VideoLatin and Hispanic Theatre Artists Call for Representation in the PSA DespiértateWritten by Eric Ulloa, the video includes Broadway alums Bianca Marroquín, Ana Villafañe, and Janet Dacal.
By
Roberto Araujo
September 16, 2021
Despiértate, a new PSA from written by Eric Ulloa shines the light on the woeful percentages in which Latin and Hispanic theatre artists are employed on and offstage. Watch the video above, featuring several theatre artists, including Bianca Marroquín, Ana Villafañe, Javier Muñoz, and Janet Dacal.
Despiertate is a call to action about the power of representation and the hope of what a future filled with Latin voices, talents and stories can offer audiences and the theatrical form itself.
“My Broadway debut in On Your Feet! marked the largest number of Latins/Hispanics in a Broadway show, and I remember the shock I felt when I heard that,” shares Ulloa. “Not a shock of excitement, but a shock that it was 2015 and that we were just then hitting this milestone. What seemed like the beginning of a boom for Latin/Hispanic representation on Broadway soon became a flatline after the show’s 2017 closing and our community now finds itself as one of the least represented minorities. I have the honor of getting to work with some of the brightest voices in my community in creating a video that I hope offers a wake up call to the powers that be and the abundance of creativity and artistry that they are keeping from audiences. You can change this. Let it begin with you.”
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Before Broadway, Eric Ulloa Offers an Exclusive Backstage Look at Gloria Estefan's On Your Feet!
Before Broadway, Eric Ulloa Offers an Exclusive Backstage Look at Gloria Estefan's On Your Feet!
On Your Feet!, the new Broadway-bound musical based on the lives of seven-time Grammy winner Gloria Estefan and her husband, producer-musician-entrepreneur Emilio Estefan, plays a limited run at the Oriental Theatre in Chicago.
36 PHOTOS
“Get out of bed! It’s a two show day and I’m not gonna walk myself…” –Bastian
Eric Ulloa
When in an out of town tryout, it’s important to look over your script and its changes daily with NO distractions.
Eric Ulloa
Morning walks are not always my favorite but Chicago is quite a gorgeous city to explore. And Bastian is still intrigued by all the rivers.
Eric Ulloa
Cardio is very important in getting ready for a two show day. My face tells you just how much I love cardio…
Eric Ulloa
On my way out to brunch, I run into Luis Salgado and his beautiful family.
Brunch with a few members of the cast before the matinee.
Eric Ulloa
Since most of our day is inside a theatre, any time you can spend at home is tremendously precious. Hence, I do my hair at home…and I know what you’re thinking, WHAT a transformation! Eric “The Chameleon” Ulloa.
Eric Ulloa
Walking to the theatre. And yes, I’m one of those who wear flip flops in a city.
Eric Ulloa
People start to mill outside the theatre.
Eric Ulloa
I sign in, making sure I don’t sign in as Tanairi Vasquez, which is often…
Eric Ulloa
I check for new changes to the script. It’s an out of town tryout, there are ALWAYS changes.
Eric Ulloa
I pop in to say hi to our beautiful Gloria, Ana Villafañe, in her tremendously Zen dressing room.
Eric Ulloa
I pop in to say hi to our Emilio, Josh Segarra. That better be a damn good game of Candy Crush…
Eric Ulloa
There always time for a selfie with Tyler Mount and Carlos Gonzalez.
Eric Ulloa
I pick up my mic.
Eric Ulloa
At half hour, our floors our covered with bodies in various stretches. Here, Brett Sturgis shows us the wonders of working knots out with a ball.
Eric Ulloa
Audiences should know that this show only works by the addition of one thing and one thing only…Cuban Coffee. We eagerly await the first few drops…
Eric Ulloa
Matt runs the mic through my hair, because putting a pic in my own hair is like math for me…impossible.
Eric Ulloa
At 5 minutes we circle up as a company to clear our minds and start this show off right like a family. And sometimes we are treated to beautiful words by Sister Andrea Burns.
Eric Ulloa
It’s a little known fact, but child actors are also perfect for last minute curls to pump up your biceps.
Eric Ulloa
This hat has a mic built into it, which makes it:
A. Extremely Cool
B. Like a rock stabbing my skull
Eric Ulloa
Intermission = Haribo Break
Eric Ulloa
One of my amazing dressers Tim gets me into my harness, because when you say, “There is no way in hell I would ever be lowered 4 stories down to stage on that bridge…”
Eric Ulloa
You end up, trumpet in hand, walking up the stairs to be lowered 4 stories down to stage on that bridge…
Eric Ulloa
During my lunch break, I was called into a costume fitting. Here’s our costume designer Emilio Sosa and and associate costume designer Cathy Parrott fitting cast member Eliseo Roman for a new number that’s being added in.
Eric Ulloa
Naturally, I have to stop by and see my boys Jessie and Barry in the wig department.
Eric Ulloa
Luis Salgado and Lee Zarrett show that when you get the rare break in “On Your Feet,” TAKE IT!
Eric Ulloa
Where I soon realize that curls are just not for me…
Eric Ulloa
My niece was born while I was in rehearsals, so I use part of my lunch break to get a little Facetime in with beautiful Avery Ulloa until I can meet her in person.
Eric Ulloa
I pop in to give love to some of our Stage Management team, whom are just some of the best in the biz.
Eric Ulloa
Back to the show, and you never know who you’re gonna see backstage…Here’s our Oscar-winning Book Writer Alex Dinelaris!
Eric Ulloa
Director Jerry Mitchell reminds me that it’s a two show day and it better be FULLOUT!
Eric Ulloa
Peeling off this costume is very significant. It means that I only have one more to put on and that this two show day is coming to an end.
Eric Ulloa
The stage door is always one of my favorite parts, as audiences have been so wonderfully kind to us here.
Eric Ulloa
Bastian calmly sits in the elevator for his evening walk.
Eric Ulloa
Glasses on, a few Tiger Balm patches stuck to various parts and a good book. Goodnight all! (…You owe my Isaac Oliver)
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