These actors definitely have what it takes….

 

Marla Acevedo**
(Perchy, a monkey / Water God)
Marla is thrilled to make her debut at DCT with such a talented cast! She graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington where she studied musical theater. She is also an alumna from Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York City. TV credits: Queen of The South (Maya). She would like to thank everyone who made this production possible!

 

 

Kia Nicole Boyer*
(Kaa, a python / Water God)
Kia is absolutely thrilled to be making her DCT debut with Jungalbook! Notable Dallas credits include Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde (Hyde/Poole) at Theatre Three; HAIR (Jeanie) at Dallas Theater Center; and The Big Meal (Nicole) and Sweet Charity (Nikki) at WaterTower Theatre. Kia Boyer is represented by The Mary Collins Agency.

 

 

Phillip Brown**
(Hathi, an elephant / Water God)
Queensbury Theatre: Unlock’d the Musical and Whistle Down the Wind. Main Street Theater for Youth: How I Became A Pirate (tour), Shrek the Musical, and The Magic Tree House (tour). The Encore Theatre: A Lesson Before Dying, The Poison Tree, and Behind Closed Doors. Lone Star College: Hairspray the Musical, Little Shop of Horrors, and Cinderella. Kirtwood Music Service: Titanic the Musical. Playhouse 1960: Rocky Horror Show, Sister Act the Musical, and The Addams Family the Musical. Film/TV: My Brothers Keeper and Lone Star Deception.

 

Douglass Burks*
(Baloo, a bear)
A veteran of Dallas area theater, Mr. Burks has worked with Dallas Children’s Theater for many years as an Equity actor, stage manager, sound designer, and director. He is a founding member of the nationally acclaimed Kathy Burks Theatre of Puppetry Arts and has earned the distinction of Master Puppeteer. A popular actor with DCT audiences, Doug will be remembered for his many roles on the DCT stage, which include The Giver (The Giver), Goodnight Moon (Larry the Tooth Fairy), James and the Giant Peach (Old Grasshopper), Peter Pan (Captain Hook), Young King Arthur (Merlin), The Emperor’s New Clothes (the Emperor), The Mummy’s Claw (Sir Nevil Blore), Jungalbook (Baloo), Holes (Mr. Sir), and Treasure Island (Long John Silver). He also portrayed the title characters in Frankenstein, The Reluctant Dragon, The Canterville Ghost, and the 2001 production of The BFG (Big Friendly Giant). Mr. Burks was a member of the first graduating class of Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas, Texas.

 

Parker Fitzgerald
(Grey, a young wolf)
Noted roles include Seussical™ (Wickersham brother) at Dallas Children’s Theater, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo (Kev) at Theatre Three, Big River (Huck Finn) at Theatre Arlington, Waiting for Lefty (Sid) with Upstart Productions, Beautiful Thing (STE) with Uptown Players, Miss Evers Boys (Dr. Douglas) with African American Repertory Theater, Two Rooms (Walker) at Runway Theatre, and Cabaret (the Emcee) at Texas Wesleyan University. He has toured twice with Casa Mañana’s Junie B. Jones: Jingle Bells Batman Smells, and twice with Wishing Star Production’s Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical. He is a member of the Board of Directors at Theatre Arlington and a company member of Upstart Productions.

 

Aaron Jay Green*
(Bagheera, a panther / Fight Captain)
Aaron is thrilled to be making his debut at Dallas Children’s Theater! Previous credits include She Kills Monsters at Theatre Three; I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change at Theatre Too; The Grown-Up at Flexible Grey Theatre Company; and The Full Monty at Uptown Players. He thanks Artie, Katy, his castmates, and the crew for a wonderful time in the jungal!

