Malia Abayon (Ensemble/Understudy Nina)
Malia Abayon is so beyond grateful to be making her debut at Center REP in In the Heights. Malia was last seen in 6th Street Playhouse’s productions of Little Shop of Horrors (u/s Audrey, swing) and Cabaret (Kit Kat Girl). Other favorites include RENT (Mimi), The House of Bernarda Alba (Adela), The Who’s Tommy (Acid Queen), and Revelations the Musical (Off-Broadway). Malia would like to thank her family and close amigas for all their support and patience as she follows the zig-zagging path toward her dreams! MaliaAbayon.com

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Dave J. Abrams* (Benny)
Dave J. Abrams is thrilled to be returning back to the Center REP stage since his last appearance as Adam in Freaky Friday! Recent theater credits include: Elf (Buddy), Ain't Misbehavin’ (Andre), Hairspray (Seaweed) (2019 TBA Award for Outstanding Featured Actor), Ragtime (Coalhouse) (2018 TBA Award for Outstanding Actor in a Principal Role), and In The Heights (Benny) (BroadwayWorld Regional Theater Nomination). Dave holds a Bachelors of Arts in Theater and Dance from the University of California at Berkeley. Dave also works as a Teaching Artist with a passion for spreading arts education to youth throughout the Bay Area. Follow him on IG and enjoy the show!

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Alex Alvarez (Piragua Guy/Understudy Usnavi)
Alex Alvarez is grateful to be making his debut with Center REP. A graduate of AMDA (L.A.) Alex has performed in various productions throughout the Bay Area and Southern California. He was last seen as the titular role in Missouri Street Theatre's production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Other credits include: Berger in HAIR (MST), for which he was awarded the 'Best Lead Actor' Arty Award in 2019, Tulsa in Gypsy (Mountain Play), Danny Zuko in Grease (Broadway by the Bay), Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Show (MST), and Donkey in Shrek (Diablo Theatre Company.) Alex would like to send a special "thanks" to Jennifer Perry for making this all possible. To his friends and family, he sends his gratitude for their continued love and support. Enjoy the show!

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Natalie Amaya* (Camila Rosario/Understudy Abuela)
Natalie has performed nationally and internationally in, among other things, The National tour of the musical Selena Forever, the Univision television show Objectivo Fama, and as a featured vocalist with Alvaro Torres in Puerto Rico, Mexico and El Salvador. Locally, Natalie has performed at Berkeley Playhouse, Woodminster Amphitheatre, Broadway by the Bay, TeatroVision, Post Street Theatre, and CCMT. Natalie is the lead vocalist in the Bay Area cover bands, Helios and Top Secret. She also teaches private voice lessons at her home in Martinez. Beyond theater and teaching, Natalie enjoys volunteering and fostering for Umbrella of Hope Animal Rescue.

Dane Paul D. Andres (Ensemble/Understudy Graffiti Pete)
Dane Paul Andres is thrilled to be back at Center REP for their production of "In the Heights." Dane's most recent credits include directing a production of "Matilda" at the Berkeley Playhouse and performing as one of the Angels in Ray of Light Theatre's production of "Kinky Boots." Dane has a diverse performance background, having spent time performing at Disney World and Universal Resort in Orlando. He has also appeared in numerous theatrical productions, including "Once On This Island" at Theater West End, "Aida" at Encore! Performing Arts, and "A Chorus Line" as Paul at Celebration Theater Company. Some of Dane's other favorite roles include Nicholas "Short Who" in "Grinchmas" at Universal Resort Orlando, Mungojerrie in "Cats" at Broadway by the Bay, and Gideon in "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" at Woodminster. In addition to his performing career, Dane is a dance teacher and competes with a hip-hop dance crew, INQ. When he is not performing or teaching, Dane works as a professional Graphic Designer and mentor to a team of student designers at San Jose State University. Dane continues seeking new opportunities to grow as an actor and performer. He is excited to bring his talents to the stage at Center REP once again and looks forward to delivering a captivating performance in “Washington Heights.”

