PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Experienced and versatile theater artist, writer, and comedian with a rich and diverse repertoire that includes Latinx and American classics, Shakespeare, sketch revue, devised experimental theater, and musical theater. Trained in Eastern theater methods and philosophies such as the Suzuki Method (as taught by P3/East) and the South Indian Navarasa Sadhana Method (taught by Venu G.). Extensive experience as an arts educator with a strong background in K-12 arts and humanities education, theater higher education, and as a teaching artist for various arts organizations. Additional roles include Production Assistant, Assistant Stage Manager, and Acting Coach. Founder, Writer, and Producer of Girl 502 Productions, dedicated to presenting compelling performances that showcase the depth and diversity of Caribbean culture. Committed to advancing diversity and inclusion in all professional endeavors.
EDUCATION
Master of Fine Arts, Theater | Acting Specialization
University of South Carolina |Professional Actor Training Program (PATP) 2019
Bachelor of Arts, Music |French minor | Media Broadcasting concentration
Northern Kentucky University 2014
CERTIFICATES
The Second City Training Center (SCTC), Conservatory Program 2022
The Second City Training Center (SCTC), Writing Program 2022
SPECIALIZED TRAINING
Approaches to Performance [Suzuki Method, Slow Tempo, Ki Testing], P3/East, Seattle, WA 2024
Navarasa Sadhana Method, Guru G. Venu, Natana Kairali Institute, Kerala, India 2024
Advanced Playwriting, Marisela Treviño Orta, Chicago Dramatists, IL 2022
Improvisation; Sketch Comedy writing & performance; Musical Improvisation; SCTC, IL 2021
Genre Theater Workshop, Derek McPhatter, Green Line Performing Arts Center, IL 2020
Improv (Adv.) for Actors L 1&2, Second City Training Center, IL 2019
Improv Coached Ensemble, Second City Training Center, IL 2019
Stand-Up L1, Second City Training Center, IL 2019
Role and Function of the Casting Director Workshop, Jackie Burch Casting, GA 2018
Tadashi Suzuki Method, Shogo Ohta’s Slow Tempo, Ki Testing, P3/East, SC 2016-18
Navigating the Industry Workshop, Daniel R Hill, SC 2017
Scene Study and Performance Intensive, Amy Attaway, KY 2013
Advanced Media Broadcasting, Dewey Hawthorne, KY 2007-08
Piano Performance, Sergei Polusmiak, KY 2006-08
Intermediate Ballet, Thomas Bell, KY 2006-07
Musical Theatre, Jamey Strawn, KY 2006
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Universities & Colleges
University of South Carolina, SC 08/2016 to 05/2018
Graduate Assistant Instructor of Fundamentals of Acting 170
Modified and taught Fundamentals of Acting for 4 semesters
Directed plays studied in class: 3 full-length plays and 8 ten-minute plays
Lead 4 scene study workshops: one each semester
Coached at least 8-10 students during office hours each semester from an average class size of 16
Taught the basics of in-person auditions and self-tape auditions as part an industry workshop at the conclusion of each semester
Public Schools
Highland Middle School, KY 09/2015 to 06/2016
Theater and Dance Teacher
Lead a week-long acting and technology series for 16-26 student grades 6th, 7th and 8th
Developed and integrated a workshop-style course to supplement the curriculum dictated by the state
Directed 6 student-devised dances
Taught introductory Afro-Cuban dance, elementary acting and speech, and storytelling
Spanish Language and Culture Teacher
Developed and integrated a geography course to supplement state dictated curriculum
Lead student-driven investigative projects on the effects of colonialism in Latin America, Cuban and Puerto Rico, and its impact on cultural multiplicity and identity intersections
Supported the 4 statewide World Language Festivals by teaching students the choreography and cultural background of traditional dances they performed at the festival
Taught grades 6th-8th Spanish language for beginners
Surveyed Latin American and Spanish dances and fine arts
Hawthorne Spanish Immersion Elementary, KY 09/2013 to 09/2015