 

 

Matt Holmes*
(Grab, a young wolf)
Matt is so excited to be working with Dallas Children’s Theater. Matt is an actor, cellist, and filmmaker in Dallas. When not on stage or making movies, you can find him slinging eggs and pancakes at Yolk. He has worked all over Dallas and Fort Worth at Circle Theatre, Theatre Three, Kitchen Dog Theater, Uptown Players, Shakespeare Dallas, The Dallas Opera, Contemporary Theatre of Dallas, Ochre House Theater, and Cara Mía Theatre Co. He is represented by The Campbell Agency and has done various TV shows, commercials, and print ads including Scandal Made Me Famous, Blueberry Hall, Pizza Hut, Dr. Pepper, and Price to Fame. Follow him on Instagram! @holmesmattholmes

 

Ivan Jasso*
(Sherakhan, a tiger)
Ivan Jasso is excited to return to the DCT stage; he was last seen in 2015’s Skippyjon Jones. Ivan is an Artistic Ensemble Member with Cara Mía Theatre Co. and has also worked with several other theater companies in the D-FW area including Shakespeare Dallas, Kitchen Dog Theater, Undermain Theatre, Ochre House Theater, Amphibian Stage Productions, and Dallas Theater Center. He is signed with the Mary Collins Agency.

 

Stephanie Cleghorn Jasso
(Chil, a vulture / Water God)
Stephanie has worked with local theater companies, including Undermain Theatre where she is a company member; WaterTower Theatre; Amphibian Stage Productions; DGDG; Shakespeare Dallas; Dallas Theater Center; Cara Mía Theatre Co.; The Tribe; Shakespeare in the Bar; Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico; Dead White Zombies; and Teatro Dallas. In 2015, for her work in Lydia, she received recognition for Outstanding Acting Performance by the Dallas-Fort Worth Theater Critics Forum and Best Actress by TheaterJones.

 

Christopher Lew**
(Mowgli, a man cub)
Clew is delighted to go wild with his DCT debut. Previous credits include Cymbeline with Shakespeare in the Bar; She Kills Monsters with Theatre Three; The Three Musketeers with Theatre Britain; The Royal Society of Antarctica with Stage West; Macbeth with LIP Service; as well as developing work with DCT and The Drama Club. He is represented by The Callidus Agency. Shout out to Artie, the cast and crew, Nicci, Q, and his friends for their support. Every orphan needs a wolfpack. One blood, yoo and me.

 

Doak Rapp
(Hyena / Water God)
Doak is appearing in his first Dallas Children’s Theater production. He has worked professionally as a stage actor in D-FW for five years at Kitchen Dog Theater, Shakespeare Dallas, Uptown Players, WaterTower Theatre, and Fun House Theatre and Film. He is the Artistic Director of The Basement and has both produced and directed productions for the company. He would like to thank his acting teacher Jeff Swearingen.

 

Brandon Whitlock**
(Akela, leader of the wolf pack)
Brandon is returning to the Dallas Children’s Theater stage where he first worked as a child actor. He has more recently appeared in several productions in the Dallas area, including The Three Musketeers with Theatre Britain, Hit the Wall with WaterTower Theatre, Medea Myth: Love’s Beginning with Prism Movement Theatre, and The Tempest with Shakespeare Dallas.

 

Get your tickets now to meet this crew of jungle animals.

 

JUNGALBOOK

An adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book stories
By Edward Mast

May 4 – 26, 2018
Ages 5 and up

See Kipling’s original 1894 coming of age tale brought to the stage, and join Mowgli in learning the moral lessons of home, betrayal, life and death, and loyalty. Mowgli lives in the jungle surrounded by panthers, bears, wolves, snakes, and tigers. They are his protectors, and he believes he is one of them. When Mowgli comes face to face with a fearsome tiger, he is forced to choose between his bond with the jungle and the reality of his humanness. This classic story of the struggle for survival and a place that feels like home will have audiences on the edge of their seats.

