Playwright Julieta Gonzalez
Native Tucsonan, Julieta Gonzalez graduated from Tucson High School, earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Arizona. She also attended the UA College of law for two years.
Community service has been a priority in her life inspired by her parents’ emphasis on obtaining educational excellence and sharing that education not just for professional achievement but to help improve the community. Selected past leadership activities include serving as the first chair of the first Tucson Women’s Commission; President of the Tucson/Pima Library Board; National Board of Directors of the University of Arizona
Alumni Association; President of the University of Arizona Alumni Band; Junior League of Tucson executive board; Tucson High School Badger Foundation Chair of the Hall of Fame Committee; President of the Armory Park Neighborhood Association and was appointed to the Residential Utility Consumer Board (RUCO) by Governor Mofford.
Julieta has also served on many local boards including the YWCA, American Heart Association, the Brewster Center for Women and Children, Open-Inn and the Pio Decimo Center. Political involvement included positions as precinct and state committee person along with chair of the Democratic Legislation District 11. She attended two national Democratic conventions, including a nomination convention and a midterm convention. Involvement in the Catholic Church has included serving as lector and Eucharistic minister and RCIA team member at the St. Thomas More Newman Center on the UA campus and at St Augustine Cathedral. Service included participation in the St. Augustine Cathedral choir and Diocesan choir as flutist. At Cathedral she also assisted as rehearsal pianist and director of the Christmas Eve children’s Mass for Bishop Kicanas. In 2007 after five years of formation studies, she was welcomed as a life-professed member of the Dominican Laity community.
Her first full-time profession position was also a first, that of the first full-time Spanish/English court interpreter at the Pima County Juvenile Court. She went on to work as a Pima County Superior Court interpreter and bailiff for the late Judge Michael J Brown for whom she worked as an investigator and law clerk in his law practice. Professionally, Julieta went on to work as Executive Director of the Arizona Women’s Commission in Gov. Babbitt’s administration, Communications Director of the United Way of Greater Tucson, National News Coordinator for the University of Arizona, Scholarship Manager for the Arizona Catholic Tuition Organization (CTSO) and is presently employed as Financial Aid Manager for Salpointe Catholic High School.
Writing has been a passion throughout her life. From high school as co-editor of Tucson High’s literary magazine, “The Quarterly,” to the UA where along with the media relations position, Julieta wrote many articles for the UA’s Report on Research and for the faculty-staff publication “Lo Que Pasa.” Her active participation with Old Pueblo Playwrights as board member and contributing writer provided the opportunity to showcase plays through which she sought to communicate the vital contributions of Tucson’s Mexican American community and issues facing our community. “Ana Maria’s Journal” addressed gentrification featuring the ghost of a pioneering woman in the face of the remodeling of her home by a present-day insensitive developer. “Dust Devils” focused on toxic waste dumping in the barrio. “Claudia’s Family” is a story of a Mexican American Tucson family as they face and adjust to the tragedy and the opportunities created by world events.
Director Marc David Pinate
Marc David Pinate makes theatre in his ancestral home, the Sonoran Desert. Through theatricality and storytelling his productions deepen feelings of belonging and social connection. Original works he’s developed and directed include Más (with playwright, Milta Ortiz) chronicling the banning of TUSD’s Mexican-American studies program; Sonoran Shadows, a shadow play based on the stories of Patricia Preciado-Martin; The Water Project, about the tumultuous history of water in Arizona performed on the riverbed of the dried-out Santa Cruz River; and Antigona 3.0, commissioned by Milagro Theater, Su Teatro, and the International Sonoran Desert Alliance.
He created the Barrio Stories Project: a festival series grounded in oral histories and community collaboration using site-specific popular theatre and digital media to tell the story of Tucson’s historic barrio heritage. His Barro Stories placekeeping efforts played a role in the renaming of the Alva Bustamante Torres Plaza at the Tucson Convention Center (Barrio Stories, 2016); the Oury pool reopening and reestablishment of the Barrio Anita Neighborhood Association (Barrio Stories in Barrio Anita, 2018), and the development of the Morley Avenue arts district (Barrio Stories Nogales, 2022) to name just a few impacts. Pinate has worked with noteworthy theaters including: The Magic Theatre, Campo Santo, El Teatro Campesino, ShadowLight Productions, Steppenwolf, Cleveland Public, Milagro Theatre and the Kennedy Center for the Arts. His efforts have received support from the National Endowment for the Arts, Doris Duke Foundation, National New Play Network, The Mellon Foundation, and Theatre Communications Group. Marc is the producing artistic director of Borderlands Theater. He received an MFA in Stage Directing from The Theatre School at DePaul University.