Noel Anthony* (Kevin Rosario)
Noel Anthony is delighted to be returning to Center REP for this fiesta! Noel previously appeared in Center REP’s productions of "She Loves Me" as Kodaly, "Smokey Joe’s Cafe," Vittorio Vidal in "Sweet Charity," Mike in "Freaky Friday," and Sam Carmichael in "Mamma Mia!" For more information, please visit www.noelanthonyescobar.com

Míchel Alejandro Castillo (Usnavi De La Vega)
Calling Us Home (International Theatre Cape Town, South Africa), In the Heights, On Your Feet, West Side Story, Mamma Mia, The Talented Ones (World Premiere), Heathers, 1776, American Idiot, Blood Brothers, Swimming While Drowning (Original Cast), The Pelican (NAMT Festival NYC), Little Duende (NYC AEA Workshop) SUEÑOS: Our American Musical (Oregon Shakespeare Festival Green Room) NC-17 (Workshop Portland Center Stage) Training: Rodney Hicks (Present Moment Actor Studio) Chris Harder (Actors Studio) Voice: Martin Sola, Joey Harrell (NYC)

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Jordan Covington (Ensemble/Understudy Benny)
Jordan is thrilled to join Center REP for "In the Heights." He previously performed at Berkeley Playhouse in their production of "In the Heights" and was nominated for best performance in a musical for his role of Benny. Jordan also performed as Richie in I Can Do That Theater’s production of "A Chorus Line," "Pippin," and "West Side Story." Jordan most recently performed "A Guide For Homesick" at Theater Rhinoceros and entertained the guests at California’s Great America in the winter. Now engulfed in film, he has been in a plethora of short films and feature films, including "Some Friendly Vices," "The 50," and "Ball is Ball" which got accepted into the Bravemaker Film Fest and The Charlotte Film Festival. Jordan would love to thank his family and friends for the constant support they bring. Follow his journey on his Instagram.

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Ashley Cowl* (Daniela/Dance Captain)
Ashley is thrilled to return to Center REP after last appearing in Beehive: The 60’s Musical. BAY AREA: On Your Feet! (Gloria Estefan, Woodminster), Evita (Eva Peron, PCRT), West Side Story (Anita - Shellie award, CCMT), In The Heights (Daniela - TBA award nomination, Woodminster), Dames At Sea (Mona Kent - SF Theatre Critics Circle award nomination, 42nd Street Moon); LOS ANGELES: Musical Theatre West, 5 Star Theatricals/ Cabrillo Music Theatre, Fullerton Civic Light Opera, and Havok Theatre Company’s L.A. revival of Kiss Of The Spider Woman (Marta standby); OTHER: Little Shop Of Horrors (Audrey), Anything Goes (Hope), A Chorus Line (Maggie), Legally Blonde (Serena), Disney’s Beauty And The Beast (Babette), and CATS (Demeter, Bombalurina). Internationally, she has performed for audiences at Sadler's Wells Theatre in London, and has appeared in and worked on projects for Apple, Danskin, Miss America, and Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS. Off the stage, Ashley is an arts educator, instructing students of all ages in acting and dance techniques, private voice, as well as directing and choreographing for youth theater programs. BFA Musical Theatre, AMDA. Proud member of Actors’ Equity. Thank you Jenny, CenterREP, and the Lesher. For Mom, Dad, Nana, and Noel always. www.ashleycowl.com

John Hector Diaz (Ensemble/Understudy Sonny)
John Hector Diaz is grateful to make his Center REP debut with this wonderful cast and team! Outside of performing, he enjoys photography, filmmaking, and content creation. He works as a technical theater and film teacher at the Marin Horizon School in Mill Valley. Past credits include: West Side Story (Bernardo) - Throckmorton Theater; The Rocky Horror Show (Phantom, Riff Raff u/s) - Marin Musical Theater Company; Rent (Homeless Person 1, Steve) - Marin Musical Theater Company; A Chorus Line (Don) - Novato Theater Company; Newsies (Race, Davey u/s) - Katia and Company. You can catch him next playing Lucas Beineke in The Addams Family at Novato Theater Company in the fall. He would like to thank his family and friends for their support!

