Our Team
Ryan Morales Green
(he / him)
Founder & Producing Artistic Director
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Adrian Abel Azevedo
(he/him)
Director of Programs
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Sam Baird
(she/her)
General Manager
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Sofia Ubilla
(she / her)
Development Director
Daniel Mesta
(he / him)
Literary Manager / Resident Dramaturg
Bryan-Keyth Wilson
(he / him)
Marketing Director
Victoria Menendez
(she / her)
Development Associate
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Miranda Holliday
(they / them)
Literary Associate
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Laura Riveros-Sefair
(she / they)
Programs Associate
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Joey Bermudez
(he / him)
Casting Coordinator
Sunnie Eraso
(she / they)
Artistic Associate
Leslie Chocano Solis
(she / her)
Artistic Associate
Julieta Gozalo-Michaud
(she / her)
Communications Associate
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Felix Agosto
(he / him)
Consultant
Board of Directors
Ryan Morales Green
(he / him)
Board Chair
Güyrá Kaplan de Castro
(he / him)
Nyseli Vega
(she / her)
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Adrian Alexander Alea
(he / him)
Eduardo "Eddie" Beltre
(he / him)
Ariel Estrada
(he / him)
Advisory Board
Maija García, director / choreographer
Eric Ulloa, Broadway actor / playwright
Julio Agustin, director / choreographer / Broadway actor
Jaime Lozano, director / composer / orchestrator
Ricky Ramón, director / AEA stage manager / Howard University
Tlaloc Rivas, writer / director / dramaturg / producer / University of Connecticut
Maria Torres, choreographer / director / producer / activist
Debra Cardona, Broadway actor / dramaturg
Franki De La Vega, producer
Alex Sanchez, director / choreographer
Jason Styres, casting director
Tony Ramirez-Mata, director / educator / University of Florida
Gray Coleman, entertainment attorney
Jim Joseph, Director of Operations - Second Stage Theatre
Dr. Jesse Carlo, Pace University
Staff Bios
Ryan Morales Green
Founder & Producing Artistic Director
Ryan is a Boricua-Italian actor, producer, and arts advocate based in NYC. His mission is to advocate for diverse works of musical theatre that challenge and expand the art form, while providing a voice to underrepresented artists on the musical stage. He works to champion new forms of musical development that eliminate systems of privilege in the kinds of work that get produced regionally, in New York, and on Broadway. The goal: revolutionize the world of musical theatre. Under his leadership, the Lab has developed over 50 new musicals in under two years, and is set to become a force for change in our industry.
His work as an actor includes the national tour of Flashdance the Musical, numerous readings and workshops of new musicals, and dozens of contracts at regional theatres around the country throughout his decade long career in the arts. BFA Musical Theatre, Shenandoah Conservatory. www.ryanmorales.me @ryanmoralesgreen
Email: ryan@latinemtlab.org
Adrian Abel Azevedo
Director of Programs
Adrian Abel Azevedo is a queer, American-Mexican theatre artist and administrator born and raised in Santa Ana, California. His theatre practice is centered in ensemble-driven and anti-racist pedagogy for artists of all ages, identities and experiences.
Recently, he was the Education and Engagement Associate with Goodman Theatre where he produced education programs with community partners that supported equitable systemic change using arts-based strategies. At Goodman, he was the inaugural manager of the Chicago chapter of Disney Theatricals education program: Disney Musicals in Schools (DMIS). He continues to be a lead teaching artist for GeNarrations, a personal narrative story-telling program for folks 55+. Adrian Abel most recently directed the 49th Annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards Ceremony where his directed production of Cruel Intentions: the 90’s Musical at Kokandy Productions received seven nominations including Best Director of a Musical and Best Production - Musical or Revue. Additional recent credits include RENT (Dir. Porchlight Music Theatre), Songs for Nobodies (Asst. Dir. Northlight Theatre), He is an Artistic Associate with Kokandy Productions and graduate of Columbia College Chicago with a BA in Theatre - Directing and minors in Arts/Entertainment Management and Latin-Latino American Studies. Please find more/follow on IG: @adrian_abels_arts
Email: adrian@latinemtlab.org
Sam Baird
General Manager
Sam (she/her) is an award-winning theater artist who has worked in practically every area that theatre has to offer, all while raising her own two little performers. She received a BA degree in Theatre Arts Studies from BYU in 2019 and an MA degree in Arts Administration from SUU in 2022. Her passions are advocating for human rights and celebrating new works. When she’s not working on a project she’s probably searching for her next one or watching Gilmore Girls.
