Theatre Rats REDUX Ep1: A Walk Through Lin-Manuel Miranda’s ‘In The Heights’

Singing, Dancing and a lot of untapped potential

Kristopher Caalim, Julian Panela, Myranda Martinez, and Esmeralda Garcia • October 14, 2025

Graphic made in Canva

In the return and redux of Theatre Rats, Kristopher Caalim invites Myranda Martinez, Esmeralda Garcia and Julian Panela to talk about the 2021 film “In The Heights.”

Caalim and his three guests explore parts of the film’s themes of community and heritage, while also giving insight into whether Lin-Manuel Miranda’s first musical lives up to his current work, and if his idea of Latino culture is a good representation in film.

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About the Contributors

Kristopher Caalim, Podcast Staffer

(he/him) Kristopher Caalim returns to the Hornet in his final year as a student with a minor in film studies. He aims to work in fields related to arts and entertainment as he enjoys exploring pop culture and its history. In addition to his work at The State Hornet, he has a passion for writing in general and is a huge fan of nearly anything.

Julian Panela, PRMA Staffer

(he/him) Julian Panela is a junior majoring in Journalism. This will be the first year in The State Hornet for Julian. A music lover and world traveler, Julian loves hearing people’s stories and experiences, hoping to share those to readers and viewers. Born and raised in the Central Valley, Julian is excited to explore city life and experience the flow of life outside of the Central Valley.

Myranda Martinez, Sports Staffer

(she/her) Myranda Martinez is a transfer student who is currently in her fourth year. She majors in communications with a minor in business. This is Myranda’s first year in The State Hornet, and she is working in the sports section. She hopes that while being in The State Hornet, she will learn more skills to help her in her future career. Her hobbies include swimming, hanging out in town at night and being with her cat.

Esmeralda Garcia, Podcast Staffer

(she/her) Esmeralda Garcia is a junior transfer and journalism major at Sacramento State. This is her first semester at The State Hornet, and she has journalistic interests in environmentalism, social justice, culture and the arts. She hopes to get a master’s degree in either English or Journalism in the future. Outside of journalism, she enjoys creative writing, reading, drawing and the outdoors.