Artes Academy - more then just Theatre Games

Today we spend some time with one of the instructors of Artes Academy and occasional stage actor at Artes de la Rosa, Rob Bosquez.  Rob shares with us a particularly special story about working with the wonderful children and teens at Artes Academy... As Artistic Director, I'm very proud of our group of teens and their attention to social issues affecting their community... it truly is a brilliant illustration that what we do with our students at Artes Academy is more then just theatre games and plays. They are learning to be proud, articulate, and compassionate citizens of the community... that's why I say Artes Academy changes children's lives "drama"itcally. - Adam Adolfo, Artistic Director

October 25, 2012

Just wanted to catch everybody up on the goings on of late with the teen troupe over here at ARTES ACADEMY, we had the honor of performing our original play BIGFOOT & US for a large portion of Ft. Worth’s homeless community this past Saturday at Unity Park.

It was a thrilling and way fulfilling experience for myself and the students.

I showed up Friday at the location, just to get the  “lay of the land,” see the space we would be performing in the next day and talk to the folks in charge. Parked the car on Lancaster street and walked down Cedar about a block to get to the park. There were dozens of homeless folks all around, and I admit, for more than a few seconds, I was a bit wary of my surroundings... One of the guys said, “what’s up, man?”

I went on to explain that I was with a group who would be doing a play tomorrow in the park.

He said, “ Oh, ya’ll the ones doing that play about Bigfoot?”

“Yes we are,” I said, “my students, actually.”

“Come on this way, man... Let me introduce you to, Kelly.”

I then met the good folks at FED BY GRACE, a place that provides food, shelter, and ministry to the homeless citizens of our city, a Godsend if there ever was one. A very special group of people who definitely make a difference in thousands of folks lives.

 

A woman named Kelly showed me around the grounds which included above ground gardens, and quite impressive landscaping done by the small community there. Then I met Mr. Mansfield, the founder of FED BY GRACE, he was a dedicated man and very interested in the fact that a group of teenagers wanted to perform a play about BIGFOOT in the park for the homeless citizens...

Saturday came and we all met in the park, warmed up our bodies and voices and prepared to do our show for a park full of people. I told the kids, they will have to fight for their audience, as some people have no idea a play is about to be performed. There were about 300 people out there, some are in line to get food, some are here for hot coffee and to chat with friends or find a warm blanket. A play is the last thing on their minds...

"If you all go out there and give good confident performances, and believe in what we do, we will win over the park, and our audience..." So as the kids took the stage , they had a small crowd,  as the story went on, and their confidence grew and they got lost in the adventure and the Bigfoot puppet was unleashed to its full 12 foot tall glory, something special happened. All the stoic weather beaten faces began to smile, people were filling each other in on the story, spontaneous applause and laughter, genuine laughter spread through the park.

No we might not have won over everyone’s attention, but watching the children in the audience light up, and the appreciative crowd clamoring to take a photo with the Bigfoot puppet and the students, I knew we had touched and warmed the lives of a few good people who had fallen on hard times, and isn’t that the goal of what we do... to enlighten and entertain, and for about 30 minutes, bring joy and laughter to  a group of people who don’t often get to see live entertainment. There was at least a dozen people who told me after the play that this was their first ever theatrical experience ever. Many thanks to Director of Education Yvonne Duque and the Fed By Grace folks for making this happen. I know our kids got a lot out of it. They are learning about giving back to the community and helping people to heal with the power of story. These tales we tale can save lives and touch so many. We were all grateful for the opportunity to make a little difference in someone’s life, at least for a little while.

-Rob Bosquez, Teaching Artist, Artes Academy

"What are you drinking? Can I have a sip?" - A word from George X. Rodgriiguez about The Fifth Sun

Today's blog is by George X. Rodriguez


George X. Rodriguez stars as Archbishop Oscar Romero
in Artes de la Rosa's production of THE FIFTH SUN at the Rose Marine Theater in Fort Worth.

If you had told me when I was in the 7^th grade at All Saints Catholic, that my stage aspirations would lead me to be the feature actor in a play at The Rose Marine Theatre, I more than likely would have asked you for a sip of what you were drinking.

Back then, The Rose was a crumbled, dilapidated building that was the home to several of the homeless and indigent of The North Side. Main Street was a place you did not walk down at night, much less alone. Thank God, the neighborhood, and I, have lived long enough to see this dream come true.

            Most of my acting background comes from performing the classics, from Shakespeare to Steinbeck, and new works. So, when Artistic Director, Adam Adolfo Yzaguirre, told me that he wanted me to play the historically prolific and inspirational  Archbishop Oscar Romero, after I thanked God, and told my family, I eagerly replied “YES”.

