STAGED STORIES The Live Streamed Series- Ep #5: Transforming the Narrative

Breath of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble presents

STAGED STORIES: The Live Streamed Series Ep #5: Transforming the Narrative

An evening of fun, thought provoking, relevant new works, music, poetry and interviews -  a result of our commitment to holding space for artists in our community. For this episode Breath of Fire is reaffirming its partnership with Brown Bag Theater Company (BBTC) of UC Irvine. Through our free workshops and community engagement events in Orange County, it is our hope that we continue to foster the growth of BIPOC artists and scholars by supporting Brown Bag Theater Company in their future endeavors for the upcoming school year. We provide resources to storytell, to workshop, table read, discuss, devise, perform, and more. This is a FREE event. Donations made to this episode will be to support Brown Bag Theater Company.

(Warning: episode may contain mature language and content.) 

LINE UP...

8.28.20 & THEIR HATE written and performed by Taylor Fagins~

31st, KING & ESCUELA DE LEONORA Y REMEDIOS

written by Jesús López Vargas~

Directed by Meghan Minguez-Marshall~

Performed by Jesús López Vargas & Erich Barden~

BEST THING IN THE WORLD written by Stacey Manos~

Directed by Meghan Minguez-Marshall~

Performed by Audrey Napoli~ & Sophia K. Metcalf~

¿DÓNDE ESTÁ LA DIVERSIDAD? written by Victoria Yvette Zepeda*~

Directed by Heather Lee Echeverria~

Performed by Stacey Manos~, Meghan Minguez-Marshall~, Carina Negrete~ & Félix José Colón-Rolón ~

PIT written & co-directed by Elisa Alvarez~

co-directed & performed by Jamie Collazo~

CAYENDO Y QUEBRANDO written, directed & performed by Ernest Figueroa~

A WOVEN FUTURE written & performed by Rowan Campbell

with Cassandra Lynn Bridges~ and Kasey Black~

THE ONE I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR written & performed by Meliza Gutierrez~

GRADIENT (trio) written & performed by Arielle Schexnayder~

TRUTHS UNKNOWN written and performed by Angelica Rowell

Hosted by Lorna Silva.*  Q & A moderated by Sara Guerrero*

Produced by: Victoria Yvette Zepeda*~ and Santi Sámano*

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

Advisor/ Founding Artistic Director: Sara Guerrero*

More info, visit: www.breathoffire.org

*Breath of Fire Ensemble / ~Brown Bag Theater Company member, Alumni or Ally

Breath of Fire is partnering with Brown Bag Theater Company at UC Irvine. Brown Bag Theater Company is an ensemble of artists & scholars who aim to produce equally engaging & captivating artistic work that reflects & empowers the Latinx communities. At BBTC, they believe that the discipline of theatre is a cultural force capable of transforming our community and they bolster this belief whilst celebrating the richness & pride of Latinx culture.

Breath of Fire has been a neighbor, friend and collaborator with Brown Bag Theater Company since their founding. Through our free workshops and community engagement events in Orange County, it is our hope that we continue to foster and support the growth of  BIPOC artists and scholars by supporting Brown Bag Theater Company in their future endeavors for the upcoming school year. www.brownbagtheatre.wixsite.com

@brownbagtheatre

Other community partners include: Black Student Union of Garden Grove, Ca. @GGHBSU

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

125 Broadway Santa Ana CA 92701

ARTISTS, CAST & CREATIVE TEAM:

JESÚS LÓPEZ VARGAS~ (Performer & Playwright, 31ST) is currently one his last year as a Master of Fine Arts Stage Management candidate & the very first international student in this particular program at the University of California, Irvine. He graduated with a BFA in Technical Theatre and a concentration in Stage Management from UT at El Paso in the Spring of 2018. Jesús​ has professional experience as an entertainment journalist, translator, production & project manager, lighting designer, freelance event & portrait photographer, video editor and as a publicity artist. He has worked professionally in both the United States & México. Full bio:  jelopez-stage.com

ERICH BARDEN~ (Performer, 31ST) has been working in theater for over a decade, being involved in community theater as well as university productions. When he is not on stage performing, he is either in class taking notes on theater work or seeing a production live. He's also involved in stage management and currently working on the New Play Festival that will open in early November. His hobbies include astronomy, science fiction, and poetry. Instagram: @erichdb /FB: Erich Barden

MEGHAN MINGUEZ-MARSHALL~ (Director, 31ST & BEST THING IN THE WORLD /  Actor, ¿DÓNDE ESTÁ LA DIVERSIDAD?) is a fourth year B.A. in Drama Candidate with a minor in English and the Managing Director of Brown Bag Theatre Company for the 2020-2021 season. After graduation, she plans to pursue her Masters of Arts in Teaching to become a high school theatre teacher. In her career as an artist, she hopes to uplift young Latinx and BIPOC artists, facilitate a safe space for all voices to be heard, and create radical art that promotes social change. Instagram: @meghan.marshalll

