from Oct. 11-27 at American River College Theatre.

Briana Swain can be reached at [email protected]