Hamlet

Having gotten his feet wet in his first LTGI production of The Glass Menagerie as Tom Wingfield, Jaime Pablo Felix Torres Gonzales is back for the second time. But, now to take on the challenge of becoming The Prince Of Denmark. He is a TAMIU senior, majoring in Art and minoring in theatre. He has been in productions such as The Sleeper, No Exit, and helped with God's Favorite and The Odd Couple. He has enjoyed getting the chance to work with the LTGI team again and the daunting task of bringing Hamlet to life. He has a passion for theatre that has driven him in his life and he feels if he can take people out of their lives and have them forget their problems and just focus on the story and characters for even a moment he has done his job as an actor. The two quotes he sees fit him best are -
“Make them laugh, make them cry, and hack to laughter. What do people go to the theatre for? An emotional exercise. I am a servant of the people. I have never forgotten that.” Mary Pickford
“Every scene you will ever act begins in the middle, and it is up to you, the actor, to provide what comes before,” Michael Shurtleft

Rafael A. Mangual (Ghost) is grateful to be part of an LTGI production for the third time. Previous credits include Mary Poppins (2019) as “The Policeman” and “Bank Board Member”, and Annie (2011) as “Drake.” Being part of the cast of one of Shakespeare’s plays is a dream come true! He would like to dedicate his performance to the memory of Sister Aliceann Mulligan, S.S.N.D., who inspired him to love English literature while he studied at Notre Dame High School in Caguas, Puerto Rico. She would be proud!

Gregorio J. Lopez is a food lover, amateur Dungeon Master, frat boy, appreciator of arts, laugher, dog dad, and homie. He is currently a senior at Texas A&M International University where he is majoring in Management Information Systems.
He has some experience as an actor in several other productions, but he always enjoys doing it even if he says he doesn’t. Goyo - as he is commonly called - is a thorough enjoyer of cinnamon rolls and hopes you enjoy this show. LB 86!

Luis Garza enjoys dedicating time to the arts in hopes of bringing joy and excitement to people’s day. When he isn’t doing stand up comedy or playing music at events, he spends time socializing with friends and family ready to lend a helping hand. He believes that through every moment he aids others, he learns a bit more about life. Today, he adds acting to the many skills he’s dabbled with. With a thirst for knowledge and a bigger smile on his face than that, he hopes you enjoy our rendition of Hamlet.

Genaro Reyna is thrilled to make his on stage debut with LTGI as Marcellus/Captain! Previous production works include crewing for LTGI's Mary Poppins and credits performances from high school theater with The Miracle Worker and You Can't Take It With You. Genaro is grateful for the support he receives from his family and friends and wishes nothing but the best for his fellow cast mates!

Between 1993 to 1996, Marc Moore got into a serious relationship with theater. In his sophomore year, Marc played Geoffrey Chesmond in The Rocking Horse Winner, and in his junior year, Maurice Joyant in The Times and Appetites of Toulouse Lautrec for UIL One Act Play. He also portrayed Senex in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Lionel Mueller in Frankenstein, Quentin in Audience, and has played Decker twice in Bleacher Bums. Marc student-directed The Day They Shot John Lennon as a senior in High School. Marc worked backstage on the Laredo Little Theater Summer Musical productions of Into the Woods, Sweeney Todd, and Jesus Christ Superstar. Twenty years later, in the fall of 2016, after his father passed away, Marc was diagnosed with Major Depression and adult ADHD. He saw an event invite on Facebook announcing auditions for the Laredo Theater Guild International’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. He landed the part of Egeus. At the beginning of the summer Marc played the character of Harding in LITE Productions’ One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. When not drumming, writing, blogging, sketching, podcasting, you can find him teaching 5th grade in his off time. Marc is also a mental health advocate and his school campus’ representative for the TSTA teacher’s union. Hamlet is Marc’s second production with LTGI, as well as being the most lines he has ever memorized.