Instructional Assistant of Spanish Language and Culture
Taught language through dramatized speech, dance, and song
Taught supplemental Latin America, Africa and Iberian peninsula geography and culture course
Teaching Artist
The Warehouse Theatre, SC 09/2018 to 10/2018
Accessible Shakespeare
Facilitated and executed 9 workshops for South Carolina public schools (grades 5th to 12th )
Facilitated and executed 2 workshops for non-profit organizations in Greenville, SC
Provided tools to help students understand Elizabethan text
Guided a series of physical improvisation exercises connecting Shakespeare’s text and action
Led a series of warmup and trust exercises to help participants experience working as an ensemble
Directed and staged short scenes from The Tempest performed by students
Related Experience
University of Louisville African American Theatre Graduate Program, KY 12/2015 to 02/2016
Dialect Coach
Taught Cuban dialect and mannerisms in American English speech
AWARDS
Saturday Night Live Scholarship, Second City Training Center, IL 2021
Artist Enrichment Grant, Kentucky Foundation for Women 2021
Actors de Confianza Relief Grant, National Association of Latino Arts and Culture 2021
Graduate Assistantship, University of South Carolina, SC 2016
Governor Scholar, Northern Kentucky University, KY 2005
AFFILIATIONS
League of Chicago Theatres 2019 to present
Chicago Latino Theater Alliance 2019 to present
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Actor (Stage)
2024
Am Abend by Robyn Hunt
Pacific Performance Project/East, Hutchinson Hall at UW, Seattle, WA
Lady Alhambra: Possession by Gabriela Castillo-Miranda
Kottichetham Studio Theatre at Natanakairali, Irinjalakuda, Kerala, India
2023
Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare
Hamlet by William Shakespeare
Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare
Coriolanus by William Shakespeare
Much A Do About Nothing by William Shakespeare
American Shakespeare Center, Blackfriars Playhouse, Staunton, VA
2022
River Bride by Marisela Treviño Orta
Hamlet by William Shakespeare
Love Labor’s Lost by William Shakespeare
American Players Theatre, Spring Green, WI
2021
¿Y tu abuela, Where is she? by Nelson Diaz-Marcano
Visión Latino, The Den Theatre, Chicago, IL
Beheading Columbus by Diana Burbano (virtual workshop production)
Mercury Company 3/Artists Repertory Theatre, Portland, OR
2019
Back in the Day by Miranda González
Urban Theatre Chicago, Chicago, IL
Checkerboard Chicks by Allison L. Fradkin
Violet Surprise: Femslash Festival, Otherworld Theatre, Chicago, IL
The Continuing Adventures of the Hot Dog Squad by Lyle Sauer
Eclectic Full Contact Theatre 24 Hour Festival, Laugh Out Loud Chicago, Chicago, IL
Sergio’s Museum by Steve Moulds
Theatre[502], Baron’s Theater, Louisville, KY
2018
The Tempest by William Shakespeare, The Warehouse Theatre
Peace Center, Greenville, SC
Diana Wortham, Asheville, SC
Sumter Opera House, Sumter, SC
Lean Ensemble Theatre, Hilton Head, SC
Converse College, Spartanburg, SC
The Seagull by Anton Chekhov
University of South Carolina, Center for Performance Experiment, Columbia, SC
Flight by Robyn Hunt
P3East, Center for Performance Experiment, Columbia, SC
Lady Alhambra (solo) by Gabriela Castillo
University of South Carolina, Center for Performance Experiment, Columbia, SC
The Crucible by Arthur Miller
University of South Carolina, Longstreet Theatre, Columbia, SC
Silent Sky by Lauren Gunderson
University of South Carolina, Center for Performance Experiment, Columbia, SC
2017
Erógenas: Sexo, Amor, y Fuga by Yovana Martínez, adapted by Selene Perdomo, Teatro Fragmentario CIA
Feria de Indianos Cadaqués, Teatro Art I Joia, Catalonia, Spain
Teatro Llantiol, Barcelona, Spain
Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
University of South Carolina, Drayton Hall, Columbia, SC
The Water Station by Shogo Ohta
P3East, Center for Performance Experiment, Columbia, SC
Animal Farm by Sir Peter Hall
University of South Carolina, Drayton Hall, Columbia, SC
Mr. Burns, a post-electric play by Anne Washburn
University of South Carolina, Longstreet Theatre, Columbia, SC
