"NOT SORRY" & "LA MUJER DEL ESPEJO" a STAGED STORIES Series

Breath of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble presents  STAGED STORIES: The Live Streamed Series

Saturday, July 11 @ 6pm PST 

(Ep#3- Unapologetic, Transparency, Humor and Change)

(Warning: episodes may contain strong language and mature content)

LA MUJER DEL ESPEJO written & directed by Shanelle Darlene 

Cast: Estefania Garcia Bautista, Sheresade Poblet and Jacqueline Castañeda.

“When Naíma is visited by an unexpected guest, she must confront what it means for her to exist and love herself unapologetically.” 

NOT SORRY by Sara Guerrero & directed by Erika Clark. 

Cast: Richard Soto.

“One dark night, one resident, of Pleasure Trails Senior Living Complex, is confronted about the whereabouts of a certain Mr. Tinkles. “

With poet Tiffany McQuay reading LOST AND FOUND and DON'T BRING ME DOWN 

Q & A to follow each episode with artists moderated by Diana Burbano, ensemble’s literary director.

Produced by: Victoria Yvette Zepeda, Santi Sámano and Angela Estela Moore

Graphic by: Ruth Veronica Madrid. Original music by Moises Vázquez.

Staged Stories is presented by Breath of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble a 501c3 non-profit organization supported by artist of our community, volunteers, and donors like you. We make every little bit counts and happy and appreciative to accept your generous donation, when you can spare it.  

Listen to all 4 Episodes May 30, Jun 13, Jul 11 and Aug 4 each @ 6pm PST / 7pm MST/ 8pm CST/ 9pm EST)

Donate here: https://www.paypal.me/breathoffiretheater

Or make checks payable to: Breath of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble 

Mail to: Breath of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble, 

c/o Yolanda Mendiveles, Treasurer, 

320 Colleen Place

Costa Mesa CA 92627

ARTISTS BIOS

SHANELLE DARLENE* (Writer, Director /La Mujer del Espejo) is an artist del Valle de Coachella whose work looks to question society and create visibility in a world that continually erases lives and stories. She is a member of Breath of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble in OC and has participated in the Frida Kahlo Theater Festival, Chicanas, Cholas y Chisme's (7th Yr) Festival, and the Short and Sweet Festival in Hollywood as a writer, producer, and performer. Shanelle has crafted works in musical theater, singing, art, dance and ensemble produced plays. She hopes to continue using art as a way of truth, community and empowerment.  

ESTEFANíA GARCíA BAUTISTA (Actor/La Mujer del Espejo) is an Indigenous Zapotec Womxn from Oaxaca, Mexico, who migrated to the U.S. with her mother at 8 months old. She is an Actress, Poet, Musician, Community Organizer, Impulsive Traveler, and Entrepreneur, with an earned B.A in Theater, Film and Digital Production from the University of California, Riverside. Estefania is a co-founder of the UCR’s Latinx Play Projects. She has premiered in L.A based community theaters such as CASA0101, FRIDA KAHLO, and LATC. Her creative work focuses on Indigenous womxn empowerment, self-love, and intergenerational healing through spoken word, rap music, and experimental visual mediums. Her favorite thing about being human - food.  

JACQUELINE CASTAÑEDA* (Actor/La Mujer del Espejo) Born and raised in East LA, Jacqueline Castañeda is a music-obsessed actress, singer, and writer. Along with being involved with Towne Street Theatre and Breath of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble, Jacqueline has produced projects with other young theater and film artists in the LA/OC area as well. She is a firm believer that art is essential to promote a sense of growth, community, and activism. Jacqueline is grateful for this opportunity and is honored to be able to support our community's artistic creativity.

SHERESADE POBLET (Actor/La Mujer del Espejo) a Peruvian actress that started writing her own improv material at a young age to perform at theater summer camp. Moved to LA to study acting. Focused on film work (Excess Fless, Trails) however she has also performed in stages around LA (Swarm Cell, Chicanas, Cholas y Chimes, Frida Khalo Theater).    

SARA GUERRERO* (Artistic Director/ Breath of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble; Writer/ Not Sorry) is a Southern California native, is a professional, versatile theatre artist whose mission is to model, share and create theatre-making opportunities for and with her community. A CalArts alum, she has been recognized as one of the “People to Watch” by American Theatre Magazine, and “Best [Artistic] Director” and “Person of Interest” by OC WEEKLY. As the founding artistic director of Breath of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble, an award-winning, Santa Ana-based group, she and the ensemble are part of the artist-in-residence program of Grand Central Arts Center of Cal State Fullerton, California. Under Guerrero’s leadership, the organization serves as an incubator for underrepresented voices in theater by providing programming and guidance in the art of storytelling.