 

Photos courtesy of the actors

*INDICATES A MEMBER OF ACTORS’ EQUITY ASSOCIATION – THE UNION OF PROFESSIONAL ACTORS AND STAGE MANAGERS IN THE USA

**INDICATES EQUITY MEMBERSHIP CANDIDATE

Bringing the story of first American Indians in Texas to life on stage…

Edwin Aguilar

(Tcakei / Ancestor)
Edwin is delighted to return once more to Dallas Children’s Theater where he performed in Tomás and the Library Lady (Tomás) last season. He works with Cara Mía Theatre Co. as a technician and performer for the Dallas Independent School District and recently toured with Deferred Action as a crew member. He’s done voice-over work with Funimation for One Piece and Kino’s Journey. He is an alumnus of Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts where he interned his senior year with the Dallas Theater Center. He stays busy working overnights at the Omni in downtown Dallas and taking courses to open up a business in Social Media and E-mail Marketing.

Adolfo Becerra**

(Ancestor / Lead Singer)
Adolfo Becerra appeared in DCT’s production of Goosebumps the Musical: Phantom of the Auditorium (Steve) and Junie B. Jones Is Not a Crook (Ricardo/Principal). He is a graduate from Sam Houston State University’s Musical Theatre Program where he appeared in the world premiere of Ruffled Flourishes (Quad Sands), Cabaret (ensemble), and directed a show as part of the Student Director’s Debut.

Joey Castorena**

(Chief / Ancestor)
Joey is making his DCT debut. Joey is originally from the D-FW area, but moved to Houston when he was 13. Production credits include Hairspray (Edna), The Producers (Roger De Bris), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (William Barfee), How I Became a Pirate (Swill), The Little Mermaid (Chef Louis), Les Misérables (Thenardier), and Greater Tuna (Sears). Joey thanks everyone at DCT for a great homecoming.

Kitty Coderre

(Matzán / Asawan)
Kitty is very excited to be part of Yana Wana’s Legend of the Bluebonnet. Kitty is trained in acting for film, commercials, musicals, and theater; she is also trained in dance, modeling, singing, and several instruments. She has appeared in several films, commercials, musicals, and theater productions. Kitty was part of the cast of Pinkalicious, The Musical in 2016 at DCT. She is represented by the Campbell Agency. She would like to thank everyone who is part of this production and her family for the love and support. Enjoy the show!

Tiffany Solano DeSena*

(Consuelo / Ancestor)
Tiffany is a Los Angeles native and recent Dallas transplant who is thrilled to be making her Dallas theater debut in this co-production between Dallas Children’s Theater and Cara Mía Theatre Co. Notable theater credits include her eight-year run in La Posada Magica at South Coast Repertory; the regional premiere of Sonia Flew at San Jose Rep; originating the role of Victoria in the world premiere of Plainsong at Denver Center Theatre; Nine Armenians at The Mark Taper Forum; The Pajama Game (Babe) at Mixed Blood Theatre; The Tempest (Miranda) with Will and Co.; Cesar and Ruben: The Musical, written and directed by Ed Begley Jr.; and flying on a magic carpet in Disney’s Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular (Princess Jasmine). Though she has performed around the world and appeared in numerous commercials, television, and film productions, her proudest accomplishments to date are her precious children Sofia and Nolan.

Cecilia Flores*

(Abuela)
Broadway, Off-Broadway, Regional, Dallas Children’s Theater, Dallas Theater Center, Theatre Three, Circle Theatre, WaterTower Theatre, Actor, Director, Educator, Arts Advocacy: National Endowment for the Arts and Texas Commission on the Arts, Actors’ Equity Association, SAG-AFTRA, MFA, disciple of Paul Baker!

