A Christmas Carol en La Frontera

Carlos De La Garza-García (Scrooge) A professional actor
since age 7, Carlos has studied and performed in community,
academic, professional and amateur theatre. He studied with
the renowned acting coach Stella Adler. Carlos has
performed with almost every theatre group in El Paso. He has
worked as Costume Master or Costumer in 11 seasons with
the El Paso Opera. As for his age, Carlos states that he is
“somewhere between Medicare and the Good Lord.”

Miguel Escontrias (Federico/Young Scrooge) holds a Bachelor’s in Theater Arts with a minor in Education from UTEP. He is also teaching at SSG Manuel R Puentes Middle School with the Socorro ISD. Recent credits with SOMOS 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, so he can then travel to expand his horizons and continue building his teaching career.

Fernando Romero (Roberto Cratchit/Mayor) is thrilled to be part of A Christmas Carol en La Frontera. A graduate of UTEP with a degree in Musical Theatre, some of his favorite shows include: Hello Dolly!, Head Over Heels, Metamorphosis, Taming of the Shrew, and Peter and The Starcatcher. In addition to performing, Fernando enjoys spending time with friends and watching movies. He would like to thank his friends, family, and girlfriend for their never-ending support! And of course to thank SOMOS for this wonderful opportunity to perform.

Eliana Pier-Fogel (Bella/Christmas Present) This is Eliana’s first production with SOMOS, and she is thrilled to be part of the cast! She previously performed in SpongeBob the Musical as Mrs. Puff with the UTEP Dinner Theatre, as well as in their Fundraising Gala and Anniversary Concert. Eliana also assisted with costumes for We Will Rock You. She is excited to share some Christmas cheer as Christmas Present and Bella and hopes everyone enjoys the show as much as she has enjoyed bringing it to life! She dedicates her performance to her husband and familia!

Romana Durham (Mother Superior/Mrs. Cratchit) is honored to support SOMOS in their rendition of A Christmas Carol en La Frontera as the Ghost of Christmas Past/Mother Superior and Mrs Cratchit. She has over 15 years of experience in the performing arts and fashion industries. Romana’s greatest achievement is supporting her son and fellow cast member, Lucio Emilio, in his endeavors and talents.

John Levick (Undertaker/Percy) is an El Paso native with more than 15 years of experience of performing in the local community. He has appeared in plays and musicals ranging from local theatre companies to the collegiate level at UTEP and EPCC. He is thrilled to be working with SOMOS for the second time, the first being Peter and The Starcatcher at the El Paso Community Foundation’s Jewel Box Series. He would like to thank his family and friends for supporting him in his artistic endeavors.

Krystian Carrillo (Sepulturero/Ricardo) is making his stage debut in this production! He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from UTEP and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Computer Engineering. He is an accomplished percussionist having performed with Genesis Drum & Bugle Corps and Sun City Independent. He teaches the Coronado High School percussion section, where he shares his passion for music and performance with young musicians. Krystian is excited to bring that same creativity and energy to the world of theatre for the first time.

Fernando Barrientos (Don Peluche/Jorge/Piñatero) was born and raised in the DFW Metroplex. He received his Bachelors in Psychology from Southern Adventist University Collegedale, TN. At Southern, Fernando played Thief on the Cross, in a community production of an Easter Pageant Play, SonRise. He currently works as a career developer at the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo’s Native Pathways program. Fernando is excited and grateful to SOMOS for the opportunity to return to the stage.

Chloe Curtis (Catherine/Maria/Spectral Dancer) received a
BFA in Musical Theatre from UTEP. Chloe has worked across
the El Paso/Las Cruces area with the UTEP Dinner Theatre,
Teatro Neplanta, LCCT, Madeline Park Shakespeare Festival
and now SOMOS. This will be Chloe’s first production with
SOMOS and she is very excited to work with this team.
Recent credits include Shelby in Steel Magnolias, Song in
What Once Was; A Holocaust Remembrance Play, Cinderella
in Into the Woods, and Philoclea in Head Over Heels. She
would like to thank everyone for coming to this production of
A Christmas Carol en La Frontera!

Idaly Avalos (Sra. Peluche/Rose/Vendedora de Velas) is currently a junior at UTEP completing her BFA in Theatre Arts focusing on performance. She is excited to be performing again after her stage debut at the UTEP Dinner Theatre as Jan in Grease. She is also currently starting her film journey and wishes to continue pursuing her dream of being an actress by participating in more theatre and film productions in the future. Idaly would like to dedicate this performance to her family and friends for always supporting her in every way possible.

