BIO
Vicky Velasco
Artistic Director
In Canada: Founder and director of the Spanish theater group Gato Negro. Producing and directing: a tribute to Roberto Gomez Bolaños: Chespirito - 2012, Homage a Frida Khalo - 2013 collaborating with Casa Mexico on their independence day plays: "Salto Atrás" by Leoncio Martinez - 2013, "InmigranteSoy" a compilation of real-life history -2014, "Entrelazos" - various short plays from multiple Latin American authors -2015 participated as an invited actress for the "Two Plays" by Tennessee Williams directed by Sharon Stone.
Dramatized Latin American Tales, as a guest director with the group Expresarte Theater Club with the play “Un Velorio Inolvidable” adaptation of the play “Waiting for the float” by Jacobo Langsner 2018. Rerun of the play “Salto Atrás ” 2018, produced by Gato Negro and Expresarte theatre club, “Momo” by Michael Ende 2019, “Peregrinos” 2020 Virtual Theater in times of pandemic.
• 2021 as a guest director for the “Climate change” event: dramatized reading with Downstage theatre.
•2022 Guest director for the micro theater festival "For those who had to part" by Hipanicarts Society directing two micro plays: "Alicia in Wonder airlines" and "With wet feet"
As Artist in Residence for more than 8 years: Catholic, public and private schools in Calgary and Edmonton. St. Margaret School, St. Benedict School, St. Francis High School, Bishop McNally High School, Bishop lady of Rockies High School, Escuela St. John Paul II Elementary School, Father Lacome (Edmonton) among them.
Maria Luisa Parra
Producer - Board Member
- Previous a Play, coordinate and prepare stage, props.
- Support in administration.
- Procure material for upcoming Theater.
- Organize recruit volunteers and coordinate their activities during a Play.
- Work as a technical assistant during events. Have worked in outdoor events stage install and other required for "Quimeras".
- Provide support to actors and photographers during the photography session.
Marketing, raise funds and project design and sale.
Amelí Pereira Cota
Actor
Ameli Studied Venezuelan Folkloric dance in Trujillo, Venezuela for 7 years, then two years of theatre courses and participated in two plays with the theatre Company of Trujillo. At that point, she decided to take a break from the arts to dedicate herself to her engineering career.
Ameli has participated in the Venezuelan Dance troupe “Pasos de Venezuela” in Canada since 2004, as a choreographer, dancer, teacher and for a short time as director, and continued her development as a dancer.
In 2015 Ameli was presented with the opportunity to once again enter the world of theatre through a workshop directed by Vicky Velasco that ended with a successful play called “Entrelazos.” Since then Amelia has participated with Gato Negro in several plays like “Midsummer’s Night Dream” as “Egea” and a fairy in 2016, then in “Quimeras” in 2017 with several characters as well as a choreographer, and “Salto Atrás” in 2018. Amelí has also ventured into the short film industry, being cast in two productions as the main character. Amelia is delighted to continue growing as an artist while participating and supporting Gato Negro
Ruth Barraez
Actor
Ruth was born and raised in Yaracuy, Venezuela. Ruth’s passion from an early age, for dance, music and art was led and accelerated by her mother’s artistic talents and influence.
During her university engineering studies, Ruth belonged to "Muga", a folk dances group from Venezuela which had the opportunity to represent the country on multiple occasions in Spain.
When Ruth arrived in Calgary she leaned on her past experiences which expanded into being an active participant as a choreographer and dancer in "Pasos de Venezuela" for 4 years.
January 2015, Ruth pursued her dreams in theater classes with Vicky Velasco of Gato Negro, and since then she had discovered the rewarding magic of theatre. Ruth performed a variety of characters including her role in Midsummer Night’s Dream as Puck and she keeps enjoying all aspects of theatre production with Gato Negro Spanish Theatre Group.
Muchas gracias
Ruthie
Ron Kuehne
Actor
Ron believes that one of the principal goals of theatre is to spread goodwill and create a better understanding of the individuals and the world that we live in. He believes the Gato Negro community shares this belief and is delighted to be a part of it.
An avid traveller, Ron has lived in and performed in numerous theatrical productions in the United States, France, Chile and Canada. In Chile, he founded T.I.E. (Theatre in English) where he produced and acted in a number of productions including Willy in A Death of a Salesman. Other memorable roles include Timon in Timon of Athens and Oberon in A Midsummer's Night Dream.
In addition to acting, Ron is a foreign language teacher and regularly incorporates dramatic techniques into his classes. He sincerely believes that one of the best ways of improving oral proficiency is to participate in plays in the target language.
He invites you to spread the word and join us in the next theatrical adventure. Hasta Pronto!
Liz Quintero
Actor - Editor
Licenciada en Psicología (opción Clínica) egresada de la Escuela de Psicología, Universidad Central de Venezuela en el año 1987. Con 27 años de trayectoria en el ámbito profesional de la psicología: asistencial, educativo, organizacional y gremial.
Paralelamente, a la experiencia profesional de psicología incursionó en el teatro con la agrupación THESPIS de la UNIMET en el período 1987 a 1990, y 1992 a 1996, dirigida por Fernando Yvoski Morales. Desempeñándose como actriz en los montajes: La Casa Recuerda de Fernando Yvoski Morales; La Cantante Calva de Ionesco; El Proceso de Frank Kafka; Mujeres entre golpe y golpe de Fernando Y. Morales; Final de la Partida de Samuel Beckett; Medea de Eurípides. Retoma experiencia teatral en el año 2017, con la obra El Regreso, de Jorge Mogollón, dirigida por Jennifer Morales y actualmente en proceso de montaje del Padre, de August Stringberg, dirigido por Kevin Vitrago. Realizó curso de Doblaje en Español con Renzo Jimenez y Marisol Durán, año 2017. Además, cursó talleres de poesía con Rafael Castillo Zapata en la Universidad Metropolitana en 1989 y Juan Calzadilla en el Celarg, año 1990.
Angel Marquez
Production - Sound - Digital Support
Graphic design – Web Design and administration – Sound and Music design – Production Support.
Work along with designer or design, create graphic design, flyers, and print graphic design. Digital Graphic Design, for the online web, Digital Effects design.
Sound Board programming and light design.
Provide support in preparing online web selling systems. Prepare administration spreadsheets of ticketing, prop control and administration.
Worked as a guitar player and sound live effect via Rolland board synthesizer.
Work as a technical assistant during events. Have worked in outdoor events where additional electrical expertise is required, or light or sound installation, stage install and other required previous a play.
Provide support to actors and photographers during the photography session. Support installing lights and other elements to be used during the photography session.
Create the website, design. Prepare hosting and eCommerce platform. Online Ticketing System.
Marketing, fund and project design and sale.