Chayo Moreno (Properties Mistress) is thrilled to be returning to LTGI. Most recently she had the pleasure of being Stage Manager in LTGI’s Anna in the Tropics. Other LTGI credits include Lend Me a Tenor (Assistant Director and Stage Manager), Mary Poppins (Stage Manager), In the Heights (Assistant Stage Manager), and Noises Off and Measure for Pleasure for LLT. Chayo graduated from TAMIU with a B.S. in Elementary Education with a Bilingual Emphasis. She is currently working at Heights Elementary as a Kindergarten teacher and attending TAMIU to earn her M.S. in Special Education with a concentration in Education Diagnostics. She thanks her family and chosen family for their unwavering encouragement and support.

Ryan Duncan-Ayala (Producer) is a theatre maker based
in New York City, born and raised in Laredo, TX. He aims to
foster new work development and create spaces and access
for minoritized communities. Ryan was the recipient of the
2019 Kennedy Center/LORT ASPIRE Arts Leadership Award
and has previously worked with Swiftest Broadway COVID
Safety, Colt Coeur, National Alliance for Musical Theatre
(NAMT), The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, 24 Hour Plays, and Syracuse
Stage. Most recently he made his Off-Broadway Producing debut with the
new musical ¡Americano! and just ended a tour with the 25th Anniversary
Farewell Tour of RENT the Broadway Musical. Ryan also serves as the
Founder/Lead Producer of El Centro Productions while also independently
producing and developing several new plays and musicals currently. He is so
excited to be home doing what he loves with the company that ignited and
fostered his love of theatre. @ryanduncanayala

Jessica Verastigui (Stage Manager) is happy to be returning to the theatre this summer. She has participated in many roles throughout a variety of shows such as acting, assistant directing, crewing, and stage managing. Her previous production as a stage manager for LTGI was for the production of Blithe Spirit. She is excited to return to the TAMIU campus where she graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Psychology, minor in Theatre and a master’s degree in School Counseling. Jessica would like to thank her friends and family for the constant support.

Dr. Joseph Crabtree (Narrator / Mysterious Man), Professor
of Voice, is entering his 25th year of teaching at Laredo
College. He started performing in Columbus, Ohio, where
he got his Bachelor of Music Degree from The Ohio State
University. He then moved to UT-Austin, where his Master’s
and Doctor of Musical Arts Degrees expanded his solo
performing opportunities. He has performed with professional
choruses including the Cantari Singers, the Lancaster Chorale, and the Santa
Fe Desert Chorale. He has sung leading roles in Opera, Oratorio, Musical
Theater, as well as Commercials for radio and TV. He was on the faculty of
the Austrian American Mozart Academy in Salzburg, and sang and conducted
in Europe, before choosing to call Laredo his home.

Allie Howland (Cinderella) is currently the Student Philanthropy Coordinator at Texas A&M International University in Laredo, Texas. You may recognize Allie from previous LTGI productions, having performed in The Sound of Music (Louisa), Annie (Ronnie Boylan), Hairspray (Dynamite), Beauty and the Beast (Babette), In the Heights (Nina Rosario), Blithe Spirit (Mrs. Bradford), and Lend Me a Tenor (Maggie). She also produced the LTGI production of Wit. Having a lifelong passion for the arts and our community, Allie serves on the Board of Directors for LTGI, the Laredo Cultural District, and The Boys & Girls Club of Laredo.

Alejandro Lopez (Jack) is thrilled to return to the LTGI stage after 10 years. An alum of the New York Conservatory for the Dramatic Arts, Alejandro made his Off Broadway debut at the illustrious Theatre Row on 42nd St in the play Dream Dead From Seven. Other New York Credits include Ego, Forbidden Fruit In The Forbidden City, and The Tempest (Prospero). In Laredo, Alejandro has had the honor of performing with Laredo Theater Guild International, LITE Productions, Opera Workshop and Laredo Little Theater. Texas credits include Cinderella (Wicked Stepsister Portia), Chicago (Amos Hart), Annie (Rooster), The Sound of Music (Uncle Max), The Wiz (the Lion), The Wizard of Oz (the Lion), Aladdin (the Genie), Grease (Teen Angel), Camelot (Tom of Warwick), It’s a Wonderful Life (George Bailey), Tartuffe (Tartuffe), and The Elephant Man (the Elephant Man-John Merrick). Alejandro currently resides in Brooklyn, New York, but is privileged to spend this summer with a ridiculously talented cast, breathtaking musicians, hardworking production team, and the best family a guy could wish for. There is truly no place like home!

