IN THE HEIGHTS Win Three Olivier Awards in London

The Laurence Olivier Awards, or simply the Olivier Awards, are presented annually by the Society of London Theatre to recognize excellence in professional theatre in London, England, UK at an annual ceremony in the capital. Originally known as the Society of West End Theatre Awards, they were established in 1976 and renamed in honor of the British actor Laurence Olivier in 1984. Any new production that opened between February 26, 2015 and February 16, 2016 in a theatre represented in membership of the Society of London Theatre was eligible for consideration, provided it had performed at least 30 performances.

The awards are given to individuals involved in West End productions and other leading non-commercial theatres based in London across a range of categories covering plays, musicals, dance, opera and affiliate theatre. The Olivier Awards are recognized internationally as the highest honor in British theatre, equivalent to Broadway's Tony Award. Since its inception, the awards have been held at various venues and theatres across the capital and, most recently, the Royal Opera House since 2012.

2016 Olivier Award winners
Alex Lacamoire and
Lin-Manuel Miranda.

At this year's Olivier Awards, and the Lin-Manuel Miranda-Quiara Alegría Hudes musical In The Heights (playing at the King's Cross Theatre) was nominated for four awards including Best Musical. While it didn't win the Best Musical Olivier (it lost to the Cyndi Lauper-Harvey Fierstein musical Kinky Boots), it won the other three– Lin-Manuel Miranda, Alex Lacamoire, and Ben Sherman for Outstanding Achievement in Music (given to the composer, arranger and orchestrator of a musical); Drew McOnie for Best Theatre Choreographer; and David Bedella for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical for his portrayal of Kevin Rosario.

2016 Olivier Award winner
David Bedella.

McOnie beat out Carlos Acosta who, with Andrew Wright, was nominated for their choreography of Guys and Dolls. Another Latino also nominated this year was Javier de Frutos, who was nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Dance for his choreography of the ballet Anatomy of a Cloud.

The 2016 Laurence Olivier Awards were held on Sunday, April 3, 2016 at the Royal Opera House, London. The ceremony was hosted by Michael Ball and was broadcast on ITV. For more information about the 2016 Olivier Awards, click here.

HOLA Member Bochinche

Bochinche refers to "gossip". In this sense, we use it to highlight HOLA members or Friends of HOLA who are getting acting, performance or similarly artistic gigs and/or recognition in the media. The names of HOLA members and Friends of HOLA are listed below in boldface. To see what other HOLA members are doing currently, click here.

Ángel Gil Orrios and Soledad López were featured in the weekly New York newspaper El Especial in an article talking about The II Semana Teatral de Miami en Off-Broadway festival, which they co-produced with Yoshvani Medina. The festival took place in March and April at Thalía Spanish Theatre (located in the Sunnyside area of Queens) and featured David Ponce (also mentioned in the article) among the actors performing. To read the article, which is in Spanish, click on the image at right.

Judy Torres has a busy April on deck. The actress and singer will be performing her freestyle hits at the following places this month: The Balcony in Carlstadt, New Jersey (Saturday, April 2, 2016); Kai Lounge in the Fort Greene section of Brooklyn (Saturday, April 9, 2016); Harrah's Philly in Chester, Pennsylvania (Saturday, April 16, 2016); a fundraiser for St. Margaret Middle School in the Middle Village area of Queens (Friday, April 22, 2016); St. George Theater in the St. George area of Staten Island (Saturday, April 23, 2016); The Coliseum in White Plains, New York (Thursday, April 28, 2016); and Mulcahy's in Wantagh, New York (Saturday, April 30, 2016). For more information, click here.

Allison Strong, shown at left, sang The Star-Spangled Banner (the U.S.A. national anthem) at Madison Square Garden before the Brooklyn Nets-New York Knicks game (which the Knicks won 105-91) on Friday, April 1, 2016.

Joseph Meléndez is co-starring in the feature film License Plates (written and directed by Marc Lucas).

Carla Caraballo and Jeannie Sol are co-starring in the play In Defense of Glitter and Rainbows. Written by Viviann True Rodríguez and directed by Andrés Chulisi Rodríguez, it will have a special performance on Sunday, May 8, 2016 (Mother's Day in the U.S.A.) at the Producers' Club, located in the theater district of the midtown Manhattan. For more information on the production, click here or here.

If you are an HOLA member or a Friend of HOLA and want to submit a bochinche item, send us an e-mail. If you live in the New York metropolitan area and want to be an HOLA member, why not join? If you live outside the New York metropolitan area and want to be an HOLA member, you can find out more information on how to do so, by clicking here. If you are not a Friend of HOLA, why not become one?