Email: gm@latinemtlab.org
Sofia Ubilla
Development Director
Sofia (she/her) is a South Florida-born Costa Rican director, theatre artist, and arts administrator based in New York. Her work revolves around her passion for telling untold stories and she believes in the power of representation to shape the world we live in. She graduated from Fordham University with a BA in Theatre, with a concentration in Directing, and Spanish Studies, summa cum laude. Her thesis, titled “New Methods for Translation and Performance of the Spanish Golden Age: A Case Study of a Virtual Production of Ana Caro’s Valor, agravio y mujer,” explored the ways new media and performance complete the translation act when staging a Spanish-language play to an English-speaking audience. Other directing credits include Saguaros by Angélica Herrera at JACK, Cloud Tectonics by Jose Rivera and A Butterfly Dreams... by Kiernan Westrick at Fordham University, and Emperor of 10th Ave by Carmen Rivera at INTAR. She has worked at The Latinx Playwright's Circle, Dixon Place, Syracuse Stage, Geva Theatre, INTAR, and Microteatro Miami on a variety of projects. She is the recipient of the Encaenia Spanish Achievement Award and the 2020 Dean’s Summer Research Grant. As well as her directing experience, she is currently the Individual Givings Associate at Manhattan Theatre Club. www.sofiaubilla.com
Email: sofia@latinemtlab.org
Daniel Mesta
Literary Manager / Resident Dramaturg
Mexican-American director, actor and dramaturg Daniel Mesta has received regional and national recognitions from the John F. Kennedy Center, the Association for Theatre in Higher Education and Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas. He holds a BA in Theatre Arts Studies and Russian Studies from Brigham Young University, and is pursuing an MA in International Relations at the European University at St. Petersburg conducting research in cultural diplomacy and international performance. He currently works in Eastern Europe with the Center for International Theatre Development.
Email: daniel@latinemtlab.org
Bryan-Keyth Wilson
Marketing Director
Dubbed the Literary Prince, Bryan-Keyth Wilson is a noted multi-hyphenate/ award-winning playwright and author. As a theatre artist/ producer, diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the forefront of every project he takes on. BKW started producing theatre Off-Off-Broadway at The Variety Cafe at Rockefeller Center with shows such as PAMLET and THE SUBWAY SERIES. BKW studied Musical Theatre with a Dance emphasis at Sam Houston State University in Hunstville, TX. He is the founding artistic director of The Creative Co-Lab TX|NYC.
Wilson is the inaugural winner of the Paterson Performing Arts & Development Council Playwright Residency Award; he received a playwright residency and a virtual showcase of his choreopoem FOR COLORED BOYZ on the verge of a nervous breakdown/ when freedom aint enuff (New Jersey Theatre Alliance). Wilson was the inaugural winner of the Stories of Diversity Playwright Festival at The Fulton Theatre. After winning, he directed and choreographed the World Premiere of FOR COLORED BOYZ at The Fulton Theatre. Other plays written include a 2nd installment to the FOR COLORED BOYZ series titled LUV NO LIMIT/ a luvrs ballad, sTrapped (Downtown Urban Arts Festival Finalist), The Caregiver, HOOD BOY, No Ways Tired, Annexed, Confessions of a Preacher’s Wife, the musical two ten-minute plays Worlds Apart, and dis-placed. Currently, Wilson is developing a musical on the life and legacy of Congressman John Lewis titled THE BOY FROM TROY.
As a Theatre Marketer and Brand Strategist, BKW is passionate about connecting audiences with meaningful theatrical experiences. With his deep understanding of consumer behavior and market trends, he brings a strategic and data-driven approach to building successful brands. His expertise in arts leadership has also equipped him with the skills to manage and motivate teams to achieve ambitious goals. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a track record of developing innovative marketing campaigns, forging partnerships with key stakeholders, and delivering exceptional results. His dedication to the arts and commitment to creating unforgettable experiences for audiences make him a valuable asset to any theatre organization.
Wilson won four literary awards for his choreopoem FOR COLORED BOYZ and produced a sold-out showcase Off-Broadway at Theatre Row for the 2022 Downtown Urban Arts Festival, where his show won Best Audience. BKW hosts The Broadway & Beyond Podcast, where he spotlights black theatre happenings and local artists. Currently, he is developing his first comic book series, THE TALENTED TENTH, on Wilson Comics/B’s Ink Publishing. He is a five-year faculty member of The Black Writers Reunion & Conference, founder of The Gulf-Coast Writers Retreat, and creator of the LIFT EV’RY VOICE International Playwright & Spoken World Virtual Festival. BKW is a proud member of The Latiné Musical Theatre Lab and The Dramatist Guild.