Heather Benavides (Jack’s Mother / Cinderella’s Mother) is very excited to be a part of Into the Woods, as it is her first production with LTGI. Her previous performances include Belle in The Gospel According to Scrooge, various characters in Opera Scenes and The Second Lady in The Magic Flute. She received a BA in Music at Evangel University and currently works at TAMIU in the Advancement department. Heather would like to thank her husband, Danny, and son, Gabriel, for all their support and encouragement. She would also like to thank her parents for instilling in her a love of music and passion for singing.

Rene A. Sandoval, Jr. (Baker), is originally from McAllen, TX and is now residing in San Antonio with his partner of 15 years, his mom and four spoiled dogs. Rene is excited and humbled to get the opportunity to play the Baker for a second time. Some of Rene’s previous roles include: Piragua Man (In the Heights), Beadle Bamford (Sweeney Todd), Skuttle (The Little Mermaid), Ferrando (Cosi Fan Tutte), Captain
(Anything Goes), Mason Soloist and ensemble (Working), Hanschen (Spring Awakening), Hero (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum), and Joseph (Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat). Rene would first like to extend his gratitude to the LTGI for being so kind as to allow him to relive this role again. In the world we are living in right now, this show is truly a blessing for his soul. He sends a HUGE thank you to Celia Hernandez for everything she is and everything she has done for him this summer! BARE!! He also thanks this incredible cast and crew for all their hard work and endless love for the art of performing. Finally, Rene dedicates each performance to his late father, the Great Jazz Saxophonist, Rene A. Sandoval, Sr. May he watch down on each performance with pride. Enjoy the show!!

Karol Ann Batey (Baker’s Wife) has performed with LTGI in 11 productions, including Play On!, Blithe Spirit, Yerma, and The Crucible. LTGI Directing Credits: Disney’s Mary Poppins, God of Carnage, and (Assistant Director) In the Heights. Karol is the Assistant Director for Assessment, Research, and Planning Office at Texas A&M International University. She is currently attending Baylor University, where she will graduate with her Doctor of Education in Learning and Organizational Change in 2024; her other degrees include a B.A. in Theatre (Texas Tech University) and a Masters in Professional Accountancy (Texas A&M International University). She would like to thank her loving partner in life, Jesus Garza, for doing so much for the family while she was pursuing a childhood dream of performing in Sondheim’s Into the Woods. To my lovely daughter, Lucy Andrea, you are my light, my reason to breathe, and my everything. Everything I know about being a mother is due to your everlasting love and confidence in me to be yours. I could never be the woman I am today if it was not for you. I dedicate my performance to all we have lost along the way and those they left behind because, truly, no one is alone.

Stephanie Solis Schnyder (Cinderella’s Stepmother / Costumer), 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). Other roles include Gertrude (Hamlet), Laura Wingfield (The 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 Ann Putnam (The Crucible) as part of LTGI’s Class on Stage series, Marty (Grease), 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 (Sweeney Todd), Lily St. Regis (Annie), Sharpay Evans (High School Musical 2010 & 2018) and Ensemble (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast 2007 & 2017), among many others. She is the Choir Director at and the UIL One Act Play Director at Lamar Middle School. Stephanie has 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 and others. January 2020, Stephanie was Assistant Director and Stage Manager for Wit and Producer for Borders in 2021. This is the second time she is cast in Into the Woods.

Kailey Nicole Smith (Florinda) is an aspiring musical theatre actress making her LTGI debut in Into the Woods. Classically trained, she has performed roles in various works of William Shakespeare, One-Act plays, and operas with the Kingsville and Laredo College Opera Workshops. She attended Texas A&M University Kingsville where she studied Vocal Performance with a focus in Musical Theatre. She has worked with some of the finest Broadway professionals, including her biggest role model and cheerleader Lindsay Heather Pearce who just concluded her contract as Elphaba in Wicked on Broadway. Smith subscribes to the belief that anything is possible if you set your heart to it and work as if nothing else matters. She wants to thank her friends, family, LTGI cast and Jack for their continued support.

