Report: HOLA Membership Meeting

On Thursday, May 30, 2013, the Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors (HOLA) held a membership meeting at Teatro SEA, located in the Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural and Educational Center (also home to HOLA).

HOLA Associate Director A.B. Lugo and HOLA Membership Coordinator Soledad del Río spoke about their recent trip to Los Angeles, where they took meetings with NALIP (National Association of Latino Independent Producers), Disney/ABC and CBS, respectively. HOLA also had an HOLAtalks event with Marlene Forté and an afterparty get-together for its members out there. They spoke about the generosity of Delta Air Lines (who sponsored the airfare) and of many people in Los Angeles.

This was followed up by talking about the just completed Spanish Language Voiceover Workshop with Manuel Herrera and the currently running On-Camera Acting Course with Charles Carroll and Tony Plana. An upcoming workshop of psycho-physical acting (containing elements of techniques from Grotowski, Meyerhold and Artaud) with Billy Martín Mejía was announced as was the date for the next Prime Latino Media Salon with Louis Perego Moreno (Tío Louie)– with details to follow very soon on the upcoming workshop and showcase.

The HOLA staff then highlighted recent casting successes, including a member booking a series regular gig on "Sesame Street" (PBS) through an HOLA casting notice, as well as the exclusive casting for HOLA members that Disney/ABC Casting held recently for its diversity workshop and showcase.

HOLA members were reminded to renew their membership if their membership was due at the end of June and that the Believe in HOLA fundraising campaign for spring 2013 was in full effect. The staff, particularly del Río, also highlighted that in addition to fundraising, HOLA members can encourage other actors to become members and to also volunteer their time. Del Río spoke eloquently and passionately about the importance of taking your career in your hands and being proactive about it. She spoke on the importance of training, particularly of improvisation training (something vital for the annual CBS sketch comedy diversity showcase).

The membership meeting was also a goodbye of sorts for del Río, as she is stepping down as HOLA Membership Coordinator and moving out of New York City. She will be succeeded in the position by Betty Cutié, who previously served as an intern for HOLA. Del Río said she will continue on as a member and an advocate for HOLA.

Upcoming events include the HOLA Awards Announcement Ceremony this summer and the HOLA Awards in October.

HOLA would like to thank all those in attendance, but most importantly, HOLA would like to thank Soledad del Río for her years of excellent service to the organization and wish her well on all of her future endeavors. "This is not a goodbye, but an 'hasta luego'".

[Photo credit: Alphabeta Photography.]