ACTORS
Valerie Lopez, who plays Medea, is a junior who has previously acted in Cyrano de Bergerac and Puffs. Additionally, she was part of tech for Lord of the Flies. She wanted to act in Moajda "tell a story and paint the struggles that immigrants face in pursuit for a better future for themselves or their kids and in pursuit of the 'American dream.'"
Valerie Lopez
“I'd like to thank my family and Savage for seeing the potential in me and pushing me to become better as a person and as someone in the theatre community every day!”
Kalen Morales-Chavez
Kalen Morales-Chavez, who play Armida, is a junior doing her first ever show. She says that she wanted to act in Mojada because "A lot of times we don’t have shows that appeal to the hispanic community so I wanted a chance to show my family theater can be fun."
“I’d like to thank Carnegie Theatre Co for the opportunity 🫰🏼.I am actually not mexican (which is something I hear a lot) , both of my parents are from Guatemala!!“
Lucas GonzalezRendon
Lucas GonzalezRendon, who plays Acan, is a sophomore who has worked as tech on Lord of the Flies and Airness. He wanted to act in Mojada because of the story it tells and the passion within it.
“I would like to thank Jose and Adam for their guidance as I learn how to act.”
Avery Puente
Avery Puente, who plays Josefina, is a senior and is acting for the first time. She has previously work on tech for Misery, Puffs, Lord of the Flies, Airness, and The Taxidermist's Daughter. When asked about why she wanted to act in Mojada, Avery said, "In this country, at this very moment, I have an obligation to tell such a story upon such a topic. To have silence is to have compliance."
“I'd like to thank Mr. Savage for giving me the opportunity to help share this beautiful story, Diego for pushing me to take up this role in the first place, and my parents for giving me the privilege of growing up surrounded by my culture in every possible aspect. If you told me a year ago that I'd be acting for the first time, I genuinely would've laughed in your face.”
Leanna Estrada
Leanna Estrada, who plays Tita, is a junior at CVHS. In her freshman year, she played the beatboxer in Cyrano de Bergerac and was part of the ensemble in Puffs. In her sophomore year, she did costumes for Lord of the Flies, assistant stage managed for Airness, and was an alternate for the UIL show Taxidermist's Daughter. She felt moved to act in Mojada because she felt like she could relate to the story, resonating with the line, "In this country you can only be one thing: here or there, lost or found, man or woman."
“I would like to thank my mom for always supporting me. I know I can count on her for anything. I would like to thank my dad for never being ashamed of himself and his culture. He taught me to let go of people who do not want me and to hold on tight to people who care about me. I would also like to thank my Tio Tomas for always unapologetically being his crazy self. During the time my dad was self deported in Mexico, he stood up and became my dad. He came to my games, dance recitals, and donuts with dad events when my dad couldn’t. He taught me resilience, strength, and that love, whether it's a language or a physical wall that's the way, has no borders. Although he can’t hear me on stage, I know he understands me.”
Cesar Huerta Jr.
Cesar Huerta Jr., who plays Hason, is a senior and has previously acted as Shreddy Eddy in Airness and Lewis in The Taxidermist's Daughter. He saw in Mojada an opportunity to play a more intense character and display his ethnicity.
“I would like to thank my mom and my brother.”
Adam Franco
Adam Franco, our Director, who also plays one of the soldiers, is a sophomore who played D. Vicious in Airness and Harry in The Taxidermist's Daughter. He wanted to act in Mojada to be a larger part of the play as it is such a passionate and complex project.
“I would like to thank Savage for this amazing role.”
Alondra Salazar
Alondra Salazar, who plays the little girl, is Diego Salazar’s little sister and is so excited to be helping out Carnegie Theatre! When asked if she would act, she was immediately ready for the role.
Diego Salazar
Diego Salazar, who plays a soldier, is a sophomore. In the past, he has played White in The Taxidermist's Daughter and worked as tech on Lord of the Flies, Airness, and The Taxidermist's Daughter. He wanted to act in Mojada to be able to share the story and its message. Diego feels that immigration as a whole is often discussed through politics, statistics, and promises made by politicians, but that we often forget that these are real people and families behind the struggle. By performing in Mojada, he feels that he can show the audience a side of immigration that isn't documented.
“I'd like to thank savage for allowing me to be apart of the production not just on a Tech standpoint but adding me as a character. I'd also like to thank my family for allowing me to embrace my ethnicity. I'd like to thank my sister for not kicking me so hard!”