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Leilani I. Ford (Carla (June 21-24))
Leilani I. Ford is overjoyed to be making her professional debut with this wonderful cast! Some favorite roles include Wednesday Addams (The Addams Family), Diana (A Chorus Line), and Maria (West Side Story). Leilani will attend Montclair State University in the fall to earn her BFA in Musical Theater. She would like to give love and gratitude to her teachers, family, friends, and everyone who believed in her on the way. “Nothing to prove, only to share.”

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Kevin Gruwell (Ensemble)
Kevin is an award-winning choreographer and performer native to the Bay Area. He is excited to return to Center REP where he most recently contributed choreography for the play Native Gardens and performed in the ensemble for Mamma Mia! Other recent credits include In the Heights (Berkeley Playhouse), West Side Story (Berkeley Playhouse), and show lead/casting assistant for Six Flags Discovery Kingdom ¡Alabanza!

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Jacob Henrie-Naffaa* (Sonny)
Jacob could not be more excited to return to the role of Sonny in Center REP's production of In the Heights. Jacob has been performing professionally around the Bay Area since the age of seven, most recent credits include Tulsa in Gypsy (42nd St Moon), Sonny in In the Heights (Berkeley Playhouse), Bullshot Crummond in Bullshot Crummond (Plotline Theatre Company) and Ferapont in Three Sisters (Utopia Theatre Project). In addition to performing, Jacob also works as a teaching artist, having worked for companies such as SFArts Education, Berkeley Playhouse, Crespi Carmelite High School, El Campanil Theatre Academy, and the Oakland Zoo. If you see him walking around or teaching at the zoo– feel free to come say hi! Outside of work, Jacob loves road trips, comic books, screenwriting, animal (gibbon) conservation, trading cards and playing lightsabers, watching Star Wars, collecting Star Wars memorabilia, and building LEGO Star Wars with his onstage and real-life Graffiti Pete, Tony Wooldridge.

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Cristina Hernandez (Nina Rosario)
Cristina Hernandez will be performing for the first time with Center REP. Cristina received her BA in Theatre Arts at San Jose State University. She has trained vocally with Jennifer Schapiro. Cristina has been seen in City Light’s production of In the Heights, as Nina, In Berkeley Playhouse’s production of West Side Story as Rosalita and Maria, Opera San Jose’s production of West Side Story as Francisca, and in Berkeley Playhouse’s In the Heights as Nina. She is grateful to her friends and family for their love and support and to those who keep encouraging her in her career.

Lillian Kurtz (Ensemble)
Lillian is very excited to be working with Center Rep again. She was last seen in the show “All Shook Up" with the company back in 2009 and in CCMT’s production of “Hairspray” in 2011. In 2007, she appeared in the Mountain Play production of “Hair” and Ray of Light’s “High School Musical.” Lillian attended the Academy of Art University, majoring in musical theater and acting. Currently, she is a student at the American Conservatory Theater school and a vocal/singing student at Inspire Music in San Francisco. She wants to thank her family, friends, and coaches for their immense and ongoing love and support.