Sam Leffler (Marley/Carnicero) began his performing experience at age 4 as The Changeling Boy in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Since then he has performed as a percussionist in the Hanks and Eastlake High School bands, competing at the state level. His theatre experience continued as a stagehand, sound operator and stage manager, as well as sound set up technician with Hydra Audio. A skilled welder and carpenter, Sam is looking forward to the new experience of playing Jacob Marley – dead and alive!

Jonathan Lee (Husband/Spectral Dancer) is a junior at UTEP pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre. He is excited to be part of his first production with SOMOS. Some past production credits: Beauty and the Beast, Seussical, Legally Blonde, Grease, and Mary Poppins. Jonathan is also an experienced Pianist/Accompanist, and was named the winner of the Alabama State Outstanding Accompanist Award in 2021 and 2022. Jonathan would like to thank his friends and professors for supporting him in all his artistic endeavors. He would like to thank Beth and SOMOS for giving him this opportunity to perform in this production.

Jenna Cyr (Marta Cratchit/Wife) is currently at Andress, where she continues to develop her passion for the performing arts. With a growing portfolio, Jenna has portrayed Marisela in Just Like Us, Berthe in Boeing Boeing, and Sammy in The Tin Woman. Jenna aspires to pursue a career in acting, exploring opportunities in both theatre and film. She extends her heartfelt gratitude to her mentor, Brandon Salgado. She would also like to thank her parents for their unwavering support. Jenna is thrilled to share the stage with such a talented and dedicated cast.

Esmeralda Velez (Marta Cratchit/Wife) is a senior at Montwood HS, and has been performing since the age of 4. Throughout her acting career she has played many roles, favorites of which include: Chloe Valentine in Be More Chill and Chela in Chela’s American Dream. Overall she’s excited to be a part of this production and can’t wait to show off her talents!

Clara Panetta (Spectral Dancer) is a bilingual 6th grader at First Presbyterian School. She began ballet recitals at age 3 and fell in love with the stage. This is her 10th performance. Favorite roles include Matilda, Chip in Beauty and the Beast at the UTEP Dinner Theatre, and a Nutcracker party guest. She’s excited to join A Christmas Carol en La Frontera with her sister, friends, and new cast mates.

Emiliano Rivera (Pedro Cratchit/Specral Dancer) is thrilled to join the cast of A Christmas Carol en La Frontera. He wasTall Boy in the short film Se Lo Merecia. Emiliano has done several performances at the UTEP Dinner Theatre, with the role of Eric in Matilda being one of the most memorable. Emiliano is already looking to the future, planning to pursue film studies in college. He extends his gratitude to Josey Pickett and the SOMOS Performance Group for another opportunity to work together and to his parents for their unwavering support, empowering him to chase his dreams.

Daniel Bohorquez (Boy Scrooge/Esteban) is a talented, young, and extremely comedic actor. He participated in SOMOS’ The Force of Water as Cloth Kid/Jupiter, and in Kids & Co. shows including Alice in Wonderland and their Musical Performance. Daniel thinks that reading books like “A Series of Unfortunate Events” and watching movies (one of his favorites being Wonka) has contributed to his love of acting. He states “Acting is a world of imagination.” He is enjoying working with these very talented actors and team and is excited to be playing Boy Scrooge and Esteban!

Lucio Durham (Boy Scrooge/Esteban) is exited to portray Boy Scrooge and Esteban in this year’s SOMOS production of A Christmas Carol en La Frontera. Lucio is an avid Folklórico and regional performer whose recent performances include EPISD’s Dolphin Drama Club’s rendition of Aladdin Jr. and the Vivamos México! Official Grito Celebration brought to you by Visit El Paso at the El Paso Convention Center this past Día de la Patria. Lucio loves to use their body to exercise, explore, express themselves, dance, create and make others laugh. Lucio loves any kind of animal, but also loves bacon.

Mila Arreola-Babic (Belinda Cratchit) is just starting out on her journey of acting. This is Mila’s first big show and she is so excited. She currently attends Tippin Elementary and is a proud member of the El Paso Art Association (EPAA). She has been in two marketing videos for the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). Mila has a big passion for art and photography. She has submitted her work to a few contests including the Week Junior magazine and EPAA. Mila is thrilled to show her talent to this wonderful city and hopes to be a part of many more SOMOS productions.

