Play On

Allie Howland 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), and Blithe Spirit (Mrs. Bradford). Having a lifelong passion for the arts, Allie serves on the LTGI Board of Directors and the Artistic Committee, as well as the Board of Directors for the Laredo Cultural District.

Michael E. Gonzalez most recently performed as George Banks in LTGI’s Mary Poppins. He has also performed previously with LTGI in My Fair Lady. Michael holds a BBA from the University of Notre Dame and an MBA from TAMIU. Michael is the Senior Director of Strategic & External Initiatives at Laredo College where he and his team help support the #1 Community College in Texas. Michael thanks his family, including his beautiful wife Rosslynn and his two daughters Madelynn and Morgan, for their unconditional support.

Katelyn Kahn is an artist based in Austin, Texas and New York City. She currently attends NYU Tisch School of the Arts, where she trains at Playwrights Horizons Theatre School. Recent productions include untitled Waifu Play (2019), Gained Loss (2019) and Worms (2020). Her favorite LTGI productions include In the Heights (2018), Yerma (2017), and The Who’s Tommy (2016). Her one-woman virtual experience, Submersion, premiered at Playwrights Horizooms 2.0, and is available to stream on Youtube. In 2018, she performed The House of Bernarda Alba at the International Edinburgh Fringe Festival. On her off time, you’ll find her taking pictures, cooking and making earrings out of random objects. She is thankful to LTGI for this wonderful opportunity.

Karol Ann Batey has performed with LTGI in 10 productions, including Blithe Spirit, Yerma, and Elizabeth Proctor in The Crucible. Other Credits: The Laramie Project & Teatro Chicano (Laredo Little Theatre); 9 to 5 and The Odd Couple (Laredo College). LTGI Directing Credits: Disney’s Mary Poppins, God of Carnage and (Assistant Director) In the Heights. Other Directing Credits: Noises Off, Measure for Pleasure and Some Girl(s) (LLT). Karol is an Assessment Specialist at Texas A&M International University and her degrees include a B.A. in Theatre and a Masters in Professional Accountancy.

Carolina Lozano is proud to be part of LTGI’s Play On! performance. Recent shows include Mamma Mia! (Ali) in Houston, but Carolina had the privilege of making her theatre debut with LTGI in some of her favorite performances, including Beauty and the Beast (Belle) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Hermia). A world traveler and accomplished musician, she is grateful to share her love of music and theatre with her Laredo community in any form – whether live, socially distant, or virtually!

Gregory Banks is a performer based in NYC who specializes in Musical Theater. Credits include: Singer/Dancer After Midnight Norwegian Cruise Line, Phineas Curious George The Golden Meatball The Growing Stage, Benny In The Heights Laredo Theater Guild International, Specs Newsies Toby’s Dinner Theater, Wayne/ Dance Captain Dreamgirls Toby’s Dinner Theater, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Toby’s Dinner Theater
Education: Howard University theater Arts, Concentration: Musical Theater BFA 2017. Gregory is so excited to perform with the LTGI again even if it is remote. Enjoy and stay safe!

Alejandro Meza (Ensemble) Started Acting In Mexico City When He Was 6 Years Old. He Graduated With An Associate Degree From The National Institute Of Fine Arts In Mexico City With A Concentration In Theater Arts And Humanities. As Far As Dancing Goes, He Has Done It Instinctively Since He Was A Little Boy. He Has Participated In Multiple Shows With LTGI And LCC Opera Workshop, But Some Of His Favorites Were Shrek (As The Big, Bad Wolf), Seussical The Musical, Carousel (As Billy Bigelow), And Yerma. He Has Also Participated In Shows In Dallas, TX And Mt. Pleasant, TX, In A Rendition Of Charlotte’s Web. Alex Has A Bachelor’s Degree In Communication From TAMIU And Is Currently A Member Of The Office Of Communications At United ISD.

Dana Crabtree’s performances have been well received, both in America and in Europe. She has performed in numerous genres, from Broadway favorites such as Laurey in Oklahoma!, and the title role in Kiss Me, Kate, to operatic repertoire including Despina in Mozart's Così fan tutte and the title role in Donizetti's The Daughter of the Regiment. She has appeared locally in LTGI’s Mary Poppins (title role), Cinderella (Queen), Hairspray (Female Authority Figure), God of Carnage (Veronica), Beauty and the Beast (Madame de la Grande Bouche), and The Glass Menagerie (Amanda Wingfield) as well as LLT’s Mamma Mia (Donna) and Noises Off (Belinda/Flavia), and LC Opera Workshop’s Once Upon a Mattress (Lady Larkin) and Into the Woods (Baker’s Wife). In addition to serving full-time on the music faculty at TAMIU in the areas of voice, choir, and opera, Dana operates her own private voice-teaching studio. She is the proud mom of Nicholas and Lena Belle.

John Maxstadt is a familiar figure in Laredo theatre, having played many roles in LTGI, LLT, LITE, LC, and TAMIU productions over the past twenty-five years, including Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof (LC), and Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast (LTGI). His most recent roles have been Max Bialystock in The Producers (LC) and Polonius in Hamlet (LTGI). 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 a parliamentarian on the LTGI board of directors.

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.

Celia Hernandez Is The Director Of Choral Studies At The Vidal M. Trevino 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 “The Who’s Tommy,” 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), And Mrs. Van Daan (Diary Of Anne Frank). Most Recently, Celia Was Seen On Stage As Daniela In The LTGI Production Of Lin Manuel Miranda’s “In The Heights.” 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.

Ricardo “Ricky” Holguin is thrilled to be returning for LTGI’s Play On! Ricky currently resides in Boston, MA where he his most recent appearance was in Wheelock Family Theatre’s production of Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka as the title role, including Earthworm in James and the Giant Peach. He obtained his M.F.A. in Musical Theatre from The Boston Conservatory. Conservatory credits include Assassins, The Light in the Piazza, and HAIR. Boston credits include 1776, Man of La Mancha, Fiddler on the Roof directed by Austin Pendleton (New Repertory Theatre), Altar Boyz(Stoneham Theatre), Kiss of the Spider Woman, LaChiusa’s The Wild Party (Moonbox Productions, IRNE Award Nomination for Best Supporting Actor), and Guys and Dolls (Reagle Music Theatre). LGTI credits include The Who’s Tommy, and Shrek the Musical(Laredo Theater Guild International) to name a few. Ricky also had the privilege to be praised and workshopped by Richard Maltby, David Shire, Didi Conn, and Tony Award Winner, Adam Guettel. Ricky is a proud member of the Actors’ Equity Association (AEA).