A Tribute

Hector Serrano, the gifted and beloved theatrical director, producer, actor, choreographer and dancer passed away December 24 age the age of 83.  A teacher and professor of English and theater since 1964, Serrano was a friend and mentor to hundreds of young people during his long and multifaceted career. 

He had a master’s degree in English literature from UTEP, did doctoral in English work at UNM, and studied theater at the Pasadena Playhouse, the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute, NYU, and the University of London.  

As an educator, he taught at Austin High School, Tech High School, UTEP, and at EPCC for 34 years until his retirement in 2014. He created the theater program at EPCC where he directed over 50 productions.

Mr. Serrano created the outdoor drama Viva El Paso! at McKelligon Canyon Amphitheater in 1978 and directed it until his retirement in 2002.  During his tenure, he worked with many of El Paso’s theater luminaries, including Rita Triana, Ingeborg Heuser, Albert Ronke, Roz Evans, Oskar Antunez, Don Pasco, Mike Spence, and Yvonne Marmolejo. 

Mr. Serrano inaugurated Shakespeare on-the-Rocks at McKelligon Canyon Amphitheater in 1981. Since 2004, it has moved to many venues including the Chamizal and Cathedral High School.  He continued as Artistic Director until his passing.

He created the dance spectacular Zapateados in 2000 where it was presented for three years at the Abraham Chavez Theatre.  He then revived it in 2023 at the Plaza Theatre.

His interest in Spanish language and bilingual theater began in 1968 when he helped found Teatro Los Pobres, which he later headed through 1985. He was artistic director of its successor, Los Actores, founded in 2001.  

Mr. Serrano started Eden Enterprises in 2003 to produce theater in partnership with community groups.  Projects included:

• educational outreach with the Chamizal National Memorial; 

• regular performances and workshops for Ysleta ISD;

• historical reenactments for the Rio Grande Festival in San Elizario;

• Shakespeare on-the-Run for the City’s Community Arts Program; 

• performances in collaboration with the Museums of Art and History.

In 2021 he helped incorporate Eden Performing Arts, the non-profit successor to Eden Enterprises.  As its Artistic Director, he revived Zapateados in 2023 and continued to direct plays for Los Actores and Shakespeare on-the-Rocks.  

After his retirement from Viva El Paso!, Hector discovered cruising, which took him, over many trips, from the Baltic Sea to Tierra del Fuego. Fittingly, he died on a cruise ship, doing what he liked best.

He directed well over 250 productions during his long career.  His last was the December 2024 Tribute to Our Lady of Guadalupe, performed at four churches around the city.

Hector is survived by his partner David Mills, goddaughter Ouisa Davis, godsons Enrique Avila and Miguel Torres, compadre Jose Luis Torres, many cousins, and numerous friends, colleagues, and former students. 

In honor of Hector, you may donate to the Hector Serrano Scholarship Fund at the El Paso Community Foundation (www.epcf.org/HectorSerrano) or to Eden Performing Arts (www.edenperformingarts.org) to further Hector’s theatrical legacy.