Laura Lebrón (Vanessa)
Actress, singer, and acrobat born and raised in the Dominican Republic. Laura moved to NYC in 2010 and currently lives in Las Vegas, NV. Helen Hayes Awards winner for her role as Nina Rosario in Gala Hispanic Theater's production of In The Heights in Spanish. Other US credits: In the Heights (Vanessa), Goldilocks, a new musical (Lisa), The Temple of the Souls (Ensemble), TV show SMILF on Showtime. DR credits: La Lamada (Susana Romero), Venus in Fur (Vanda), Blackbird (Una), Legally Blonde: the musical (Vivienne Kensington), Fiddler on the Roof (Chava), Hairspray (Tammy), High School Musical on Stage (Sharpay Evans), among others. Two times nominated for Best Actress in the Dominican Soberano Awards. As an acrobat, Laura has performed in various venues in NYC, Portland, and Las Vegas.

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Danielle Mendoza (Yolanda/Understudy Vanessa)
Danielle is hyped to join Center REP for the first time with a show near and dear to her heart. She is a Bay Area local who also sails the seven seas performing with Norwegian and Princess Cruiselines. Most recently, she starred in the hit show “Six” as the green Queen, Anne Boleyn. Other credits include “Brat Pack “(FTR), “The Secret Silk” (PCL), “Miss Saigon” (BBB), “American Idiot” (CLTC), and Bay Area’s very own workshops of “Larry the Musical” and “For My Lolo.”

Michelle Navarrete (Abuela Claudia)
Michelle Navarrete (she/her/ella) is a theatre artist both on and off the stage and is thrilled to make her Center REP debut with such a dream team! From singing out her abuelitas favorite rancheras to belting out showtunes, she fell in love with performing and storytelling at an early age. After receiving her BFA in Acting from Marymount Manhattan College, she continued her career in NYC performing and producing theatre. In the Bay Area, she has performed with San Francisco Playhouse, Cal Shakes, TheatreFirst, Custom Made Theatre, Bay Area Children's Theatre, Impact Theatre, Faultline Theatre, and Theatre Cultura. She is immensely grateful for the support and love of her family and friends, especially her dad who has recently become her angel. Te quiero pops, para siempre.

Adora Nzewi (Ensemble)
Living the dream at only 15 years old, Adora is excited to make her Center REP debut in one of her favorite shows. Past credits include A Christmas Story: The Musical (Berkeley Playhouse), On Your Feet: The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan (Woodminster Summer Musicals), and many youth educational theater productions, including Lion King, Jr., A Chorus Line and Mary Poppins, Jr. When not on stage, Adora can likely be found binge watching K-dramas and her favorite animes. Much gratitude to her parents, as well as Janet Taddie and all of her dance teachers at Castro Valley Performing Arts, Chelsea Bardellini Gaskin and all of her theater teachers at Starlight Dance Studios and Theater, and her voice teacher, Liz Whitney of Skylark Voice Studio. Pretty. Black. Cute.

Deanalís Arocho Resto* (Carla (May 27-June 18)/Understudy Camila)
Born and raised in Pennsylvania on Susquehannock land, Deanalís (they/he/she) is a nomadic queer Boricua artist delighted to be back in the Bay, making their Center REP debut with this dream show. Most recently, Deanalís played Jaques in the Taub/Woolery musical adaptation of As You Like It at San Francisco Playhouse. Before that, he understudied the roles of Julie d’Aubigny in Revenge Song and Duke of Austria/Prince Henry in King John at Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Last spring, they made their Bay Area debut as Leslie in the boldly sex-forward musical comedy Coming Soon at Z Space. Before coming out west, Deanalís performed in Minneapolis as the queer heartthrob, Atlacamani, in Brujería for Beginners (20% Theatre Co. & Lightning Rod). Chicago-based from 2013-2021, some of her favorite windy city credits are Miranda in The Tempest (Oak Park Festival Theatre), Mopsa in Head Over Heels (Kokandy Productions), Luna in Luna (Filament Theatre), and facilitating theatre-based sex education with For Youth Inquiry & the Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health. Ithaca College Alum, BFA Musical Theatre. Cancer Sun, Aries Moon, Libra Rising.