Vincent Pickett Lothamer (Tomasito) is a talented performer, positive thinker, and a good friend. He is doing this performance because his parents are the organizers, yet he is still extremely excited to join the cast as Tomasito. He gets his skills from reading stories about friendship and comedy, his favorite being “Pig and Gerald”. He likes seeing his friends when he comes to rehearsals. Feliz Navidad!

Quetzalli Santillan (Tomasita) is excited to be in her second performance with SOMOS Performance Group. Past credits include The Blue Flower in The Force of Water where she also had writing and design credits. Her favorite family game is “spoons” and some of her favorite hobbies are drawing and asking profound and open-ended questions. She enjoys listening to stories and coming up with her own. Quetzalli is really looking forward to you watching and enjoying this performance.

Eleanor Opal Panetta (Luisa Cratchit) is 9 years old and this will be her 7th performance. She started acting at 5, with her first big role as the Wicked Witch of the West. She has also performed in Matilda, The Nutcracker, and dance recitals. She attends First Presbyterian Elementary School, loves to sing, act, dance and speaks English and Español. She is so excited to be part of A Christmas Carol en La Frontera and hopes you enjoy the show. Merry Christmas and Feliz Navidad!

Lucia Borunda (Luisa Cratchit) fell in love with acting when she was six and was cast in The Little Mermaid. This will be Lucia’s fourth performance and last year she got to play Glinda in her school’s performance of The Wizard of Oz. Bilingual and artistic at heart, Lucia is happiest when she’s crafting or creating. She brings a touch of sparkle wherever she goes.

Beth Leffler (Stage Director/SOMOS Co-founder) B.S. Ed., M. Educational Leadership has a life-long association with the performing arts as a student, dancer, actor and educator. She has performed with Ballet El Paso, the University Playhouse, Viva! El Paso, and spent 27 years in the educational theatre classroom directing students from early childhood to adults. Ms. Leffler has also provided teacher certification training and professional development workshops for educators in the Socorro and Ysleta Independent School Districts.

Josey Pickett (Choreographer/SOMOS Co-founder) is a native El Pasoan and the Theatre and Dance Facilitator for Socorro ISD. She is a proud UTEP alum with a Ph.D. in Teaching, Learning, & Culture, M.Ed., and B.F.A. in Dance Performance. As a freelance stage director, choreographer, and performer she is honored to have worked with nearly every local school district and performing arts organization in our region. Somos más fuertes juntos. We are stronger together. Gran, this one ‘s for you!

Manny Lothamer (Scenic Designer/SOMOS Co-Founder) is overjoyed to bring this production back to El Paso and showcase the amazing talents, as well as traditions that El Paso has to offer. Manny has always strived to help build talents through expression, and continues to actively work to drive performers and audiences alike to engage in creativity. As a founding member of SOMOS Manny is proud to celebrate Christmas with Scrooge, The Cratchits, and you. “I love Christmas so much it’s my middle name!”

Joselyne Marquez (Stage Manager) first discovered her love for theatre at Socorro High School, where she was a proud member of the Teatristas Thespian Troupe 2600. She quickly fell in love with the spirit of collaboration and creativity that defines the theatre community. Though she’s done a little bit of everything, stage management holds a special place in her heart. Joselyne is thrilled to be part of SOMOS’s A Christmas Carol en La Frontera, and grateful to be surrounded by a cast and crew that feels like family, just like her high school theatre family.

Alyssa Broaddus (Assistant Choreographer) is an El Paso native and lifelong dancer. She is deeply passionate about the arts and her community, serving as a dance educator and dance team director with the El Paso Independent School District. Alyssa has performed both locally and beyond, including with the UTEP Dinner Theatre, and is honored to support A Christmas Carol en La Frontera as assistant choreographer!

Ivan Cano (Make Up Artist) is a native artist who has had the pleasure of performing in the Sun City for many years. Some of his favorite roles have been Leo Bloom in The Producers, Agatha Trunchbull in Matilda, Rump in Grease, Miss Understanding in Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Uncle Fester in The Addams Family, and Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls. Ivan is heavily involved in many creative organizations such as The Utep Dinner Theatre (performer since 2003), El Paso Opera (makeup designer), Founder of The Creative Coven, and is proud to add Summer Pop-Up Theatre to the list.