Clearing by Robyn Hunt
P3East, Center for Performance Experiment, Columbia, SC
2016
Cosí by Louis Nora
University of South Carolina, Longstreet Theatre, Columbia, SC
Away by Michael Gow
University of South Carolina, Center for Performance Experiment, Columbia, SC
Fuga by Jordi Galceran
El Delirio Producciones, Inc., The Bards’Town, Louisville, KY
2014
George and the Triumphant American Tour by Diana Grisanti
Theater[502], Baron’s Theater, Louisville, KY
Actor (Comedy, Sketch & Improv)
Día De Los Muertos, Sketch Revue, Directors: Marilet Martinez & Jessi Realz, Chicago, IL 2024
Ratas Gigantes, Digital Short and Contributing Writer, Director: Jessi Realz, Chicago, IL 2023
SNL Scholars Showcase, Sketch and Improv, Director: Jonald Reyes, Chicago, IL 2022
Lady Jam, Improviser, Director: John Hildreth, Chicago, IL 2022
Your Lil' Friend Multicultural Showcase, Sketch & Improv, Director: Kaili Y Turner, Chicago, IL 2022
GUSHY Improv Team, Improv, Director: Andy Rowell, Chicago, IL 2021
Actor (Film & TV)
Chicago PD S8.E801, (not credited), Director: Eriq La Salle, Chicago, IL 2020
“Woman in the Wall” (short), Director: Geneva Sheaffer, Chicago, IL 2019
“Planting Seeds” (short) 48-Hour Film Festival, Director: Joshua Porter 2014
“Dude, Where’s my Dog?!” Director: Stephen Langford, CA 2013
“She’s With Me” Director: Stephen Langford, CA 2012
“Re-Generator” Directors: Oliver Gruner and Patrick Shanavian, CA 2012
“Angel of Hope” (pilot episode), Director: Zo Wesson, OH 2011
“Provisional Vote” (short), Director: Zo Wesson, OH 2010
“Inspiration” (short) College Movie Festival, Director: Yousif Salame, OH 2008
Commercial
Sprout Social, Internet Nationwide 2022
Optimum, OH 2013
Dorito’s, OH 2013
Speedway/Super America, Fountain Palooza, OH 2011
DJ Byrider, OH 2011
Video and Digital
Industrial; Oji Life Lab, CA; The Annoyance Theatre, IL 2021
“Rule” music video, artist Joseph Nevels, Director Emad Rashidi; OH 2014
“Presence” music video, artist Joseph Nevels, Director Roman Luck; OH 2012
Nuestra Belleza Latina Reality Show; Univision Network, Univision.com 2011
Nuestra Belleza Latina Reality Show;Univision Network, FL 2010
Industrial; P&G, OH 2009
Industrial; Macy’s, OH 2008
NKU Virtual Tour; Northern Kentucky University, KY 2007
Director
Lady Alhambra: a play with music and dance by Gabriela Castillo (staged reading); KY 2022
The Pavilion by Craig Wright
Acting 170 Class Performance, University of South Carolina, SC 2018
Acting 170 Class Performance, University of South Carolina, SC 2017
All My Sons by Arthur Miller
Acting 170 Class Performance, University of South Carolina, SC 2017
Contemporary short plays and scenes
Acting 170 Class Performance, University of South Carolina, SC 2016
Playwright
Lady Alhambra: a play with music and dance 2022
Lady Alhambra a solo show 2018
Production
Producer | Playwright
“Lady Alhambra: a play with song and dance” 2021-23
Executive Production Assistant
“Un Sueño Cubano: A Musical Documentary”, Papito Project, Barcelona, Spain 2017
Writer | Director | Performer | Co-Producer
"Lady Alhambra Solo Show" 2017-18
Publications
Castillo, Gabriela. Lady Alhambra, blog, 2020,
https://ladyalhambra.blogspot.com/
Nationwide Insurance, OH 2020
Nationwide Insurance, OH 2015
NABZEN online store, CA 2013
Exotica Magazine, CA 2012
Speedway/Super America, OH 2012
Evenflo, OH 2012
Dancer
Lady Alhambra, Solo Showcase
Dancer and choreographer, Center for Performance Experiment, Columbia, SC 2018
Back in the Day, Urban Theater Company
Choreographer Breon Arzell, Batey Urbano, Chicago, IL 2019
International Festival, Bollywood Dance Louisville
Choreographer Mehru Hassan, Indiana of University, New Albany, IN 2016
VindaLou at the Belvedere, Bollywood Dance Louisville
Choreographer Mehru Hassan, Louisville Waterfront, Louisville, KY 2015
Jalsa, Bollywood Dance Louisville,
Choreographer Mehru Hassan, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 2015
Pianist
MBSkopljak Production
Two Pianos One Accordion, Banski Dvor, Banjaluka, Bosnia and Herzegovina 2016
World Fest, The Belvedere, KY 2015