José Cruz González’s plays include If by Chance (South Coast Repertory), The Extraordinary Ms. ZLuna Captures the World (Denver Center Theatre Company), Under a Baseball Sky (The Old Globe), American Mariachi (Latino Theatre Company, Alley Theatre, PCPA, Alabama Shakespeare, Cleveland Playhouse, Arizona Theatre Company, Denver Center Theatre Company, South Coast Repertory, The Goodman Theatre, The Old Globe), September Shoes (Geva Theatre), The San Patricios (PCPA), The Sun Serpent (Childsplay).

Mr. González was selected as one of the inaugural 2022 Kennedy Center’s Next 50, a new initiative celebrating cultural leadership with 50 trailblazing leaders and organizations. Mr. González was also a grantee of the 2021 ReImagine: New Plays in TYA, a joint effort of the Children’s Theatre Foundation of America, The Kennedy Center, TYA/USA and Write Now to support in part the development of The Wondrous Adventures of Pia Sandía.

He is a Professor Emeritus at California State University Los Angeles, a member of the College of Fellows of the American Theatre, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Dramatists Guild of America, TYA/USA, and a board member of the New Harmony Project, dedicated to a desire to support stories of hope, optimism, and the resiliency of the human spirit.

James Vásquez is a Resident Artist of The Old Globe Theatre, where he recently directed Hair on the Lowell Davies Festival Stage, and Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! He received the Craig Noel Award for Outstanding Direction of a Musical in 2018 for In the Heights at Moonlight Stage Productions and in 2010 for Sweeney Todd at Cygnet Theatre Company. His other recent directing credits include Goodspeed Musicals, Dallas Theater Center, Denver Center Theatre Company, and The Children›s Theatre Company. Mr. Vásquez is an amateur gardener, lover of dogs, and graduate of The Juilliard School.

Cynthia Reiles Flores (Arranger & Music Coordinator) studied violin in Upstate New York with Howard Weiss, the concertmaster of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and Professor of Violin at Eastman School of Music. Although classically trained, she is best known for her work as a pioneer female mariachi violinist, most notably as an original member of Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles, the first all-female mariachi of international import, where she served as first violin and band leader for close to a decade. As an editor of a column on women in mariachi for the bilingual publication, International Journal of Mariachi Performance and Education/ Revista Internacional de Educación e Interpretación de Mariachi, Cynthia is able to promote the research of women in mariachi and give a voice to female participants in this artform. Cynthia is the musical arranger for American Mariachi by José Cruz González, which she has also musically directed throughout the United States. She cofounded the San Jose Mariachi Youth Program which now serves over fifty sites; was the coordinator and violin teacher for the Mexican Heritage Society; taught mariachi at San Jose State University; and has been an instructor and adjudicator at numerous mariachi festival workshops. Cynthia currently directs mariachi programs at California State University-Los Angeles and at the University of California-Riverside. She is a professional mariachi and for over fifteen years has performed with Trio Corazón, based in Los Ángeles, CA

Diggle (Scenic Designer) Diggle is a proud Gay Mexican-Latinx, Chicano Scenic Designer with Indigenous Mexica roots. His work can be seen in NYC and regionally throughout the country. Selected Credits: Travels (Ars Nova), Stir (Old Globe), Merry Wives of Windsor (Old Globe, San Diego Theatre Critics Circle’s Winner for Best Set Design), The Harder They Come (Public Theater), Cowboy Bob (Alley Theatre), Gruesome Playground Injuries (St. Louis Rep), Fires in the Mirror (Baltimore Center Stage/ Long Wharf Theatre), Shakespeare: Call & Response (Public Theater’s Mobile Unit), The Conversationalists (Bushwick Starr). He is a Princess Grace Award Honoree and most recently he was appointed to be the Visiting Professor of Scenic Design for the graduate stage design program at Southern Methodist University. www.diggledesigns.com @diggle_designs

Christopher Vergara (Costume Designer) (he/him/él) is a queer Latino activist, educator, and designer for theater, dance, opera, and live events. His work focuses on culturally responsive design, storytelling, and social justice.  Select credits include Franklinland (Ensemble Theater); twenty50 (Theatre Squared); Fabulation (Billie Holiday Theatre); you don’t have to do anything (HERE Arts); American Mariachi (Alley Theater); Espejos: Clean (Studio Theater DC); Living & Breathing (Two River); How to Melt ICE (Boundless Theater); El Otro Oz (TheaterWorksUSA); Anna in the Tropics, Elián (Miami New Drama); Detroit ’67, Eight Nights (Detroit Public Theater); Party People (Actors Theatre of Louisville); Anna in the Tropics (Barrington Stage); Survivor’s Odyssey, a virtual live opera (White Snake); Windfall (Bay Street); Once (VinWonders, Vietnam); Macbeth (Lewis Center); In the Heights (Orlando Shakes); Golem of Havana, Kidnap Road (La MaMa); Kiss Me Kate, La Traviata (Brevard); Harlequinade, Majisimas (Les Ballets Trockadero). Select Broadway Associate credits include Here Lies Love, The Kite Runner, Once on this Island, The Color Purple, and Eclipsed. Select Film/TV credits include Six by Sondheim, Notes from the Field, and Let Me Down Easy (HBO), That Damn Michael Che (HBOMax). (He is a proud member of IATSE USA 829, Design Action, Wingspace, La Gente: Latinx Theatre Network. Follow at @cavergaradesign and visit christophervergara.com.

