Héctor Serrano (Director): Hector is a retired Drama professor at EPCC.  He has a master’s degree in English literature from UTEP, and has studied theater at the Pasadena Playhouse, the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute, NYU, and the University of London.  To date he has directed well over 200 productions.  He created the theater program at EPCC where he directed over 50 productions.

Mr. Serrano created the outdoor drama Viva El Paso! in 1978 and directed until his retirement in 2002.  He created Zapateados in 2000 where it was presented for three years at the Abraham Chavez Theatre.  His interest in Spanish theater began in 1968 when he helped found Teatro Los Pobres, which he later headed through 1985. He is currently artistic director of Los Actores.

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.; and the historical reenactment component of the Rio Grande Festival in San Elizario.

He has worked on projects such as Shakespeare on-the-Run for the City’s Community Arts Program (2006-13) and with theater and dance performances in collaboration with the Museum of Art.  Mr. Serrano inaugurated Shakespeare on-the-Rocks at McKelligon Canyon Amphitheater in 1981 and in 2011 moved it to the Chamizal.  It is now in residence at Cathedral High School.

Mr. Serrano is the Artistic Director of Eden Performing Arts, the non-profit successor to Eden Enterprises.

Enrique Avila (Choreographer): A Juarez native, Enrique returns to choreograph Zapateados for the second year.  He performed, choreographed, and taught dance professionally in Mexico City for over 15 years.  Since his return to Juarez in 2015, Enrique first opened his own Avila Dance Studio, and now teaches at Dancers Studio.  In Mexico City he performed in shows such as Yo Mexico at the Zocalo and Juan Gabriel 35 Años at the Auditorio National; musical theater productions including Victor Victoria, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,  and Saturday Night Fever; TV shows including La Hora Pico, Picardía Mexicana, and Siempre en Domingo; choreographed TV and live shows; and taught at a number of studios.  In Juarez, he has choreographed productions for MAG Productions at the Centro Cultural Paso del Norte in Juarez, including Grease, Singing in the Rain, and, most recently, Peter Pan.  He danced in Viva El Paso! from 1992-96 and choreographed the opening number in 2002.  For Los Actores, he has appeared in Los Desarraigados, El Color de Nuestra Piel, Bernabé, A Barrio Christmas, and Una Mujer para cada Acto.  He recently premiered an original work, El Bolso de Regina, at the Teatro Experiments Octavio Trias in Juarez, which he both directed an played the role of Eduardo.

Escritor, director y actor en el papel de “Eduardo” de la obra: ”El Bolso de Regina” en el teatro experimental Octavio Trías del Centro Cultural Paso del Norte en Cd. Juárez (2023). Coreógrafo del espectáculo “Zapateados” en el teatro Plaza de El Paso. Texas bajo la dirección de Héctor Serrano (2023). Ha participado en las obras de teatro: “Los Cuervos están de Luto”, “Los Desarraigados”, “El Color de Nuestra Piel” y “Bernabé” en el teatro del Chamizal en El Paso Texas dirigido por Héctor Serrano. En la Ciudad de México destaca su participación en las producciones: “Una Eva y Dos Patanes”, “Víctor Victoria”, “José el Soñador”, “Fiebre de Sábado por la Noche” y “En Roma el Amor es Broma”. También actor de: “Y los muertos Hablaron”, “Hablemos de Sexo” y “Rajemos Marques Rajemos”, en la UACJ, a cargo de Lety Ruiz. Director de la puesta en escena del libro: “Una y el Sexo”. Participó en programas de televisión nacional como: “La Hora Pico”, “Picardía Mexicana” y “Siempre en Domingo” además de espectáculos entre los que destacan: “Yo México”, “Desfile del Bicentenario”, “A Dream is a Wish” y “100 Años de Sueños” estos últimos de Disney Productions. En el Auditorio Nacional: “Juan Gabriel 35 Años” y Coreógrafo de los conciertos de Daniela Romo: “Abraza la Vida” (2022) y “Para Soñar” (2015). En 2016 se integra a Producciones MAG como coreógrafo de: “Sueños”, “Hoy no me Puedo Levantar”, “Vaselina está de Regreso”, “Cantando Bajo la Lluvia”, “RE el Musical” y “Peter Pan”.

