2009 HOLA Awards Press Release

Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors (HOLA) Press Release
For immediate release, please
Contact: Manny Alfaro/A.B. Lugo (212) 253-1015 holagram@hellohola.org

TENTH ANNUAL HOLA AWARDS TAKE
PLACE ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2009
AT THE PLAYERS OVERLOOKING
NEW YORK'S GRAMERCY PARK

Honorees include Sara Ramírez ("Grey's Anatomy"), Tony winner David Álvarez (Billy Elliot: The Musical), famed choreographer/director Julie Arenal actors René Sánchez, Silvia Brito, Luis Antonio Ramos, Ricardo Gómez and more

New York, New York – The tenth annual HOLA Awards Gala and Benefit will take place Monday, October 26, 2009 at 6:30pm at The Players, America’s oldest theatrical club, at 16 Gramercy Park South in Manhattan.

The HOLA Awards honor Latino professionals in the entertainment and media industries, as well as hand out award for outstanding work in New York’s Latino theater during the previous season. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the HOLA Awards.

Some of the awardees at the 2009 HOLA Awards include HOLA Ilka Award recipient Sara Ramírez (TV's "Grey's Anatomy"); Raúl Juliá HOLA Founders Award recipient Julie Arenal (choreographer of the original Broadway production of Hair); José Ferrer HOLA Tespis Award recipient Luis Antonio Ramos (stage and screen actor-- The Ministers, "Early Edition," "Martin"); Special Recognition honorees David Álvarez (star of Broadway’s Billy Elliot: The Musical), Ricardo Gómez (star of TV Española’s “Cuéntame cómo pasó”), Pregones Theater (for their 30th anniversary) and Univisión 41 (for 41 years of service to the community); and actor/producer Silvia Brito and actor René Sánchez for Lifetime Achievement. For a complete list of awardees, click here. Performing at the event will be Javier Luis and Out of Isla.

The tenth annual HOLA Awards Gala and Benefit on Monday, October 26, 2009 at 6:30pm at The Players, America’s oldest theatrical club, at 16 Gramercy Park South in Manhattan. Tickets for the 2009 HOLA Awards Gala and Benefit are $95 ($125 if bought at the door) and can be bought through calling HOLA at (212) 253-1015 or online at www.hellohola.org.

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WELCOME NEW AND RETURNING MEMBERS - JULY AND AUGUST 2009

Below is a list of new (and returning) HOLA members who joined between July 1, 2009 and August 31, 2009.

(From left to right, top row): Rosie Berrido; Jorge Luis Berríos; (second row): Jivelle Callender; Noemí Castro-Feinstein; (third row): Mariangélica Cuervo; Samuel Gaedke; (fourth row): Antonio García, Jr.; Lubella Gauna; (fifth row): Juan Pedro Jiménez; Alejandro Londoño; (sixth row): Cynthia Navarro; Rich Ramírez; (seventh row): Iracel Rivero; Gil Ron; (eighth row): Romina Sacre; Tom Schubert; (ninth row): Mike Smith Rivera; Loren Suliveres.

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HOLA Awards Criteria

CRITERIA FOR THE HOLA AWARDS

I. The HOLA Awards are held every year in the autumn (either September or October) and are to be decided by a committee of people either in the Latino theater industry and/or on the HOLA Board of Directors. This committee determines the award recipients of the Latino theater HOLA Awards. The number of people on the committee is to be determined by the HOLA Board of Directors or a quorum thereof. Several of the members of the Awards Committee may repeat their roles in successive seasons, but a percentage of the committee members should change from season to season. The members of the Awards Committee may be determined by the staff of HOLA with input from the HOLA Board of Directors. The theatrical season for the HOLA Awards is from July 1 to June 30. Any production that opens after June 30 is eligible for the following season. The HOLA Awards are given out on a noncompetitive basis; HOLA honors outstanding work and does not give out one award to the "best" of anything in a particular category.

II. These are the categories for the top level HOLA Awards. These awards are to be decided by the staff and/or Board of Directors and not necessarily by the Awards Committee.

