OH MY, I’M IN A COMMERCIAL WITH THALIA
What a funny business. You book a commercial which is already pretty hard to do, so you’re already feeling grateful. Then you get to set and are told “Oh yeah, your wife is played by Thalia.” For those who don’t know, she’s been an international star and Mexican idol for almost 30 years. She has over 20 million followers - that kind of famous. You do a bunch of takes, you make Thalia crack and break character a few times and then 3 hours later you’re back on the train heading home, starting to prep a Shakespeare audition because balance, am I right? It was a surreal and fun day. Below is the final product for the game, Coin Master.
WORKING WITH LUPITA NYONG’O DURING A PANDEMIC
The pandemic has been a challenging time for us all and my heart goes out to my artist family for being the warriors and survivors that you are. One of the true gifts during this time was the experience of acting in the audio play of Romeo y Julieta for The Public Theater. We spent a month together; scattered throughout various countries and time zones all under the brilliant direction of Saheem Ali. I played Peter and other comedic roles and had the opportunity to work with Lupita Nyong’o, Juan Castano, Javier Muñoz, plus too many all-stars to list here. The experience of being in my childhood home while quarantined with mom and running upstairs to a homemade recording studio (aka closet) to share a Zoom screen with Lupita and others was truly surreal, and one of the most important things in keeping me motivated and hopeful during a very challenging time. I’m truly grateful for having had an outlet to be an actor when the world came to a screeching halt. The end result is a truly beautiful one, with sound design that rivals a major motion picture. Give it a listen here - available until March 18, 2022 - and for more information on the entire project, including cast bios and photos, click here.
I BOOKED A PILOT, I BOOKED A PILOT!!!
Major Key Alert! I did indeed book a great role for ABC Television’s new series ‘The Brides’ from executive producer, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, who also created the Riverdale series. We’ll be filming throughout NYC starting in March with a projected fall 2020 release date - I’m really excited! It’s my third television job in a row to be directed by a woman which is a welcomed change and a great sign of things to come. This career is a marathon and I’m still running. Do the work, believe in yourself and never give up.
NEW YORK THEATRE WORKSHOP NEW PLAY DEVELOPMENT
Ya’ll know the writer Matt Barbot, right?! Well, you should! Perhaps you saw his show El Coquí Espectacular at Two Rivers Theatre? Well, he’s a NYTW artistic fellowship recipient and friend so I’m very excited to be working on developing his latest play, Saints Go Marching. We did a reading last month with the next one coming up on March 9th at Teatro LATEA. Come check us out!
2020 VISION, OR, IT’S BEEN A MINUTE…
I continue to work consistently as an actor and am grateful I get to do what I love, but sometimes life’s greater good wins and your passions take a backseat to what’s most important. For me, it’s been being a caregiver to my mother these past 18 months. Plays are hard to do - especially low paying ones - because of time commitments, but I still would like to work at The Public again and possibly Signature and NYTW to name a few. TV and Film are where I’m most focusing my efforts these days. I’ve had a few bookings in the past few months for HBO and CBS and have posted the footage in the Reels section - click here to watch. I continue to be one of the voices of Fox Deportes and work weekly on those very fun voiceovers. You can stalk the Gram here for those. I’m not going away, but just being more selective with projects. As always, thank you for your support. Oh and PS: Never be scared to reach out to discuss potential projects. I’m always willing to listen.
WHEN EUGENE O’NEILL CALLS
I was honored to be an invited artist at this summer’s National Playwright Conference at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center in Waterford, Connecticut. I played a caregiver - a role very near and dear to my heart - in Lia Romeo’s beautiful new work ‘The Forest’ alongside other wonderful actors like Tony award winner, Mary Ann Plunkett and up and coming star, Sam Lilja. I also made friends for life and got to read and see some very exciting new theater, including Endlings by Celine Song and Slave Play by Jeremy O’Harris, both exciting and incendiary! For more info, click here.
THE ENCLAVE - Latest Buzz from THEATER MANIA
Read all about my upcoming show, The Enclave, at Rattlestick Theater starting April 26th. I'll be playing the character of Donnie alongside David Greenspan and Dan Domingues, not to mention many other talents. The show will be directed by Victor Cervantes Jr. Click image below for more info and tickets.
RATTLESTICK THEATER DEBUT
I was recently offered and accepted the role of Donnie in Arthur Laurents' 1973 play, THE ENCLAVE. This will be the first time since the original production that the play is presented. The Enclave explores such topical issues as homophobia and racism, that sadly never seem to be irrelevant. Arthur Laurents' other famous work includes West Side Story and The Bird Cage to name a few. This will be my Rattlestick debut, a company I've followed and supported for years so I couldn't be prouder. I'm also excited to be reunited onstage with my talented friend Dan Domingues from Locusts Have No King and get to work with the accomplished David Greenspan with whom I have a very entertaining scene. The show is a limited run so please click image below and get your tickets starting at only $15 while you still can. See you at Waverly Place :-)
'42 SECONDS OF HAPPINESS' NOW AVAILABLE ON AMAZON VIDEO!!!