Email: bryankeyth@latinemtlab.org
Victoria Menendez
Development Associate
Victoria Menendez is a Cuban-Irish-American actor, director, and producer currently based out of Chicago, IL. Victoria recently graduated with a BFA in Performance from Ohio University, where she also explored an interest in directing and producing new work. In addition to her studies, Victoria served as a producer and Social Media Coordinator for Vibrancy Theater, a student-run collective focused on amplifying the voices of Black, Indigenous, and POC artists at Ohio University and beyond. Since moving to Chicago, she has worked to further her career in developing and performing theater within highly-collaborative, inclusive environments. Selected acting credits include: Be Head* by John Hendel, The Motherfucker with the Hat, and En Las Sombras*. Directing/producing credits include: Dry Land, Everybody, and Absentia*. *World Premiere
Email: victoria@latinemtlab.org
Miranda Holliday
Associate Managing Director
Miranda Holliday is a playwright, vocalist and theater artist from Columbus, NJ with a passion for empowering others through art. As a performer, they have participated in several Off Broadway productions such as Ain’t Missbehavin or The Magical Journey of Arlenkina. They have received a Kennedy Center Honor for Distinguished Performance, distinguished actor, and nationally recognized performance for their role of ‘Lena Younger’ in Albright’s production of A Raisin in the Sun. In addition, they are a part of the Miranda Family Fellowship awarded to exemplary artists of color. As a playwright, their plays and songs have been performed in some emblematic New York stages such as Feinstein’s 54 Below, the Rattlestick Theater, the Black Voices Festival or the Little Fire House.
Their training in music and theatre includes time at the National Musical Theatre Institute at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center, the Westminster Musical Theatre Intensive, and Albright College where they co-majored in Theatre and Political Science with a minor in Religious studies. They are now a recent graduate of NYU Tisch’s School of Arts, receiving an MFA in Musical Theatre Writing.
Email: miranda@latinemtlab.org
Laura Riveros-Sefair
Programs Associate
Laura is a Colombian-Lebanese theatre, voice, and teaching artist and maker based in Brooklyn, NY. They have worked all over the 5 boroughs as a performing and visual arts educator, working with kids two years of age to high school seniors. They started their performing arts career with MISI Producciones, the premiere Colombian musical theatre company, touring all over the country as well as South America and the US. In NYC, they have worked with Ensemble Studio Theatre, INTAR, IATI, Working Theater, LaMicro Theater, among many others. If you’ve watched Sesame Street in Latin America, you’ve probably also heard Laura’s voice! Some select review quotes from top critics; “Teacher Laura, you’re the funniest!” “You’re so silly, Teacher Laura!” They are an active member of INTAR’s Unit 52, as well as HOLA - Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors. Laura is so excited to work with Latiné Musical Theatre Lab and continue to uplift Hispanic and Latinx voices. IG @lauraquenecia www.laurariveros-sefair.com
Email: laura@latinemtlab.org
Joey Bermudez
Casting Coordinator
Joey Bermudez is a South Florida-born creative artist based in Queens, NY. Joey holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of the Arts and is a graduate of the Casting Society Cares Casting Assistant Training program. As a performer, he has worked with Disney Cruise Line, Theatreworks USA, Opera Naples, and others. Joey’s mission in casting is centered on inclusion and a commitment to actively working against racial/social inequities and those towards nondominant groups. He looks forward to casting new works and honing his knowledge alongside this community of artists within a field he loves. Joey is thrilled to be transitioning into the Casting field, and is grateful to be a part of the Latiné Musical Theatre Lab team.