Stephanie Solis Schnyder, a veteran in Laredo’s theatre community having worked, both as an actor and in production, with LCC’s opera workshop, LLT, and LTGI under the direction of Dr. Joseph Crabtree, Vernon Carroll, Jose Flores, Marco Gonzalez among others. Stephanie’s most recent performance was as Katie Nana, Annie and Ensemble (Mary Poppins Broadway Musical) this summer. Other roles include Laura Wingfield (Glass Menagerie), Camila Rosario (In The Heights), Claire Ganz (Rumors) and Mrs. Simpson (The Who’s Tommy) led by her roles such as Edith Frank (The Diary of Anne Frank), Wicked Witch and multiple chorus roles (Shrek The Musical), Maria (Bless Me Ultima) and Marty (Grease), Ann Putnam (The Crucible) as part of Class on Stage, La Mujer de Leonardo (Bodas de Sangre), Antonia (Man of la Mancha), Sarah Brown (Guys and Dolls), Bobbi (Some Girls), Elaine (Arsenic and Old Lace), Lucy (Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street), Lily St. Regis (Annie), Sharpay Evans (High School Musical ’10 & ’18) and Ensemble (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast ’07 & ’17), among many others. She is the Choir Director at Lamar Middle School and the One Act Play UIL. Stephanie has also done backstage work as Stage Manager for A Midsummer Night’s Dream and previously costumer for Little Shop of Horrors for LCC’s Opera Workshop. It is an honor to be part of this production of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, as Gertrude.

John Maxstadt (Assistant Director/Dramaturg/Polonius) is a familiar figure in Laredo theatre, having played many roles in LTGI, LLT, LITE, LC, and TAMIU productions over the past twenty-four years, including Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof (LC), and Alfred P. Doolittle in My Fair Lady (LTGI). His most recent roles have been Admiral Boom/Bank Chairman in Mary Poppins (LTGI) and Max Bialystock in The Producers (LC). He directed The Taming of the Shrew and The Importance of Being Earnest for LTGI and Arsenic and Old Lace for LLT, and produced Bless Me, Ultima for LTGI. John is a retired librarian and serves as parliamentarian on the LTGI board of directors.

Jerry Guerrero is a student at TAMIU, and although not a stranger to the stage through performances as Aide Williams in L.I.T.E Productions One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, and Giles Ralston in TAMIU's The Mousetrap, this will be his first time working with LTGI. He is excited to play Laertes and bring Shakespeare's Hamlet to the stage. Keep you ears keen and enjoy the show!

Madison Sims is excited to work with LTGI for the first time and also is appearing in her first Shakespearean show. Madison is a junior at United High School where she performed in the One Act performances of “Dark Road” as Lise and “Golden Boy” as Anna. Most recently, Madison appeared in Break A Leg Production’s “Shipwrecked.” She is grateful to her family, friends, directors, and everyone who has supported her as she pursues her passion for theater.

Ricardo Castillón is a recent TAMIU graduate with a degree in Media Communication and Fine Art. He is an avid illustrator, filmmaker and podcast listener when he is not traipsing through the wilderness volunteering with Boy Scout Troop 201 as assistant scoutmaster. He has appeared in such community productions as LTGI’s Macbeth (Young Siward), LLT’s The Graduate (Ben Braddock), And Then There Were None (Philip Lombard), as well as the co-director of Dracula with Oscar O Peña, among others. An avid fan of Shakespeare’s plays and poetry since his youth, he jumped at the chance to help bring another one of the Bard’s master works to the community (as well as the chance to prance around with a sword and a flowy cape. I mean who wouldn’t?).

Josue Perez has joined us after his appearance in Giacomo Puccini’s opera, Tosca, with Opera San Antonio this past weekend. He recently appeared in LITE Productions’ Cabaret as the Emcee under the direction of Danny Villarreal. In March 2019, he was Leo Bloom in The Producers, directed by Dr. Joseph Crabtree at LC Opera Workshop.

Miguel Castillón has joined LTGI once again since his debut as Frankie the Hotdog Man in Hairspray. Currently a senior at TAMIU, he has participated in other plays such as the demon in No Exit and as Larry the Bomb Expert in The Sleeper. This past summer, Miguel spent time in California studying film, acting and perfecting different dialects at The Academy of Fine and Performing Arts. He hopes to use these skills on stage and screen to bring joy to the Universe.

