Sombra del Sol | A Theatre for Young Audiences Production

ABUELA ROSA/ PETALANO: Veronica Gonzalez*
ABUELO GORDO/ LA SOMBRA/ DURO/ BOBO: Chris Bresciani*
MIGUEL: Carlos Toledo⁺
VALENTINA: Karina Martinez⁺
GALENA: Krystal Perez⁺
RAMONA: Leah Rivera Díaz⁺
PETRA/MEEMO: Kiara Camacho Ayala*
FIJO/KIKO: Gisella Hernandez*
ALESSANDRA/ BANDIDO I: Adriana Aquino Andino*
BELLO/ BANDIDO II: Daniel Sanchez*
ETAY/ BANDIDO III: Danilo González-Castaño*
UNDERSTUDY: Daniela Monzon Villegas^

Assistant Stage Manager: Jennifer Balestra*, Yesenia Ginzo*, Ayana Yokie*
Assistant Director: Em Williams*
Dramaturg: Domenika Moncayo*
Assistant Scenic Designer: Sam DiRosa*
Assistant Costume Designer/ Wardrobe Supervisor: Valeria Miranda-Rodriguez*
Wardrobe: Auzsa Carberry-Walters*
Costume Maintenance: Leyandra Cardoza*, Katherine Polgar*
Props/ Scenic Run Crew: Joey Coombs*, Emma Hosking*, Justin Lalk* Hannah Parsons*
A2: Lukas Royer*
A2: Alyssa Marrero*
Scenic Painter: Bonnie Sprung
Stitchers: Katherine Polgar*, Carla Carran*, Emma Hosking*, Hannah Parsons*, Leyandra Cardoza*, Azusa Carberry-Waters*, Lucus Engles*, Emilie Ludwig*
Scenic/ Props: Alex Duffy*, Raylen Farries*, Syd Deines*, Sophia Debora*
Electrics/ Sound: Arden Jones*, Kaitlyn Gamory*, Nick Kelly*, Erica Fox*, Audrey Casteris*, Helen Strickland*, Meagan Prestridge*, Stevie Bleich*

Adriana Aquino Andino (Alessandra/Bandido I, Dance Captain) is a senior transfer student in the B.A. Theater Studies and Journalism programs, with a minor in dance. Theatre UCF credits include El Wiz (Brujita Mala) and Mojada (Tita). She graduated from the Julian Blanco ballet academy (2015), and studied theater with Dr. Zayas and Dr. Duprey at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus. She performed professionally in Puerto Rico for Ballets de San Juan’s national tour company in Legally Blonde (Vivienne Kensington) and Hairspray (Dynamite #1: Judine).

Jennifer Balestra (Assistant Stage Manager) is a first-year student in the BFA Stage Management program. She previously worked on UCF Celebrates the Arts 2021 (Stage Manager).

Chris Bresciani (Abuelo Gordo/La Sombra, Duro/Bobo) is a senior in the B.A. Theatre Studies program. This is Chris’ last show at UCF. Past Theatre UCF credits include #GodHatesYou (U/S Rabbi Cohen), The Rover (Stephano, Soldier, Masquerader, U/S Fredrick) and El Viaje De Beatriz (Babs & Mortimer). Other credits include Oklahoma! (Judd Fry) and Godspell (ensemble). Chris plans on pursuing their MFA in directing in Fall 2022. Instagram: @theaterchris

Raymond Bromante (Sound Designer/A1) is a third-year transfer student in the BFA Design and Technology Program. His previous theatre credits include A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (Lead A2) and the Knights Ghostlight Podcast. 

Leyandra Cardoza (Stitcher, Wardrobe Crew) is a third-year transfer student in the BFA Design and Technology program. This is her third Theatre UCF production. Her previous Theatre UCF credits are Urinetown (Draper) and Scaramouch in Naxos (Assistant Costume Designer). She has a Fashion Design AAS from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Instagram: @leyandra_c

Kiara Camacho Ayala (Petra/ Meemo) is a fourth-year transfer student in the B.A. Theatre studies program. She is also an English major on the creative writing track. Her previous work with Theatre UCF includes a virtual production of the 24 Hour Playfest. Instagram: mudblack 

Leah Rivera Diaz (Ramona) is an aspiring seventh grade student. Classically trained, Leah has performed in Beauty and the Beast Jr. and Just Another High School Play. She spends her free time appreciating music and producing some of her own as she plays the flute and enjoys singing.

Yesenia Ginzo (Assistant Stage Manager) is a first-year transfer student in the BFA Stage Management program. Previous Theatre UCF productions include Project Spotlight Fall 2020 One Act Festival: Loving Passion (Stage Manager) and Writes of Spring 2021 (Production Assistant). Other credits include Little Shop of Horrors (Production Assistant), Theory of Relativity (Stage Manager) and The Rocky Horror Show (Stage Manager).

Veronica Gonzalez (Abuela Rosa/Petalano) recently graduated from the B.A. Theatre Studies program and with a B.A. in Communication and Conflict. She has performed with Project Spotlight in Playing the Fool and in First Miss with Theatre UCF. She also performs with several character businesses in costumes she has sewed, and as a Fairy Godmother, she enhances events to make wishes come true. Instagram: @veronicagonzalez.17

Danilo González-Castaño (Etay, Bandito III) is a second-year student in the B.A. Theatre Studies program. This is his Theatre UCF debut.

