The company of LUZMI.
LUZMI Cast Bios
Performs October 3rd - October 27th at Inner-City Arts, downtown Los Angeles
Based on two and a half years of research in Colombia with Producing Artistic Director Elisa Bocanegra, the play educates audiences about the rich biodiversity of Colombia and the environmental injustices indigenous communities in the Amazon rainforest face.
The play is presented in English and subtitled in Spanish.
Read more about Luzmi here! (For Spanish, click here)
The play is presented in English and subtitled in Spanish.
Read more about Luzmi here! (For Spanish, click here)
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Stephanie Hoston
Stephanie feels honored to be part of this magical show and is in awe of the team that brought Luzmi to fruition. She is grateful to her managers, agents, friends, family, and loved ones for their unparalleled support throughout her career. May we all find ways to help heal this earth and each other, and may we never give up. Stephanie spent the last few years focusing on her film and tv career, where she has had life changing experiences on shows such as Perry Mason (HBO) and FBI: International(CBS). Other productions include: The Super Pops (YouTube), Ho Bag 3 (Sherry Theatre), Spring Awakening (CSU Northridge), Fridíta (Frida Kahlo Theatre). You can also catch her in a variety of commercials or walking her rescue blue-nose pitbull named, Dream. |
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Peter Mendoza
Peter Mendoza born and raised in East Los Angeles, studied theatre, stage combat, and dance at East Los Angeles College. Theatre: Oscar in Sweat (Mark Taper Forum), Elliot in Elliot, A Soldiers Fugue (Kirk Douglas Theatre), Oedipus in Oedipus El Rey (Kirk Douglas Theatre, Digital Stage), Henry Reyna in Zoot Suit (Mark Taper Forum, U/S). Other Theatre: Satan in The last days of Judas Iscariot, Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet; Rolling through East LA (Cholavision Prod.), Hason in Mojada: A Medea in Los Angeles (The Rep. Theatre of St. Louis), Belyaev in Three Days in the Country, Ferdinand in The Tempest, Florizel in The Winters Tale (Antaeus Theatre Company), Rafael in La Piedra Oscura, Don Carlos in Los Empeños de una Casa, Paco in Salon Mexico, Don Juan Tenorio in El Burlador de Sevilla (Bilingual Foundation of the Arts). Television: Perry Mason (HBO), From Scratch (Netflix), Shooter (USA), NCIS (CBS), Snowfall (FX), Casual (HULU), On My Block (Netflix). Film: Dead Bullet, Nathan's Kingdom, Parasites, Tecato, Hello to Never, Ana Maria in Novella Land. |
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Bibiana Navas
Bibiana Navas is a renowned Colombian actress with over 34 years of experience in television, theater, and film. She began her acting career in the mid-1980s and quickly established herself as one of Colombia’s most versatile performers. Bibiana studied acting at the prestigious Escuela Nacional de Arte Dramático (ENAD) in Bogotá, where she honed her craft and developed a deep passion for the stage. Throughout her career, Bibiana has been part of some of the most iconic Colombian television shows. She gained international recognition for her role in the Nickelodeon series “Chica Vampiro”, which captivated younger audiences across Latin America and beyond. She continued to expand her reach through her work with streaming platforms, such as her recent roles in Vix’s “Paraíso Blanco” and Netflix's “Pedro el Escamoso”, which showcase her ability to adapt to a variety of genres and characters. In addition to her work on screen, Bibiana has had a distinguished career in theater, where her love for live performance shines. She has participated in numerous plays, earning critical acclaim for her depth, emotional range, and dedication to her roles. Her commitment to the craft of acting and her ability to engage audiences across different mediums have made her a beloved figure in Colombian entertainment. Bibiana’s versatility and long-standing contribution to the arts have made her a respected and influential figure in the Colombian entertainment industry. |
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Julián Juaquín
From New York with Colombian roots, Julián Juaquín has cultivated his art of acting in the Big Apple, studying at the Stella Adler Studio, The Labyrinth company, and performing on stage with the Harold Clurman theater. After receiving his Masters Degree in Fine Arts at The University Of Southern California, he is now a professor teaching cinema studies in the drama department. Julián had the opportunity to shake up the theater world in Los Angeles. He worked on the 2019 production of“ How We Are Different From Animals” with the Elan ensemble which would win a STAGE RAW Award for “best adapted play” and be nominated in 8 more categories. Julián continues his investigation of acting with Coin & Ghost working in numerous productions with them. Julián made an appearance on NBC’s show, “Stumptown”. Also, He recently finished playing Richard Alves in an upcoming film called “ Respite” directed by Saro Varjabedian. Which is available on all major platforms. Jumping into different craft genres and continuing to examine the human condition, Julián understands that the work is never done and we must always learn from each other. |
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Emanuel Loarca
Emanuel Loarca is an award-winning director, actor, writer, producer and filmmaker. His short film "My Little Girl" has received over 35 awards in the festival circuit. Founder and artistic director of Teatro Akabal Theatre. Has directed over 25 plays and performed in over 90 plays for the Latino and American Theatre. He last toured with his autobiographical one-man show "La Familia de Emanuel" With performances in NY, NJ, RI, PA, LA, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, and Mexico. Most recent TV & Film credits include: High Potential, Hacks, Barry, Young Sheldon, The Rookie, Goliath, Criminal Minds, Castle, Jane The Virgin, See Dad Run, The Bridge, Sex & The City, El Placer de dar Placer, Above the Desert with no Name, Reward if Found, Snuff Dogs, Fullmoon, War Within the Cartel, Matador, Alma, collect Call among others. |
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Helena Betancourt
Helena Betancourt is a Colombian-born American actress based in New York. She is excited to continue playing the role of Claudia after being a part of the New York Stage and Film workshop reading of Luzmi in the summer of 2022. Television credits include: Orange is the New Black (Netflix), Billions (Showtime), The Other Two (Comedy Central), Gossip Girl (HBO), Blue Bloods (CBS), Broad City (Comedy Central), and Law And Order Special Victims Unit (NBC). Film credits include Netflix originals “Christmas With You” and “Luckiest Girl Alive”. Since she was a small girl, Helena dreamed of living on screen and stage. Today, she is nurturing young actors with similar dreams as a teaching artist at Opening Act, a nonprofit organization connected to the New York City Public School system. When Betancourt isn’t dreaming of her next acting gig, she entertains a lifelong ambition to visit every Caribbean country at least once. |
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Carla Valentine
Carla Valentine is an Afro-Latina New Yorker of Honduran decent. She has performed on various New York stages including Henry St. Settlement, Intar-53, and The Nuyorican Poet’s Cafe. Since moving to Los Angeles Carla has appeared on various TV shows. Her film credits include the Golden Globe awarded Oscar nominated film Lady Bird by Greta Gerwig. Carla is thrilled to debut at Hero Theatre in Diana’s luscious play. Other LA theatre include Life’s A Bitch And So Am I, by Touch Brandon in which she starred, produced and co-directed. |
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Adrian Quinonez
Adrian is a Guatemalan-American actor. Adrian began acting at the theater company Escenarte in Guatemala at the age of 15. He moved to Los Angeles at 18 to pursue his dream of becoming an accomplished artist. Since then he has been an apprentice at The Williamstown Theater Festival and been part of many productions at USC where he currently studies pursuing a BFA in Acting for Screen & Stage. USC: Nicholas Nickleby, Broken Shells, Our Town, Last Days of Judas Iscariot, The Belle's Stratagem. Williamstown Theater Festival: Raisin in the Sun. Escenarte Guatemala: Dr. Cataclisterium (Commedia dell'arte), Murmullos de las Ánimas. |