Jose Flores made his LTGI debut as a director in 2009 with Man of La Mancha, and was honored to direct again in 2012 for Blood Wedding/ Bodas de Sangre, and 2017
for The House on Mango Street. From time to time, he does enjoy acting in a play, having made his LTGI acting debut as Charlie in The Foreigner (2011). As an LTGI Board Member, he is very proud to once again get the chance to participate in one of LTGI's Class on Stage® productions, having previously appeared in The Crucible (Judge Hawthorne), Romeo and Juliet (Friar Lawrence), Macbeth (Porter), The Diary of Anne Frank ( Mr. Van Daan), and A Midsummer Night's Dream (Bottom). He is a firm believer in the program, and is very happy to participate in the education of Laredo students. Being the Theatre Arts teacher at J.W. Nixon High School for the past 13 years has given him the great joy of seeing the program and his former students grow. Some very special experiences were representing United States high school theatre at the world famous Edinburgh, Scotland Fringe Festival in 2013, and representing Laredo high school theatre at the 2014 UIL Texas State One-Act Play Championships (co-directing with former student, and LTGI Artistic Director, Marco Gonzalez).

Brendan Townsend comes from a long family history of involvement with the theatre, including an author great-grandfather, grandfather who was a founder of the Taidhearch Theatre in Galway, Ireland and mother and aunt who graced the stage many times. After years making music in theatre, Brendan made his acting debut in LTGI’s production of Doubt: A Parable. He played Rev. Chausable in the LTGI 2010 production of The Importance of Being Earnest. He is the Music Director of the Laredo Philharmonic and Orchestra Director / Lower Strings professor at TAMIU.

Sergio Saenz is also known as Sergical DeSanto when on stage with his band, Chivato. You may also know him from his role as Kevin Rosario in LTGI's In The Heights (2018). His most recent work in the theater has been playing Sam Carmichael in LLT's production of Mamma Mia! He loves working with the art community and is very grateful to be part of LTGI's production of Hamlet. "Feels good to be back on the big stage!"

Silvia Castanos is a second year student at Texas A&M International University and is majoring in Political Science. She is best well known as "Bones" in the Laredo Border Slam community where she performs poetry to the public and has been to many poetry related competitions. This will be her first acting experience with LTGI and is excited to share her talents on stage.

Julio Mendez is an original LTGI board member, who has great interest in theater as well as all other forms of art. Julio had his first theater experience as Signor Baptista in “Taming of the Shrew, which were followed by “Annie”, “Macbeth”, “Bodas de Sangre”, “The Crucible” and “Bless me Ultima”. He finds great enjoyment in the creative aspects of stage production, such as “Shrek’s” dragon, “Mid-Summers Night’s” tree and “In The Heights” graffiti art and mural.

Alejandro Meza has been part of the LTGI family for five years now making his debut as the Big Bad Wolf on Shrek the Musical. He has been part of productions such as Yerma and In The Heights as dancer and ensemble. Alex has also worked with LC Opera Workshop in productions such as Carrousel and Seussical the Musical. Although his presence in the Laredo Theater Scene has been relatively short, he has been an actor since the age of six. Alex studied Theater Arts in Mexico City at the National Institute of Fine Arts (INBA for its name in Spanish) and has been part of numerous productions in Mexico and other cities in Texas. Hamlet is his first experience within the Shakesperean realm, and he is very excited to bring Osric to life, giving him his personal touch. Furthermore, Alejandro is very thankful with LTGI for keeping this passion of his alive and going. He hopes you enjoy the show as much as he has enjoyed seeing it come to life.

