By Georgina Escobar
Originally Commissioned by Milagro Theatre in Portland, Oregon
Directed by
Ivan Cano
CAST
Pedro
Angel Rodriguez
Muerte
Fern Trousdale
Lilian/Alejandra
Daniela Escobedo
Manuel/Bartolome
Elias Perales
Antonio/Felipe
Miguel Escontrias
Florinda
Raul Chavez
Creature
Isaac Hidalgo
Creature
Sebastian Ochoa
CREATIVE TEAM & CREW
Director
Ivan Cano
Costume Designer/Lighting Designer
Beth Leffler
Scenic Designer
Manny Lothamer
Sound Designer/Choreographer/Assistant to The Director
Dr. Josey Pickett
Graphic Designer/Puppet Master/Social Media Content Creator
Ivan Cano
Intimacy Coordinator/Costumer
Chloe Curtis
Lighting and Sound Operator
Enzo Manning
Puppetry Coach
Mindy Escobar Leanse
ABOUT ALEBRIJES! A DAY OF THE DEAD PLAY
Join Muerte as they chase Pedro, and his three totemitos in this family-friendly Day of the Dead celebration of fantastical Mexican folk art. A mythologized telling of the life (and almost death) of alebrije creator Pedro Linares, this screwball comedy is about art’s capacity to transcend mortality. Follow Pedro on a nostalgic visit to Mexico City in 1936, discover his special relationship to his animals, and join him in his journey through a psychedelic Oaxacan jungle (or is it the afterlife?). Filled with spectacle to include community-built alebrijes, puppetry, and filled with movement and beloved traditional music, the show culminates in a community altar-building experience which invites audiences to light a candle to and speak the names of their dearly departed.
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR:
For as long as I can remember, I have been drawn to the magic of theatre—the strange, beautiful place where stories come alive, where imagination has no boundaries, and where we are given permission to become someone, or something, entirely different.
My love for theatre spans decades, woven together with my lifelong passion for creation and art. I have always been an artist at heart: someone who finds beauty in the unusual, inspiration in the unexpected, and joy in bringing an idea from imagination into the world. Whether through visual art, storytelling, or theatre, creating has always been my way of making sense of the world around me.
Growing up, I often felt like an outcast. I was different, and for a long time, I struggled to understand where I belonged. Then theatre found me. I was introduced to the world of theatre by one of the founding members of El Paso’s SOMOS Performance Group, the multi talented grand supreme Beth Leffler, and through that experience, I discovered something I had been searching for without even realizing it: a place where being different wasn’t something to hide—it was something to celebrate.
Theatre gave me a voice. It gave me community. It taught me that the people who sometimes feel like they don’t fit anywhere can create their own place, build their own family, and tell stories that deserve to be heard.
That spirit is at the heart of this production.
As a first time director, my greatest hope is not simply to put a show on a stage, but to create an experience—to invite audiences into a world built from imagination, heart, humor, darkness, beauty, and a little bit of the strange. Theatre is at its best when it makes us feel something, question something, remember something, or perhaps even see ourselves a little differently.
A DEDICATION TO DEATH:
I dedicate this show to Death.
Not because death is something to fear, but because death is what reminds us that life is precious.
Without death, we could never truly appreciate the miracle of being alive. It is the ending that gives meaning to the story, the darkness that makes us notice the light, and the final curtain that reminds us to cherish every scene before it comes.
Death is inevitable—but life is a gift.
So this show is a celebration of both.
To the strange ones.
To the outsiders.
To the artists.
To the dreamers.
To those who have lost someone they love.
And to everyone who has ever searched for a place where they belong—
This one is for you.
Meet the Cast
Angel Rodriguez (Pedro) has been acting in and around the El Paso area since 2019 appearing on screen and stage. Some of his credits include Mr. Wormwood in Matilda, Henry Reyna in Zoot Suit and Rey in Rey De La Luna. He is beyond grateful to be a part of such an impactful and inspiring story. He wants to thank SOMOS Performance Group and the El Paso community for giving him the opportunity to commemorate and remember our lost loved one through stories like these. In love memory of Claire Alyss Terry and all of the innocent lives lost to conflict and injustice.
Fern Trousdale (Muerte) is excited to be onstage with SOMOS Performance Group, playing Muerte and all the beauty that comes in death. Trousdale’s most recent credits include, Peter Quince in A Midsummer Night’s Dream with Teatro Neplanta, Marmaduke Bonthrop Shelmerdine Esq. in Orlando with UTEP and Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet with Madeline Park Shakespeare Festival. Trousdale is also a local Stage Manager and Director in the southwest region, boasting over 35 credits. AlebRIJES! A Day of The Dead Play and the many stories of the border are a huge reason why theater, specifically theater in the Southwest, needs to thrive. We must continue to tell our stories and celebrate the time of now! This show is in dedication for Cecilia Guajardo, my grandma, who passed away in 2020. My hands are of hers and the drive she cultivated.
Daniela Escobedo (Lilian/Alejandra) is a UTEP graduate with a BFA in Musical Theatre and is proud to continue bringing stories to life on stage. From assistant stage managing the UTEP Dinner Theatre’s production of Grease to working on numerous productions, including as Madame Forestier in The Necklace, she is elated to be making her debut with SOMOS Performance Group as Alejandra/Lillian in AlebRIJES! A Day of The Dead Play directed by Ivan Cano! She would like to dedicate this performance to Lulu, her mare who recently passed away and whose spirit she imagines guiding forth beautiful souls through the passage between realms beyond our world’s mortal bounds, forever carried by memories they shared, as an alebrije.
