Broadway Dreams Coming True: Meet Regine Sophia Torres

From doing stage productions in Manila and regional musicals in the U.S., Regine Sophia Torres embarks on her first play on Broadway in Chess the Musical

For many Filipino families, raising a child with big dreams means embracing even bigger sacrifices. For Filipina actress Regine Sophia Torres, that dream recently took her to one of the world’s most prestigious stages—Broadway.

Last November, the U.S.-based actress made her Broadway debut as part of the ensemble cast of Chess—a milestone she describes as both surreal and sacred.

“When I got the news, I just immediately said a prayer,” Regine told Modern Parenting. “I couldn’t believe what had just happened. And right after, I called my parents.”

That call, she recalls, was emotional.

“It was such a sweet moment. This is one of the biggest things that has ever come my way in my theater career. I’m unbelievably blessed and thankful.”

Behind that Broadway bow, however, is a story shaped by family support, discipline, faith, and the courage to step out of one’s comfort zone.

The Musical That Sparked the Dream

Regine’s love for theater began in Manila, sitting in a theater seat with her family watching Cats, headlined by Lea Salonga.

“After watching that production, I remember feeling so drawn to the stage,” she shares. “The music, the way they danced and used their bodies to tell a story—even if it was about cats—it was so meaningful and inspirational for me.”

Like many modern parents who recognize a spark in their child, her family nurtured it. Her mom enrolled her and her siblings in singing and dancing lessons, making creativity a shared household language.

Finding Her Voice in School

Regine further honed her craft at Assumption College, where she joined productions under the Meta program and was mentored by Anna Valdes-Lim.

“Once I started doing the route of Meta productions every year, it started growing into [me],” she says. We had student leadership activities and things like that where we would, like, perform during the morning assemblies, and for random events. So my love for performing kind of branched out into that as well.”

It wasn’t just about applause. It was about collaboration, discipline, and showing up prepared—values she would later carry across oceans.

Regine Sophia during an appearance on The Tonight Show. Photo from imreginesophia

Stepping Out of Her Comfort Zone

After high school, Regine made another brave leap—moving to the United States to study Theater and Psychology at Pennsylvania State University.

“The culture shock was real,” she admits, especially navigating college life during the pandemic.

For a young Filipina raised in a tight-knit household, independence came with homesickness. “In the Philippines, you see the same people every day. You eat meals together. I missed that.”

Still, she leaned on her family’s unwavering support—and on technology—to stay connected through calls and shared photos. In many ways, her story mirrors that of countless Filipino families raising global citizens while holding on to their home.

Bringing Filipino Values to Broadway

Though the theater scenes in Manila and the U.S. differ, Regine says her foundation remains distinctly Filipino.

“One thing I carried with me is the importance of collaboration—on and off stage,” she explains. “I value connecting with classmates, teachers, professors, everyone.”

Blending the collaborative spirit she learned in Manila with the independence she gained abroad allowed her to find her place in the competitive theater community.

For parents raising children with artistic dreams, her journey is proof that character travels with you—no matter the stage.

Regine Sophia in Newsies. Photo from imreginesophia

Booking Chess on Broadway

Regine’s path to Chess began with a self-tape audition. Then came in-person callbacks—singing one day, dancing the next, then singing again.

On what she thought was just another callback, she received life-changing news.

“I remember someone saying, ‘We think you’re so amazing and… you booked the job.’”

For a few seconds, she was frozen. Then her heart raced. She thanked the panel, said another prayer, and called her parents once more.

Regine Sophia poses during the opening night of Chess. Photo from Steven C Boroughs courtesy of imreginesophia

Today, she is one of the youngest members of the ensemble cast. She shares that her fellow cast members have been intentional about making sure she enjoys every moment of the experience—a reminder that even in competitive spaces, community matters.

Just last February 3, Sophia shared a new update: she recorded as an ensemble cast member for Chess!

“I can’t even begin to describe how special this was,” she shared on Instagram. “First, I have been dreaming of visiting this recording studio for years, let alone recording a whole Broadway cast album here. I’ve watched numerous videos taken at this location, and to finally play and create in this iconic wooden space was nothing short of a dream. Second, recording my first Broadway cast album with such an insane group of actors. The way I’ve listened to my cast-mates on other albums and now, recording one with them made it even more surreal.”

Regine Sophia during recording. Photo from imreginesophia

Her Advice to Young Dreamers

For children—and parents—navigating auditions and rejections, Regine offers two powerful reminders.

First: “It’s either a yes or a wait. It is never a no.”

She credits this mindset, often reinforced by her mom, for helping her bounce back from rejection. “Every opportunity that comes your way—it’s either going to happen now or later. But it doesn’t mean it’s not meant for you.”

Second: Bring your most authentic self into the room.

From her years at Assumption to her time at Penn State, Regine says she learned to embrace the “intertwined” version of herself—Filipina, global, collaborative, independent.

“When you bring your authentic self, the panel gets to know you in the best way. And you get to enjoy the room, instead of just focusing on nerves.”

Regine Sophia Torres’ Broadway debut is more than a personal triumph. It’s a testament to what happens when talent meets hard work—and when parents choose to believe in their child’s calling, even if it leads thousands of miles away from home.

For modern families raising children with big dreams, her story is a gentle reminder: sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is let them fly.

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