The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

Jose Flores Made His LTGI Debut As A Director In 2009 With Man Of La Mancha, And Was Honored To Direct Again In 2012, Blood Wedding/Bodas De Sangre. 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), And The Diary Of Anne Frank (Mr. Van Daan). 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 González). Most Recently, Jose Graced The Stage as Bottom in LTGI's Class On Stage Production of William Shakespeare's A MidSummer Night's Dream.

is the President and Co-founder of Break a Leg Productions as well as the Drama Instructor at Mary Help of Christians School. He is also a student at Texas A&M International University pursuing a Bachelors Degree of Arts in Communication with a minor in Theater. His directing credits include MHCS’s Once Upon a Clothesline (2017), BAL & LLT’s Aladdin Jr. (2016), MHCS’s I Never Saw Another Butterfly (2016), MHCS’s Wizard of Oz (2015), BAL’s Into The Woods Jr. (2015) and LITE’s Once on This Island Jr. (2014). Tony’s acting credits include TAMIU’s I Hate Hamlet (Andrew Rally), LCC’s Dog Sees God (CB), and Nixon High School’s Bocon! (The Voicekeeper) which premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2013.

Marco González Is The Artistic Director Of Laredo Theater Guild International And Audio/Video Production Teacher At J.W. Nixon High School. He Is A Graduate Of The University Of Texas At Austin With A Bachelor’s Degree Of Science In Radio/TV/Film. His Directing Credits Include LTGI’s Recent Production Of The Diary Of Anne Frank (2015), LTGI’s The 39 Steps (2014), LTGI’s Romeo & Juliet (2013) And Imago Theatre’s By The Bog Of Cats (2011). When Not Involved In Community Theater, Marco Co-Directs Nixon High School’s UIL One-Act Play With Former Mentor, Now Colleague José Flores. Last Year, The Pair Advanced To The Area Level With Their All-Female Production Of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. In 2013, They Directed Nixon’s History-Making Production Of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, The First One-Act Play From Laredo To Advance To The State Level In 50 Years Where Kathryn Carroll (Viola) Was Awarded The Samuel French Outstanding Performer Award. Marco’s Notable Forays Into Film Include Interning At The Weinstein Company In Los Angeles, CA, Attending The 2012 Sundance Film Festival In Park City, UT, And Working In Production On Many Local Short And Feature Films. Actively Involved In Theater For Over Fifteen Years, Marco’s Credits On Stage Include LITE Production’s Side Man (Ziggy), LLT’s Measure For Pleasure (Sir Peter Lustforth), LTGI’s The Foreigner (Rev. David Marshall Lee), LITE Production’s Beat. A Play On Words (Actor 7), LTGI’s Bodas De Sangre (Woodcutter) And LTGI’s The Crucible (Rev. Samuel Parris).

John Maxstadt is a familiar figure in Laredo theater, having played many roles in LTGI, LLT, LITE, LCC, and TAMIU productions over the past twenty-two years, most recently Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast (LTGI) and Officer Welch in Rumors (LLT). He directed The Taming of the Shrew and The Importance of Being Earnest for LTGI and Arsenic and Old Lace for LLT, and was Joe Flores’s assistant director for The Who’s Tommy (LTGI). John serves as parliamentarian on the LTGI Board of Directors.

Daniel R. Castillo - House on Mango Street marks Daniel’s 12th stage managing credit with the Laredo Theatre Guild International. In his nine years working with LTGI, he has served in a variety of back stage roles. This past summer, Daniel co-directed, along-side Vernon Carroll, LTGI’s summer musical production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast right here on the LCC stage! This school year, Daniel begins his second term as Martin High School’s Theatre Arts

Jessica Verastigui is excited to share this story with the community. Jessica is currently a senior at Texas A&M International University and is pursuing a degree in Psychology with a minor in Theatre. Jessica debuted in 2013 in Edinburgh, Scotland during the Fringe festival as Miguel in the play ¡Bocón!. The following year she went to state with the J.W. Nixon U.I.L. One Act Play Twelfth Night as the role of Olivia. She has also participated in TAMIU’s play Rumors and I Hate Hamlet. Jessica has assisted directed Into the Woods Jr. and Aladdin through Break A Leg Productions. This will be Jessica’s first production with LTGI. She aspires to continue learning more about theatre and applying what she learns to the stage. Jessica would also like to thank her family and friends for their unconditional love and support."