Guerrero is a longtime teaching artist for South Coast Repertory (Costa Mesa, Calif.) and served as their director for the DIALOGUE/DIÁLOGOS Project: a two-year bilingual community theatre-making project for Latinx community of Santa Ana; and was the producing artistic associate to the project’s production, EL LARGO CAMINO DE HOY/ THE LONG ROAD TODAY by José Cruz González. Additionally, she has collaborated, worked, directed, and created with Pacific Symphony, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Center Theatre Group of Los Angeles, Ca., Cal State University of Los Angeles, University of Riverside, Cal State of Long Beach, Musco Center Of Chapman University (Orange, Ca.), Brown Bag Theatre of University of Irvine, Ca., Educational Outreach Program, Fringe Benefits both from of Los Angeles, Ca., and many more.

Guerrero’s directing credits include: BLOOD WEDDING, Weitzenhoffer College of Fine Arts of the University of Oklahoma; THE FESTIVAL FOR THE DEAD, Pacific Symphony of the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall (Costa Mesa Ca.); POLICARPA, TalkBack Theatre; SHE KILLS MONSTERS, Cal State University of Los Angeles Playhouse, Los Angeles, Ca.; GUADALUPE IN THE GUEST ROOM, Creede Repertory Theatre, Creede, Co.; THE MADRES, A National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere at Skylight Theatre, Los Angeles, Ca.; and holds an extensive list of additional credits and works with other major institutes, organizations, universities, schools and communities.

Previously, she was commissioned by Pacific Symphony (2019-2020 season) to write and direct plays that focused on the Latinx community: THE FESTIVAL FOR THE DEAD, a play about a family experiencing loss and the celebration of life through Día de los Muertos; and CANTO DE ANAHEIM, in collaboration with journalist Gustavo Arellano and conductor Greg Flores, a play and project that combined story, symphony, new and traditional music, to highlight the Latinx histories and experiences of Anaheim, Calif.; all presented by the Symphony.

Despite projects postponed and or cancelled, during this this pandemic and time of quarantine; Guerrero has been keeping herself busy with her familia, revisiting sewing, much reflection, and directing, acting, producing works through live stream readings with Breath of Fire and other organizations, while practicing safe distancing. www.teatroguerrero.com

ERIKA CLARK (Director/Not Sorry) is a recent graduate from the University of California, Irvine. She is originally from Buford, Georgia, but has lived in Orange County for the past 4 years. She considers herself an actor, director, stage manager, and writer, and has worked on over a dozen productions on & off campus during her time at UCI, including collaborations with New Swan Shakespeare Festival, Pacific Symphony, and Breath of Fire. Some of her most notable credits include performing as Setsuko Banks in "Tea", and most recently, directing "Porcelain", a Brick Theater & Brown Bag Theater Company production.

RICHARD SOTO* (Actor/Not Sorry) is a professional actor - SAG-AFTRA, AEA - teaching artist, fight director, and writer, and has performed in theaters throughout Southern California, including South Coast Repertory, San Diego Rep, The Old Globe, and A Noise Within. His television and film credits include The West Wing, Firebirds, Third Degree Burn, and General hospital. He recently played the role of Old Vato for a virtual performance of Fresno by Augusto Amador presented by the Breath Of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble. Richard’s acting classes at South Coast Repertory, Vanguard University, and Breath Of Fire Latina Theatre Ensemble are a socially active environment where students of all ages and backgrounds, engage their creativity, expression and empathy. He has choreographed stage fights around the SoCal region, including South Coast Repertory, Los Angeles Theater Center, Teatro Meta, American Coast Theater. His written work includes the Latinx superhero comic book, “The Legend of El Lobo,” “The Black Book,” and “Los Invisibles,” which address the inhumane treatment of immigrants, for Protest Plays Project’s #TheatreActionImmigration Initiative, “Freedom To Speak”, “I Leave You Hope,” “It Ain’t Perfect,” and “Something Worth Pursuing,” for We The People Theatre Action Program at Sacred Fools Theater. He is currently working on projects for theatre, television, and film, involving his passions of art, history, education, and comic books.

Richard Soto is a professional actor - SAG-AFTRA, AEA - teaching artist, fight director, and writer, and has performed in theaters throughout Southern California, including South Coast Repertory, San Diego Rep, The Old Globe, and A Noise Within. His television and film credits include The West Wing, Firebirds, Third Degree Burn, and General hospital. He recently played the role of Old Vato for a virtual performance of Fresno by Augusto Amador presented by the Breath Of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble. Richard’s acting classes at South Coast Repertory, Vanguard University, and Breath Of Fire Latina Theatre Ensemble are a socially active environment where students of all ages and backgrounds, engage their creativity, expression and empathy. He has choreographed stage fights around the SoCal region, including South Coast Repertory, Los Angeles Theater Center, Teatro Meta, American Coast Theater. His written work includes the Latinx superhero comic book, “The Legend of El Lobo,” “The Black Book,” and “Los Invisibles,” which address the inhumane treatment of immigrants, for Protest Plays Project’s #TheatreActionImmigration Initiative, “Freedom To Speak”, “I Leave You Hope,” “It Ain’t Perfect,” and “Something Worth Pursuing,” for We The People Theatre Action Program at Sacred Fools Theater. He is currently working on projects for theatre, television, and film, involving his passions of art, history, education, and comic books.