Elias Perales (Manuel/Bartolome) is a San Antonio native who holds a BFA in Performance from UTEP, and is super excited to be doing his first production with SOMOS Performance Group. AlebRIJES! A Day of The Dead Play is especially meaningful to Elias because he was a cast member of the UTEP performance in 2021. Recent credits include Witch 2 in Macbeth, Matt in Mr. Burns, and Flute/Thisbe in A Midsummer Nights Dream. Elias would like to dedicate his show performances to Jennifer Friedrich, his theatre director from high school who passed away in 2016: Without her encouragement and direction Elias wouldn’t have pursued theatre. La luz.
Miguel Escontrias (Antonio/Filipe) holds a Bachelor’s in Theater Arts with a minor in Eduction from UTEP. He is also teaching theatre at SSG Manuel R. Puentes Middle School with the Socorro Independent School District. He is happy to be working with SOMOS Performance Group on another project. Recent credits with SOMOS Performance Group include Peter and The Starcatcher and The Force of Water. he plans to continue to immerse himself in local theatre to continue his passion, gain some experience, and then travel to expand his horizons and continue building his teaching career. Miguel would like to dedicate this performance to Ray, Ruben, Lucy, Tita, and Gladys.
Raul Chavez (Florinda) holds a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance from UTEP. Currently, he is a teacher at First Presbyterian School, and also teaches and directs at Kids N Co. He is a part of various theatre companies throughout the El Paso and Juarez area. Some theatre credits include Viva! El Paso, Shakespeare On the Rocks and most recently A Midsummer Night’s Dream with Teatro Neplanta. This is Raul’s first time joining SOMOS Performance Group and is very excited to do so. This show is dedicated to his grandma, who is watching him from above. “La extraño mucho grandma”.
Isaac Hidalgo (Creature) is a UTEP Sophomore pursuing a BFA with a concentration in performance. This is his debut performance with SOMOS Performance Group and he is very grateful for the privilege to act for his community. He has performed with Teatro Neplanta as Ensemble/Wilking in The Farnsworth Invention, and Peaseblossom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Isaac has also performed with UTEP as Shakespeare/Rosalind/Chorus in Orlando. He is excited to provide strong physical storytelling to a play that embraces the Latin/x Culture of El Paso and brings the holiday of Dia De Los Muertos to life. This show is dedicated to his cousin Santiago Cisneros who passed away in 2023.
Sebastian Ochoa (Creature) is excited to make his debut with SOMOS Performance Group. Recent credits include Billy in School of Rock and Damian Hubbard in Mean Girls. Sebastian has always enjoyed bringing different characters to life and appreciates every opportunity to challenge himself, learn, and grow as an actor. Sebastian is grateful to SOMOS Performance Group for the opportunity to be part of AlebRIJES! A Day of The Dead Play and to work alongside such a talented cast and creative team. He would also like to thank his family for their constant love, encouragement, and support as he continues pursuing his passion for performing. Sebastian dedicates this performance to the memory of his great-uncle, Manuel Gonzalez whose love, guidance, and support had a lasting impact on their family.
Meet the Creative Team
Ivan Cano
As a first time director, my greatest hope is not simply to put a show on a stage, but to create an experience—to invite audiences into a world built from imagination, heart, humor, darkness, beauty, and a little bit of the strange. Theatre is at its best when it makes us feel something, question something, remember something, or perhaps even see ourselves a little differently.
Georgina Escobar
Georgina Escobar is an international playwright and musical theatre writer. She is an O’Neill National Musical Theatre Conference, American Musical Theatre Project, National Alliance for Musical Theatre, Alcove, 121 Project, MacDowell, Djerassi, Fornés Workshop, Clubbed Thumb Emerging Writers Group, Kilroy’s, & La Mama Umbria writer. Escobar is the recipient of the Gotham & Variety Audio Honors, the National Kennedy Theatre for Young Audiences, and Outstanding Service to Women on the Border awards. Her plays have been seen in Canada, the UK, México, Italy, Denmark & Sweden and nationally at INTAR, New York Children’s Theatre, Dixon Place, Clubbed Thumb, Hartford Stages, Lincoln Center, Bushwick Starr, Two Rivers, Milagro, Aurora Theatre, and People’s Light. As an arts educator she has taught at Kingsborough College, UTEP, Princeton University, University of New Mexico, and currently at Dartmouth College. Musical writing credits include LITTLE DUENDE, DESAPARECIDAS, VINYL CAFE: THE MUSICAL, FRIDA with director Diane Paulus, and WE BELONG TOGETHER featuring music by Ritchie Valens and Los Lobos. Learn more about Georgina Escobar at georginaescobar.com!
SPECIAL THANKS TO
All of our El Paso Giving Day contributors: Maverick Tyler, Candace Printz, Josey Pickett, Jeanette Ramirez, Gregory Taylor, Michelle Arnold, Bethany and Adrian Rivera Molinar, Nico Silva, Emma Montes, Angie and Steve Tures, Ana Suffle, Jackie Arellano, Jackie Reed, Ryan McMullen, Selena Diaz, Rebecca Vargas, Briana Pineda, Marie Rivera, Daniela Escobedo, Miguel Escontrias, Jazmin Ortega, Alyssa Broaddus, Nan Leffler, Lizbeth Maynes, Isabella Candelaria, Arianne Marcee, Robert Peterson, Veronica Gallegos, Erica Panetta, Immanuel Lothamer, Cherry Duke, Jonathan Childress, Christopher Ortega, Bertha Dip, Holly Mesarch, Joseph Pickett, Don Cieslik, Gail Gale, Mourat Tchoshanov, Therese Snider, Forrest and Josie Brostrom, Lydia Perales, and Holly Mesarch.
The El Paso Museum and Cultural Affairs Department and The Downtown Management District.
A very special thank you to Robert Manning for all the help with sound and lights.