Lisa Veronica Martinez (Lucinda) is a senior psychology student at Texas A&M International University. After graduating high school in 2012, she moved to Austin for several years where she studied, directed, and performed in various devised pieces, short films, and staged productions at the collegiate and community level. While in Austin, she became an instructor at ZACH Theatre where she taught acting, improvisation, and creative drama to students ranging from ages 6-18. Her most recent performance credits include Wit, Gruesome Playground Injuries, and As You Like It. This is her first musical endeavor in roughly 8 years, and she is grateful to have been a part of such a talented and hardworking team.

John Maxstadt (Cinderella’s Father / Assistant Director) is a familiar figure in Laredo theater, having played many roles in LTGI, LLT, LITE, LC, and TAMIU productions over the past twenty-seven years, including Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof (LC), Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast (LTGI), Max Bialystock in The Producers (LC), and Polonius in Hamlet (LTGI). More recently, he played various roles in The Best of Gilbert and Sullivan (LC) which he also co-directed. John is a retired librarian and serves as parliamentarian on the LTGI board of directors.

Kaitlyn Mata (Little Red Ridinghood) has been active in the Laredo theatre community since 2018. Her credits include Mary Poppins Jr. (LLT), Frozen Jr. (LLT), The Wolves (Nixon High), and The Miracle Worker (NHS OAP). Kaitlyn would like to thank her friends and family for their endless support!

Celia Hernandez (Witch / Vocal Director) is the director
of choral studies at the Vidal M. Treviño School of
Communications and Fine Arts in Laredo, Texas. As an
educator, Ms. Hernandez studied both music education and
vocal pedagogy at the University of Texas at San Antonio,
focusing on vocal technique. She holds a Bachelor of Music
degree from UTSA and a Masters of Music Education from
Boston University. Her vocal direction credits range from children’s shows to
adult productions, including In the Heights and Mary Poppins (both produced
by Laredo Theater Guild International), The Lion King Jr. (produced by
Laredo Institute for Theatrical Education), and Little Shop of Horrors (VMT).
Her stage experience includes performances with LTGI, LITE Productions,
and Laredo College Opera Workshop, appearing in such roles as Mama
Morton (Chicago), Mrs. Lovett (Sweeney Todd), Mrs. Van Daan (Diary of
Anne Frank), and Daniela (In the Heights). Most recently, Celia was seen
on stage as Mrs. Corry and the Bird Woman in the LTGI production of Mary
Poppins. In January of 2019, she taught a master class in musical theater for
Waldo Gonzalez’s School for the Performing Arts in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico.
As a lifelong Sondheim fan, Celia is humbled and excited to serve as vocal
director for this production.

M.R. “Chibbi” Orduña (Cinderella’s Prince / Wolf) is a Mexican-born, Texas-raised queer writer, editor, performer, and community organizer. He is the founder of Laredo BorderSlam, a founding member of Write About Now, a 2 time San Antonio Slam Champion, and has won 2 National Poetry Slam titles. He has self-published 2 books, toured across the country performing his spoken word sets, and his work has appeared in print and online (Google him). His latest theatrical credits include the Sin Muros Latinx Theatre Festival, In The Heights (Usnavi), The Rocky Horror Show (Columbia), Romeo and Juliet (Mercutio), Bodas de Sangre (Leñador), The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged (Himself), Rent (Tom Collins), The Drowsy Chaperone (Man in Chair), and Beat: A Play on Words (Actor 5), which he also directed. In a professional sense, he is the Community Manager for Out in Tech and the Director of Virtual Programming and Editor in Chief at Write About Now Media.