Phillip Boyle (Earth God): Phillip is happy to be returning to Zapateados!  He previously performed with Viva! El Paso from 1991-1996 and received his BFA from the College of Santa Fe in 2001.  Phillip would like to thank his wife, Emily and daughter, Scarlett, for their support!

Francisco Candelaria (Water God)

Gilbert Carranza (Dancer): Gilbert is excited to return to the stage in Zapateados after a 7-year hiatus!  He began dancing as a teenager with Folklorico Rosa Guerrero.  He is a 2-year veteran of Viva! El Paso and previously danced with Ballet Folklorico Quetzales.  Gilbert spends his days as a hairdresser.  He thanks his husband for his support and encouragement and thanks his family for always attending his shows!

Jaime Carrasco (Singer): Singer and choreographer for Viva El Paso! since 1989 and its Artistic Director in 2024, Jaime is the founder and director of Ballet Folklorico Quetzales, which has toured internationally.  He performed at the UTEP Dinner Theare regularly from 1995-2013.  He is also one of the founders of the Compañía de Danza de la UACJ. 

Miguel Carrera (Dancer): Miguel is in his 3rd season with Zapateados!  He has studied with Maria Vargas, Jaime Carrasco, Enrique Valadez, Enrique Avila and Hector Serrano.  You may recognize Miguel from Viva! El Paso, where he just completed his 6th season or on stage with Ballet Folklorico Quetzales.  When he is not on stage he works as a school counselor.  Miguel would like to give a big THANK YOU to his family for their help and support.

Myrna Carrillo (Dancer): Myrna is back with Zapateados for a 3rd season!  She has studied folklorico under Dr. Fernando Soto at Universidad Atónoma de Cd. Juárez and Prof. Rodolfo Hernandez with Paso del Norte.  She performed with Viva! El Paso in 2002 and was last seen on stage in Zapateados.  Myrna would like to thank her family for their endless support and attending all her shows! 

Monica Carrol (Dancer, Singer): Back for her second season with Zapateados, Monica has danced with Ballet Folklorico Quetzales for 28 years!  She also studied with Raramuri Ballet Folklorico for 8 years.  Monica is a 10 veteran of Viva! El Paso.  She is Assistant Principal at IDEA Public Schools.  Monica thanks her family for their support and unwavering belief in her!

Apolonia Dominquez (Dancer): Apolonia is thrilled to be back on stage with Zapateados!  She has been dancing with Ballet Folklorico Orgullo de Me Tierra de Elena Vargas since 2019 and works as an Instructional Math Coach for the Harmony Public Schools.  Apolonia would like to thank her family for their support.

Paola Dominguez (Dancer): This is Paola’s 1st season with Zapateados!  She studied classical ballet Donaji Rivas for 12 years, 3 years with the Ballet Company of Ciudad Juárez and 3 years with the Davinci School’s folklorico group, where she is a student.  Paola has been on stage in the Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty.  She would like to thank her mom for driving her to all her rehearsals and Ms. Lugo for teaching her to dance!

Ericka N. Flores (Dancer): Zapateados is happy to welcome Ericka.  She studied ballet with Andree Harper, Ouisa Davis and Tiffiny Stevens; folklorico with Claudia Becera and color guard with Dr. Diana Rios, Joseph Manago and Dr. Cecil Crabtree.  Her favorite roles to date are being Zac’s mom and her run with Viva! El Paso, from 2003-2007.  Ericka would like to thank her parents, husband and son for their help and support during our hectic rehearsal schedule!

Edgar Garcia (Dancer): Edgar is joining Zapateados for his 1st season from Montwood Aries Folklorico/Ballroom and his most favorite credit to date is…Zapateados!  Edgar would like to thank his mom, dad and cousin for their support.

Amber P. Lopez (Dancer/Dance Captain): This is Amber’s 3rd season with Zapateados.  She has been performing since the tender age of three!  She performed in Viva! El Paso from 1996-2001, Shakespeare-on-the-Rocks and studied folklorico under Arturo Guerrero, with Ballet Folklorico de El Paso.  She loved her time in Hawaii dancing with N2Dance.  Amber sends a big thank you to Hector Serrano and David Mills!