- Rita Moreno HOLA Award for Excellence (presented to an all-around performer)

- Raúl Juliá HOLA Founders Award (presented to a performer, writer, director, or other theater/film artist who represents a dedication to the arts)

- HOLA Ilka Award (presented in the name of founding HOLA president Ilka Tanya Payán to an artist/humanitarian)

- HOLA Lifetime Achievement Award (presented to an artist for a lifetime’s worth of work and honors)

- HOLA José Ferrer Tespis Award (presented to an artist in mid-career)

- HOLA Excellence in English Language Media (presented to a journalist who works or has worked primarily in the English language)

- HOLA Excellence in Spanish Language Media (presented to a journalist who works or has worked primarily in the Spanish language)

III. These are the categories for the Latino theater HOLA Awards.

- Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor

- Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor

- Outstanding Performance by a Featured Male Actor

- Outstanding Performance by a Featured Female Actor

- Outstanding Achievement by an Ensemble Cast*

- Outstanding Solo Production*

- Outstanding Achievement in Direction

- Outstanding Achievement in Playwriting

- Outstanding Achievement in Technical Production [which would include lighting design, sound design and/or original music composed for a production, scenic design, costume design, projection/multimedia design, puppetry design, choreography, fight direction, stage management, etc.]

- Outstanding Achievement in a Visiting Production*

- Outstanding Achievement in a Musical Production*

- Outstanding Achievement in a Dramatic Production

The above categories marked with an asterisk may be left vacant or have less than two award recipients if there isn’t enough talent to fulfill that respective honor.

IV. HOLA Awards are to be given out to 2-4 recipients per category, with the exception of the Outstanding Achievement by an Ensemble Cast and Outstanding Achievement in Technical Production categories, where an entire cast (or two casts) may be awarded honors in the former and anywhere from 2-4 recipients may be awarded in the latter.

V. Theater companies whose productions are eligible for HOLA Awards should have their productions in the five boroughs of New York City. Theater companies based in neighboring states (e.g. New Jersey) are only eligible for productions that occur in New York City. The following theater companies are eligible for HOLA Awards.

- Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance (BAAD!)

- Danisarte

- Fantastic Experimental Latino Theater (FELT)

- Hudson Exploited Theater Company (HExTC)

- Instituto de Arte Teatral Internacional (IATI)

- INTAR/International Arts Relations, Inc.

- LaMicro Theater

- Latin American Theater Ensemble/El Portón del Barrio (LATE)

- Latin American Theater Experiment and Associates (LA TEA)

- Pregones Theater /Teatro Pregones

- Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre/Teatro Rodante Puertorriqueño

- Repertorio Español /Spanish Repertory Theater

- Retablo Hispanic Theater

- Society of the Educational Arts, Inc./Sociedad Educativa de las Artes, Inc. (SEA)

- Soñadores Productions

- Teatro Círculo

- Teatro Experimental Blue Amigos (TEBA)

- TeatroStageFest

- Teatro Tocando Puertas

- Thalía Spanish Theatre

The productions of other theater companies may be considered for HOLA Awards on a case by case basis.

VI. A production is deemed eligible for the Outstanding Achievement in a Musical Production or Outstanding Achievement in a Dramatic Production categories if it satisfies most of the following criteria:

- a production that is in English and/or Spanish

- a full-fledged production whether it is a new work or revival (workshop productions will be considered on a case by case basis); staged readings are ineligible

- a Latino (or part-Latino) playwright and/or a Latino (or part-Latino) director (in the case of a musical or other collaborative work, at least one of the writers need to be Latino or part-Latino)

- a notably-sized or predominately Latino cast (this includes people from Spanish-speaking Latin America, Brazil, Spain and Latinos born in the United States)

- a plot which addresses or speaks to issues or themes relevant to Latinos

- a play whose producer is Latino or production company who does traditionally Latino works or predominately works by Latinos

Note that workshop productions chosen for HOLA Awards recognition will be declared ineligible if presented as a full production the following season. Full productions that received HOLA Awards recognition are ineligible if the show transfers to a bigger or different location the same or following season. (These rules might be ignored only under extraordinary circumstances.) Any show that has not been done by a theater company in a full season or full year will be considered a revival (the exception being a show that is produced consistently in repertory by a theater company).

VII. A production is deemed eligible for the Outstanding Achievement in a Visiting Production award, if presented, if it satisfies the following criteria:

- a production that is in Spanish or Portuguese which originated from outside New York City and is being presented in New York City (this includes Spanish-speaking Latin America, Brazil or Spain); staged readings are ineligible

- a Latino (or part-Latino) playwright and/or a Latino (or part-Latino) director (in the case of a musical or other collaborative work, at least one of the writers need to be Latino or part-Latino)

VIII. The acting, directing and technical achievement awards go to those who work in Latino theater productions. In the case of actors, only actors in the opening night cast of a production may be considered. (Replacement cast members are ineligible.) In the case of technicians/designers, they need not necessarily be Latino. If an actor has shown exemplary work in a non-Latino theater work or a director has shown exemplary work in a non-Latino theater production, either a regular HOLA Award or an HOLA Special Recognition Award (see below) may be presented to him/her. That is to be decided on a case by case basis.

