Shows

Maverick Tyler (Boy/Peter), an El Paso native, began his love of acting in 2017 and hasn’t stopped pursuing it since. Latest Theatre credits are Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Orpheus in Metamorphoses, and Ken in Red. Some favorite film and TV credits include The Exam, Battle of Baktan Cross, and Barcology. Maverick would like to dedicate this show to his mom who has inspired him to go for his dreams and never stop playing.

Emma Leigh Montes (Molly), a native of El Paso, began her acting career in 2005 at a UTEP Children’s Theatre camp, playing The Empress in The Nightingale. She pursued Theatre Arts at UTEP and Texas Woman’s University, performing in several shows. Notable roles include Nell in Endgame, Candela in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Shelly Parker in Bat Boy, The Raven in Nevermore, and Josephine in Big Fish. After a five-year hiatus, Emma returned to the stage in 2023, performing in Matilda at The UTEP Dinner Theatre. Emma is incredibly grateful to have been given this opportunity to perform again with such a talented cast and she is excited to be “on the brink of a new adventure!”

Fernando Romero (Black Stache), is a recent graduate from UTEP earning his degree in performance with a concentration in musical theatre. Fernando has done many plays and musicals over the years, his favorites being Young Frankenstein, Head Over Heels, The Taming of the Shrew, Metamorphesis, The Wedding Singer, and Mamma Mia! Fernando would like to thank his friends, the boys, his family, and his loving girlfriend for their never ending support.

Freddie Nevarez Jr. (Lord Leonard Astor), has been acting since 1996, performing in several theatrical and musical productions with El Paso Playhouse, El Paso Community College Forum Theatre, Gilbert and Sullivan and most recently with The UTEP Dinner Theatre playing the role of Professor Callahan in Legally Blonde. Freddie also played in Josey Pickett’s directorial debut with The UTEP Dinner Theatre as King Basilius in Head over Heels. Freddie is thrilled to return to the stage with SOMOS Performance Group, once again working alongside Josey, in the inaugural production: Peter and the Starcacher.

Ivan Cano (Mrs. Bumbrake/Teacher), 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 SOMOS inaugural CAST to his list! This show is dedicated to the creatives, the outcasts, the dreamers. Ivan would also like to thank his chosen family, the people who have stuck by him with every wild idea he has ever had, his support, his lifelines, his mangoes and his inspirations. Much love.

Bryant Webb (Smee), is so excited to be a part of SOMOS’ inaugural production! Some of Bryant’s favorite credits are Warner in Legally Blonde, George in The Wedding Singer and The Baker in Into The Woods. Bryant would like to thank his mom, Jaime Barba, Josey Pickett and all The UTEP Dinner Theatre staff for all the support they have given him through the years. Bryant dedicates his performance to his grandparents, Grandmama and Sparky, who introduced him to theatre when he was young and he will always be grateful for that. You can keep up with Bryant on Instagram @bryantdwebb.

John Levick (Slank/Hawking Clam), is an El Paso native with nearly 15 years of experience in the performing arts. John is currently pursuing an Associates Degree in Theatre Performance at EPCC, has performed at the collegiate level for 10 years with The UTEP Dinner Theater and is planning on moving to New York City later this summer to pursue his career in theatre. He’d like to thank Josey Pickett and the rest of the team at SOMOS Performance Group for giving him the opportunity to share himself and showcase his craft with the community.

Miguel Escontrias (Alf), is currently a certified substitute teacher with the Ysleta Independent School District. Miguel is seeking a teaching position in theatre arts either in or out of the city. Eventually he wishes to travel outside of El Paso to expand his horizons in the theatre world and to build his future teaching career. In the meantime he plans to merge himself with local theatre companies to continue his passion for the arts, expand his knowledge base, and hone his technical skills.

Peter Fogel (Captain Robert Falcon Scott), is currently pursuing his Ph.D. at UTEP where his research focuses on the neuroscience of addiction and relapse. Peter seeks to share the fun and intriguing world of neuroscience through his passion project Neuron Navigators (@neuron.navigators) by leading educational and interactive activities to people of all ages! Peter performed in many shows when he was a kid, but ultimately reignited his passion for performing once he entered college with The UTEP Dinner Theater. He’d like to thank all of those who attend Peter and the Starcatcher for their support, and a special shoutout to his biggest supporter, Eliana, for allowing him to pursue his nerdy science dreams. Wife of 10 months and best friend of 7 years. I love you endlessly <3.

Sidnee Coder (Prentiss), graduated from UTEP with her BFA in Musical Theatre in 2023. Her most recent show was The UTEP Dinner Theatre’s production of Legally Blonde, where she played Enid. She now works as the theatre teacher at First Presbyterian School. She is so excited to be working with such a talented group of performers, whose talent and hard work she admires.

Carolina Flores-Parada (Ted), has a BFA in Musical Theatre from UTEP. Recent credits include: The last days of Judas Iscariot (Gloria/Mother Teresa), The Taming of the Shrew (Grumio/Bianca), and Acts of kindness (Tina Chavez/Viviana Sanchez). Carolina is excited to be a part of the inaugural production from SOMOS Performance Group, and she hopes the audience will have as much fun seeing the show as she has had working on it with such a talented group.

Josey Pickett (Director/Choreographer), is proud to be a founding member of SOMOS Performance Group, and ecstatic to be working with such a talented cast and crew on the our inaugural production. Josey is a native El Pasoan who has been fortunate to work in and out of the city with El Paso Opera, UTEP Opera, UTEP Dinner Theatre, UTEP Department of Theatre and Dance, Viva! El Paso, NMSU Department of Theatre Arts, ACU Department of Theatre and Dance, Mountain Movement Dance Company, Zilker Theatrical Productions, and Broadway by the Bay. Theatre has been a life long passion for Josey, and has come full circle in building a performance group to showcase the individualized talents of those in the El Paso region with SOMOS Performance Group.

Beth Leffler (Assistant Director/Costume Designer/Props Designer), is a founding member of SOMOS Performance Group and is enthusiastic about the selection of Peter and the Starcatcher as our first performance. Beth has worked as an actor, choreographer, costumer, director, and theatre educator in and around El Paso throughout her career. Beth feels blessed to have her skillset culminate in SOMOS Performance Group working with the best in the El Paso region to put on a performance that showcases all we have to offer.

Jonathan Contreras (Music Director), is an actor, musician, and songwriter currently based in El Paso, Texas. Jonathan is very excited to be working with SOMOS Performance Group, and grateful for the opportunity to showcase his talents for the first time as music director!  Jonathan was last onstage with the Chenango River Theatre in their production of Macbeth, and next is headed to Oregon Shakespeare Festival to join their acting company for their 90th season. Regional work includes Door Shakespeare, Great River Shakespeare Festival, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, and Nashville Shakespeare Festival. Feel free to follow along with his adventures on social media @jonathan.acontreras.

Manny Lothamer (Audience Development), is a Texas transplant and SOMOS Performance Group co-founder. As an educator for over 20 years, Manny could not be more excited to see so many creative and inspirational people collaborating on a piece of art that teaches and inspires joy, exploration, and imagination. The messages throughout Peter and The Starcatcher are ones that Manny continually tries to help build with the educators he works with, and is overjoyed to be connected with this production.