 

Evelio Flores

(Cultural Advisor / Musician)
J. Evelio Chichilticoatl Flores, Jr. is the eldest of five children born to Evelio and Rosa Flores, Danzante Capitan, of Coahuiltecan / Mexican descent. Evelio is a tribal singer / dancer since 1997 and currently leads Mitotiliztli Yaoyollohtli (Heart of the Warrior) Aztec Dance group with his wife Azucena and their four children. Mitotiliztli Yaoyollohtli has been on the roster of the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs, Community Arts Program (CAP) since 2006. Evelio co-founded Kalpulli Tonalpilli (Temple of Precious Sun) Native American Church in 2005 as a means of practicing and preserving the cultural traditions of the Indigenous Ancestors. Flores is a pipe carrier and Sundancer since 1999. He is also a member of the Advisory Council with the Indigenous Institute of the Americas (IIA) and a cultural consultant with the Indigenous Cultures Institute (ICI) in San Marcos, TX. Currently he is a realtor after working 20 years throughout school districts in D-FW as a social worker and substance abuse counselor.

Gazelle Garcia

(Ancestor / Yana Wana’s Mother / Lead Singer)
Gazelle is proud to be sharing indigenous stories in their DCT debut! Regional credits: Junie B. Jones The Musical (Junie B.) at Magik Theatre, Wazir of Oz (premiere) at Austin Scottish Rite, and Flat Stanley at Georgetown Palace. Others include: Shrek (Pinocchio), Seussical (Cat in the Hat), You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (Sally), Xanadu (Melpomene), Dog Sees God (CB’s Sis) in NYC, and In the Heights (Vanessa) (Best Supporting, ATAC Globe Award). See them in Madagascar at Magik Theatre this summer!

Karla Gonzalez

(Ancestor / Kis)
Karla is excited to return to DCT after appearing in Maggie Magalita (Maggie). She was last seen in De Troya, Flores y Calaveras, and Novenas Narrativas with Cara Mía Theatre Co. Previous credits with Teatro Dallas include Feather and the Tempest, The Holy Inquiry, Octopus’s Garden, The Feast of All Souls, and Little Mexico to name a few. She has participated in various international theater festivals and workshops, and works as a voice-over talent. Karla received her BA in Theater and Broadcast Management from UT Arlington. She is represented by the Horne Agency.

Eva Harris

(Matzán / Asawan)
Eva Harris is absolutely ecstatic to be making her debut with Dallas Children’s Theater. Recent credits include performing in The Merry Wives of Windsor with Bare Bones Shakespeare, directing Into the Woods Jr. with Artsvision Performing and Visual Arts Camp, and performing in Blood Wedding with Dallas ISD.

 

Fernando Hernandez*

(The Deer / Dance Captain)
Fernando earned his Bachelor of Architecture degree from the Universidad Regiomontana in Monterrey, Mexico. At the age of six, he discovered his love for dance and later was accepted by CEDART “Alfonso Reyes” for the performance and visual arts high school in Monterrey, Mexico. It was here that he discovered other branches of dance: classical ballet, contemporary, and flamenco. At Escuela Superior de Musica y Danza he studied classical ballet as a professional dancer and performed with the Ballet of Monterrey under assistant direction of Fernando Bujones. In 1999 he was invited to become the Director and Choreographer for LunaSol Folklorico Ballet at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, where he currently serves as their special guest choreographer for the World Dance Ensemble.

Rosalinda Olivares**

(María)
Rosalinda is an actor & puppeteer residing in Dallas, TX and is thrilled to be making her debut with Dallas Children’s Theater. A graduate from The University of Texas at Arlington, Rosalinda has performed in various theaters around the D-FW Metroplex. Her favorite roles include Linda in La Linda by Diana Burbano, Marisol in Marisol by Jose Rivera, and Sister James in Doubt by John Patrick Shanley. She gives thanks to her family, friends, and Eduardo for supporting her artistic goals. She dedicates this performance to her niece and nephew, Mercedes and Shaylon! Rosalinda is DCT’s Education Associate.