Thomasa Hagney (Stage Manager, she/her) is a first-year transfer student in the BFA Stage Management program. This is her third production with Theatre UCF. Her other credits include Scaramouch in Naxos  (Production Assistant) and How to Catch Creation (Assistant Stage Manager). Her other professional credits include Lil and Louis (Production Stage Manager), Ethel Waters (Follow Spot), Marvelous Wonderettes (Follow Spot) and The Song of Paul (Stage Manager).

Gisella Maria Hernandez (Fijo/Kiko) is a senior in the MSM Integrated Business program. She has performed with Theatre UCF in The Street of Crocodiles (U/S Agatha, U/S Mother) and The Refugee Plays. Other credits include When Coquis Sing (Nurse/Mariposa) and Perspectives: Just Like Us (Clara). She works at Orlando Repertory Theatre as a bilingual teaching artist who inspires young actors. Instagram:@gigihernandezs

Karina Martinez (Valentina) is a 10th grade student in the Dr. Phillips High School Visual and Performing Arts Magnet program. Sombra Del Sol is her theatre debut. She has also been a classically trained musician for ten years. 

Hannah Parsons (Stitcher, Wardrobe Crew) is a third-year transfer student in the BFA Design and Technology program. This is her first Theatre UCF production as a stitcher. She has an A.A. in Musical Theater from the College of Central Florida. She also has costume designed for the Ocala Civic Theater’s production of Bedtime Stories. Instagram: @Hannah.L.Parsons

Krystal Perez (Galena) is a third grade student. She has performed dancing and singing with Elevate Studios and recitals with Daniela MV Music. This is her first Theatre UCF production.

Katherine Polgar (Stitcher) is a first-year in the BFA Design and Technology program. This is her first production with Theatre UCF. While her focus is costume design, she pursues bodypainting and SFX makeup in her free time. Katherinepolgar.com

Danny Sanchez (Bello/Bandido II) is an Orlando-based performer and double majoring in Theatre Studies and Journalism. He received his associate's degree from Seminole State College in Theatre Studies. Danny has performed in numerous productions in the Orlando area, including for The Gateway Center for the Performing Arts, Harriets Theatre, Wildfire Players and The Breakthrough Theatre of Winter Park. Some of Danny’s favorite credits have been The Mousetrap (Christopher Wren), Freaky Friday (Parker, Others) (Freaky Friday) and Into the Woods (The Steward). . 

Carlos Toledo (Miguel) is a seventh grader at Howard Academy of the Arts. He has been in Lion King (Pumba), The Jungle Book (King Louie) and much more. This is his first show at UCF and he looks forward to the experience. His favorite role was Pumba as he got to enjoy the comedic and silly character. He’s also excited about being a part of a commercial for the MHACF (Mental Health Association Of Central Florida) as the lead teen.

Daniela Monzon Villegas (Music Director, Female Swing) is a recent graduate of UCF’s M.A. Music program. She has been seen on the Theatre UCF “stage” in her Master’s Recital streamed from the Nicholson School of Communications Recording Studio. Other credits include Hunchback of Notre Dame (Keyboard 2) and Mamma Mia! (Keyboard 3). Daniela is a music educator who serves her Central Florida and online community. www.danielamvmusic.com

Em Williams (Assistant Director) is a fourth-year transfer student in the BFA Acting program. Her previous work with Theatre UCF includes Much Ado About Nothing (Don John), The Rover (Masquerader, U/S Lucetta) and Sweat (U/S Tracey). She worked as an assistant director in Theatre UCF’s virtual reading of Blood at the Root and directed Birdbrains for project spotlight. Instagram: Emwillilliams

Ayana Yokie (Assistant Stage Manager) is a rising second-year student in the BFA Stage Management program. Her previous Theatre UCF credits include Scaramouch in Naxos (Production Assistant). Professional credits include A Taylor-Made Christmas Spectacular (Stage Manager). Her favorite credits include In The Heights (Stage Manager) and Once On This Island (Stage Manager). Instagram: @ayanayokie

Ximena Gonzalez is an MFA candidate in the Theatre for Young Audiences program. Originally from Venezuela, you may have seen her in The Grumpiest Boy in the World and UCF’s 2018 rendition of The Vagina Monologues. Other credits include Six over Five (Old One), Life is a Dream (Rosaura) at UCF Celebrates the Arts, Tartuffe (Mariane), A Marriage Proposal (Natalia) with Bagazos Theatre Group and Que Ayudaita ni que Ocho Cuartos! (Maria Bolivar), a monologue she wrote. She also participated in Project Spotlight’s 10-minute play competition in the play Waiting Room, Vampire (assistant director), and directed Now Calling…

Artistic Director: Julia Listengarten
Design Advisor: Vandy Wood
Stage Management Advisor: Claudia Lynch
Production Manager: Gary Brown
Marketing Coordinator: Steven Risko
Box Office Manager: Bridget Parry
Dramaturgy Advisor: Chloë Rae Edmondson
Artistic Associate: Sage Tokach*
Technical Director: John Heil
Assistant Technical Director: Shannan Rath
Master Electrician/Production Sound: Edd Gordon
Costume Shop Manager/Designer/Advisor: Dan Jones
Costume Shop Floor Supervisor: Robin Ankerich