JAEDA HERNANDEZ (SPOOKY SANTOS)

SARA ALVIDREZ*

Sara Alvidrez is incredibly honored to be a part of Estamos Aquí’s creative team. As a current Theatre student also getting her certificate in Entrepreneurial Management at the University of Iowa, directing and hosting this event was an amazing opportunity to learn and grow personally and professionally. She also wants to deeply thank everyone for participating and/or supporting Latin Art. Gracias a todos - it’s been an honor <3 

KATELYN PEREZ

Originally from Victoria, TX, Katelyn Perez is a dancer, choreographer, and graduate of Sam Houston State University with a BFA in Dance. Throughout her time at SHSU, she has worked with choreographers and professors such as Alethea Alexander, Joshua Manculich, Francisco Graciano, and Adele Nickel. Katelyn has showcased multiple dance films and stage works at Sam Houston State University and with Victoria Ballet Theatre as a senior company member. She has attended summer intensives such as the National Choreography Intensive where she received a full scholarship through Regional Dance of America to create and set works for two weeks. In 2020, her dance film, Sinking in Her Thoughts, had the opportunity to premiere virtually with Danceworks Chicago’s DanceChance. Additionally, her piece ceaseless was nominated in 2021 for the South-Central ACDA Conference and was selected to teach two masterclasses at the 2023 North-Central ACDA Conference. She is currently pursuing an MFA in Dance at the University of Iowa on the performance track. 

JAVIER RIVERA (JV MONROE)

Born and raised in Puerto Rico! Since he was little, he liked the art of dancing, singing, and music, participating in diverse groups! In 2016 he moved to Iowa, following his path he decided to enter the world of drag. Today he is former of Mr. Gay Waterloo 2021, part of Mr. USA Pageant, and Mr. Constellation Universo Latino Classic 2022. You can find him at Studio 13 in Iowa City, Basix in Cedar Rapids, The Garden and Blazzing Saddle in Des Moines, The Max and The Flixx in Omaha, NE and Austin, MN. Father of the Monroe’s House, he is JV Monroe. 

KAREN SANCHEZ

CHRIS CERVANTES (VALENCIA)

The Vintage Vixen. The Countess of Cartoons. The Telenovela Tía. Valencia Van de Camp is all of this. A California native, Valencia first came to Iowa City for school before falling in love with LGBTQIA+ community in the area. While mostly a constant performer at Studio 13 or Basix, she has branched out to other performances, like opera and TV. A year ago, she earned the title of first runner-up in Studio 13’s Star Search. Her style plays with all aspects of nostalgia: taking the styles from the Golden Era of Hollywood, giving them the color palette of 80’s Saturday morning cartoons, and filtering it through the lens of María la del Barrio. The most important thing to her is her family, with her styling and performance style acting as a love letter to all the women that shaped her who she is today. 

GABY MAYMI*

Gaby Maymi (She/her/ella) is from Tijuana, Mexico. She moved to the U.S. about two years ago and is now pursuing an Environmental Policy B.S. and a Sustainability Certificate. She is passionate about literature, social justice, environmental issues, learning about new things, and loves meeting new people. Poetry has been a hobby for her since she was 14 years old and is what has always helped her through tough times. This is her first official big performance since prior to this she has only participated in small stand-up poetry shows. If you like what you hear today, you can follow her on Instagram at @poesia_de_gaby where she occasionally posts her work! Que alegría estar aquí.

KATHLEEN GUERRERO

¡Hola! My name is Kathleen Marie Guerrero (she/her/hers). I am a proud first-generation Latina pursuing my passion for the arts as a third-year MFA Acting Candidate at The University of Iowa. Hailing from the small but mighty town of Crystal City, Texas, my culture and family have taught me the importance of hard work and determination. As an artist, I aim to inspire and share the beauty and importance of my culture and community worldwide. With hopes that people who look like me occupy more space in the art world and beyond. Lastly, I would like to thank Mary Beth Easley, Scott Bradley, the Latino Native American Culture Center, the Borderless series, The Department of Theatre Arts faculty, my friends, partner, family, and most importantly, my ancestors who came before me helping me get to where I am today. ¡Gracias por todo!