Cast
Rosanne Couston – Maria Luisa
Rosanne Couston is a native Tucsonan who has worked extensively with Borderlands Theater. She was in the Catalina Players premier production of Claudia’s Family as Margarita. She has also appeared in such shows as Ausente, Nogales: Storytellers in Cartel Country, Barrio Stories, Burning Patience, Sazon de Mujer, Electricidad and Barrio Hollywood. She also performed with Winding Road Theater Ensemble, Rogue Theatre, Something Something Theatre, Invisible Theatre, Live Theatre Workshop and Mercury Productions.
Guillermo Jones – Juan
What do The Buddha, an award-winning playwright/heroin addict gigolo, a detainee at Guantanamo Bay, a tattoo-covered gangland kingpin from the California prison system, a crooked cop from Ciudad Juarez, a high-ranking Border Czar and a phantasmic drag queen death cart driver have in common? They have all been brought to life on stage by artist, writer, composer, performer, designer and activist Guillermo Francisco Raphael Jones. Enabled by Tucson’s uniquely inclusive and culturally vibrant community theatre scene, Jones, a Southwestern native (Yaqui/Yoeme), has performed for over 30 years, appearing in Antigone at the Border, The Hall of Final Ruin, Ghosts of Lote Bravo, Bruja, Lidless, Oedipus El Rey, Guantanamo, National Corporate Radio, The Mission, Fantastic Product, The Feast, Cuba and his Teddy Bear and Passions.
Johnathan Heras – Raul
Jonathan is an actor and singer from Yuma, Arizona and now a Tucson performing artist and member of the Borderlands Theater Ensemble. He has worked with various local theaters including Live Theatre Workshop, Stories That Soar, Gaslight Theater, and many more. He develops and writes content with a group of artists called Digital Desmadre to create content and raise awareness through social media platforms. He has worked with youth as a theater teaching artist for over 10 years and is currently the musical director at Sal Pointe Catholic High School.
Taylor Hernandez – Margarita
Taylor Hernandez (she,her), is a theatre artist from Sahuarita, Az. Taylor was first introduced to theatre in middle school and continued her involvement in fine arts throughout high school. In 2019 she earned her AFA in Visual and Performing Arts from Pima Community College. Taylor has since worked with multiple theatre companies locally and regionally, her most recent being Teatro Dignidads’ Dos Nogales by Hugo Salcedo and El Tiradito by Elaine Romero.She would like to take a moment to thank her family and friends for their continuous love and support.
Kelli Gonda – Claudia
Kelli Gonda (she/her) is a Tucson-based theater artist with a growing passion for bringing stories to life both onstage and behind the scenes. She made her acting debut in Wandless at Pima Community College and recently got hands-on with fantasy and foam as a props designer for Shrek with Saguaro City Music Theatre. Kelli is thrilled to join Borderlands Theater for her first role with the company, and looks forward to continuing to grow as a performer. Whether she’s crafting magical worlds or stepping into them, she brings creativity, curiosity, and a can-do spirit to every project.
Angela Vasquez – Ana
Angela is incredibly excited to make her professional acting debut with Borderlands! Previous credits include You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown and Once Upon A Mattress, along with participating in workshops that honed in on classical acting techniques with Shakespeare and Chekhov. Being able to do this has always been a dream, and she’d like to thank her family and friends for always encouraging her to continue pursuing that dream- love you ma!
Ashley Amezcua – Alicia
Ashley Amezcua is thrilled to make her Southern Arizona acting debut with Borderlands Theater! She earned her BFA from The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles and New York City, and has performed in numerous theaters across Los Angeles. Favorite credits include originating the role of Flaca in Royal Flush (Hollywood Fringe Festival) and Bianca in The Addict’s Love Letter to His Prayer Book. Ashley had also appeared in film, as well as nationwide and local commercials. She sends heartfelt thanks to her loved ones for their unwavering support.
Sean Patrick Cronin – Clayton
Sean is thrilled to join the cast of Claudia’s Family at Borderlands Theatre. Local credits include Almost, Maine at IT, Little Dog Laughs with Live Theatre Workshop, Ada & the Engine, Babel, and other productions at the Scoundrel & Scamp, Frankenstein and the Awakening at the Rogue Theatre. As a singer he has performed at the Century Room, the Coronet and other venues, and as a singer, writer, and board member of Reveille Men’s Chorus.
Adrian Cory – Father Benito
A British expat now living in Tucson, Adrian is a member of the Old Pueblo Playwrights who has starred in and written a number of plays that form the company’s New Play Festival every spring.
Back in the UK, Adrian worked as a support artist for several TV series while honing his playwriting craft. Several of his scripts have been produced for stage and radio.