Email: joey@latinemtlab.org
Sunnie Eraso
Artistic Associate
Sunnie Eraso is a Colombian/Chinese/American director, performer, and generative artist based in Chicago. A recent graduate of the Theatre program at Northwestern University, she is thrilled to continue following her passion in new work development with the Lab team. Favorite past projects include: performing in workshops such as Cowboy Bob with the American Music Theatre Project, assistant directing Lucy and Charlie’s Honeymoon at Lookingglass Theatre Company, creating/performing an original solo/puppetry piece STAR with director Kristen Waagner, and building/performing an interactive toy theatre piece Voyager within a cardboard spaceship. sunnieeraso.com
Email: sunnie@latinemtlab.org
Leslie Chocano Solis
Artistic Associate
Leslie Chocano is a Peruvian-American musical theatre performer and producer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Currently, she works as an administrator in Student Affairs for UCSF. When she’s not in the office, she devotes her time to her other passion-- musical theater. She’s worked with community theater companies like Broadway by the Bay, Sunnyvale Community Players, Redwood City Community Theater, West Valley Light Opera, and Stage One Theater. Some of her past production credits include In the Heights, West Side Story, Catch Me If You Can, and The Addams Family Musical. She’s also worked as a performer, producer, and social media coordinator for multiple YouTube video projects with Rise Above It Productions and Haus of Win. She hopes to continue building on her musical theater passion and work towards creating a more inclusive and diverse theater environment.
Email: leslie@latinemtlab.org
Julieta Gozalo-Michaud
Communications Associate
Julieta Gozalo-Michaud (she/her) is a Peruvian theatre artist, musician, and arts administrator currently based in Brooklyn, New York. Julieta holds a BA in Theatre and Communications, and a minor in Professional Writing from the University of Maryland. She has previously worked with Theatre Washington and Film Fest Magazine, and is thrilled to join the Lab and support their mission. As an actor, she has worked with The Kennedy Center, Mosaic Theatre Company, Theater J, Monumental Theatre Company, Flying V, Adventure Theatre, and many more. On camera, she has worked with brands such as Apple, Guinness, Wawa, HelloFresh, Six Flags, Marriott, and if you look closely, you can catch her in several episodes of Dopesick.
Email: julieta@latinemtlab.org
Marina Vidal
Assistant to the Producing Artistic Director
MARINA VIDAL (she/her) is ecstatic to join the Lab! Having built a prominent career in her native country, Brazil, Marina moved to the USA to expand her artistic skills. She’s a New York Film Academy Musical Theater graduate and was recently seen on the 2nd Broadway National Tour of On Your Feet!. Favorite Credits: In the Heights (Penn Shakespeare Festival)A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine Revival (J2 Spotlight Company). On Your Feet! (Engeman Theater), Reveillon Branco (Lortel Theatre). Other credits: Legally Blonde, Carrie: The Musical, Theater of Dreams (Broadway Cares/Equity Fight AIDS). Marina is a proud and active member of the LGBTQI+ community as well as a Queer comic on TikTok. IG & TikTok: @_marinavidal. Vai Brasil!
Email: marina@latinemtlab.org
Felix Agosto
Consultant
After a 16-year Air Force career, Felix became a successful consultant and entrepreneur in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors. He founded MVP 360 Leadership Development Program, which partnered with the Philadelphia Eagles, 76ers, and Phillies to help area youth develop leadership skills, and was honored with the NFL’s “Together We Make Football” award. He is currently a Managing Partner at TRUE management which focuses on marketing, branding and business development for startups.
Email: felix@latinemtlab.org
Board of Director Bios
Nyseli Vega
Nyseli Vega is a multi-hyphenate Dominican-American actor/singer/director/producer/human. Whether on or off stage/screen, Nyseli strives to always build community through art and human connection; to shine light on common ground so others feel elevated in their humanity. Recent performance credits include Torched! (Off-Broadway), Present Perfect (54 Below), Betsy (PRTT), Shesus 29 hour reading by John Leguizamo and Aaron Gonzalez, recording an EP for Sueños Our American Musical by Jessie Sanchez (stay tuned for the release.) The Odd Years (short film entering festivals currently). Past credits include High Maintenance (Hbo), OITNB (Netflix), One Day the Musical (Off Broadway), Carmen La Cubana (Paris Premiere), Ménage Music (powerhouse vocal trio cover band) and BATSU!(An ongoing improv show in the LES).
Her newest venture is co-founding Just BeiN’ Productions with hopes to amplify the vision of creative individuals so that they can push boundaries and feel empowered in their uniqueness. Nyseli shares in being a Telly award winner for editing the virtual production of the all Asian cast of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder which helped raise over $25000 to help stop AAPI hate, directed by Alan Muraoka. Co-Producer of American Made (short film), The Odd Years (short film), and Weed The People (short film).