Omar Padilla

(Ancestor / The Deer alternate)
Omar is delighted to be making his DCT debut! He was recently seen in Stand-Up Tragedy (Lee Cortez), produced by the Oak Cliff Cultural Center. Other selected theater credits include Yemaya’s Belly with Cara Mía Theatre Co., The Invaders with Teatro Dallas, Donkey Beach with Danielle Georgiou Dance Group, and the world premiere of Gracefully Ending with Theatre Arlington. Omar has also worked as a voice actor for Funimation and for the AT&T Performing Arts Center’s live-dubbing of Jersey Boys as part of the Broadway En Español series. He has been a teaching artist for four years where he has worked with organizations such as The Flame Foundation, WaterTower Theatre, Teatro Dallas, and Cara Mía Theatre Co. Omar works in the film and TV industry, and is represented by the Kim Dawson Agency.

Priscilla Rice

(Ancestor Alternate / Abuela Understudy)
Priscilla is excited to be in her first show at DCT. She is a Dallas-based poet, storyteller, and actor. She has had the honor to work with Cara Mía Theatre Co., appearing in plays such as Crystal City 1969, The House on Mango Street, Milagritos, Dreamers Part 1: A Bloodline, Nuestra Pastorela, and Zoot Suit.

 

Mark Quach**

(Teacher / Ancestor / Librarian)
Mark is thrilled for his DCT debut with this show. Regional credits include: Spring Awakening (Georg) at Runway Theatre, The Wedding Singer (Imelda Marcos) at Theatre Three, Ripcord (Scotty) at Circle Theatre, and Rudolph The Rednosed Reindeer National Tour (Aviator Elf). Enjoy the show!

 

Jennifer Reyna

(Yana Wana / Ancestor)
Jennifer’s past credits include The House on Mango Street, Oklahoma!, Once Upon A Mattress, Little Shop of Horrors, The Thorn, Queen of the South (USA Network), and Vanities. She is a junior at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Jennifer would like to thank her supportive family and school for allowing her to pursue her dreams.

Mindamora Rocha*

(María’s Mother / Ancestor)
Mindamora is thrilled to be back at DCT after appearing in last season’s production of Tomás and the Library Lady (Josefa). She graduated from Southeastern Oklahoma State University with a B.A. in Musical Theatre and thereafter toured the country with Missoula Children’s Theatre’s production of The Jungle Book. Mindamora has since had the pleasure of performing with awesome regional theater companies like Undermain Theatre, Lyric Stage, Amphibian Stage Productions, Oklahoma Shakespearean Festival, Artes de la Rosa, Granbury Opera House, and Stolen Shakespeare Guild. Some of her favorite productions she has performed in include Legally Blonde, Chicago, So Go the Ghosts of Mexico: Part Two, Dog Sees God, Much Ado About Nothing, Grease, and Xanadu.

Remi Swan

(Yana Wana / Ancestor)
Remi is thrilled to be making her debut at DCT. She previously acted as an “AnchorKid” for The True Story of the Three Little Pigs at DCT. She is a student at Canterbury Episcopal School in DeSoto, Texas. She has been taking classes at Dallas Children’s Theater since she was first eligible to do so. She studies dance at DeSoto Dance Academy and has had voice lessons and other performance-related training.

Photos courtesy of the actors

*INDICATES A MEMBER OF ACTORS’ EQUITY ASSOCIATION – THE UNION OF PROFESSIONAL ACTORS AND STAGE MANAGERS IN THE USA

**INDICATES EQUITY MEMBERSHIP CANDIDATE

TITLE SPONSORS:
TACA Donna Wilhelm Family New Works Fund
and Diana and Thomas Klein

Commissioned by Dallas Children’s Theater, Robyn Flatt, Executive Artistic Director, Dallas, TX
in partnership with Cara Mía Theatre Co., David Lozano, Artistic Director, Dallas, TX
with contributions by Mitotiliztli Yaoyollohtli Danza Azteca, Evelio Flores, Director, Dallas, TX
and the Indigenous Cultures Institute of San Marcos, TX