STACEY MANOS~ (Playwright, BEST THING IN THE WORLD/ Actor, ¿DÓNDE ESTÁ LA DIVERSIDAD?) is a fourth year B.A. Drama Candidate with Honors in Acting and an emphasis in playwriting. She hopes to amplify and uplift an authentic Latinx voice through her writing and continue her career as an actor. She is extremely grateful to have found a home at Brown Bag Theatre Company which has provided so many opportunities to showcase critically engaging work.  Instagrams: @skmpoetry @stace_manos / Twitter: @stac99_ / Blog: lessfearmorechange.wordpress.com

AUDREY NAPOLI~ (Actor, BEST THING IN THE WORLD)  is very excited and honored to be collaborating with the Breath of Fire Latina Theatre Ensemble and to be bringing Stacey Manos's beautiful play to life. Audrey is currently attending the University of California, Irvine as a 4th year undergraduate studying directing and acting. She has most recently portrayed Libby Tucker in Neil Simon's I Ought To Be In Pictures at her University as well as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet. She is very grateful to be playing a strong and independent latina woman and hopes you enjoy the show! Instagram: @audreystartedthefire

FB: Audrey Napoli

SOPHIA K. METCALF~  (Actor, BEST THING IN THE WORLD) is an MFA-trained actor, singer, and interdisciplinary performer. They are currently based in Irvine while they complete their MFA in Acting at UCI. They have also lived in New York, Munich, and Montreal, where they received a BA in Music and Drama from McGill University.  They most recently appeared in Netflix’s I Am No Longer Here directed by Fernando Frías de la Parra. They were also a featured vocalist on Portrait of Frances, Enclosed (Palm Springs 2020).  At UCI, they co-founded UCI’s first queer theatre company, Brick Theatre. They also regularly write and perform with the UCI Neofuturist Collective, 30 Plays in 60 Minutes. Other recent theatrical roles include: Odysseus in The Penelopiad, Duncan/Lady MacDuff in Macbeth, and the one-person mask show, “Rufus”. Their  podcast, Oma Ghost premiers on October 1st, wherever you get your podcasts. They are also constantly collaborating on new things so check back in soon or get in touch. They are also an academic, primarily interested in the queer and/or female body’s radical occupation of public and performative spaces. This has manifested in performance art, activism, and publications. Instagram: @sophiakmetcalf  www.sophiakmetcalf.com

HEATHER LEE ECHEVERRIA~ (Director, ¿DÓNDE ESTÁ LA DIVERSIDAD?) (she, her) is a first year MFA acting graduate student, who recently graduated from UCI's undergraduate drama program with Honors in Acting (2020). While an undergraduate student Heather has been an actor, producer, and director in various BBTC productions. She also served as BBTC's Artistic Director in her senior year. In addition to working in the theater, she is also a co-host of “The Roasting Booth” podcast. She has been a member of BBTC for 4 years and is excited to continue creating and supporting Latinx theater at UCI for another 3 years! Instagram: @forevverheather

CARINA NEGRETE~ (Actor, ¿DÓNDE ESTÁ LA DIVERSIDAD?) is a third year Dramatic Arts and Sociology double major at UC Irvine. She values all forms of art and is inspired by the way they can create social change and movement. That is why she aspires to have a career that would allow her to work with community members to create art that is for the community, by the community. Instagram: @negretecarina

FÉLIX JOSÉ COLÓN-ROLÓN~ (Actor, ¿DÓNDE ESTÁ LA DIVERSIDAD?) is an Actor, Singer, Musician and Director born and raised in Caguas, Puerto Rico. Félix did his undergrad in acting in the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus. He created Taller Artístico Caguas, a non-profit organization that offers musical theater workshops and training for young artists in Puerto Rico. He is currently studying his first year in UCI’s MFA Acting Program. Félix José is thrilled and honored to make his debut at UCI with this amazing story. Most recent credits: Fiddler on the Roof, Equus and Love’s Labour’s Lost.

ELISA ALVAREZ~ (Director & Playwright, PIT) (They/Them) is an arfo-latine student at UC Irvine pursuing a BA in Drama and hoping to graduate from Claire Trevor School of Arts Spring 2021. They are a proud member of Brown Bag Theatre Company and very thankful to be able to collaborate as a writer for this event. When Elisa isn't in class or writing, you can find them painting or looking for cool spots to hangout in nature. Instagram: @thisismyusername_rn

JAMIE COLLAZO~ (Actor & Co-Director, PIT) is currently going into her fourth year at UCI. She wants to focus on the film side of acting but also has an interest in musical theatre. She hopes to gain new experiences as an artist post graduation and start working as soon as possible. Instagram: @jamie_steph_

ERNEST FIGUEROA~ (Writer, Director & Performer, CAYENDO Y QUEBRANDO) was born and raised in Santa Ana California, and is the proud son of two Mexican immigrants. His parents have both made incredible sacrifices learning new languages, assimilating in the face of discrimination, and working while going to school in spite of the familial aversion to it. For their hard work, he has been afforded an opportunity to pursue with greater freedom, what he loves: art, expression, music. He offers his performance today as an ode to them. Instagram: @Erniefiggz