“The creative adult is the child who survived.” -unknown
Eduardo "Eddie" Beltre
Eduardo “Eddie” Beltre is a Dominican-American born and raised NYer who has a passion for helping nonprofits scale. With over 15 years of experience, he’s led organizations in developing strategic and financial plans, and implementing the internal systems and procedures that allow for sustainable growth. Eddie currently serves as the Chief Finance and Operations Officer (“CF&OO) of Virtual Enterprises International (“VEI”), a national nonprofit that provides students with the opportunity to test drive potential careers and develop in-demand skills that post-secondary institutions and employers are seeking. Prior to VEI, Eddie was the Director of Talent Operation and Culture of Literacy Trust, a NYC-based nonprofit that partners with school communities to build capacity for literacy intervention. Eddie also volunteers as a member of the Board of Directors and Treasurer of i.HUG Foundation, organization that works to provide basic necessities and run educational and other high-impact programs that empower Ugandan children to succeed in school and in life.
Contact Info:
eduardo.r.beltre@gmail.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/eduardobeltre/
Güyrá Kaplan de Castro
Güyrá Kaplan de Castro is a product and marketing executive with a passion for scaling businesses at the intersection of culture and commerce. He currently serves as a product marketing leader at TikTok, where his focus revolves around scaling their advertiser customer base globally and driving commercialization through enhancements to their AI/machine learning models. Previously, Mr. Kaplan de Castro served as the Head of Product Marketing for Unstoppable Domains, a digital identity startup. During his tenure, he played a vital role in spearheading revenue performance and commercialization efforts for their consumer and business products, growing their business from $50 million valuation to $1 billion within a single year. Prior to that position, he served as the global product marketing leader for Twitter’s core ads product marketing team from 2019 to 2021. Before joining Twitter, Mr. Kaplan de Castro spent four years at The New York Times where he held several product and marketing roles, overseeing the monetization strategies and launch of NYT’s digital properties including The Daily Podcast, The Cooking App, NYT Español, NYT Games App and NYTs core app. Güyrá holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Chapman University, where he graduated with honors. He currently lives in New York.
Adrian Alexander Alea
Adrian A. Alea is a creative producer and director in commercial and non-profit industries of Theater, Film, Live Events, and Music Videos. In theater, Adrian is currently the Artistic Producer at The New Group and was recently on the artistic team of New York City Center's Encores!, in addition to the Associate Director of Hercules with Disney Theatricals and Paper Mill Playhouse. He has collaborated on projects with institutions such as The Public Theater, New York City Center, Signature Theater, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Cape Cod Playhouse, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Brava Theater Center, Central Works, Miami Light Project, Play On Shakespeare, The Musical Theater Factory, and the Drama League. Recent direction includes "LatinXoxo" by Migguel Angello at The Public's Under the Radar currently on a national tour and in 2024, he will be directing the world premiere of "The Palacios Sisters" at Gala Hispanic Theater by Cristina Garcia, a co-conceived adaptation of Chekhov's Three Sisters set in the 1980's Miami Drug Wars. For film, Adrian executive produced and produced four short films and a virtual reality piece (including "You Go Girl!" a 2022 Sundance Film Festival Official selection and presented by The New Yorker, "An Intent to the Spirit" starring Moses Sumney & LaChanze in post-production, and “O-Dogg” featuring Tariq ‘Black Thought’ Trotter from The Roots) and was the Associate Director for ANNIE LIVE! on NBC. Previously, he was a Management Associate for Jennifer Lopez and Benny Medina where his main projects included her Las Vegas Residency at Planet Hollywood "All I Have" and creative managing JLo's "Ain't Your Mama" music video.
Education: Columbia University (BA), Northwestern University (MS). adrianalea.com
Ariel Estrada
Ariel Estrada is Webby Award-winning producer, actor, writer, and advocate for Asian American Pacific Islander performing artists and all performing artists of marginalized identity. As an actor, he has performed on television, film, commercials, digital media, and Off-, and Off-Off-Broadway. As a producer, Ariel is the Founder and Executive Artistic Director for Leviathan Lab, a nonprofit creative studio for Asian American performing artists. As an arts administrator, he is the Associate Director of the Theatre Program at Fordham University; the Marketing & Membership Director for the Consortium of Asian American Theaters and Artists; and sits on the boards of New York Theatre Barn and Latine Musical Theatre Lab. His leadership has been recognized by artEquity, New York Foundation for the Arts, and Theatre Communications Group. As a grant writing consultant, he has won over $310K in grant funding for small NYC nonprofits of color. He is also a Fortune 500-level graphic designer. arielestrada.com | leviathanlab.com | LI: /arielestrada