HOLA Member Bochinche

Bochinche refers to "gossip". In this sense, we use it to highlight HOLA members or Friends of HOLA who are getting acting, performance or similarly artistic gigs and/or recognition in the media. The names of HOLA members and Friends of HOLA are listed below in boldface. To see what other HOLA members are doing currently, click here.

Tony Rodríguez is co-starring in Rescue. The short film (written and directed by Sebastían García) is a martial arts-action thriller and has been entered and accepted as an official selection of the Direct Monthly Online Film Festival, taking place in April 2016. For more information, click here, here or here.

Mario Golden booked a voiceover for Kohl's.

Lucio Fernández has released the April 2016 episode of his talk show "Live On Stage" (MNN/QPTV), which can be seen in the video below. (Note that the show is bilingual– in Spanish and English.)



Caridad de la Luz (also known by her nom de plume et de poésie La Bruja) was interviewed by Javier E. Gómez for his talk show "Diálogo abierto" (BronxNet), where she talked about her 20th anniversary as a performer, which she will celebrate with a performance on Sunday, April 3, 2016 at the newly-created El Garaje performance space in the Soundview area of the Bronx. To see the interview (which is mostly in Spanish), click on the image below.


If you are an HOLA member or a Friend of HOLA and want to submit a bochinche item, send us an e-mail. If you live in the New York metropolitan area and want to be an HOLA member, why not join? If you live outside the New York metropolitan area and want to be an HOLA member, you can find out more information on how to do so, by clicking here. If you are not a Friend of HOLA, why not become one?

Casting Controversy in Chicago Area Regarding Marriott Theatre's Production of EVITA

The Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, Illinois (just north of Chicago) sparked a controversy after casting a production of the Time Rice-Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Evita (about the life of Argentine First Lady Eva Perón) with only one actor of Latino heritage in an ensemble role. Directed and choreographed by Alex Sánchez, the show is scheduled to open April 13, 2016.

In response, Chicago actor Bear Bellinger wrote an open letter (posted on Facebook) to the heads of the theater questioning their casting choices and the casting process in general.

From Once On This Island, to Dreamgirls, to The King and I, to your most recent production of Sister Act, I have heard complaints, time and again, from minority artists, about their treatment; and, with Evita, it seems as if you have graduated from mistreatment to erasure.

Even if you subscribe to the idea that most Argentines are of European origin and are therefore "white", you can not escape the fact that their culture is Latin. Using only one actor of Latin descent is irresponsible to that truth and a lost opportunity to feature a group of people who are regularly ignored on our stages.

You are situated outside of a city that is 28% Hispanic or Latina/o (that is a number from 2010 which has, certainly, grown since). Most of your acting talent is drawn from that city. To not make an effort to reflect that portion of your city, in a show that is a representation of their culture, is shameful. 

Read Mr. Bellinger's open letter here. Also, check out this article in Time Out Chicago regarding the controversy.

The Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors, along with other organizations in the Chicago area, reached out to the theater and asked them questions about its casting. They promptly replied to us and the other organizations. The e-mails can be seen below (click to make each image larger).

Marriott Theatre's Executive Producer Terry James issued a statement in response stating that the theatre was “deeply saddened" by the remarks and that they were “false and slanderous." Both James and director Sanchez defended the casting of Evita by saying actors of color didn't show up to the EPA audition. Read the full statement here.

Following the public outcries from the community, James has promised to step up when it comes to diverse casting. He sent out an e-mail stating the following.

The past 48 hours have been painful and eye-opening. We have read all the responses to Bear's letter, and it’s devastating to see that we have let down the very community we seek to serve.

If we're not reaching everyone then it needs to improve. And most importantly listen to how actors feel they are treated from the beginning of the process through the closing of every show. The best way to effect change, address casting challenges, and create casting possibilities, is by getting as many in the room as possible to talk and really listen. 

We can always do better. I can certainly do better! I'm anxious to hear from all of you.

A news report featuring interviews with Bellinger and Emjoy Gavino (of The Chicago Inclusion Project) can be seen below.

James offered to meet with Chicago organizations and leaders (in conjunction with the stage union Actors' Equity Association) and create a dialogue to improve the conditions and better the diversity in its casting practices.

For more information about the cotroversy, read the Playbill article about it by clicking here, or the Broadway World article about it by clicking here.

Banner Ads Now Available on HOLA Website

Wanna promote your upcoming stage production? Your upcoming film screening? Your upcoming special event?

