Fade

Follow Us:

Director’s Note:

It was the summer of 1997.  I was working for McAllen Parks and Recreation as a Theatre Aide.  My first “real” job making $5.15 per hour. Big money! This was where I first encountered Tanya Saracho.  She was majoring in Theatre at Boston University and I was in awe of how she radiated confidence every time she walked in the room! Over the years, I’ve followed her career as she founded Teatro Luna in Chicago and made the move to Hollywood to write for shows like How to Get Away With Murder and Devious Maid– ultimately becoming the showrunner for Vida.  From the outside looking in, her career looks like the definition of success.

In this story, Saracho asks us to ponder how far we might go in order to become successful and reexamine the ultimate cost for success–death by assimilation.

The dynamic character of Lucia initially drew me to Fade. It gives me a great sense of pride to share a story with you where the main character driving the action and exploring issues of classism, racism, and sexism does so from the perspective of the Latina gaze.

Coincidentally, many of the fictional elements of this story paralleled my own lived experiences.  From trying to navigate the feelings of growing up Mexican-American–not quite Mexican enough for the primos at the family reunion and not quite American enough for the white teachers who would rather call me Miss Garcia than pronounce my first name–to being cast in a role for a major network television show as Latina Woman in Scrubs.  True story. When we get to that part of the play…you’ll get it.

This production would not be possible without the tremendous talent and support of our amazing cast and crew, and the creative collaboration of the ACC Drama faculty, staff, and students. 

Enjoy the show! 

Yesenia Garcia Herrington, Director of Fade

Click HERE to learn more about the show! 

Song List

Fade Music Playlist

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1KLTzBQR6KJ4KSbzgXfn1g?si=63d5072ed12b4f59

Cast

Creative Team

Meet the Company

Daniela Benavides-Garcia

Lucia

Daniela Benavides-Garcia is a Mexican/American actress born in Fullerton, California; shortly after she was born, her family relocated to Monterrey, Mexico. Before making her transition into acting, she was a figure skater for almost 12 years. She is currently training at the Carol Hickey Acting Studio and is consistently auditioning. Some of her more recent credits include commercials for two local brands, as well as being a lead on the short film “No Need to Worry” which made it as an official selection for the Sioux Film Festival 2022. As well as an honorable mention by the UT department of Film and Television. She also starred in “Wanting Zero” another ACC production as a lead. Daniela is making her debut with ACC Drama Theater and is excited to be working on her first stage production. She would like to thank her family, friends and acting community for supporting her through her journey.

Jeremy Canales

Abel

Jeremy Luis Canales was born and raised in Austin, Texas. He is currently in his final semester at the University of Texas at Austin pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Theater and Dance, with a minor in arts management. Growing up in the hippie town of Austin, Jeremy always admired authenticity and individuality. That's why he plans to pursue a career building a community of artists within Austin, with the intent of creating a foundation for more unique creative expression. His recent credits include Fidel in GFT's production of "Dot," and Somebody in ACC's production of "Everybody."

Barbara Mojica

Lucia

Barbara Mojica has appeared in several great Theater Productions over the last few years. Her latest work includes ¡Estar Guars! Where she interpreted Princesa by The Latino Comedy Project (2022). Yana Wana’s Legend of the Bluebonnet by Teatro Vivo (2019). MX:499 Los Hijos del Águila by Proyecto Teatro in (2018) and Enfrascada by Teatro Vivo in 2017. Barbara loves representing strong characters in each production, which symbolize our roots and heritage in our Latinx culture. Barbara is incredibly excited to be part of this Production! And is extremely grateful to work with the ACC Drama department for the first time! She is a Native from León Guanajuato, México and has lived in Texas for about 27 years. Barbara would like to thank the three loves of her life by been supportive throughout the rehearsal process. Leo, Atzir, and Sammy. I love you guys so much!

Mariano Castillo

Abel

Mariano Roman Castillo grew up on a ranch in a small country town and spent his free time watching whatever movies were available. Because of this, the spark of media appreciation was born. Though he did have an interest in acting, it was not a field he explored until he had to do an audiobook audition for his Radio, Television, & Film course, Radio and TV Announcing. In doing so, he explored his talent of producing different personas for voiceovers. Having graduated ACC’s RTF program, he continues to explore and expand his acting talents in pursuit of an acting profession.

Yesenia Garcia Herrington

Director

Yesenia Garcia Herrington (Director) is an Austin-based actress, educator, and entrepreneur. Originally from McAllen, Texas, her film and television credits include the award-winning documentary Horton Foote: The Road to Home, the award winning National Geographic mini-series The Long Road Home, HBO's The Leftovers, AMC's The Son, among others. On stage, her role as Carolina in the National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere of The Madres by Stephanie Allison Walker earned her a Broadway World nomination for Best Leading Actress. She is on faculty at Texas State University and serves as an adjunct faculty member at Austin Community College and Temple College. In 2015, she was invited by President Barack Obama to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the National Endowment of the Arts at The White House. She is the 2022 KCACTF Uta Hagen Award Recipient and a co-producer on the off-Broadway revival of Kinky Boots. She is represented by The Acting Group.