            About three weeks later, Adam was working me into one of the scenes with the gifted performers who play the Mayan Gods. As he played the music that would be the musical scoring for our production, I sat down to listen to it. About halfway through it, I was literally and figuratively overwhelmed by the sheer weight and beauty of the whole. I felt that I simply may have bitten off more than I could chew or digest.

     

            My senses and psyche were overheating from the pageantry, poetry, and honesty of it all. It was the reason why I wanted to do theatre in the first place. Our director had crafted a unique vision with disciplined, talented artists that he felt could tell the story of Romero in a way, which is accessible to anyone who seeks the truth of the man’s message. I spoke to Adam about it, telling him that it was overwhelming to such a degree that I honestly did not know what to do. I was not afraid of the work, but I was a bit afraid of how the work might change me.

            I do quite a bit of research when I get the privilege of playing a role like this. As we are now in a digital age, there is a wealth of material available about Oscar Romero. From new documentaries, videos that illustrate some of the graphic and horrifying events of the time, with audio and written transcripts from Romero’s own homilies, all pointed to me toward the direction of what I feel that he must have when he saw with his own two eyes and one soul. Romero’s line in the second act is one that I feel is a core thread to the story. “You Cannot Always Calculate The Good. Some Things Must Be Done Simply Because They Are Right.”

            As Romero was also a master in The Beatitudes, his message of Christ’s, to treat your neighbor as you would yourself, is the one crystalline truth that I feel is central to humanity. Such truths are often almost impossible to depict or illustrate onstage to an audience if you do not believe in them yourself as the performer. I honestly feel that my journey to this role started in 7^th Grade and will continue long after this show has closed.

            I am thankful for all of the artists in this production, our community, and my family for carrying me with them so we can tell this story and its message together.

                                                            Con Todo Mi Corazon y Mi Alma……..GXR

Actors go head over heals for The Fifth Sun at Artes de la Rosa

Artes de la Rosa in recent years has become known for its ambitious productions (Tango operas, Greek Inspired American Classics, Environmental Musicals) and this September they add a new skill to that list, “Flying”. Cast members from the upcoming production of The Fifth Sun have been enrolled in circus school to learn the art of Aerial Silk Movement. 

Probably best exemplified by performers in the international circus franchise Cirque Du Soleil, the art of aerial silks (also known as aerial contortion, aerial tissues, fabric, & ribbon depending on regional preference) is a type of performance in which artists perform aerialbatic acrobatics while hanging from fabric. Performers climb the suspended fabric without the use of safety lines, and rely only on their training and skill to ensure safety. They use the fabric to wrap, suspend, fall, swing, and spiral their bodies into and out of various positions. Aerial silks may be used to fly through the air, striking poses and figures while flying.

            Artes de la Rosa is presenting The Fifth Sun by Nicholas A. Patricca, which chronicles the life of civil rights leader Oscar Romero. The story is mirrored with that of the Mayan Myth of the 5 Sun Gods of Life, Death, Rain, Cultivation, and Love.  Artistic Director Adam Adolfo offers, “I read once a criticism of the show saying that ‘What this play needs is a big staging that matches the grandeur of the Catholic Church with the grit of the world around it...’ – those words resonated with me for some time. The idea of the images of the Sistine Chapel coming to life and floating above the heads of the congregation was what bore the idea of aerial silk work in our production."

            The 4 actors who play the Sun Gods have been attending aerial classes at Lone Star Circus School in Farmers Branch Texas, 2 to 3 times a week for the last month, but they have been physically conditioning for the taxing art form since they were cast in May. “It’s important to be really in prime physical condition for this. It’s hard enough to execute the stunts, but now we must do it while acting and storytelling, and in my case, singing!…I’ve never been this tired in my life!” says Parker Fitzgerald who plays Apuch the God of Death.  Ghanan, God of Cultivation is played by ADLR alum Eduardo Aguilar saying, “I'm probably going to become addicted to this place. It's like the best playground ever.” Dancer Rebekah Ruiz, who plays Chac, God of Rain, is no stranger to silk work. “It’s good to be back in the silks again after so many years! I've already learned so much! I love it!” Veteran dancer Frieda Austin, who most recently wowed audiences in Artes de la Rosa’s Maria de Buenos Aires plays the God of Life. She offers this view of the groups silks class; “It is always fascinating to learn a new skill. Even after dancing for so long, I still feel the child-like excitement of doing something I've never done before.”