Alex Meza (Rapunzel’s Prince), born and raised in Mexico City, has participated in multiple LTGI shows since 2015. Shrek the Musical (Big Bad Wolf), Yerma, In The Heights, and Hamlet to name a few. He also participated in the Laredo College Opera Workshop’s production of Carousel as Billy Bigelow. Into the Woods will be his goodbye to the Laredo Stage as he ventures on to bigger things. Outside of the theater, Alex is a communications specialist (also known as “Alex from UISD”) and a life coach in the making. You can find out more on his Instagram page @jalexmeza

Hacel Arias (Granny / Assistant Vocal Director) was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, and grew up in Laredo, Texas. In 2008 she received her Bachelor of Music degree in Flute Performance from Texas A&M International University. Ms. Arias is currently the choir director at United High School where her love for music is imparted to her very talented students. Her love and passion for music, theater and art has led her to many wonderful jobs and opportunities to be involved in the community of Laredo Texas. She enjoys performing in various capacities whether it is as a director, conductor, musician, stage manager, producer, or actor. She enjoys the many friendships that have been born throughout the years and is grateful for her supportive friends and family. “You know what Music is? God’s little reminder that there is something else besides us in this Universe; Harmonic connection between all living beings, everywhere even the stars.” (Robin Williams in August Rush).

Isabella A. Lopez (Rapunzel) will be a Senior at J. W. Nixon High School and the Vidal M Treviño School of Communications and Fine Arts. A musician at heart, Isabella is a competitive vocalist, earning awards including two Outstanding Performer recognitions at State UIL Solo and Ensemble and being a member of the TMEA All State Treble and Mixed Choirs. Recently, Isabella was a National Semifinalist in the NATS Nationals Student vocal competition, one of 14 in the nation to qualify for this level of competition. Isabella also has a passion for the theatrical arts, playing Annie Sullivan in Nixon’s One Act Play production of The Miracle Worker this past year and participating in multiple past Nixon Drama productions such as The Wolves and One Man, Two Guvnors. This will be her second production with LTGI, and she is thrilled to be a part of this amazingly talented cast telling a beautiful story. After high school, she plans to pursue a degree in Musical Performance and become a professional operatic vocalist.

Kristina Soliz (Steward) is the Senior Technical Director and production assistant at KGNS-TV. This is her second time working with LTGI and is very grateful for the opportunity. Recent credits include LTGI’s Wit, An Act of God, Talk Radio, and And Then There Were None with the Laredo Little Theater. Kristina considers herself a film and TV buff. Her hobbies include listening to old time radio dramas, working on puzzles and binge watching true crime docuseries. She is grateful to her friends and mentors in the local theatre community for their encouragement and support.

Dr. Celina Oliveira (Sleeping Beauty) is making her debut on the Laredo theater stage! Dr. Oliveira is a local private practice Audiologist and currently serves as corresponding secretary for Laredo Theater Guild International (LTGI). She Is A Proud Graduate Of The University Of Texas At Austin and serves as a member of The Texas Exes – Laredo Chapter. She received her Doctorate of Audiology from Lamar University in 2008 and has had a successful Audiology practice in Laredo for over ten years. Her LTGI credits span over twelve years and include: Makeup Artist in Agnes Of God (2010), The Importance Of Being Ernest (2010), Hairspray (2013), Blithe Spirit (2018), Mary Poppins (2018), Hamlet (2019), Anna in the Tropics (2022) as well as serving as Assistant Producer for Annie (2011), Macbeth (2011), Bodas De Sangre (2012), Romeo & Juliet (2013), 39 Steps (2014), and Shrek (2015). She made her debut as Producer in the hilarious comedy God Of Carnage (2016). She is most proud of her work as Producer in LTGI’s First Rock Musical The Who’s Tommy (2016), the inspirational drama Yerma (2018), as well as the moving and colorful musical In The Heights (2018). All her gratitude is given to the talented actors and production team for igniting creativity and self-expression in her daily life.

Allyson Tellez (Snow White) is a recent graduate from J.W. Nixon High school and Vidal M. Trevino School of Communications and Fine Arts. She most recently worked under the direction of Marco Gonzalez and Jose Flores, where she played the role of Helen Keller for Nixon’s One Act Play production of The Miracle Worker and received the Best Performer award at Area level. She has also been a part of Nixon Drama’s production of The Wolves, One Man Two Guvnors, and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. This is her first LTGI production and is grateful to be a part of this show.

Amalie Verastigui (Milky White) will be a senior at J.W. Nixon High School and Vidal M. Treviño School of Communications and Fine Arts this upcoming academic year. Amalie enjoys being involved in her school and local theatre productions. More recently she participated in The Wolves produced by Nixon Drama and The Miracle Worker in Nixon’s One Act Play. She is very grateful to be a part of her second LTGI production.