Lindsey Ollinger

Stage Manager

Lindsey Ollinger (Stage Manager) is very excited to return to ACC Drama! After getting her theatrical debut with ACC in 2017, she transferred and graduated with a degree in stage management from The University of Texas. Her stage management credits include local productions such as Ground Floor Theatre's Unexpected Joy, UTNT’s Not Omaha, and Penfold Theatre's Crime and Punishment. She would like to thank her family and friends for their support, Ryan for being a constant source of comfort, her cats for existing, and ACC Drama for always feeling like home.

Maddison Fleetwood

Assistant Stage Manager

Maddison Fleetwood (Assistant Stage Manager) is currently a Drama major at Austin Community College who is trying to pursue her passion of working in the theatre arts. This is her second performance with the ACC drama department as an Assistant Stage Manager. Maddison has done other theatre productions in Austin such as, Romeo and Katrina (workshop), Terminator the Musical, and Iphagenia. Although she is still starting out, Maddison is well versed in all aspects of technical theatre. She loves the relationships that she forms between everyone on the cast and crew!

Jamie Rogers

Production Manager

Jamie Rogers (Production Manager) holds an MFA in Arts Administration from Texas Tech University, and an MFA in Acting from The Actors Studio Drama School. He has worked as an actor and director in New York City, Los Angeles, and the Chicagoland area. Jamie has taught acting to students of all levels from young children to adults, and teaches Theater Practicum, Acting, Professional Image Management and Stage Management courses in the Drama Department at Austin Community College, where he also serves as Associate Professor (TEH). As an administrator, his primary areas of focus have been in production management, fundraising, grant writing, and marketing.

Tomas Salas

Scenic Designer/Technical Director

Tomas Salas (Scenic Designer/Technical Director) has more than thirty years working as a professional theatre technician. He is a master scenic carpenter and lighting tech. His experience includes working in California as; the technical director for Luis Valdez’ El Teatro Campesino in San Juan Bautista, Master Electrician for the Mark Taper Forum and Japan America Theatre in Los Angeles. In Austin Tomas has worked as a freelance tech with just about every local theatre and dance company and in most performance spaces including the Paramount Theatre, State Theatre, ESB Mexican American Cultural Center, Carver Cultural Center, Zach Scott, Planet/Vortex, and others. He is very happy to be a part of the ACC Drama Dept. Team.

Stephanie Dunbar

Costume Designer

Stephanie Dunbar (Costume Designer) has been designing costumes for both the stage and screen in the Austin and Los Angeles areas for the last ten years. Graduating from California State University, Long Beach, she received her Master of Fine Arts in Costume Design. As an Austin native, she is very happy to be back in her hometown, working and teaching as an Instructional Associate at Austin Community College, as well as Adjunct Faculty with The Art Institute of Austin. Recent productions include The Vortex Theatre’s Alice’s Wonderland, ACC’s Much Ado About Nothing, and Savannah Sipping Society at Unity Theater.

Luis Sandoval

Lighting Designer

Luis Sandoval (Lighting Designer) is an Austin resident looking to elevate stories on the stage through dynamic and emotional lighting. He has a firm belief that the lighting of a show will bring a world of fiction into our world with ease. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in lighting design and performance at Southwestern University. Regional credits: Bright Star (Southwestern University) and American La Ronde(Southwestern University). He would like to extend a thank you to ACC Drama for his first design position outside of graduation.

Phillip Owen

Sound Designer

Phillip Owen (Sound Designer) Regional: Apollo 8 (AD Players), The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity (Zach Theatre), Camp David (Alley Theatre), The Whipping Man, Dollhouse, and Steel Magnolias (Stages Rep), Outside Mullingar, Noises Off, Dancing at Lughnasa* (Everyman Theatre, Baltimore), Anna Christie, Kingdom of Earth, Common Enemy (Triad Stage, Greensboro), Cymbeline, Antony & Cleopatra, and Measure for Measure (Stonington Opera House, Maine), Notes from Underground, Rough Crossing (Yale Rep), and his own composition Waking (Yale Cabaret). Broadway: Assistant to the composer on A Steady Rain (Schoenfeld Theatre). Work: Lecturer in Sound Design at the University of Texas at Austin. Training: MFA, Yale School of Drama. M.Phil. Trinity College Dublin. *presented at the 2019 Prague Quadrennial. www.phillipowen.com

Joe Kelley

Props Designer/Scenic Artist

Joe Kelley (Prop Designer/Scenic Artist) is an Austin resident with a passion for collaboration and storytelling. Whether it’s the set, props, paints, plants, puppets, or food he’s so excited and grateful to work with Jamie, Tomas, and the entire production team to bring life and love to every show. Joe has been active in the Austin theatre community on and off of the stage in many different productions with many wonderful groups such as: The Archive Theatre, Pollyanna Theatre Co., Summer Stock Austin, Penfold Theatre Co., Expatriate Theatre, and his home: ACC Drama. As always, much love to Remy and Tomas for their patience and support during the whole process.