The following is an excerpt from Adam Adolfo's Program Director's Note:

"When thinking of the ‘grandeur’ of the Catholic Church, I kept envisioning the great columns of a cathedral and even let my mind wander to the images of painted ceilings, a’la the Sistine Chapel. I asked myself, what if the images on the ceiling could come to life and actually help tell the story of Oscar Romero. Thus was born the idea of aerial silk artistry as another storytelling device in this production. A patron of our theatre recently remarked, “Adam, your middle name is ambition. Of course The Fifth Sun is ambitious.” I laughed, but when I stop to consider my last few years with Artes de la Rosa, every production I have done has been ambitious in some way, whether it be with Greek style storytelling (A View From the Bridge), dance inspired narratives (Maria de Buenos Aires), naked emotional drama (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof), or a stripped down staging (26 Miles), each of my shows here at ADLR have been ambitious in a different way. With The Fifth Sun, I feel we reach a production that is the culmination of the work we have done over the years. But at the end of all the ambitious staging concepts, theatrical lighting, and musical sequences, what I hope you leave with is the power of theatre and how it gave you a glimpse into the life of a man who gave of himself wholly, freely, and with great love."

 

ABOUT THE FIFTH SUN

There are five suns in the Mayan cosmos representing Life, Rain, Cultivation, and Death. The Fifth Sun is a human being whose destiny is to save his people… On March 24, 1980, during Mass, Oscar Romero, Archbishop of El Salvador, was assassinated. Against the backdrop of Mayan and Catholic culture, imagery, history, and ritual, this powerful and acclaimed play presents the story of the people and the forces that transformed an ordinary man into a courageous leader. In celebration of the Mayan Calendar, we present The Fifth Sun in a highly ambitious staging. Experience the magic and mystery of the Mayan Culture through the fierce and transformative imagery of theatre! The Fifth Sun is produced through special collaboration with the Latino Cultural Center. The Latino Cultural Center is a division of the City of Dallas’ Office of Cultural Affairs.

About Artes de la Rosa

Artes de la Rosa is dedicated to preserving, promoting, and interpreting the art, lives, and history of Latino culture for all.

About Lone Star Circus School

Lone Star Circus® provides circus entertainment and is the performing arm of Lone Star Circus Arts Center, a non-profit, Dallas-based educational organization. Lone Star Circus Arts Center’s purpose is to promote circus arts through training, performance and community outreach.

CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR TICKETS TO THE FIFTH SUN! Opening Night After Party included in cost of opening night ticket!

INSIDE ADLR with Fr. Rutilio Grande's, ALEJANDRO SANDOVAL II

Alex Sandoval is making his ADLR debut in The Fifth Sun in the role of Fr. Rutilo Grande who was mudered for his work with the poor of El Salvador. Take a few moments to say Hello to Alex and then remember to buy your tickets to see him and the rest of the phenomenal cast in ADLR's THE FIFTH SUN which opens in September!

Production Name: The Fifth Sun     

Actor’s Name : Alex Sandoval II

Character Name: Fr. Rutillio Grande

• Born & Raised:   Born in Germany, raised in Texas (San Antonio, Fort Worth)
• Education:  Texas Wesleyan University for Acting, San Juan College for Writing
• Degree: not yet…
• Zodiac Sign: scorpio
• Any Siblings: two older sisters
• Audition Song:  N/A
• Audition Monologue:  Angelo from Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure,” Roma from Mamet’s “Glengarry Glen Ross.”
• First Play/Musical You Ever Saw:   The Diviners at Stage West
• Something you’re REALLY bad at: Breathing underwater.
• Did you have any particular mentors or inspirations when first starting out? Local actors were my favorite to watch on the stages of Fort Worth Shakespeare in the Park, and Stage West. Always enjoyed the work of Jerry Russell, Michael Muller, Lindy Benton-Muller, Jakie Cabe, Mario Cabrera, Johnny Simmons, and who can forget George X Rodriguez.
• Must See TV Show:  Sesame Street—for the life values.
• Why you work in theatre:  To share the beauty of life.
• First Role: Plato, in the stage version of “Rebel Without a Cause.”
• Favorite Play:  Edward Albee’s “A Zoo Story.”
• Pop Culture Guilty Pleasure:  video games
• Favorite sport/team/player: Snowboarding and ME!
• First Stage Kiss:  Don’t recall, sometime in the mid 90’s
• Pre Show Rituals:  none, that I’m aware of at least.
• Special Skills: lifetime martial arts student. American Karate, Sho Do Khan, Koryo Gumdo, and Aikido.
• MAC or PC: Laptop--Toshiba
• "I'll never understand why…" : Mankind is such a hurtful species.
• Any Theatre Superstitions:  Aside from the Scottish play, no.
• Worst Costume Ever: As yet to be determined.
• Favorite Post Show Meal:  Bourbon
• Favorite liquid refreshment (adult or other): Coffee
• Favorite ice cream : Cookies and Cream.
• Words of advice for aspiring performers: Do it yourself.
• Career you would want if not a performer: Not an option. I’ve always been a writer and in a way that is performance too—a heightened performance of the imagination and hand working together to create images and emotions from memories, real or fake.
• Three things you can't live without: Food, water and air.
• Best way to beat the North Texas Heat : Move to another state.