Nicolette Gudenkauf – Swing Female
Nicolette “Nico” is excited to be back at Borderlands! Previous Borderlands Coyote y Culebra cast member(2011).
Favorite acting credits include Eliza Doolittle PYGMALION (The Comedy Playhouse), Gladys Antrobus THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH(St Francis Players), Edith BLITHE SPIRIT(Roadrunner Theatre), and Beatrice THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS(Arts Express).Cast member of Keep Tucson Sketchy since 2019.
Costume design credits – IN THE HEIGHTS, ROCK OF AGES, 9 TO 5, SIDESHOW, KINKY BOOTS, XANADU, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, EVITA (Arts Express).
Isabella Santoni – Claudia Understudy
Isabella Santoni (she/her) is a recent graduate of the University of Arizona, where she received her BFA in Acting, as well as a BA in Creative Writing with a minor in Italian. Her previous credits at Arizona Repertory Theatre include John Proctor is the Villain (Beth), Uncle Vanya (Sónya), Much Ado About Nothing (Dogberry), The Laramie Project (Romaine Patterson, Zackie Salmon, others), Romeo and Juliet (Susan/Juliet US), and Polaroid Stories (SKINHEADgirl). She can also be seen in the upcoming short Runaway, as well as student films that debuted at I Dream in Widescreen and Magic Hour. She’s a big fan of rocks, knitting, and her local public library branch.
Genevieve Heron – Scenic Designer
Veev Heron is a multimedia artist, organizer, social worker and life-long student located in Chukson Arizona, occupied O’odham and Yaqui ancestral lands. They have studied painting, blacksmithing, ceramics, printmaking, woodworking, animation, songwriting, kinetic sculpture, performing art, video art, music and dance. Veev is lifted by desire to spark those impossible to predict ripples of inspiration, in particular for younger generations facing an uncertain future.
Greg James Houston – Lighting Designer
Gregory James Houston is all about lights and vibes! He’s been freelancing as a lighting designer, especially rocking it out with Borderlands on tons of shows. He’s a proud graduate of the University of Arizona, where he nerded out on technical theater production with a major in lighting design. Gregory swapped cacti for palm trees, moving from Tucson to Los Angeles, where he’s now the go-to Lighting Designer at Avalon Hollywood. Plus, he’s still jamming with XIXA, a cool band from Tucson.
Grace Uzarraga – Sound Designer
Born and raised here in Arizona, Grace Uzarraga graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Television with a minor in Creative Writing. Grace has always had a chasing drive for storytelling and editing, as well as an appreciation for collaborating with diverse, like-minded creatives. Grace also has a coffee-powered strive to bring forth stories that bring communities together and introduce cultures through the arts. Exploring experimental narratives, Grace’s been creating all sorts of art from whatever their mind comes up with. Taking inspiration from how they view the world with its beauty and misery, which people may miss or take for granted.
Nicolette Gudenkauf – Costume Designer
Nicolette “Nico” is excited to be back at Borderlands! Previous Borderlands Coyote y Culebra cast member(2011).
Favorite acting credits include Eliza Doolittle PYGMALION (The Comedy Playhouse),Gladys Antrobus THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH(St Francis Players), Edith BLITHE SPIRIT (Roadrunner Theatre), and Beatrice THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS(Arts Express). Cast member of Keep Tucson Sketchy since 2019.
Costume design credits – IN THE HEIGHTS, ROCK OF AGES, 9 TO 5, SIDESHOW, KINKY BOOTS, XANADU, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, EVITA (Arts Express).
Lisa Suos – Properties Designer
Mike Saxon – Stage Manager
Mike Saxon was born in Tucson and majored in Theatre Education at the University of Arizona. He joined the Tucson theater community shortly after graduating high school and in that time has acted, directed, stage managed and sound designed for countless local companies. Some of his favorites include stage managing SNOOPY! for Live Theatre Workshop, portraying Ford in MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR for the EL Rio Theater Project, and sound designing MEN IN BOATS for Something Something Theater Company. He currently works as a theater teacher at the Academy of Tucson High School and as the Resident Stage Manager at Arts Express.
Katharine Len Yee Mitchell – Production Manager
Katharine has lived in the Sonoran Desert in Tucson, Arizona since 2011. She completed her Masters in Urban Planning at the University of Arizona and Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Anthropology at Bard College in New York. With two decades of experience working with for profit and nonprofit organizations in Southeast Asia, California, New York, District of Columbia, Virginia and Arizona, Katharine leads with generosity, abundance and a curious mind. Her strengths are in community organizing, outreach and stakeholder engagement, research, policy, project management, grant writing, program evaluation, and healing as a mentor. Katharine currently works in community as a consultant/contractor and volunteers her time in mutual aid growing in her knowledge and network in Tucson and beyond.