Deyanira Macias

Wardrobe Head/Costume Shop Assistant

Deya Macias (Wardrobe Head) Graduated from ACC in fall 2016 with a degree in Radio-Television-Film, and began working with the Drama Department right away. Deya’s primary job is costume construction and alterations as the Costume Shop Assistant, but the first time they got involved with the drama department was in 2016 for the Spring production of Water by the Spoonful. Deya has since worked backstage and ran wardrobe for all major drama productions at ACC (except Much Ado About Nothing for a well-deserved break) up until Harry & the Thief. Deya has also designed costumes on 4 ACC student productions, and even designed props on occasions. After a break due to COVID, they are thrilled to join the ACC family again and start work on as many future productions as possible.

Channing Schreyer

Master Electrician

Channing Schreyer (Master Electrician) is a staff member here at Austin Community College and has a BA in Production Design and Studio Art from Pepperdine University. She has over twenty years of theatrical production experience in and around southern California and Texas. Most notably she has worked at Smothers Theatre in Malibu CA, Texas Shakespeare Festival in Kilgore, Texas, Baylor University in Waco TX, Texas A&M University in College Station and has served as the Technical Director for Frontera Fest in Austin, Texas. She is so grateful to be part of the ACC Drama and Dance departments.

Christina Montgomery

Costume Shop Head

Christina Montgomery (Costume Shop Manager) received a BFA in Technical Theatre, Theatre Design, and Technology from the University of Kansas and has over 15 years of experience working in professional theatre. Her costume designs for (The Odyssey) were sent to represent KU in the RITU 24 International Theatre Festival in Liege, Belgium. After graduation, Christina worked with the Kansas City Ballet and Opera (Kansas City, MO) and the Theatrical Wardrobe Union Local 810. She moved to Austin, Texas, in 2013, where she was Wardrobe Supervisor at Zach Theatre for seven years. Costume Designs (Zach Theatre, Austin TX) include: (Every Brilliant Thing, Somebody Loves You Mr. Hatch, Notes from the Field, Goodnight Moon, Elephant and Piggie, Winnie the Pooh, and Frog and Toad). She is excited to be part of the ACC Drama Department and would like to thank everyone for their hard work and support.

James Montano

Dramaturgy

James Montaño is a dramaturg, educator, critic, and playwright formerly based in Boston, MA. He has worked in literary management and community works at the Williamstown Theatre Festival ('21 and '22) and in education and engagement at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, MA. James served as dramaturg for productions at ART, Harvard University, and Boston Conservatory as well as various freelance projects around New England, New Mexico, and Texas, and has written theatrical criticism for the Theatre Times and HowlRound. His training is from UMass Amherst, ART/Harvard, and the Moscow Art Theatre. James is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Performance as Public Practice at The University of Texas at Austin. He hails from Santa Fe, New Mexico, and endeavors to elevate minority voices in his theatrical work and criticism. Learn more at https://www.phillipjamesmontano.com/.

Frederick Demps

Assistant Technical Director

Frederick Demps (Assistant Technical Director) is 19 years old and is from Austin, Texas. He is a recent high school grad and now goes to ACC. Some stuff about him is that he has been involved in theater for about five years & has been doing photography for about three years now as well.

Miguel De Hoyos

Scenic/Paint Charge Artist

Bert Keefer

Set Dresser

Bert Keefer (Set Dresser) Bert is a Costume Designer, Prop master, Actor, Makeup and SFX artist, Director, and Technician working in Austin, Texas and the surrounding areas. Bert was raised in Hutto TX. He is currently pursuing a degree in Costume Technology, Bert began his professional theater career at a young age. He specializes in Foam Prop and Foam Costume construction, and Drag Makeup

Alexandra Richmond

Assistant Sound Designer

Alexandra Richmond (Assistant Sound Designer) is a student at ACC Drama, with a BA in English Literature from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. A freelance writer for the Austin Chronicle, this is her first time ever doing sound design. Many thanks to her professors and everyone at ACC.

Ollie Sofield

Assistant Master Electrician

Ollie Sofield (Assistant Master Electrician) is a lighting and set design student at ACC. They have been doing theater technology since their freshman year of high school and have not been able to separate themselves from theater since then.

Marcus McQuirter

Producer/ACC Drama Department Chair

Marcus McQuirter (Producer) is a faculty member in the Drama Department at ACC where he teaches Voice, Acting, and Introduction to Theater. He would like to thank the cast & production team for their work on this production.

Ulises Garcia

Production Photographer

Special Thanks:

Tim Herrington

James Froeschle

ACC Radio/Television/Film

Rafael De La Cruz

Sophia Forsberg

Cynthia Gage

John Cates

Kurtis Machler

Wolf

Nick Landis

James Froschle

Stephanie Herrington

Craig Sowell

Ryan Swank

ADM Staff (Perry, Sam, Nicole, Tori)