INSIDE ADLR with the lady who keeps it moving, APRIL WILSON

Today we don't meet a cast member, rather, we spend time with the woman who keeps it all moving, Stage Manager and Assistant Director April Wilson. April keeps everyone inline, including director Adam Adolfo! Here is what she has to say for herself...

Production Name: The Fifth Sun

Name: April Wilson

Character Name: Stage Manager

• Born & Raised:   Well…I was born in New York City, but my parents knew that I would one day be a famous stage manager so they moved to small Texas suburb so I could get my start!
• Education:  I have a BA from UNT in Social Science, minors in English and Rehabilitation, and an alternative certification for teaching EC-6. Yep, I’m a mess.
• Degree: Um… how is this a different question?
• Zodiac Sign: Jaguar priest of the sun?
• Any Siblings: I have one amazing, beautiful sister. She’s my favorite person in the whole wide world.
• Audition Song:  I do not under any circumstance sing. Whenever I sing in the car people turn the radio up.
• Audition Monologue:  Nope.
• First Play/Musical You Ever Saw: The first one that I remember is when I was about 7 or 8 I went to opening night of a run of Harvey and I was hooked and went and saw every show of that run. I have no idea what the appeal was for me at that time, but I liked it. Also when I was about that age I saw Chicago. Yes, I was much too young for that show (in case you don’t know it’s about adulterous men and women and women that kill their husbands), but I loved it anyway.
• Something you’re REALLY bad at: science.
• Did you have any particular mentors or inspirations when first starting out? Mary Poppins. She would be the best stage manager ever. There’s only one difference between watching children and stage managing: alcohol.
• Must See TV Show:  The Newsroom
• Why you work in theatre:  Adam Adolfo keeps asking me
• First Role:  I don’t know… like a vegetable or something in school?
• Favorite Play: this is a hard one… I don’t have an answer
• Pop Culture Guilty Pleasure:  I really have no idea what’s going on in pop culture.
• Favorite sport/team/player: Steelers? Honestly, I don’t really know, but my father would be proud if I said Steelers.
• First Stage Kiss:  I was in 9^th grade, extremely shy, and was playing opposite a guy that was not cute AT ALL. My brilliant (that’s sarcasm by the way) director had forgotten to tell us that we were even kissing until right before the show and it completely threw me off. Him too. We had never rehearsed it before. I was dreading the kiss right up until it happened and it felt like it went in a gross slow motion.
• Pre Show Rituals: Making sure my actors have their pants. Apparently occasionally they forget them.
• Special Skills: Telling people what to do
• MAC or PC: Back when I was naïve, innocent lad (yes, lad, don’t argue) I knew not of the brilliance of a MAC and was completely satisfied with my virus infested,  mind-numbingly slow PC. Then one day a magical prince came and showed me a MAC and I have squirmed at the idea of using a PC ever since.
• "I'll never understand why…" : some people are such meanie heads.
• Any Theatre Superstitions:  If you don’t put away your props the Stage Manager ghost comes and hides them.
• Worst Costume Ever: I actually have never had a bad one, but that is probably because whenever Adam Adolfo tries to make me look ugly I fight back.
• Favorite Post Show Meal:  Tequila
• Favorite liquid refreshment (adult or other): Coke
• Favorite ice cream : Rocky Road or Cookies and Cream.
• Biggest On Stage Mishap:  I can’t remember my biggest on stage mishap, but definitely can remember my biggest off stage mishap. Let’s just say I cried for like 4 hours. No joke.
• Worst job you ever had: I worked at a little girl’s clothing store during the Christmas holiday for like a month. WORST MONTH EVER.
• Last Good Movie You Saw: Moonrise Kingdom and Safety Not Guaranteed
• How you got your Equity card: Bhahahahaha
• Something you are incredibly proud of: never pushing an actor in front of a car or bus or harming them in any way
• Words of advice for aspiring performers: Don’t piss off your stage manager
• Career you would want if not a performer: Ha. If performing was my career I would be more broke than I already am.
• Three things you can't live without: Chocolate cake, pizza, baked potatoes. (Yes, all three are food.)
• Best way to beat the North Texas Heat : Move.
• Best thing about Fort Worth & the North Side:  Adam Adolfo.