Tony Wooldridge (Graffiti Pete)
Tony is incredibly excited to be performing at Center REPertory Company for the first time. Tony was last seen performing the role of Graffiti Pete at Berkeley Playhouse’s production of In The Heights. He has been dancing for over 21 years and genuinely loves Hip-Hop. He is currently spending time learning music theory and applying it through music/audio production. In the Heights was the first musical Tony was ever introduced to and a part of back in 2018, which holds a special place in his heart. He would like to thank his parents, sister, friends, and Jennifer Schapiro for supporting his love for performance.

Nicholas C. Avila (Director)
Nicholas C. Avila is excited to make his directorial debut at Center Repertory Company! Nicholas has directed and developed plays at theatres that include: Oregon Shakespeare Festival, The Denver Center Theatre Company, La Jolla Playhouse, South Coast Repertory, Chautauqua Theatre Company, The Chance Theater, Berkeley Repertory Theatre’s Ground Floor, Marin Theatre Company, Playwrights Foundation to name a few. Nicholas is thrilled to be a part of the creative team for IN THE HEIGHTS, a story that holds a special place for anyone who has ever searched to “find home” and realize the American Dream. Lin Manuel-Miranda & Quiara Alegría Hudes, the children of immigrants, celebrate the tenacity of the human spirit and represent the best of what is possible when we dare to dream in the face of adversity. Having grown up in the Bay Area, Nicholas is incredibly grateful to Center REP and the Lesher Center for the Arts for the opportunity to tell this story so close to home. He hopes that the next Lin Manuel-Miranda, Quiara Alegría Hudes, Doctor, Teacher, or President of the United States might somehow find their way into the theatre and discover they have a story to tell. “No Pare, Sigue, Sigue!” Nicholas is a proud graduate of Yale School of Drama's Directing Program.

Nicolas Perez (Music Director)
Nicolas Perez is a Bay Area music director, accompanist, and arranger/orchestrator. He currently serves as the Music Supervisor and Principal Accompanist for the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus. With the Chorus he has enjoyed working on collaborations with Andrew Lippa, Stephen Schwartz, and the San Francisco Symphony, as well as many others. He has music-directed productions for Berkeley Playhouse, Broadway by the Bay, San Jose Stage, and Transcendence Theatre Company. When he is not in the rehearsal room, Nick can be found playing at San Francisco's piano bar, Martuni's, on Tuesday nights. He is a proud graduate of Saint Mary's College of California. nicolasperezmusic.com

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Sara Templeton (Choreographer)
Sara Templeton is a Bay Area artist making her musical theater debut with the Center Repertory Company. Sara has presented work at Dance Mission Theater and ODC in San Francisco, and can currently be found teaching Latin dance and Hip-Hop around the Bay Area. When she is not doing that, Sara is experimenting with creating dance film shorts and raising money for dance organizations and dance artists through her arts merchandise small business, ObjectsForArt. She would like to thank Center REP for trusting her with this project and for all her friends and family for their exuberant love and support during this process.

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Leah Ramillano (Scenic Designer)
Leah Ramillano is a Southern California based designer who balances work as a CAD Associate at Mattel, Inc. and freelance scenic design. At Mattel, she collaborates with various teams for tradeshows, toy fairs, conventions, and special live events, among other areas of in-person activations. Alongside her corporate work, her most recent design credits include The Brothers Paranormal (Perseverance Theatre), All the Town’s a Stage: A Winona Story (Great River Shakespeare Festival), and The Tempest: An Immersive Experience (Shakespeare Center LA/After Hours Theatre Company).

