Originally from Philadelphia, where her family still resides, Maria knew from an early age that she wanted to come to D.C. and work in politics. “I listened to JFK’s inaugural address when I was 10, and loved the idea of public service and serving your country,” she shares. She attended Randolph-Macon outside Richmond, double majored in political science and history,  and double-minored in drama and English literature. 

She went straight to D.C. after graduation and soon after moved into her first apartment near Kingstowne with two friends. “I've always remained near or in Alexandria and I’ve always worked for lawyers. I  thought I was going to go to law school, but then I started volunteering for campaigns and doing campaign fundraising.” She got out of partisan politics in what she calls, “perfect timing in 2012. It’s so different now.” November marks 12 years since she joined The Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, also referred to as The Chamber ALX, after local agency Mekanic helped with a brand refresh in 2019.

Her other passion: the performing arts. Maria’s been performing since she was nine and even interned on Broadway for Clear Channel Entertainment. “They owned the theater next door in Times Square and I remember doing a backstage tour and there were all these ushers stuffing playbills…and they were all aspiring actors.” It’s a tough life and she knew she always wanted to do “something bigger, something driven by purpose.”

She started taking voice lessons to stay active, and also as a way to make sure she sang once a week. At one point her teacher asked, “Why are we doing this?” It was the push she needed. 

She had attended musicals at the Little Theatre of Alexandria, and then she heard that one of her favorites, The Secret Garden, was holding auditions. “I went to audition in 2008.  I didn’t get it. But I loved the energy, the building…and I asked, ‘How do I get here? How do I get on stage?’ I took a class and the teacher of the class directed the musical in January 2011, and cast me. He knew me beyond an audition and he gave me a lovely feature. And I got bit,” she says with a huge smile.

Since that break, she has done “a little here and there…with the Arlington Players, at Kensington up in Maryland. You go and audition and you get stronger in your craft each time.” Mind you, she does this while working full-time at the Chamber. “We’re all volunteers,” she says of community theater life, “and you're always making new friends. We’re a theater family and it’s a very intense experience with a lot of trust involved. If you forget a line, someone is going to help you out. I’ve been really lucky to work with some many amazing cast members and crew.”

She says her true trajectory aligned in 2017 through the Chamber. “I met Through the Fourth Wall, a production company based in Alexandria. They did an immersive theater piece at Torpedo Factory about the works of Edgar Allen Poe. Visitors walked through it and became part of the performance. Actors played the Poe characters. I got friendly with the team and in 2017, they came to me and said, ‘We want to write a musical and we know nothing about musicals, can you help us?’”

It was a musical about the women’s suffrage movement and she spent over two years working on it. “We had our World Premiere in November 2019, the 100th anniversary of Women’s Right to Vote. And then of course you know what happened? Covid halted everyone. They started to license it to schools and we recorded an audio book of it with the original cast. 19: The Musical  was just released in February.”  It shares the dynamic and little-known story of Alice Paul, Ida B. Wells, Susan B. Anthony, Carrie Chapman Catt, Inez Milholland and the other suffragists who fought to get women the right to vote— The 19th Amendment. 

It was a full circle moment that connected her worlds. What else does she love about working at the Chamber, besides all the amazing people she meets? “I never have the same day, and it’s  been 12 years. I do work a hybrid schedule, and I really love my afternoons because I have gotten into walking. I take 10-20 minute breaks, it’s very important. I attend a lot of city meetings and most have virtual options, so I get to attend even more. If there are things I want to know about, I can just pop it on, and not have to go to City Hall in person.”

Maria has a very social job, and on the weekends, likes to slow it down. “On Mondays, Tony will ask me what I did during the weekend, and my response is usually, ‘I sat and it was amazing.’” I think many of us can relate. She loves craft breweries and is hoping to get to Germany and Switzerland some day. “I’m not a huge traveler. I love hanging out in Alexandria, and trying new restaurants. I have a friend who lives out in Purcellville and there are so many great wineries there. I also love Adroit Theory, they have crazy beers that no one would believe exist – coconut, maple…delish.” 

You’ll likely see Maria out and about at a community event, but if you hear about an audition for Ragtime, the musical, let her know. “I want to play Mother. It’s been my dream role, that’s the holy grail…and now I’m the right age.” 

Check out Maria’s Street Style:

ABOUT MARIA

Neighborhood: Potomac Yard/Del Ray

What is your hometown? Philadelphia

What would surprise people about you?  Just how diehard a Philadelphia Eagles fan I am.

Favorite book: I loved The Bridgerton Series 20 years before Netflix made them a star.

Guilty Pleasure: Right now, I am very invested in Travis & Taylor’s relationship.

Latest binge-watch: The last season of The Crown.

Bucket list travel destination: The Swiss Alps.

STYLE

Define your style: Classic.

The go-to piece in your wardrobe: Rothys.

Favorite trend: Patterns on shoes and handbags.

Beauty product you can’t live without: My Drybar products.

Boots, sandals or sneakers? Boots.

WELLNESS

Go-to way to de-stress: Walking.

Most fun way to stay active: Dancing.

Wellness goal: To combat age-related metabolism slowing.

Want to try: Some kind of movement based fitness class – I’ve never done one.

Proudest wellness achievement: I closed all my Apple Watch rings every day in January and February this year 

HOME

Favorite room in your home: The living room – I get so much natural light in the morning.

Antiques, modern, or a mix?  Probably more modern.

Last item bought for your home: A new rug for the living room.

Favorite way to entertain: Dinner parties.

Clutter-free or well-lived in? CLUTTER-FREE.

Next planned purchase: I need one of those coffee table/desk combo things.

ALEXANDRIA

What do you love about Alexandria Stylebook? Everything – I’ve been reading it since its inception. Love all the local highlights and larger trend alerts.

Favorite spot in Alexandria: The Little Theatre of Alexandria

Your go-to shop: Wine Gallery 108 and Old Town Books

Best food spot: Rustico

Favorite local organization: Move2Learn

Favorite annual Alexandria event: The Alexandria/USA Birthday Party in July – nothing beats cannons and the 1812 Overture. The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra is amazing!

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