Gabbie Vincent (Hair & Make Up Designer) A New York-based Hair and Makeup Artist, recent designs for theater and opera include: A Thousand Maids (Wig & Makeup Design, Two River Theater; World Premiere), The Welkin (Makeup Design, Atlantic Theater Company), Philip Glass’ Drowning (Makeup Design, Days & Nights Festival and Mabou Mines; World Premiere). With On Site Opera: Song of the Nightingale (World Premiere), Coffee Cantata, Il Tabarro, Gianni Schicci, Turn of the Screw, Murasaki’s Moon (World Premiere), Amahl and the Night Visitors, Das Barbecu, The Secret Gardener, and The Marriage of Figaro. Gabbie’s 20+ Broadway credits include Disney’s Frozen (Makeup Specialist), The Nap, and What the Constitution Means to Me (Wig & Makeup Supervisor). Her work can also be seen in multiple feature films and television shows. She holds a BFA from the University of Miami, and a Certificate of Cosmetology from the Aveda Institute, NY.

Fitz Patton (Sound Designer) Select Broadway: I Need That, The Rose Tattoo (Tony Nomination), Choir Boy (Tony, Drama Desk Awards), Bernhart/Hamlet, Three Tall Women, Meteor Shower, Present Laughter, The Humans (Drama Desk Award), Blackbird, The Father, An Act of God (Drama Desk Nomination), It’s Only a Play, Airline Highway, The Other Place (Lortel Nomination), Outside Mullingar, Casa Valentina. Select Off-Broadway: Dig, HEART, The Perplexed, Greater Clements, The Mother, Torch Song; Napoli Brooklyn (Outer Critics Circle Award), Yen, Prodigal Son, The Other Place (Drama Desk nomination); and When the Rain Stops Falling (Drama Desk; Lortel Awards). He is the founding editor of Chance Magazine, a serialized art book about performance and design. www.fitzpatton.com

Rui Rita (Lighting Designer) (he/him) Selected Broadway: Skeleton Crew, Velocity of Autumn, Trip to Bountiful, Present Laughter, Dividing the Estate, Enchanted April. Off-Broadway premieres: Paradise Blue; Horton Foote’s Old Friends and Orphans’ Home Cycle (Hewes Award) (Signature); Happiest Song Plays Last (Second Stage); Just Jim Dale (Roundabout); Nightingale, Moonlight and Magnolias (Manhattan Theatre Club); Carpetbagger’s Children, Far East (Lincoln Center Theater). Off-Broadway revivals: The Piano Lesson (Signature), Talley’s Folly (Roundabout), Engaged (TFANA; Obie Award). Recent regional credits: Alley, Asolo, Center Stage, Center Theatre Group, Dallas Theater Center, Ford’s, Guthrie, Huntington, Oregon Shakespeare, The Old Globe, Pasadena Playhouse. designbyrui.com.

Alvaro Paulino Jr. (Music Director) Born and raised in New York City, Alvaro Paulino Jr. is currently the Musical Director for his father’s legendary mariachi which was founded in 1983, Mariachi Internacional Tapatio De Alvaro Paulino. Mariachi Internacional Tapatio de Alvaro Paulino takes pride as “The Northeast’s Finest Mariachi from New York City” and serving as role
models for the future generation of Mariachi musicians (men and women) in New York City and the rest of the Northeast. Alvaro Paulino Jr. has collaborated and/or shared the stage with world class artists such as Wyclef Jean former Fugee, Jose Jose, Pablo Montero, Thalia RBD, Camila Cabello and Juan Gabriel. Alvaro Paulino Jr. have been featured on channels like ABC, NBC, MTV, MTV Tres, Univision, Telemundo etc. He has also been featured on ABC’s romantic comedy show “Cupid,” “Good Morning America” with Diane Sawyer, MTV, MTV3, MGM movie The Zookeeper, NBC’s Multiple award-winning comedy “30 Rock” along with Tina Fey and many more! He has also performed at many prestigious events and venues; most notably Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Rockefeller Center and The New York Stock Exchange. Back in 2007, Alvaro Paulino Jr. was invited by The Nation’s Premier Mariachi to tour with Mariachi Sol De Mexico de Jose Hernandez and Luis Miguel. In 2018, 2019, and 2023 Alvaro Paulino Jr. was invited to tour with “El Mejor Mariachi Del Mundo” Mariachi Vargas De Tecalitlan and Luis Miguel. – Tradicion Del Suelo Mio!