Janessa J. Berlanga is a prodigal Laredoan, having returned to her hometown in 2016 after almost a decade of being away for university and various employment experiences. While away, she participated in collegiate and community theatre: once, as a chorus member for her university’s production of Anything Goes, and then as a courtier in a Japanese production of There’s Something Rotten in Denmark. In Laredo, she was last seen on stage in fall 2018 as “God” in Laredo Little Theatre’s An Act of God. Janessa thinks it’s comical to be, in a sense, ‘reprising’ her role of courtier in LTGI’S Hamlet- of which There’s Something Rotten in Denmark is a parody. This is her first time taking part in an LTGI production, and she excited to work alongside so many talented individuals. She is currently a graduate student at TAMIU studying counseling psychology with hopes of one day finding a way to blend together therapeutic and counseling techniques with the expressive power of theatre. Her precious few hours of downtime are spent listening to paranormal and true crime podcasts, and catching up with family and friends.

Born in Corpus Christi, James Games is currently a sophomore attending Martin High School. James loves being on stage and hopes to impact and inspire others to strive to live their best life. The former lead singer-songwriter of the band “Sixth Hollow” believes that through perseverance, anyone can learn to overcome difficult obstacles to a point where they have time to lend others a helping hand.

Joseph Stephenson is a 24 year old native Laredoan. Joseph has not been involved in a production since he was a kid, so he is very excited to be back on stage! Joseph is a model for Avanti and working towards establishing his own import-export business.

Vernon Carroll (Director) has an undergraduate and master’s degree in theatre from Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University). Mr. Carroll is currently Dean of Theatre at the Vidal M. Trevino School of Communications and Fine Arts. Shows he directed for Laredo Musical Theatre International and Laredo Theater Guild International include: Fame, West Side Story, Oliver, The Wiz, The Sound of Music, Annie, Doubt, Agnes of God, Steel Magnolias, The Tragedy of Macbeth, The Crucible, Hairspray, Shrek, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Beauty and the Beast, The Glass Menagerie, and now: Hamlet. While
working at Louisiana State University, he received an award from the American College Theatre Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC for his set design of Sean O’Casey’s Juno and the Paycock. At Appalachian State University, he was Director of Design for the theatre department and Producing Director of the Appalachian Young People’s Theatre, which toured theatre for youth in North Carolina and neighboring states. At Northwestern State University of Louisiana he was director of design and technical theatre. Vernon is a founder and now President Emeritus of Laredo Theater Guild International. He is married to Dr. Mary Grace Carroll, Director of Piano Studies at VMT.

Karen Estes Mejia (Producer) is the Financial Director of The Blue Top Companies, providing land surveying and printing services in South Texas. She serves as Vice President of the LTGI Board. Hamlet marks the fifth time she serves as Producer for the Guild’s acclaimed Class on Stage® series, along with The Crucible, The Diary of Anne Frank, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and The Glass Menagerie. She also produced Real Women Have Curves and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, served as Costumer for Shrek: The Musical and Assistant Producer for Steel Magnolias and Hairspray. Her stage credits include LTGI’s The Sound of Music and Cinderella. A lifelong Texan, she was graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a major in History and minors in German and Government. Karen moved to Laredo 26 years ago and fell madly in love with the wonderfully incredible Deacon Henry Mejia, aka MacGyver. Together they have three talented and intelligent children: Sarah, Miguel and Alejandro.

Linda Lopez Howland (Producer) Always interested in the performing arts, Linda’s involvement in Laredo’s theater community began years ago as a volunteer at her young daughter’s various theatrical performances. Linda’s own theatrical involvement started with her debut as Alice Russell in LTG’s production of Gore Vidal’s The Best Man in 2008. Since then, she has remained active with LTGI in such supportive roles as Assistant Producer of Man of La Mancha (2009) and Bodas de Sangre (2012); Producer of Doubt (2010), Agnes of God (2011) and The Foreigner (2011); Shrek, The Musical (2015); Co-Producer of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2016); The Diary of Anne Frank (2015); Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (2017) and Lin Manuel Miranda’s In The Heights (2018). Linda served as Costumer of The Taming of the Shrew (2010), the precursor for LTGI’s Class on Stage® Program. Additionally, she played the roles of M’Lynn in LTGI’s Steel Magnolias (2013); Lady Macduff in Shakespeare’s Macbeth (2011), and Sis in Last Lists of My Mad Mother (2010). A native Laredoan, Linda loves her community, its people and its unique culture. She currently serves on the board of LTGI as Immediate Past President. A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, she has been an active real estate broker for the past 30 years. To the young actors in the cast, she would like to say “Believe in the process that is theatre; it is a journey, and the life skills you develop as a result will stay with you the rest of your life”.