INSIDE ADLR with the blood thirsty colonel's, Joshua Sherman

Production Name: The Fifth Sun

Actor’s Name : Joshua Sherman

Character Name: The Colonel

• Born & Raised: I was born in raised in Weatherford, Tx! Or Dubtown as some call it.
• Education: I had some.,. and most of it I didn’t enjoy. In the great words of one Albert Einstein: “The only thing that interferes with my Learning is my Education.”
• Degree: I am an alumnus of the great school of Texas Wesleyan University. I graduated with a Bachelors in Performance Arts with emphasis on acting and I also carry an Associates in Fine Arts from Weatherford College.
• Zodiac Sign: The best one! I’m a Capricorn. Any Taurus’ out there? 
• Any Siblings: One biological brother… And a few friends who have become close enough to be considered my brothers and sisters.
• Audition Song: The Devil You Know from the musical Sideshow. It has a nice jazz feel to it and shows off one’s range relatively well. It’s also just a great song.
• Audition Monologue: I never can decide with monologues. I have some Shakespeare tucked in my pocket and also several from a monologue based play called The Laramie Project. I usually pick from those.
• First Play/Musical You Ever Saw: The first play I REMEMBER seeing was some One-act play way back in the 7^th grade… It was about a soldier and that’s about all I can remember of it. Hahaha. The first LEGAL musical I saw was Texas Wesleyan’s Sweeney Todd.
• Something you’re REALLY bad at: Directions. Hands down I am TERRIBLE with directions. I get lost WITH my GPS. However, if I’ve been there once or twice I can remember how to get there using locations as reference points.
• Did you have any particular mentors or inspirations when first starting out? Catherine O’Bryan. She was the first teacher that gave me a chance in the theatrical world. She encouraged me while telling me the truth behind the glamour that everyone sees. Then of course I went on to meet other amazing teachers that molded me; Connie Whitt-Lambert, Kristin Spires, and Lisa Dalton just to name a few. 
• Must See TV Show: This is a toughy… Kyle XY. The show is clever in how it lets everyone see a situation in a different light. I also enjoy Doctor Who (Woot David Tennant!) and Supernatural… Charmed also has a special place in my heart.
• Why you work in theatre: I absolutely love helping people. I also believe that theatre is VERY therapeutic. It allows audiences to travel to different places, experience situations that they might not come across in their own lives, and escape their world if only for a moment. In doing what I love if I can open someone’s eyes to something they never considered or move them in any way… then I have succeeded. And I love that. Completely love it.  
• First Role: The first role I had was as Firefly in some kind of bug show we did in 3^rd grade I think… It was a long time ago, but in that moment on the stage I KNEW that this was going to be my life.  
• Favorite Play: Next To Normal. I cannot get over the brilliance of the writing and the emotions behind every note in the songs! Such a masterpiece.
• Pop Culture Guilty Pleasure: Pink. Love that woman. Love her voice. And I blare her songs and dance wildly in my car every time one comes on the radio.  
• Favorite sport/team/player: Ha! Sports?! I like to play “street” games… because they rarely have rules and it’s more about having fun that winning. But… I still don’t care for them much. Unless you consider Karate as a sport. Love Karate.
• First Stage Kiss: Aww! Quick story. My first onstage kiss was technically a “brush” on the cheek. (It was high school in a conservative town.) The show was Sound of Music. I was the Captain and Maria was played by this amazing actress/singer Cassandra Matthews. The first time we “brushed” we kinda missed and kissed each other on the lips… and the moment we did the fire alarm went off in the school for a fire drill! Gah! Everyone was laughing their butts off! No one would let us live that moment down. It was embarrassing but hilarious at the same time.  
• Pre Show Rituals: I listen to my iPod. Mainly bands like Evanescence and Armor for Sleep and I dance around (if no one is around.)   
• Special Skills: Hmm… I sing. I write. And I act. That’s pretty much it.
• MAC or PC: PC! Don’t want to learn a new format. Plus, I’m awful with technology so I am afraid a MAC would just be wasted on me.
• "I'll never understand why…" : People cheat on their partners. Infidelity just boggles my mind. 
• Any Theatre Superstitions: Oh yes. I’m a very superstitious person.   
• Worst Costume Ever: I’ve never truly disliked a costume. HOWEVER, the most wild and ugliest costume I wore was a robe/smock for a show called The Emperor’s New Clothes. I was the Emperor and we made his clothes hideous, but great at the same time.  
• Favorite Post Show Meal: Anything. I usually don’t eat before a show so by the time it’s out I’m starving!
• Favorite liquid refreshment (adult or other): Margarita’s. Love them! I also like the Green Machine (Naked Juice).
• Favorite ice cream : I love me some Peanut Butter Carmel Swirl. It’s hard to find, but I can (and have on several occasions) eat an entire tub in one sitting.
• Biggest On Stage Mishap: It was during Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat! I was playing Joseph! I was standing on a small chair and my brothers were circling me in my wonderful coat. They would pull at it and jeer behind me and praise and love it if I could see them. Well, one guy decided that he was going to wrap his arms around my legs. He forgot to let go when he went on. Not only did I go down but somehow he pulled me through the bottom of the chair causing me to trip over it and whack some poor girl in the face with my hand as I did so… Without anyone missing a single lyric mind you!
• Worst job you ever had: Paper shredder for an office in Downtown Ft. Worth. 8 hours a day sitting in a giant room full of paper and a paper shredder with no iPod, no music, no TV… nothing. It was bad.
• Last Good Movie You Saw: Ted. It was pretty funny. I would definitely recommend it!
• How you got your Equity card: … I’ll let you know when I get it...
• Something you are incredibly proud of: A play that I wrote by the name of Angel Tears. I’ve put a lot of time, emotions, tears, and even some blood in the writing of it.
• Words of advice for aspiring performers: It gets tough but persevere through it. It’s worth it. Plus, don’t listen to those rednecks who think you’re wasting your time on that “drama thing”.
• Career you would want if not a performer: Psychologist! I find psychology fascinating. I love figuring out how people tick and why they do what they do.
• Three things you can't live without: Food. Air. And Water. Hahaha: Music. Friends. And love.
• Best way to beat the North Texas Heat : Become a vampire. It’s cooler at night!
• Best thing about Fort Worth & the North Side: A hole in the wall joint called La Altena. They have THE BEST Salsa Verde and steak fajita meat I have ever tasted.  