Christopher Casado (Trumpet) Trumpet player for Mariachi Internacional Tapatio De Alvaro Paulino / The New York City Mariachi Inc. – Mariachi Master Apprentice Program and Union.

Edgar Jamil Mata (Guitarron) Being a first-generation mariachi, Edgar J.Mata would start his journey at the age of 14 as a guitar player in a mariachi academy. He would be in that academy for approximately 2-3 years before starting to work with various local mariachi groups such as Mariachi Tapatio de Alvaro Paulino. From there on out he’s had to adapt to the various playing styles of each group while also improving his performance/vocal skills. Mr. Mata has been able to work alongside many famous artists such as Argentinian singer Leo Dan, Mexican Norteño group Los Tigres Del Norte, and Pablo Montero (Mexican Singer). He also participated in Michael Bublé’s Christmas Special in 2021 backing up the pop singer Camila Cabello, additionally he also participated in the opening show for the comedian George Lopez. Now being the age of 23, Mr. Mata continues to look for various ways to keep growing as a mariachi musician and pass it down to future generations.

Emilio Hernandez (Violin) is a classically trained violinist from Queens, New York. He began his musical journey in 2010 with the Corona Youth Music Project (CYMP) by playing in its youth orchestra in Queens. With the CYMP, in 2014 after a successful audition, Emilio was given the opportunity to participate in the Take a Stand Symphony Orchestra in Los Angeles, California and a year later participated in a concert in Caracas, Venezuela led by the conductor Gustavo Dudamel, along with 200 other students from Manhattan, The Bronx, Caracas and members of the Venezuela National Children’s Orchestra. Being a first gen Mexican American, in 2017 Emilio made the jump towards the Mariachi music genre which has allowed him to further evolve as a musician. As a mariachi musician Emilio has been able to accompany artists such as Argentinian singer Leo Dan (Sony Hall), Mexican icons such as Los Tigres del Norte (NJPAC), and Ana Gabriel (Radio City Music Hall), Mexican actor/singer Pablo Montero, and pop singer Camila Cabello (Michael Buble’s Christmas Special). Emilio has also been able to open for artists such as Mexican Mariachi singer Aida Cuevas (Sony Hall), Mexican American comedian George Lopez, and Mexican American singer Marisela.

Jared Martinez (Vihuela) My name is Jared Martinez. I was born and raised in Queens. I have been playing mariachi music for about 11 years now. Throughout the years I have had the opportunity to meet and accompany people such as Camila Cabello, Michael Bublé, Hannah Waddingham, Jimmy Fallon, and Leo Dan, just to name a few. I have also had the opportunity to appear in the “Saturday Night Live” show, “The Jimmy Fallon Show” and a Netflix show. I am a part of Mariachi Internacional Tapatio De Alvaro Paulino /The New York City Mariachi Inc. – Mariachi Master Apprentice Program and Union. Through this program I attended the Leo Dan Tour back in 2018. I am looking forward to being a part of American Mariachi at Two River Theater.

Carolina Arboleda R. (Production Stage Manager) She is delighted to collaborate with Two River Theater for the first time! Broadway: A Strange Loop, Slave Play. Off-Broadway: This Land Was Made (Vineyard Theatre), Toros (Second Stage Theater), Man Cave (Page 73), What to Send Up When It Goes Down (The Movement Theatre Company, BAM, Playwrights Horizon). Regional: Into the Woods (Idaho Shakespeare Festival), Merry Wives of Windsor (Great Lakes Theater, Idaho Shakespeare Festival), La Egoista (Actors Theatre of Louisville), A Christmas Carol (The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis), Fandango for Butterflies (And Coyotes) (En Garde Arts / La Jolla Playhouse.) International: Festival de Teatro Alternativo, Festival de Mujeres En Escena Por la Paz.

Leslie Ann Boyden (Assistant Stage Manager) (she/her) is a Philadelphia-based stage manager, having previously worked with the Chautauqua Theater Company, Quintessence Theatre Group, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, Theatre Horizon, Philadelphia Theatre Company, The Wilma Theater, Pig Iron Theatre Company, Azuka Theatre, Simpatico Theatre, Shakespeare in Clark Park, Act II Playhouse, Arden Theatre Company, Millbrook Playhouse, and Hedgerow Theatre. She graduated from Indiana University Bloomington with a B.A. in Theatre and Drama.

 Caparelliotis Casting (Casting) Two River Theater: Gem of the Ocean, A Thousand Maids, The Scarlet Letter. Select Broadway: Mary Jane, Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, Grey House, Ohio State Murders, Cost of Living, Macbeth, The Minutes, Skeleton Crew, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, King Lear, The Waverly Gallery, The Boys in the Band, A Doll’s House Part 2, Jitney, The Glass Menagerie. Additional theater includes: MTC, The Old Globe, Atlantic Theater Company. TV/Film: “New Amsterdam” (NBC), “The Boys in the Band” for Netflix (Original Casting).