After a four-year hiatus from the stage, Tricia Cortez is happy to be back! Playing the role of Esperanza has helped her connect with the Mexican-American experience of finding your identity through turmoil, confusion, laughter and relationships. Tricia’s past theatrical productions include: Chicago (Velma Kelly), Young Frankenstein (Elizabeth), Anything Goes (Reno Sweeney), Abduction (Pinky Longlegs), and Path of Marigolds (Frida Kahlo), among others. She wrote and performed in the comedy Corn Nuts for the 2010 Chicano Theater Festival, and is a previous winner of the “Dancing with the Stars-Laredo Style” competition. A San Antonio native and Princeton graduate, Tricia is a deeply committed environmentalist who likes to write slam poetry and smother her two toddlers with lots of hugs and kisses.

has been an astonishing Laredo performer and choreographer. She has obtained a part of the Ensemble for Beauty and the Beast for LTGI. Previously, Azahy has been part of the dance and theatre community, making appearances in Bodas de sangre, By the Bog of Cats and choreographing for Man of La Mancha. Azahy has obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Biology with a minor in Dance, as well an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Physical Therapist Assistant. Azahy will continue to further her education in Physical Therapy as well as in the Performing Arts.

Alejandro Escobedo has 2 years of theatrical experience. His previous acting credits include The Miss Firecracker Contest and Leading Ladies for LBJ High School’s UIL One-Act Play. An almost graduate of LBJ, he is choosing Diesel Mechanics and minoring in Law Enforcement to for his main priority in life to help people.

Mia Gomez-Reyes is a sixteen year old at Martin High School/VMT. She has been in a total of five productions so far, most recently as Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors (VMT) and as Celia in Hush Little Celia, Don’t Say A Word (Martin OAP). This is her second production with LTGI, as her first was last year’s Class On Stage show A Midsummer Night’s Dream as Cobweb. She is a dance student at VMT, and part of many clubs at Martin, including the drama club. This story is one she is very excited to tell and be a part of, as it is her favorite book. She would like to thank her grandfather for gifting her the novel House on Mango Street at age 11, to her family and friends for supporting her through this production, and her directors, for giving her this opportunity.

Pedro Guzman is a 16 year old junior at Texas Academy. Pedro has been involved in theater since 8th grade and has come to enjoy participating in this amazing art. He has also come out in the LTGI production The Who’s Tommy. He would like to thank his family for encouraging him and supporting his passion for theater. His other passions include writing music and playing the guitar. He would like to thank Mr. Joe Flores and LTGI for giving him the opportunity of taking part in this production. Pedro looks forward to auditioning to many more productions in the years to come.

Celia Hernandez is the director of choral studies at the Vidal M Trevino School of Communications and Fine Arts. Her stage experience includes performances with LTGI, LITE productions, and LCC Opera Workshop, appearing in such roles as Mrs. Van Daan (Diary of Anne Frank), Mama Morton (Chicago), and Mrs. Lovett (Sweeney Todd). Aside from acting experience, Celia also served as the vocal music coach for the VMT Summer Theater productions of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown and Little Shop of Horrors, as well as LTGI's 2016 summer musical The Who's Tommy. She holds a bachelor of music degree from UTSA and a Master of Music Education from Boston University. This is her second Class on Stage production for LTGI, and she is happy to help bring this iconic story to life.

Elizabeth Perez is elated to help bring to life one of her favorite childhood novels! She has participated in several past LTGI productions including The Diary of Anne Frank, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and most recently, Beauty and the Beast. Off stage, Elizabeth is a high school Biology teacher and also serves on the Board of Directors for the Laredo Theater Guild.

Daniela Ramón is excited to perform in her second Class on Stage production. She's performed in 2015's The Diary of Anne Frank (Margot), as well as in Break a Leg Production's Into the Woods Jr. (Baker's Wife). Daniela has also performed in The Miracle Worker (Kate Keller), The Runner Stumbles (Sister Rita), and The Marriage of Bette and Boo (Bette) with Cigarroa High School's U.I.L One Act Play. At Texas State, Daniela Performed in And Other Productions for their D2 Festival. She would like to thank her friends and family for their never ending support and encouragement. This is Daniela's second production with LTGI."

Roel Rivera is a singer/songwriter/performer from Laredo, Texas. Roel’s past theatre experience
includes LLT’s Jesus Christ Superstar (Caiaphas), LTGI’s Tommy (Uncle Ernie) and LLT’s A Charlie Brown Christmas (Schroeder) and LTGI’s Beauty and the Beast (Maurice).
Roel dedicates his performance to his esteemed friend, Physician and Mayor of Rio Bravo, Texas The Honorable Doctor Francisco Peña and family. Roel wishes to extend his heartfelt gratitude to the good Doctor for his unwavering support and faith in him, without which, this performance and the those mentioned would have not been possible.

This is Jose "Pepe" Trevino's second appearance with LTGI. Pepe has participated in various plays and musicals in his 8 years of theater. His roles include that of "Barry" in The Boys Next Door "Sir Toby Belch" in Twelfth Night "Romeo" in Romeo and Juliet and "Peter Van Daan" in The Diary of Anne Frank. Pepe is pursuing an English major and Education Certification at Texas A&M International University.