John Maxstadt (Assistant Director/Dramaturg/Polonius) is a familiar g- ure in Laredo theatre, having played many roles in LTGI, LLT, LITE, LC, and TAMIU productions over the past twenty-four years, including Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof (LC), and Alfred P. Doolittle in My Fair Lady (LTGI). His most recent roles have been Admiral Boom/Bank Chairman in Mary Poppins (LTGI) and Max Bialystock in The Producers (LC). He directed The Taming of the Shrew and The Importance of Being Earnest for LTGI and Arsenic and Old Lace for LLT, and produced Bless Me, Ultima for LTGI. John is a retired librarian and serves as parliamentarian on the LTGI board of directors.

Daniel Castillo (Stage Manager) is the theatre director at Martin High School. Hamlet marks his 6th Class on Stage® Production. Daniel's stage managing credits date back to LMTI’s production of Oliver! and also include LTGI’s inaugural production of Man of La Mancha here on the TAMIU stage. His other stage credits include directing alongside his theatrical mentor, Vernon Carroll, for LTGI’s productions of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, The Broadway Musical. Daniel would like to thank his family for their boundless support and his students for their endless inspiration to continue educating through theatre year after year.

Telissa Lueckenotte Molano (Set Designer) born and raised outside of Kansas City, Missouri, is a graduate of the University of Kansas School of Architecture and Urban Design with studies in both Rouen and Paris, France. After working in two major architectural firms and have migrated South down Interstate 35, she met her husband, Juan, in Dallas. She is a partner in the architectural firm, Redline Architecture. Seventeen years of drinking Laredo water and seven seasons of collaborating with LTGI, she has helped create over 17 sets including In the Heights, Beauty and the Beast, Shrek, Cinderella, The Diary of Anne Frank, My Fair Lady, Hairspray, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Who’s Tommy, Bodas de Sangre, God of Carnage, The Crucible, Macbeth, The 39 Steps, Bless Me Ultima, Yerma, and The House on Mango Street. She played Marlene in Daddy’s Dyin’ Who’s Got the Will. She also collaborated with the Society of Martha Washington to produce the 2016-2019 Colonial Ball sets. She is blessed to be a board member for Casa de Misericordia and LTGI.

Ariadne “DeeDee” Diaz (Costumer) gladly joins LTGI as costumer for this Class on Stage production following her costuming the summer musical, Mary Poppins. Another show she costumed was Daddy’s Dyin’, Who’s Got the Will? (2014). She’s also assisted Teena Arciniega costuming Sound of Music (2010), The Importance of Being Ernest (2011), Annie (2011), Macbeth (2011), and Romeo and Juliet (2012). She was also wig mistress for Hairspray (2013). In addition, DeeDee has taken to the stage in such shows as Sound of Music (Frau Schweriger/2010), Agnes of God (Mother Superior/2011), and Macbeth (Witch/2011). She’s thrilled for another opportunity to work behind the scenes on an LTGI production!

Tony Bondoc (Properties Master) is excited to return to the Guild after Directing Blithe Spirit. He is the Fine Arts teacher at Mary Help of Christian School where he has directed Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz and I Never Saw Another Butter y. Tony is a founder of Break a Leg Productions (BAL) for which he directed Into the Woods Jr., Aladdin Jr. and recently assistant directed BAL’s production of Shipwrecked. He earned a Baccalaureate degree in Communication with a minor in Theater from Texas A&M International University (TAMIU). His previous directorial credits also include Assistant Directing Alpha Psi Omega’s Candid, Directing, L.I.T.E. Production’s Once on This Island Jr., and Co-Directing for Peggy’s Kids’ School House Rock Jr. He was last seen onstage as Andrew Rally in TAMIU’s I Hate Hamlet. Other acting credits include C.B. in Laredo College’s Dog Sees God and El Soldado in local writer Armando Lopez’s “La Ultima Noche De Santa Ana”.