HOLA members often get publicity in our Members in Performance page, but what if you could promote on our main homepage, or in our directory (The HOLA Pages), where more people can see your ad?

What if you had a project with no HOLA members that you wanted to promote?

What if you wanted to promote something that wasn’t a show (like your production company itself or a new website)?

Now you can do so by BUYING A BANNER AD on the HOLA website.

Banner ads come in half-page and full-page sizes and can be on the HOLA website for one week, two weeks, three weeks or a whole month. HOLA can also link your ad to a particular website at no additional cost.

Prices on the banner ads are affordable. Also, not-for-profit organizations receive a 10% discount on ad prices.

The HOLA website receives thousands of visits each month. The HOLA website is viewed by many professionals in the industry and is a unique way of reaching the Latino/Hispanic and mainstream audiences, which make buying a banner ad a smart investment for you.

Wanna buy a banner ad? Call (212) 253-1015 or (888) 624-HOLA or e-mail us for prices and ad dimensions.

HOLA Regional Membership Available For Those Outside New York Metropolitan Area

If you are an actor who lives in an area of the U.S. outside of the New York metropolitan area, New Jersey or Connecticut (HOLA's programming and administrative headquarters region), HOLA is proud to announce its Regional Membership level - for only $65 (versus a $125 regular NYC region membership price) for one full year!

As an HOLA Regional Member, you'll be entitled to the following member benefits:

• Your headshot, resume, reel and voiceover demo*  showcased on the HOLA Pages, the internet's only concentrated source of Latino acting talent. The directory is a trusted resource for casting directors, producers and talent agents receiving, on average, over 5,000 visits per month. (* There is an additional charge of $15 for adding your voiceover demo.)

• Your performances listed and promoted via HOLA's website and social media pages (Facebook and Twitter) that reaches thousands of people in the entertainment industry.

• Casting notices that will alert you to employment opportunities tailored to the Latino actor.

• Advocacy to combat stereotypes of the Latino/Hispanic community in media and entertainment as well as the opportunity to join in solidarity with the Latino/Hispanic acting community.


Application for regional memberships accepted by telephone order only. Call HOLA toll-free at (888) 524-HOLA or (888) 524-4652. (VISA, MasterCard and American Express accepted.) Please submit your headshot (in .jpg format) and resume in a Word document or in Portable Data Format (.doc or .docx; or .pdf) via e-mail to HOLA.

Why Join HOLA? Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About HOLA

WHY JOIN HOLA?

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is HOLA an agency or management company?

No. While we work similarly to an agency or an artist management company, we do a lot more. In essence, HOLA is a membership organization, a not-for-profit arts service and advocacy organization that offers jobs and casting opportunities, workshops and seminars and special events to its membership.

• Does one have to audition for HOLA?

No. HOLA is a membership organization. Just pay the annual membership and you become an HOLA member.

• I am a new actor. Does HOLA apply to me and how so? (Or conversely, I have a fair amount of experience. How does HOLA apply to me?)

HOLA members range from the beginner to the established and everywhere in between. HOLA will apply to you at every stage of your career.

• Do I have to speak Spanish (or Portuguese) to be an HOLA member?

No. HOLA members speak English only, Spanish only, or both languages fluently. Our Brazilian members speak Portuguese as well as English. There is no requirement for any member to speak Spanish (or Portuguese) to be an HOLA member.

• What kind of casting notices do you receive?

HOLA receives all kinds of casting notices— from union and nonunion, through the disciplines of film, television, theater and voiceover. The majority of our notices are distributed to our membership. There are some instances, whether because of short notice or because of the search for something very specific, that HOLA makes referrals to certain talent.

• I have signed representation. Would that be in conflict with HOLA?

No. In fact, we would put your signed representative’s name and number on your online profile. It would be another way to promote yourself without conflict.

• If I book a job through HOLA, do I owe you a commission?

No. We are not an agency or artist management company. You are under no obligation to give us a commission. (But if you want to show your appreciation with a donation, we’ll be forced to take it, I suppose.)

• I am in the process of getting my citizenship. Could I still join HOLA?

Yes. As long as you can legally work in the U.S., you can join HOLA.

• Does HOLA have a social media presence?

Yes. We are on Facebook, Twitter and have our own channel on YouTube. In addition, we are on Wikipedia and have our own blog, titled El Blog de HOLA.

• What if I am not an actor but I like what you do?

You could support HOLA by becoming a Friend of HOLA and donating to the organization. If you are a producer or director, a Friend of HOLA donation allow us to promote your productions!