INSIDE ADLR with the Rain God herself, REBEKAH RUIZ

Production Name: The Fifth Sun

Actor’s Name: Rebekah Ruiz

Character Name: CHAC

• Born & Raised: I was born and raised in Miami, Florida (Texas is better.)
• Education: I completed my high school degree at Arlington Heights and I’ll be starting my sophomore year in college at Texas Wesleyan University this fall!
• Degree: I plan on getting a degree in mass communications/ PR.
• Zodiac Sign: Capricorn!
• Any Siblings: Well here’s a long list. I have a sister and two brothers along with two step-sisters and two step-brothers.
• Audition Song: Can never ever find the right one. I’m a dancer.
• Audition Monologue: Its an excerpt from “Stardust.” I’m in need of some new ones.
• First Play/Musical You Ever Saw: Jesus Christ Superstar (on VHS)
• Something you’re REALLY bad at: Video games. REALLY bad doesn’t begin to cover it.
• Did you have any particular mentors or inspirations when first starting out? Michelle Derstine is someone who I got to dance along side when I was younger. She was a mentor and an inspiration and continues to be and then there’s Meryl Streep. Gotta love her.
• Must See TV Show: BREAKING BAD. Everyone should see it.
• Why you work in theatre: I ask myself this same question every day.
• First Role: Annie! It was in the 5^th grade and I still brag about it. It was my star moment.
• Pop Culture Guilty Pleasure: Keeping up with the Kardashians. I may or may not be watching it as I type this.
• Favorite sport/team/player: Baseball/ Texas Rangers/ Ian Kinsler. That was easy.
• First Stage Kiss: Filling in for a prisoner one night in ‘Kiss of the Spiderwoman’ I kissed a guy dressed as a woman while I was dressed as a woman, dressed as a man. Quite memorable.
• Pre Show Rituals: Eating candy. Lots of candy.
• Special Skills: I’m gonna say my skill in the kitchen. I’ve been told I’m pretty great.
• MAC or PC: MAC all the way.
• "I'll never understand why…" : Cookie dough only tastes good late at night when you’re sad and alone.
• Any Theatre Superstitions: I’m not the most superstitious but I’m never doing a show with the word “spider” in the title ever again!
• Worst Costume Ever: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. I was a wife and there was a headdress.
• Favorite Post Show Meal: Honey butter chicken biscuit from Whataburger, of course.
• Favorite liquid refreshment (adult or other): Sweet Tea or Dr. Pepper.
• Favorite ice cream : Milk chocolate BlueBell. HAS to be BlueBell.
• Biggest On Stage Mishap: I broke my toe on stage once. That was great.
• Worst job you ever had: Well… At this point I’ve only worked in theatre.
• Last Good Movie You Saw: The Amazing Spiderman!
• How you got your Equity card: Yeah right…
• Something you are incredibly proud of: I just choreographed a kid’s show and it didn’t suck! Yay!
• Words of advice for aspiring performers: If you love it do it. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
• Career you would want if not a performer: I’m hoping to make my way into teaching dance.
• Three things you can't live without: Cell phone, air conditioning, hot showers.
• Best way to beat the North Texas Heat : Put a slip and slide and inflatable pool in your backyard OR live inside of a freezing theatre. I’ve done both this summer.
• Best thing about Fort Worth & the North Side:  Mexican food.

