JAIME BARBA
Artistic Director
Jaime returns as Artistic Director of VIVA! EL PASO for his fifth season. Born and raised in El Paso, a graduate of Cathedral High School and the University of Texas at El Paso, Jaime was a cast member of VIVA! in 1989. He has been a performer and technician of the UTEP Dinner Theatre since 1992, having appeared in over 35 productions. Favorite roles include Gaston (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast), Engineer (Miss Saigon), Dave Bukatinsky (The Full Monty), Joseph (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat), Peron (EVITA), Milos Gloriosus (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum), Sky Masterson (Guys and Dolls), King Herod (Jesus Christ Superstar) and Captain Walker (The Who’s Tommy). While at the UTEP Dinner Theatre, he has had the opportunity to perform for Sir Tim Rice, lyricist of such musicals as Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and EVITA, among many others, on three separate occasions. He has performed with Broadway, recording and film stars such as Deborah Gibson, Ron Bohmer, Chuck Wagner, Yvonne Elliman, Barry Dennen, Hugh Panarro and Andrea McArdle, among others. He has also performed with the UTEP Department of Theatre, Dance and Film, The Studio Theatre at UTEP, Southwest Repertory Organization, Music Theatre El Paso, Fourth Wall Theatre Productions and New Groupe Theatre Troupe. He is a founding member of Fourth Wall Theatre Productions, producers of Zoo Story, No Exit and most recently Hedwig and the Angry Inch. He is a member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) local 153. He was the director of Theatre at Monwood High School before becoming a faculty member at UTEP in the Department of Theatre, Dance and Film and the Costume Designer at the UTEP Dinner Theatre.

EVANIE GAMBOA
Assistant Director
Evanie is currently a Theatre Arts Major at the University of Texas at El Paso. She hopes to pursue higher education and a career in the theatre. She has spent the last several years working as a technician at the UTEP Dinner Theatre and is currently employed in the theatre’s costume shop. Evanie previously held the position of Stage Manager with VIVA! El PASO for four seasons. She has stage managed for several productions in the UTEP Department of Theatre, Dance and Film. She is a member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) local 153. She would like to thank Jaime Barba for allowing her to continue on as Assistant Director for this production. She would like to dedicate this season to her mother, Monica Aguilar and her grandmother, Maria Lydia Guzman.

MARCO ALFEREZ
Principal Choreography
Native to El Paso, Marco is the former Executive Director for EPAPA and currently teaches Folklorico for YISD. He has been with VIVA! for 15 years as hospitality, featured performer, soloist, dance captain and choreographer. He holds a BFA in Dance Performance from UTEP during which he also completed internships with Walt Disney World and Cirque De Soleil. Throughout his performance career he has performed with The UTEP Ballet, El Paso Opera, UTEP Dinner Theatre, Danzas Espanolas, Ballet Solaris, Walt Disney World Entertainment, among many others. He is also the newest edition to the UTEP Dinner Theatre Artistic Staff serving as Assistant Choreographer. Dance is a lifestyle. Thanks, Richy.

CARLA BRIONES
Assistant Spanish Choreography
Carla Began dancing with Rosa Guerrero’s International Ballet Folklorico at the age of seven. At the age of 9, she then transitioned to flamenco and began her studies with Nina Gomez. Carla has been performing professionally with Danzas Espanolas since the age of 13. She has been instructing at Studio Metropolis since 2000 where she continues to perform. She is currently a student at New Mexico State University pursuing a degree in dance.

JAIME CARRASCO
Mexican Choreography
Jaime returns to VIVA! for his 13th season. He has been a performer and choreographer with VIVA! since 1989. He is also an accomplished folklorico dancer and instructor. He has been Artisitc Director for Ballet Folklorico Quetzales since its inception in 1989 and has been able to travel all over the world with that group. He is also the former director of Ballet Folklorico DIF and Ballet Folklorico de la Universidad Autonoma, both in Ciudad Juarez. He has been a performer with the UTEP Dinner Theatre, Showtime USA and EPCC-teatro Los Actores.

NINA GOMEZ
Spanish Choreography
Nina Started dancing at age 12 with Minnie Reyes Wright in Roswell, NM. In 1970 she began her studies with Maestro Antonio Triana, and remained his devoted student for 18 years. She is the director of Danzas Espanolas in which she created in 1984 and will celebrate 25 years of showcasing Triana’s work in 2009. she has choreographed for Festival de Zarauela for 20 years. She also has toured Germany in 1979, ’85, ’88, ’89 and ’91. This is Nina’s 5th season with VIVA! EL PASO.

DR. CYNTHIA L JAY
Vocal Director
Cindy is a native Washingtonian and a diverse performing artist and educator. She began as a dancer, and was a featured soloist and asst. choreographer at the National Cathedral in D.C. One of her co-composed musicals was given Kennedy Center Honors and had a successful six week run in New York City where she served as musical director and pianist. She received her Master of Music in Vocal Pedagogy/Performance at Westminster Choir College and Doctorate in Opera Directing at the University of Maryland. She has been a teacher and professor for Westminster Choir College, University of Maryland, UTEP and S.I.S.D as well as choral conductor and accompanist for various churches. Dr. Jay currently has a studio for Performance and Wellness Arts, teaching performing Arts and promoting peak of balance lifestyles.

BETH LEFFLER
Costume Designer
Beth Leffler, part of the charter cast of VIVA! EL PASO in1978, performs behind the scenes these days as Costume Designer and Coordinator. Her work in the arts continues as director of theater for Montwood High School in the Socorro ISD. Many thanks to her family for their tremendous support of Viva! through the years. Happy 30 + 1 season!

JONATHAN PEREZ
Lyrical Choreography
Jonathan began his dance training with Ana Moncada. He continued his ballet training with Ingeborg Heuser at the University of Texas at El Paso. He has danced in The Nutcracker, Huapango, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Easy Winners, Cinderella for the UTEP Ballet.He has also danced in the operas Aida and La Traviata for the El Paso Opera. He has also performed with the UTEP Dinner Theatre in Sweet Charity, Aida and Cats. He was in the 2006 cast of the outdoor musical TEXAS in Canyon, Texas.