IX. Staff members of the Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors (HOLA) are prohibited from receiving HOLA theater awards, except under extremely special circumstances.

X. In the event of an artist or theater company exhibiting noteworthy work in a case that may not completely fall within the HOLA Awards criteria, a Special Recognition Award may be presented. No more than four (4) Special Recognition awards should be given on any particular season.

XI. The playwriting achievement award go to those playwrights who are living who have written new (or relatively new) plays.

XII. Any theater artist whose work may be deemed eligible for a particular season may not be on the Awards Committee that same season.

XIII. If a theater company would like HOLA to consider one or more of its works for possible HOLA Awards, that theater company should state so in writing either through a letter or via e-mail.

XIV. The HOLA Awards program is a living, breathing thing. Its criteria may be adjusted, modified or amended as the staff and/or Board of Directors of HOLA deem fit.

Star of stage and screen Luis Antonio Ramos to accept José Ferrer HOLA Tespis Award at 2009 HOLA Awards

Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors (HOLA) Press Release
For immediate release, please
Contact: Manny Alfaro/A.B. Lugo (212) 253-1015 holagram@hellohola.org

STAR OF STAGE AND SCREEN LUIS ANTONIO RAMOS
TO ACCEPT JOSÉ FERRER HOLA TESPIS
AWARD AT 2009 HOLA AWARDS

New York, New York – Luis Antonio Ramos, star of the upcoming movie The Ministers (directed by Franc. Reyes) and the hit TV series “The Huntress,” “Early Edition,” “In the House,” “Martin,” and “Roc,” will accept the  José Ferrer HOLA Tespis Award at the tenth annual HOLA Awards Gala and Benefit on Monday, October 26, 2009 at 6:30pm at The Players, America’s oldest theatrical club, at 16 Gramercy Park South in Manhattan.

The HOLA Awards honor Latino professionals in the entertainment and media industries, as well as hand out award for outstanding work in New York’s Latino theater. The José Ferrer HOLA Tespis Award is given to an actor in midcareer lauding their past work as well as anticipating the great work that is yet to come. Named after legendary actor José Ferrer, the award has been given in the past to Tony nominees Olga Merediz and Raúl Esparza; Kamar de los Reyes and John Ortiz.

Luis Antonio Ramos is an actor of stage and screen. Born in Puerto Rico, he was raised in the Bronx. He can be seen in the upcoming film The Ministers opposite John Leguizamo (directed by Franc. Reyes). Other film credits include The Sun and the Moon (opposite the award's namesake, José Ferrer), The Ruins, Checking Out, Imagining Argentina, Out of Sync, Do the Right Thing, Sea of Love, Moscow on the Hudson, The Secret of My Success and The Return of Superfly. Television credits include recurring roles on “The Huntress,” “Early Edition,” “In the House,” “Martin,” and “Roc;” and guest appearances on “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” “CSI: Miami,” “The Shield,” “The Closer,” “NYPD Blue,” “New York Undercover,” “Arli$$,” “Nip/Tuck,” “Friends,” “Law & Order,” “Mad About You," “Alias,” “Strong Medicine” and “The Division.” He was nominated for an Alma Award for best supporting actor for his work in “The Huntress.” In addition, he received the Helen Hayes Award for Best Actor for his performance in the play Stand Up Tragedy. His theater credits include Dancing on her Knees (by Nilo Cruz), Cloud Tectonics (by José Rivera), Romeo and Juliet, Tears Will Tell It All, Widows, Richard II, Henry the IV, Pendragon, The Sound of Music, A Midsummer's Night's Dream and Latins from Manhattan. In addition, he has been the Goodwill Ambassador for The National Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York, the Godfather for The Puerto Rican Day Parade in Los Angeles and the Godfather for the Puerto Rican Day Parade in Cleveland, Ohio. For more information, log on to www.luisantonioramos.net.

Also being honored at the 2009 HOLA Awards are Sara Ramírez (TV's "Grey's Anatomy"), Julie Arenal (choreographer of the original Broadway production of Hair); David Álvarez (star of Broadway’s Billy Elliot: The Musical), Ricardo Gómez (star of TV Española’s “Cuéntame cómo pasó”), Pregones Theater (for their 30th anniversary) and Univisión 41 (for 41 years of service to the community) with special recognition awards; and actor/producer Silvia Brito and actor René Sánchez for lifetime achievement. For a complete list of awardees, click here.