Manuel Alberto Loya (Dancer): Making his Zapateados debut, Manuel danced the last 13 years with Orgullo de mi Tierra under Elena Vargas.  He currently dances with Montwood Aries Folklorico/Ballroom and works as a private choreographer.  Manuel most recently danced in Polka Monumental 2024.  Big shout out to his family and friends for their support!

Manuel Lozano (Guitarist)

Belinda Lugo (Dancer): Belinda joins Zapateados for the 1st time.  She works as a Special Assistant to the Superintendent for the Burnham Wood Charter Schools, teaches folklorico for the Davinci School for Science and Arts, and is currently working on her PhD!  Belinda would like to thank her kids, Omar, Paloma and Valentina, her Superintendent, Dr. G, Enrique and Amber for their patience. 

Amanda Amaya Milner (Music Director/Singer/Dancer): This is Amanda’s 3rd season with Zapateados!  She has been seen on stage with Viva! El Paso, Shakespeare-on-the-Rocks, Los Actores, The UTEP Dinner Theater, The El Paso Opera, The Perriot Players in Princeton, NJ, and The Chocolate Church in Bath, ME.  Amanda would like to thank her husband, mom and kids for their endless love and support!

Juan Ramirez (Dancer): Juan is in his 4th season with Zapateados!  He began dancing at an early age and has danced with Compañía de Danza Folclórica de la Universidad Autónoma de Cd. Juárez, Ballet Folklorico Paso del Norte, and Viva! El Paso to name a few.  He is currently the director of The Fuego Kings Dance Co.

Crystal E. Salas (Dancer): Returning to Zapateados for a 2nd season, Crystal studied folklorico under Rosa Guerrero and Jaime Carrasco with Quetzales.  She was in the cast of Viva! El Paso from 2002-2011 and was a choreographer from 2011-2013 & 2023-2024.  Crystal has also choreographed several shows for the UTEP Union Dinner Theater, to include Damn Yankees and Legally Blonde.  She would like to thank her husband, JT, and kids Jeremiah and Janais and all her family for their help and support.

Jose Santillan (Dancer): This is Jose’s 1st season with Zapateados.  He dances with Montwood Aries Folklorico/Ballroom and Orguillo de mi Tierra under Elena Vargas.  He last performed in Polka Monumental 2024.  Jose thanks Zap directors for this opportunity as well as his family for their support.

Allie Saturia (Singer)

Gabriel Valerio (Dancer, Fire God): Gabriel is back for his 2nd season with Zapateados!  He has been dancing contemporary, jazz, Latin ballroom and folklorico since 1995.  His most recent and favorite role was “Danza del Venado” with Zapateados in 2023.  Gabriel thanks the Zap team for allowing him to do what he loves to do, dancing, and with an amazing cast!

Ricardo A. Valles (Air God): Also making his theatre debut, is Ricardo!  He is a business owner, guitarist and amateur body builder, having competed in the Dallas Fit Games in June 2024.  His favorite job though, is being dad to his 9-year-old daughter, who is a dancer!  Ricardo thanks the directors and cast of Zapateados for the opportunity to something completely new!

Rebecca Vargas (Dancer): Rebecca joins the cast of Zapateados for her second season.  She holds a BFA in dance from NMSU and currently works as a folklorico teacher in Las Cruces, NM.  Rebecca is trained in folklorico, flamenco and modern dance and studied at the University of Colima in Madrid Spain.  She sends a big shout out to her amazing family for their constant support of the arts, her beautiful daughter, Audrina, and fiancé, Daniel! 

Tolo Vasquez (Dancer): Tolo is in his second season with Zapateados.  He began dancing with the Anne Blanco Academy at 7 years old and has been dancing ever since!  Tolo danced with Viva! El Paso from 1999-2002 and again in 2024, and currently dances with Grupo Folklorico Valle Del Sol.  Shout out to Tolo’s friends and family.  Love and miss you mom <3

Ceci Cortez (Stage Manager/Left)

Ricardo Villalva (Stage Manager/Right)

David Tinajero (Stage Manager/Booth)

Tammy Robeson (Rehearsal & Backstage Assistant)

Rodolfo Hernandez (Costumer)

Scott Weir (Lighting Designer & technical advisor)

David Mills (Producer)