STAGED STORIES: The Live Streamed Series, Ep#2 - food, dreams, change and being unapologetic

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

Saturday, July 18 @ 6pm PST 

(Ep#3- Humor, Food, Dreams, Change and Being Unapologetic)

Warning: episodes may contain strong language and mature content

STAGED STORIES, an evening of collected short plays, monologues, poetry and new works.”  Works that are a result of our commitment to holding space for writers in our community. We provide resources not only to write, but to workshop, table read, discuss, devise, perform, etc.  Our first episode involved over thirty BIPOC artists. Many of the pieces have gone on to be fully realized productions for other festivals and theatres.

For this particular episode and ongoing, Breath of Fire is partnering with the Black Student Union of Garden Grove High School of Orange County, to donate and raise funds and awareness of efforts and in solidarity with Black Lives Matter for organizing on online, onsite and petitions. They're an inspiring group of young and powerful individuals. They give us all hope for our future to make and practice change.

We continue to work with the groups Advisor and Teachers who also take part in our ensemble and writing workshops. Donations made for this production will be gifted to the BSU group. Donate here: https://www.paypal.me/breathoffiretheater

MEMO LINE: #WeAreBSU or  #BSUBGM (more ways to donate below.)

Episode #2 Hosted by Lorna Silva,  improv extraordinaire

BETWEEN AISLE THREE AND FOUR by Mildred Inez Lewis & directed by Maricella Ibarra

"An Afro Dominicana gives an unwitting stranger an epiphany on being black and Latinx in Aisle 3." 

Starring Samira Beija.

DREAMER by Margo L Rofé & Directed by Sara Guerrero 

"Isolation, dreams deferred, female sexuality, aging, suicide and humor." Starring Carla Valentina

NOT SORRY by Sara Guerrero & directed by Erika Clark. 

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

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.

In solidarity with Black Lives Matter, Breath of Fire is partnering with the Black Student Union (BSU) of Garden Grove High School of Orange County, to raise funds and awareness of BSU on online and onsite. An inspiring group of young and powerful individuals. They give us all hope for our future to make and practice change.

We are also working with their advisor and teachers, who take part in our ensemble and writing workshops.

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.  

Donations for this production will be going to: The Black Student Union of Garden Grove High School, Ca.

#WeAreBSU #BSUBGM  (SEE MORE DETAILS BELOW)

Listen to all Episodes 8 

MAY 30, JULY 18, AUG 4, SEPT 19, OCT 17, NOV 14 each @ 6pm PST / 7pm MST/ 8pm CST/ 9pm EST 

and DEC 6 @ 2pm PST/ 3pm MST/ 4pm CST/ 5pm EST

Breath of Fire Ensemble and with its ongoing steps is reevaluating the ways in which can be active in our solidarity with Black Lives Matter are partnering with the Black Student Union (BSU) of Garden Grove High School of Orange County, to raise awareness and funds for BSU's efforts online and onsite. An inspiring group of young and powerful individuals. Their work and efforts are the hope for our future to make and practice change.

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

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

MEMO LINE: #WeAreBSU

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

STAGED STORIES CAST & CREW BIOS

LORNA SILVA (HOST) A native of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Lorna Silva is an improviser, actor, writer, translator, director and above all a storyteller. She is an ensemble member of Breath of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble and Off the Tracks Theater. She graduated from the Second City Hollywood Directing Program in 2019. At Second City she directed her original sketch show Token Society, and was Assistant Director for the Bob Curry Fellowship Showcase and the Premium Show That’s the End of Our Time. She teaches improv in Spanish all over Los Angeles and Orange County.

MILDRED INEZ LEWIS* (Writer / Between Aisle Three and Four))  writes and directs for theater, film and the digital space. A member of the Dramatists Guild, she currently writes with Company of Angels, Ensemble Studio Theatre-Los Angeles, and Playground LA. Recent monologues for the Last Frontier Theatre Conference, Theatre is the Cure. Recent short plays for We, The People at Sacred Fools, the Roots and Wings Project. Recent publications for the 2020 Applause Books 10 Minute Play Collection and Breathe Fire literary magazine. She teaches in Chapman University's English department.

