Hometown: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Education: Universidad Pedro Henriquez Urena, Universidad APEC, Escuela Nacional de Bellas Artes, Michael Howard Studios, Larry Singer Studios.
Select Credits:The Colonel’s Wife, Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Garcias Trilogy, Triptych, Dark Water, Adrift, Parts of Parts & Stitches, Arpeggio.
Why theater?: The older I get the more I ask myself that same question. I’ve decided it's the best way I have of communicating and inspiring change, thought, breath, and stillness. Even if it's only for those 60 to 120 minutes I get with an audience.
Who do you play in Suddenly, A Knock at the Door?: I play “Survey Taker” among other magically delicious characters.
Tell us about Suddenly, A Knock at the Door: Playwright Robin Goldfin has adapted and woven together some of Israeli author Etgar Keret’s stories into a kaleidoscopic play that celebrates creativity, wishes, family and love; that commemorates nations, loss and yearning. The heartbeat of the words and characters are enhanced by the live music composed by Oren Neiman, and the astute direction of David L. Carson.
What is it like being a part of Suddenly, A Knock at the Door?: Rehearsals are always my favorite part of the journey. Director David L. Carson has created a trusting and safe atmosphere that is allowing us to take risks in the room. Having playwright Robin Goldfin, and musicians Oren Neiman and Gilad Ben-Zvi there is also a treat. Nothing compares to being part of a work still in development and sharing it with some fantastic cast mates.
What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: I’m a sucker for magical realism, bold staging, and dark material. I love larger than life actors that make positive choices when portraying flawed and complex characters. These are the plays and artists that inspire me.
Any roles you’re dying to play?: So many roles I’d love to play, but I’m really dying to get back to work developing my solo show Moon Child. I performed an excerpt as part of APAP-NYC at The 14th Street Y last January. I’m itching (yet very scared) to dedicate more time to it. I’m also dying to play a role that pays my bills.
What’s your favorite showtune?: My favorite things are always in constant flux, from color to food to showtunes… so I would have to say right now my favorite is “Take a Break” from Hamilton. Just don’t tell that to “Last Midnight” from Into the Woods.
If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Pedro Almodovar, David Cromer, Marin Ireland, Nilo Cruz, Ayad Akhtar, Trevor Nunn, Naomi Wallace, list goes on.
Who would play you in a movie about yourself, and what would it be called?: We don’t look alike, but I think Gael García Bernal would kill it as me. The movie would be called Vicious Peace.
If you could go back in time and see any play or musical you missed, what would it be?: I would travel back in time and see a performance of Bodas de Sangre (Blood Wedding) and make sure Federico García Lorca was in the audience. Then we would go back to his place, and I'd have him read to me his Sonnets of Dark Love.
What show have you recommended to your friends?: The peril of Off-Off Broadway is shows close so quickly, so most of the things I’ve recommended have lived their three week run by now. I will say, I did a reading of Flux Theatre Ensemble’s RIZING earlier this year, and I cannot wait to see the production. I would recommend a Broadway show but they don’t need the “payola,” besides theater is alive, well and affordable Off-Off Broadway.
What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Pizza, ice cream and Tito’s dirty martini.
What’s up next?: As I rehearse Suddenly A Knock at the Door, I’m also in rehearsals for Other(s), written and directed by Glory Kadigan, having a one-night presentation on June 15th at Dixon Place; Also in rehearsals for Men In Towels, written and directed by Michelangelo Alasa, and playing June 21-25 at the Duo Theater. Later in the fall, I’m directing David Stallings’ Anaïs Nin Goes to Hell, which goes up October 14-29 at The Theater at the 14th Street Y.
For more on Suddenly, A Knock at the Door, visit http://theaterforthenewcity.net/suddenlyaknockatthedoor.html