TIFFANY McQUAY* (Poet) is an actor, singer, puppeteer, and new mom. A graduate of California State University, Fullerton, she has worked in theaters throughout Orange County. Tiffany joined Breath of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble almost three years ago.

VICTORIA YVETTE ZEPEDA* (Producer/BOFStaged Stories Live Stream Edition 2020; Director/Departure) is a Mexican director, producer, and actor from South San Diego, CA. They are a UC Irvine Alum (Honors in Drama, 2019) whose career has driven them to decolonize Western theater by pushing forward narratives of the Latinx community. As they continue to navigate their professional career and question the erasure of QTBIPOC artists, they would agree with Victory Garden’s former Artistic Director Chay Yew when he states, “...you need to break that [...] table down and build your own.” Their most recent credits include: Assistant Director of American Mariachi (José Cruz Gonzalez, South Coast Rep), Director of Culture Clash in AmeriCCa (Culture Clash, UC Irvine), Mitra’s Suitcase (Yasaman Madadi, Frida Kahlo Theater 10-Minute Play Festival 2020), Bad Hombres, Good Wives (Herbert Siguenza, UC Irvine), and Xicanas in Xicanalandia (Shanelle Darlene, Frida Kahlo Theater 10-Minute Play Festival 2019). 

SANTI SÁMANO (Co-producer/BOFStaged Stories Live Stream Edition 2020, Stage Manager) is a singer and actor from San Diego, California that takes a holistic approach to art and life. While their passion lies in singing and music, Santi is led by their curiosity to expand, learn and integrate as much as possible throughout their life. Santi’s greatest goal is to use their privilege to create a radically inclusive theatre company that entertains, heals, and empowers people of color at their varying intersections, emphasizing accessibility to queer and low-income communities. They are currently a fifth year at UC Riverside, studying Theatre and French and Assistant Director for UCR’s Latinx Play Project.

DIANA BURBANO* (Literary Director/Breath of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble)  a Colombian immigrant, is an Equity actor, a playwright and a teaching artist at South Coast Repertory and Breath of Fire Latina Theatre Ensemble. Written work includes:  Policarpa, Oregon Shakespeare Festival Brown Swan lab 2017, Drama League Rough Draft series May 2017, Honorable Mention, Jane Chambers Award 2017, Parsnip Ship 2017 Fabulous Monsters, Latinx Play Festival, San Diego Rep 2017, Festival51 2016 winner, about women in Punk Rock,Picture me Rollin’ (featured at the 35th annual William Inge Festival and Inkfest at 2cents.), Silueta, (about the Cuban artist Ana Mendieta), with Tom and Chris Shelton, and the TYA Shakespeare mash-up, Caliban’s Island winner 2017 Headwaters New Play Festival at Creede Repertory. (Published by YouthPLAYS). Libertadoras, Vamping and Linda were written for the 365 Women a Year project and have been performed around the world, with Linda featured in more that 20 festivals over the last year, including Center Theatre Group’s community library series. Her short play Rounds Per Second is in Smith and Kraus’s 5-minute play anthology. She is currently writing material for Center Theatre Group’s Chisme y Queso series, for Rogue Artists Plummer Park project and for Kaiser Permanente’s Educational touring show. She has also been a working actor since leaving the Professional Actors Conservatory in 1991. She originated the roles of Ama de Casa in the Spanish version of Menopause the Musical, Thumb in Imagine, and Holo-1 in the Labors of Hercules. She recently played Ana Guerrero in Jose Cruz Gonzales' Long Road Today/El Largo Camino de Hoy Dialogue/Dialogos project at South Coast Repertory.  TV includes The People vs OJ Simpson, Cold Case, Betas.  She played punk Praetorian guard Viv in the cult movie musical, The Isle of Lesbos She manages Sleep Till Noon Productions and The Gourmet Detective. Diana is one of the original members of the writers circle for Latino Theatre Association/ Los Angeles. She is also a member of The Dramatists Guild and The Alliance of Los Angeles Playwrights. 

MOISES VÁZQUEZ* (Composer/Musician) is a musician and composer, proud Santanero, and community activist. He has composed and performed original music for South Coast Repertory, San Diego Repertory, Pacific Symphony, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Brown Bag Theater of UC Irvine, Costa Mesa Playhouse, Orange County New Play Festival, The Musco Center, SanArts, Arts Orange County’s Dia de Niño Festival, El Centro Cultural de Mexico, Latino Health Access, and the list goes on. Additionally, Moises composed and performed original music for El Largo Camino de Hoy / The Long Road Today by José Cruz González, inspired by stories of the Santa Ana community.

*Breath of Fire Ensemble Member/Artist/Teaching Artist