MARGO L. ROFÉ* (Writer/ Dreamer) is a recent widow, former lawyer, and a new voice on the playwriting scene. Margo is a native of Chicago, Il, lived in San Francisco, California, and now resides in Southern California. Margo has participated in playwriting workshops at South Coast Repertory, in Costa Mesa, California, under the guidance of playwright and actor Diana Burbano, and continues to participate in playwriting workshops run by Ms. Burbano through Breath of Fire Latina Theatre Ensemble, where she is a member. Margo graduated from California State University, Long Beach, in Long Beach, California, where she majored in English Literature and Spanish Literature. She also received her law degree from the University of California Hastings College of the Law. Margo is the author of Venn Diagram, a play about two middle-aged women confronting legacies of racism/anti-Semitism, colorism and identity, mental illness, police brutality, and their cross-cultural overlap and differences; and The Dreamer, a monologue about a middle-aged woman and her dreams deferred, and the isolation, depression, and thoughts of suicide caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

SARA GUERRERO* (Artistic Director/ Breath of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble; Writer/ Not Sorry; Director/ Dreamer) 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. FULL BIO & INFO: www.teatroguerrero.com

MARICELLA IBARRA (Director / Between Aisle Three and Four) is thrilled to work with Breath of Fire Latina Theatre again. In early 2020 she wrote and directed, “Global Village” which had its premiere in New York last summer. Previous plays she wrote are The Town I Live In, El Juarez Que Se Nos Fue, Broker and 5,6, 7. She holds a BA in Drama (UC Irvine) and a Masters in Theatre (Cal State La).

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.

CARLA VALENTINA (Actor / Dreamer) a native New Yorker of Honduran descent, is happy to be involved with Breath Of Fire. Carla was recently directed by Amy Poehler in the upcoming film Moxie and can currently be seen in the Netflix series The Politician opposite Jessica Lange. Other credits include: Lady Bird, S.W.A.T, Blinders. For more info visit www.carlavalentine.online

SAMIRA BEIJA (Actor/ Between Aisle Three and Four) was Born and raised in Houston, TX, . She’s a proud daughter of Colombian and Honduran immigrants. Because she grew up surrounded by a mixture of vibrant cultures, she found herself drawn to music and animated self-expression. Her energetic and charismatic personality naturally gravitated her towards the arts at young age. She’s a Second City Conservatory Graduate and currently a UCB Diversity Scholarship recipient. She has performed in many Second City Hollywood Premium shows , and plays the fiery Cristina on “South of Sunset” (Amazon Prime). When she’s not sharpening her craft , she’s letting her spirit free and Sazón flow somewhere on the mean streets of LA, throwing down some sick dance moves on any salsa dance floor she can find.

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 a Southern California native and a proud Latina. She is a graduate of California State University, Fullerton with a B.A. in Theater Arts and has worked as an actor, singer, puppeteer and producer throughout Southern California. She began writing short stories as a child and first published poetry as a teen. She is a member of Breath Of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble as well as a Board Member of Costa Mesa Playhouse. Tiffany has a passion for Theater and Art as well as a love of making memories in the kitchen with her family. She credits Breath of Fire for reigniting her writing voice and encouraging her as an artist in all ways. Past BOF roles include Esther/Princess Chala in Blanca Nieves as well as Rosa in Mis Padres Murieron. Other Theater Roles include: Lucetta in Two Gentlemen of Verona, Estela in Real Women Have Curves, The Nurse in Romeo and Juliet, Daniela in In the Heights, Cheryl in Evil Dead and Weird Sister In MacBeth to name just a few. When Tiffany is not onstage she is busy being a working wife and mother.

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