If you saw this beauty of an indie feature on the festival circuit, thank you! We won a bunch of awards, my personal favorite being 'Best Ensemble' because it so best encapsulates what we pulled off. And now, thanks to the internet and Amazon Video, you can watch all of us again (I play Marc) from the comfort of your couches and yes, even while wearing sweat pants, or none at all! There's already many great viewer reviews and just a couple bad ones that are actually fun to read, truth be told ;-) Free for Prime customers, otherwise it's only $3. Thanks for supporting the little film that could.
PRESS & PRODUCTION PHOTOS RELEASED FOR 'WILDFIRES' PLAY
I mean, Jody Christopherson, ladies and gentlemen. That's all you need to know. Oh and her website, book her now! Gorgeous stuff.
HIGH PRAISE FOR 'WILDFIRES' PLAY - Broadway World
Click the link in the caption for a great article and insight into the world of Only You Can Prevent Wildfires. My personal favorite quote: “Fascinating...nothing short of brilliant... one of the best off-off Broadway shows I have seen to date... the actors are phenomenal... knows exactly how to not only stir (more like unravel) the emotions within each of us, but also makes audiences question what is hidden beneath the hard truth of the matter, and whether reality is open to interpretation.” I think they liked it ;-)
ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT WILDFIRES - Announcement and Press Release
Harrison David Rivers is one of the most exciting, not to mention prolific, young writers, and just named "One to Watch" by American Theatre. Now, guess who gets to work with him on his latest work? Yes indeed! I'm super excited and proud to announce that I've been cast in the world premiere of Only You Can Prevent Wildfires, produced by Ricochet Collective and directed by Sherri Eden Barber (with whom I've collaborated with before on The 24 Hour Plays). The play revolves around a true and sometimes, unbelievable story, the 2002 Hayman wildfire. I play the role of John Barton, husband to Terry Lynn, a forest ranger found responsible for setting the largest wildfire in Colorado state history. And it all started with a love letter...or did it?
DO NOT MISS THIS SHOW. IT WILL SELL OUT :-)
ALL THE INFO YOU NEED BY CLICKING ON THE PHOTO - Thanks!
NEWEST VOICEOVER WORK - FOX DEPORTES
It's no secret that I love fútbol - yes, some might call it an obsession - but I don't like labels ;-) Anytime I get to do voiceovers to promote the beautiful game is a great day in my book.
NEW REPRESENTATION
I recently joined forces with the team at CESD Talent and look forward to the many auditions and bookings to come. If you'd like to work with me, feel free to give them a call.
CBS TELEVISION CASTING WORKSHOP
Out of thousands of submissions, I was one of a lucky 30 who were invited to participate in a casting workshop at CBS' New York offices led by Barbara Matos and Fern Orenstein. The workshop ended very positively with a private callback with Fern and CBS writers, resulting in consideration for the upcoming season.
TWO RIVER THEATER CROSSING BORDERS (CRUZANDO FRONTERAS) FESTIVAL
Red Bank, New Jersey is home to one of the nation's most prestigious regional theaters. Many shows that are developed at Two River have gone on to be produced in NYC, both on Broadway and off. I was invited by Stephanie Ybarra (The Public Theater) and Stephanie Cohen (Two River) to workshop two new plays, including El by Raul Garza, directed by Michelle Bossy and Blancaflor by Cecilia Cackley, directed by Jerry Ruiz. The festival was a wonderful experience, culminating in sold-out readings. I highly recommend checking out the town of Red Bank and of course, a play at Two River.
PAGE SIX SHOUTOUT
I was featured in the infamous Page Six of The NY Post, without having played basketball with Leo or being arrested with Lohan. I guess that's a little bit of a letdown, but no such thing as bad publicity, right!? Click on image for full article and buy your tickets now!
BAMBOO IN BUSHWICK @ Working Theater, NYC: April - May 2017
My character's name is Swayze...I mean, c'mon, you wanna see this!
INFO & TICKETS CLICK BELOW
PUBLIC SPEAKING @ Joe's Pub
A truly celebratory night, recapping The Public Theater's year and things to come, including a production of the Shakespeare Mobile Unit's Romeo y Julieta which I was part of during its workshop. Reunited with the magnanimous Artistic Director Oskar Eustis and wonderful actor Flor De Liz Perez. I also had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with the vibrant and trailblazing Gail Papp, widow of Joe Papp, founder of The Public Theater. Quite a special night!
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC - SAG Nominating Committee screening @ Sunshine Cinema
Viggo Mortensen is one of my favorite actors and an honorary Argentine. I really loved Captain Fantastic and strongly recommend it to all. Learning what went into making this powerful film only made me appreciate it more, plus the added bonus of getting to speak with Viggo in Spanish was pretty cool too.
42 SECONDS OF HAPPINESS @ Harlem International Film Festival
The film is currently touring domestic and international festivals.
UPDATE 9/18/16: We won Best Ensemble award, woohoo!!!
LOCUSTS HAVE NO KING @ Intar Theatre
written by J. Julian Christopher, directed by David Mendizábal with Dan Domingues, David Grimm and Liam Torres
photos by Carol Rosegg, NY Times
NY MADNESS SEASON OPENER
Had the opportunity to work with award-winning writer and filmmaker Neil LaBute on his new script, Black Chicks. He is currently developing it into a film.
