Our Ensemble

Yesenia De Loera returns for her fifth season with the LatinX Theatre Project. She has performed in original works including Arrivals & Salidas, Remedios l & ll, Heroes and Monsters, and Crossroads. She also serves as Digital Outreach Coordinator leading all things social media. Yesenia has also played roles in Northwest Arkansas Community College productions such as Lisa Loomer's Living Out and John Cariani’s Love/Sick. She has obtained a degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Michael Del Rio but the homies call him “Del” is the Latinx Theater Project’s company coordinator. He also serves as a songwriter, playwright, & actor for the LXTP ensemble. Mike has made appearances in LXTP originals Crossroads, Heroes & Monsters, & Remedios Vol.1. His most recent performance was in Arrivals & Salidas as “Franky”. Outside the project Mike is also a creative music artist. His music helps escape reality for listeners to create their own. Michael has a big heart for his hometown of Springdale and plans to use his voice to speak for others who can’t and will care for others who won’t.

Damian Dena is one of the founding members of LatinX Theatre Project. He is a theatre performer and instructor at Northwest Arkansas Community College, as well as a University of Arkansas MFA graduate. He has had multiple appearances in LXTP shows such as “Scratch That”, “Blanket Statements”, “Crossroads”, “Heroes and Monsters”, and "Arrivals & Salidas". He strives to give back to his community and elevate Latine voices as well as ensure the next generation of performers are able to reach their full potential.

(photo by Jared Sorrells)

Martin Garay is a founding member, ensemble member, and Creative Development Manager for the LatinX Theatre Project; having participated in the productions of Follow Me @ Tio Sam, Scratch That, Blanket Statements, Crossroads, Heroes & Monsters, Remedios Vol.1 & Vol. 2, Arrivals & Salidas, Raices|Roots and other community events throughout the years. He has also worked with other local artists and music groups, including Velattimme and Zero Sense, as a rapper for both groups. Martin hopes to continue working with LXTP and with other community organizations throughout Springdale to further advocate for representation in the Arts and in the future of this city.

Patricia Rodriguez is a Chicana performer from Chicago, now based in Springdale, AR. She completed her Master of Social Work at the University of Arkansas in 2023 and is interested in combining her creative practice to inform her work as a social worker by utilizing expressive therapeutic interventions with clients. Her performance work intersects with her career through Selena Storytime, a bilingual and bicultural story time where Patricia engages audiences as the Tejano music icon, Selena. She believes through expression and play, children and caregivers can continue to nurture their curiosity, love for learning, and joy.

Gabriela Torres is a long-time LXTP ensemble member. Her artistic journey characterized by the exploration of creative boundaries. Their ability to traverse the worlds of theatre, film, and writing showcases a dedication to storytelling that knows no limits. During her time with LXTP, she has both acted in and assisted in writing two captivating plays (with more works on the way). Her keen eye for production has allowed her to play a vital role as a producer and production assistant with Evoko Films. With a passion for storytelling that transcends mediums, she knows this story is far from over.

Sativa Vela is a creative writer; in their free time you can catch them writing music, poetry, and screenplays. Previously, they co-founded the LatinX Theatre Project (LXTP) in 2017 and has been an ensemble member of the organization since. They also served as the Festival Director of the Ozark Media Arts Festival in 2023. Vela also represented Springdale during a Community Fellowship with the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art’s Community Engagement Department in 2020 and as a member of the CACHE 214 Leadership Council in 2021.

Tricia Wheatley Has always been a huge fan of musical theater, and aspires to one day preform in a show on Broadway. Her first theater acting role was NWACC’s 2019 production of Love Sick where she played a wife and mother of two who “loses herself”. She is also expresses her love for fashion through her social media platforms where she shows her viewers how to style new and vintage pieces.

Rebecca Rivas is Senior Artistic Associate for TheatreSquared and the Program Director of the LatinX Theatre Project, as well as a professional director and actor. Rebecca’s directing credits include TheatreSquare’s production of American Mariachi, and before that Native Gardens. She is slated to direct Laughs in Spanish at Houston’s Stages Rep in 2024. Rebecca Rivas acting credits include the roles of  Madame Pontengnac, Fabiola and Mandy in TheatreSquared’s The Ding Dong (Or How the French Kiss), She played the role of Carly in T2’s Reasons to be Pretty and has appeared in a number of pieces in the Arkansas New Play Festival. Other credits include Sarah in Tom Lea: Grace Note in a Hard World and the one-woman show Highway 47 (Frontera Repertory Theatre). Rebecca currently resides in Fayetteville, Arkansas having relocated from her hometown of El Paso, Texas where she was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of Texas at El Paso from 2012 to 2019. Her university directing credits include Electricidad, Labyrinth of Desire, Esperanza Rising, Just Like Us, Bless Me, Ultima and is the co-founder of El Paso’s Chican@/Latin@ Theatre Series. She holds an MFA in Acting from the University of Arkansas.

(photo by Jared Sorrells)