Luis Antonio Ramos, noted film and television actor, will accept the José Ferrer HOLA Tespis Award at the tenth annual HOLA Awards Gala and Benefit on Monday, October 26, 2009 at 6:30pm at The Players, America’s oldest theatrical club, at 16 Gramercy Park South in Manhattan. Tickets for the 2009 HOLA Awards Gala and Benefit are $95 and can be bought through calling HOLA at (212) 253-1015 or online at www.hellohola.org.

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A Response to a Fellow Blogger / Una respuesta a otro "bloguero" (escritor de blog)

Recently, a fellow blogger contacted us regarding the HOLA Awards. The blogger requested the criteria for choosing the recipients of the HOLA Awards. This was around the time of the HOLApanels event at the New York International Latino Film Festival. We were very busy at the time, although we planned on responding.

The blogger then started e-mailing several people in the HOLA community, including several 2009 HOLA Award recipients, asking them for help in contacting us. We responded to the blogger (a gentleman we have never heard of before) and asked him to come to the HOLA office so that we could meet each other and he could all the questions he so desired.

Instead of replying to our response, he wrote a lengthy blog (which he termed "a thesis"), excoriating HOLA and the awards program. Below is our response. The response is in Spanish as the blogger writes in Spanish.

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Estimado Señor Bloguero,

En los correos electrónicos que nos hemos enviado con anterioridad, le expresé el deseo de todos aquí en HOLA de que visitara nuestras oficinas y así podernos conocer personalmente. No hay nada mejor que tratar los asuntos cara a cara, ya que nosotros no le conocemos y usted no nos conocer tampoco.

Tal parece que su respuesta es otro blog escrito para sus seguidores, desafortunadamente. Lo que pudo haber sido una oportunidad, como usted dijo, para ayudar a "mover el teatro latino un paso adelante," se convirtió en una oportunidad para lanzar agendas u objetivos personales.

Los Premios HOLA tienen criterios y regulaciones redactadas en inglés. A raíz de que el número de personas que trabaja en HOLA es pequeño y el número de actividades que hacemos por nuestra clase actoral es más bien grande, no hemos tenido el tiempo para traducirlos. Hasta ahora no estaba seguro que usted hablaba inglés. (Su blog está escrito completamente en español.)

Nosotros en HOLA no creemos en el dar premios a lo “mejor” en el teatro, porque esto es algo subjetivo; nosotros otorgamos premios por trabajo sobresaliente. Es por esto que cuando HOLA revivió su programa de premios en 1999 decidimos específicamente adoptar un modelo similar a los Premios Obies (premios presentados a obras de teatro de off-Broadway), donde hay varios ganadores.

Los Premios HOLA son una forma de honrar y celebrar a quienes se destacan en nuestra comunidad artística. ¿Son perfectos? No. ¿Existe algún premio que es perfecto? No. HOLA trata de mejorar cada año, pero también somos concientes que donde hay premios (cuando se le rinde honor a una persona y no a la otra), las quejas son inevitables.

Me hubiera gustado que usted nos hubiera contactado personalmente y así haberlo conocido un poco mejor. De las personas que conocemos, ninguna de ellas sabe quien es usted y la foto que utiliza en su blog no es una buena representación de su cara.

Usted dirigió palabras bastante fuertes hacia nosotros junto a una larga tesis que trata de lanzar sus propios objetivos. Aunque he gastado más tiempo en este tema de lo que normalmente acostumbro, me gustaría añadir que usted debería obtener toda la información antes de decidir reprobar una organización porque sea conveniente para usted y sus seguidores.

Atentamente,

A.B. Lugo
Director Asociado
Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors (HOLA)

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HOLA Member Bochinche

Bochinche refers to "gossip." In this sense, we use it to mention HOLA members who are getting acting gigs.

Ethan Gómez, Mike Smith Rivera, and Juan Villarreal (shown clockwise from top left) have been cast in the new musical No Dogs Allowed! with a book by HOLA Awards recipient Sonia Manzano and lyrics and music by Billy Aronson and Stephen Lawrence, the Atlantic Theater Company production will be directed by Josh Lewis and will take place at the Linda Gross Theater in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood. The three actors auditioned for the show after reading about the casting on HOLA's e-mail casting notice system.

Ydaiber Orozco is currently shooting the horror film Bloodbath Test, written and directed by Carla Forte and Vicente Forte Sillié (credited as Los Hermanos Forte).

Also in the horror genre, Arnold Acevedo is directing his short film Looking For These? Also written by and starring Acevedo, the film is produced by Edwin Pagán and stars Julee Cerda, Silvia Tovar, Cindy Casado and Damaris Cabrera.

If you are an HOLA member and want to submit a bochinche item, send us an e-mail at holagram@hellohola.org. If you are not an HOLA member, why not join?