Wen-Ling Liao (Lighting Designer)
Wen-Ling Liao is happy to be back. Her previous credit with Center REP: Native Gardens. Selected Bay Area Credits: Headlands, Gloria, and Vietgone with A.C.T. Little Shop of Horrors with TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, Quixote Nuevo, House of Joy and Winter's Tale with California Shakespeare Company, The Catastrophist and The Wickhams Christmas at Pemberley at Marin Theater Company, Indecent, Dance Nation, Significant Other, King of the Yees and Barbecue with San Francisco Playhouse. The Chinese Lady, Oedipus El Rey, The Resting place with Magic Theater. Her works have also been seen at Denver Performing Arts Center, Hartford Stage, Actors Theater of Louisville, Dallas Theater Center, Huntington Theater Company, and Merrimack Repertory Theatre. She got her BA from National Taiwan University and MFA from the University of California, San Diego. Wenlingliao.com (She/ Her/hers)

Courtney Flores-Kerrigan (Costume Designer)
Courtney Flores-Kerrigan is a Costume Designer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She serves as Costume and Makeup Design Lecturer at San Jose State University, as well as Costume Design Lecturer at California State University East Bay in Hayward, California. Recent productions include Wives at Aurora Theatre Company in Berkeley, CA, Father/Daughter at Aurora Theatre Company in Berkeley, CA, Water by the Spoonful at Stages Theatre in Houston, TX, Kill Move Paradise at Shotgun Players in Berkeley, CA, Native Gardens at Aurora Theatre in Lawrenceville, GA, and The House of the Spirits at U.C. Berkeley in Berkeley, CA. To see more of her work, visit: www.CourtneyFlores.com

Lyle Barrere (Sound Designer)
Lyle is thrilled to be returning to Center REP! He began his theatre career when he was 11 and has now worked over 600 shows as a producer, director, sound or lighting designer for many professional companies in the Bay Area and Los Angeles. His Sound Designs have been nominated for Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Award and Shellie Awards and been awarded TBA Awards. Lyle is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles, with a B.A. in Physics. When not in the theatre, Lyle enjoys working with his nonprofit trust, hiking, camping and scuba diving. He is the owner of Desired Effect, a full service theatrical production company in the Bay Area. www.DesiredEffect.com

Spenser Matubang (Assistant Lighting Designer)
Spense Matubang is a freelance lighting and projections designer currently based in Oakland, California. They have been working in the professional theater world of the Bay Area for four years. They received their degree in Theater Arts from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 2020. Spense uses their career as a never-ending outlet for exploration, creative experimentation, and community building. They have previously designed for The Chikahan Company, City Lights Theater Company, EnActe Arts, Town Hall Theater Company, Ferocious Lotus, New Conservatory Theatre Center, Shotgun Players, Teatro Vision, SF Playhouse, West Valley Light Opera, and Jewel Theatre.

Alicia Lerner* (Stage Manager)
Alicia is excited to return to Center REP after stage managing their production of Clue. Other stage management credits include A Christmas Carol, Always… Patsy Cline, Our Town (Center REPertory Company); Paradise Blue, Stoop Stories (Aurora Theatre Company); The Little Mermaid, Meet Me in St. Louis: A Live Radio Play (Sierra Repertory Theatre); A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Scrooge in Love!, Hot Mikado, Once, 110 in the Shade, Fiorello!, Dames at Sea, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Me and My Girl, The Secret Garden (42nd Street Moon); Hedwig and the Angry Inch (San Jose Stage Company and National Tour); La Cage Aux Folles, Noises Off, The Christians (San Francisco Playhouse); Old Hats, Indian Ink, Let There Be Love, I’m Still Standing, The Big Meal, Fields of Gold (American Conservatory Theater). She holds a BFA in Media-Film Studies from The University of California, San Diego and is a Proud member of Actors' Equity.

Alyssa Tryon (Prop Designer)
Alyssa Tryon (she/her) has been the Resident Properties Designer for Center REPertory Company since 2019. Originally from New Jersey, she worked in NYC for six years prior to moving to the Bay Area. Her work has been featured in NYC, Santa Fe, Sacramento, and all over the Bay Area. She has a BA in Theatre Performance & Theatrical Design from Marymount Manhattan College. She would like to thank her family, friends, and fellow creatives for all their support! www.alyssatryon.com