LUCAS GOODMAN~ (BBTC Stage Manager)  (He/Him) is a senior at UCI and is majoring in Drama/Political Science with concentrations in directing and civil rights law. He is grateful to be serving as Brown Bag’s current Artistic Director for the 2020-2021 season. He will be directing one of the three plays included in BBTC’s Los Cuentos De Nuestra Gente Festival titled, Merging Lanes written by Nick Krentel. He is extremely grateful to be part of the beautiful Brown Bag family and is exhilarated for all the creative journeys and shenanigans to come this year! Instagram: @lucasgoodman

TAYLOR FAGINS~ (Writer & Performer, 8.28.20 & THEIR HATE  ) is a writer and a storyteller. Through music, scripts, books, or speeches, he tells the story of the human experience from every lense possible. His most recent works include "LIVING: A Now Musical (Book, Music & Lyrics) and his first play, "A Song.". He is currently working on three other works. His greatest goal is to tell the stories that are unheard and give a voice to those who are unseen. More info, visit: www.taylorfagins.com

MELIZA GUTIERREZ~ (Playwright & Actor, THE ONE I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR) Melíza Gutierrez is a theater artist who graduated in Spring of 2020 with a BA in Drama and Honors in Acting from the University of California, Irvine where she played many fierce Latina women like Concha in Plumas Negras, Maria Celia in Two Sisters and a Piano, Connie in Sebastian, and more. The One I Have Been Waiting For is a poem adapted from her original play Valiente which premiered virtually in May. She's thrilled to be performing in Breath of Fire's Staged Stories and looks forward to writing and playing more chingonas! Instagram: @melizakg melizagutierrez.com

ROWAN CAMPBELL~ (Poet, Director & Performer, A WOVEN FUTURE) Rowan is a recent UCI graduate who studied theater. She is from Washington DC and has a classical music background. She will be Pershing graduate school in 2021.

CASSANDRA LYNN BRIDGES~ (Performer, A WOVEN FUTURE) Cassandra Lynn Bridges recently received her bachelor’s degree in drama from University of California, Irvine. She is an aspiring actress, writer, and director. Her ultimate goal in life is to create art that represents and uplifts black women in society.

KASEY BLACK~ (Performer, A WOVEN FUTURE) is  a current 4th year drama student at UCI. She has always loved acting ever since she was a child. SheI believes, especially with the given climate, that it’s important to create art. Black art. To uplift others and inspire. She’s  excited to be a part of this project!

ARIELLE SCHEXNAYDER~ (Playwright & Performer, GRADIENT (trio) ) graduated in 2019 from UCI with a B.A. in Drama, and worked in many productions with BBTC during her time there. She currently is an essential worker at Target while trying to engage in as much art as possible. Events like these keep her involved in the local arts community and she is very grateful for them. Instagram: @ariellethesassy

ANGELICA ROWELL~ (Poet & Performer, TRUTHS UNKNOWN) is a singer, actress, writer, and plus size model based in Los Angeles, California. She holds degrees in both Classical Voice and Theatre from the University of California, Irvine.   She is  passionate about  social activism through the arts and strives to  create works that open doors for the marginalized, as well as initiate a dialogue about controversial topics.

VICTORIA YVETTE ZEPEDA*~ (Producer/ Playwright, ¿DÓNDE ESTÁ LA DIVERSIDAD?) is a multidisciplinary theatre artist from San Diego, CA. They are a UC Irvine Alum (Honors in Drama, 2019) whose career has driven them to decolonize American theater by pushing forward narratives for and about the Latinx community. Previously, they were the Artistic Director of Brown Bag Theater Company (UCI) from 2016-2019. Currently, they are an ensemble member for the following companies: Breath of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble in Santa Ana, CA and Amigos del REP of San Diego Repertory Theater. 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: Producer of Staged Stories: The Live Streamed Series (Breath of Fire), Assistant Director of American Mariachi (José Cruz Gonzalez, South Coast Rep), Director of Culture Clash in AmeriCCa (UCI), Mitra’s Suitcase (Yasaman Madadi, Frida Kahlo Theater 10-Minute Play Festival 2020), Bad Hombres, Good Wives (Herbert Siguenza, UCI), and Xicanas in Xicanalandia (Shanelle Darlene, Frida Kahlo Theater 10-Minute Play Festival 2019). Instagram: @_victoriazee

SANTI SÁMANO* (Producer / SM Tech) 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.

SARA GUERRERO* (Founding Artistic Director/ Advisor) 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 State University of 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. FOR FULL BIO and INFO visit www.teatroguerrero.com

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.

DIANA BURBANO* (Literary Director)  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.

RUTH MADRID (Graphic Designer) is a playwright and screenwriter based in Los Angeles and Riverside. Her works include El Recalentado, Inolvidable the Musical, Una Hora Mas, and La Tormenta de Ayer. Her works have been presented by the Latinx Play Project, UCR Playworks, and the Company of Angels. Ruth aspires to write interesting and dramatic stories that are hardly seen on screen or stage. She is continuing to pursue her passions in writing for herself and her community. Follow @MVDRID

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

~BBTC Ensemble, Alumni or Ally