INSIDE ADLR with Diego turned God, EDUARDO AGUILAR

Meet Eduardo Aguilar who most recently took the stage as Dora the Explorer's faithful cousin, Diego!  Eduardo turns in Diego's trademark blue t-shirt for the clothes of the God of Cultivation in the upcoming stage production of the Fifth Sun opening this September at Artes de la Rosa. No Stranger to the ADLR stage, Eduardo made his ADLR debut in 2011 with Kiss of the Spiderwoman.

Actor’s Name:  Eduardo Aguilar                 
Character Name:  Ghanan, God of Cultivation

Born & Raised:   Born in  Mexico, but raised in Fort Worth since I was five.
Education:  Going on my last school year of undergrad       
Degree:  Theater of course    
Zodiac Sign: Libra     
Any Siblings: One older sister, an older brother, and a little brother           
First Play/Musical You Ever Saw:       The first play I ever saw was Blithe Spirit in my old high school.
Something you’re REALLY bad at: Math, and being organized
Must See TV Show:  Friends duh.
Why you work in theatre:  Because of opportunities that you get to experience in this field, that otherwise you’d never think about doing.
Favorite Play:  I can’t narrow it to just one. Sorry.
Pop Culture Guilty Pleasure:  Don’t judge me, but I like the Teenwolf series on MTV. And lately I’ve been hooked on a show by ABC Family called Make it or Break it. Both shows are super corny and I don’t know why I watch them.
Favorite sport/team/player:      I am a huge Olympic Games fan. The summer games are my favorite. I  also enjoy watching the World Cup.
First Stage Kiss:  My first stage kiss was with the one and only, Cari Watson. I was a freshman in high school and I was auditioning for the part of Haemon in a translated version of Antigone. My director made us kiss as part of the audition. It was memorable.
Pre Show Rituals:  Listen to some music, stretch, vocalization warm ups and try to relax as best as I can.
Special Skills:  I am a great sleeper. I can seriously fall asleep through anything. Thunderstorms, traffic jams, of course it’s only when someone else is driving.
MAC or PC: PC
"I'll never understand why…" : Some people just don’t wear deodorant. It’s incredibly disgusting.
Favorite Post Show Meal:  Something light-ish. Like a sandwich and a fruit.       
Favorite liquid refreshment (adult or other): Grapefruit juice
Favorite ice cream : Buttered Pecan
Biggest On Stage Mishap:  On opening night of Annie at Plaza Theater in Cleburne, Tx, I had the privilege of knocking down a little table, and breaking one of its legs. I wanted to die.
Worst job you ever had: I guess out of the few places I’ve worked, Dairy Queen would be the least classy.
Last Good Movie You Saw: The Dark Knight Rises. I have the biggest crush on Anne Hathaway.     I would marry her if she wanted.
Something you are incredibly proud of: my parents and family.
Words of advice for aspiring performers: Be humble and easy to work with. Being a diva is the biggest turnoff there could ever be.
Career you would want if not a performer:  Something involved with learning foreign languages. Or working at reservations for animals that are in danger of extinction. Or being a ninja.
Three things you can't live without: A bed, my ipod, and food.
Best way to beat the North Texas Heat : Stay inside, obviously. And drink lots, and lots of water.

INSIDE ADLR with MATEO PRADA,

Meet Mateo Prada, who makes his ADLR debut in The Fifth Sun in the role of revolutionary priest, Hector Navarez. A native of Colombia, Mateo is a powerful force on stage as he comes head to head with Oscar Romero. You'll have to wait till September 7th to see the fireworks fly!

Production Name: The Fifth Sun

Actor’s Name: Mateo Prada                                                            

Character Name: Fr. Hector Navarez

• Born & Raised: Colombia
• Education: I graduated from high school in Colombia and graduated from college in Dallas
• Degree: Associate of applied arts in camera performance.
• Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
• Any Siblings: I got 1 little sister
• Audition Song: I suck at singing!  
• Audition Monologue:  Agamemnon by John Leguizamo
• First Play/Musical You Ever Saw: Clue  
• Something you’re REALLY bad at: as I said above…singing!!
• Did you have any particular mentors or inspirations when first starting out? Yes, the director of KD Theater, T.A Taylor
• Must See TV Show: Modern Family is pretty bada$$… Sofia Vergara esta Buenisima!
• Why you work in theatre: Because I love it 
• First Role: a Miami Italian Gangster. Vinnie Vabassi in Neil Simon's Proposals.
• Favorite Play:  Phantom Of the Opera was the best thing I’ve ever seen.
• Favorite sport/team/player: A soccer Player from Colombia called Falcao Garcia
• First Stage Kiss: oh gosh… it was when I was in 2^nd semester at KD, I had to kiss this chick and I would say she was the hottest thing in the whole school, I enjoyed it a lot… very professional of course!   
• Pre Show Rituals:  A little prayer.
• Special Skills: I don’t know… dance Latin music, maybe?
• MAC or PC: I rather MAC but I have a PC
• "I'll never understand why…": Adam bit the freaking apple!!
• Favorite Post Show Meal:  boneless wings.
• Biggest On Stage Mishap: once in forum week I was so nervous that I forgot to pull my cellphone from my pocket and it when off in the middle of the scene!!!
• Worst job you ever had: Landscaping
• Last Good Movie You Saw: The Artist
• Something you are incredibly proud of: I learned English in one year!
• Words of advice for aspiring performers: just believe in yourselves.
• Career you would want if not a performer: I would choose being a professional soccer player but I’m too old now for that so I would love to be an industrial designer.
• Three things you can't live without: music, music and music!!!

INSIDE ADLR with our most 'sarcastic' actor, PARKER FITZGERALD who plays the God of Death

It's Wednesday, hump day, and we generally can all use a laugh on these days. So today we'd like to introduce you to Parker Fitzgerald who plays Ahpuch, Lord of Death in ADLR's upcoming production of The Fifth Sun. So, hunker down and enjoy a good laugh!

Production Name: The Fifth Son… (or is it sun?)

Actor’s Name: Parker Fitzgerald
Character Name: Ahpuch. ( In college he was known as Acooch)

• Born & Raised:   Arlington/ Grand Prairie (If anyone asks Canada)
• Education:  Texas Wesleyan, School of Hard Knocks, School of Rock, and Harvard
• Degree: Theatre Arts…. So nothing.
• Zodiac Sign: Jackie Chan
• Any Siblings: One sister and one brother from another mother.
• Audition Song:  African Spiritual Chant #87
• First Play/Musical You Ever Saw:   A hobo performing Gypsy
• Something you’re REALLY bad at: Life
• Must See TV Show:  Deadwood and infomercials
• Why you work in theatre:  The straight dude to female ratio is awesome!
• First Role:  Parker Fitzgerald
• Favorite Play:  Roleplaying.
• Favorite sport/team/player: I’m in theatre. Sports are the devil.
• First Stage Kiss:  Emma Watson. Non Fantasy- Carrie Slaughter… yeah she was way older than me.
• Special Skills: Being special… not the good kind.
• MAC or PC: Stone tablets.
• "I'll never understand why…" : I wasn’t cast as Charles Foster Kane.
• Any Theatre Superstitions:  Never say MacDonald’s inside a theatre.
• Worst Costume Ever: The Fifth Sun.
• Favorite Post Show Meal:  Emma Watson
• Favorite liquid refreshment (adult or other): The Dos Equis poisoning my liver right now at this moment... (just kidding)
• Favorite ice cream : Frozen Half and Half
• Biggest On Stage Mishap:  Acting
• Worst job you ever had: Adam Adolfo’s maid.
• Last Good Movie You Saw: Moving Pictures are the work of the devil.
• How you got your Equity card: …. A couch was involved.
• Something you are incredibly proud of: My friends…. What? I can't be sentimental?
• Words of advice for aspiring performers: Become doctors.
• Career you would want if not a performer: Action Hero
• Three things you can't live without: I’m already living without them.
• Best way to beat the North Texas Heat : Uppercut.
• Best thing about Fort Worth & the North Side:  There are so many places to break into.