Monarch follows the journey of dreamers and undocumented immigrants who live and work in this country, but still must remain in the shadows. After 20 years of running a successful workshop in the US, beloved handyman Luis becomes the relentless focus of ICE Officer Castelo. Fearing for his future, Luis seeks sanctuary in a local church where memories abound of the Monarch sanctuary in Mexico where he met his wife. Like the Monarch butterfly, Luis is determined to follow his fate-defining journey.​

Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM
Sundays at 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM
Tier One        $50
Tier Two        $40
Students        $25
Group Rates begin at 10+ Tickets - call box office for information

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MEET THE CAST

Marco Salazar (Luis)
Marco Salazar, a native Mexican actor, began his artistic studies in Mexico City at the age of nine. He studied singing at the Conservatorio de las Rosas and CONACULTA in Mexico where he performed in concerts and recitals and studied musical Theater in Artestudio where he took leading roles. He complemented his musical theater studies at SMU and the Dallas Actors Group. His professional stage work includes: The Art of Seduction, The Enchanted Mirror, Rent, 12 Princesses in Struggle, The Last Five Years, Si Nos Dejan (The Great Mexican Musical), Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats (Mexico 2015 & 2018), Little Things from Sondheim, Cabaretissimo, Jekyll & Hyde, The Wizard of Oz, Peter Pan, A Tarzan Tale, Eternal Love the Musical, Santa's Factory, Pets are Welcome!, Dreams on Broadway, My broken Christ and La Llorona the Musical. He performed as a solo singer for Disney at the National Auditorium in Mexico and in South America.

José Juan Hernández (Officer Castelo)
José Juan Hernández was born in Chihuahua, Mexico. He started his acting training at the Fine Arts faculty of the Autonomous University of Chihuahua. He started his musical studies under the guidance of Carmen Ramírez and later  joined the Musical Ensemble of the theater program of Tecnológico de Monterrey where he obtained his law degree. In 2003 he moved to Mexico City and began his music career professionally performing in Les Miserables and Victor/Victoria alongside the renowned Mexican actress Daniela Romo. Jose Juan also worked in TV on shows such as “Tormenta en el Paraíso,” “Al Diablo con los Guapos,” “Palabra de Mujer,” and “Dear Enemy.” He has participated in important bel canto competitions such as the Carlo Morelli contest at the Palace of Fine Arts in Mexico City, performing in the operas L’ Arlesiana, Elixir de Amor, and Cossi Fan Tutte among others. He played the role of Jesus Christ in the play The Passion of Christ. In 2022, he originated the role of Officer Castelo in the L.A. Premiere of Monarch: A Mexican-American Musical.

Justin P. Lopez ​(Officer Wright/Ensemble)
Justin P. Lopez (he/him) is so excited to make his DMV theatre debut with Creative Cauldron! Justin is a mixed-race Indigenous, Latino, and Asian actor, singer, writer, and boba-milk-tea enthusiast, who is passionate about new works and loves finding true connection and humanity in each script. As an actor, recent credits include the world premiere of Kiss My Aztec! (Berkeley Repertory Theatre), Glass Menagerie (African American Shakespeare Company), and Twelfth Night (Marin Shakespeare Company). As a writer, Justin's work has been recognized by the Bay Area Playwrights Festival, Ashland New Play Festival, Yale Drama Prize, and many organizations around the country, including Teatrx, PlayGround SF, Teatro Chelsea, Custom Made Theatre Company, and Town Hall Theatre. Find out what else Justin is up to at www.justinplopez.com Instagram: @jpatlopez

Gretchen Midgley (Ana/Ensemble)
Gretchen Midgley is thrilled to make her Creative Cauldron debut in Monarch! Other favorite roles include Amy in Little Women and Maria in West Side Story. Theatrical writing credits include Wendy at the Kennedy Center Page to Stage and selections at Synetic Theatre, Catholic University, and the New York Music Theatre Festival. BM Musical Theatre and MA Theatre Education, Catholic University. Gretchen serves in the 229th Army Band and teaches theatre at Bishop O'Connell High School. As a second generation Mexican immigrant she is honored to help bring this story to the DC area.

Lizzie Bartlett ​(Amanda/Ensemble)
Lizzie Bartlett is an actor and educator in the DMV, performing most recently with Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre and Rockville Musical Theatre. Favorite credits include Into the Woods (Cinderella), The Addams Family (Morticia), Beverly Hillbillies: The Musical (Elly May Clampett), As You Like It: The Musical (Phoebe), and The Bad Seed (Christine Penmark). She also teaches piano and voice lessons with Lizzie B. Music Studio, performs with Princess Parties of DC, and sings with the Saint Mark Presbyterian Church Choir.

Elizabeth Hoyland ​(Yatz/Ensemble)
​A proud Charlestonian at heart, Elizabeth Hoyland is currently an actor, singer, and teaching artist in the DC area. In 2021, Elizabeth graduated Summa Cum Laude from The Catholic University of America with a Bachelor of Music in Musical Theatre, a Minor in Hispanic Studies, and an Honors Liberal Studies Certificate. Recent credits include: Azure in Maybe She Dies (Open Circle Theatre/The Kennedy Center), Ensemble/Writer in Family and Other Fractured Fairytales (Theatre Prometheus/The Kennedy Center), Chris in The Boiler Room Series’ Mushroom (Keegan Theatre), and Cynthia in Adventure Theatre’s Winterfest: Connections. She is also a character performer with Princess Parties of DC. When she isn’t performing, she is a teaching artist with Arts on the Horizon as well as a private voice and acting coach. During her free time, she enjoys creative writing, baking, and long walks with her family. www.elizabethhoyland.com IG: @elizabeth.hoyland

Pat Mahoney ​(Priest/Ensemble)
Pat Mahoney is an actor, musician, and personal trainer.  He has lent his voice to several video games and audiobooks, composing music for both.  Previous roles include ‘Sonny Malone’ in Xanadu (Workhouse Performing Arts), ‘Bill Sikes’ in Oliver (PWLT), ‘Humphrey Bogart’ in Audrey – The New Musical (Creative Cauldron), and ‘Bob Cratchit’ in A Christmas Carol (LTA).  Pat is delighted to be returning to Creative Cauldron, to help tell a story of hope that is so meaningful to an entire generation of young Americans.

Alex Lopez (Neto/Homeless/Immigrant/Ensemble)
Alex Lopez is thrilled to make his debut at Creative Cauldron.  His select credits include In The Heights at NextStop Theatre; Lady Godiva, and Club De Caballeros at Teatro de la Luna; El Bosque De Mis Libros at GALA Theatre; Fabulation at Port City Playhouse; A Streetcar Named Desire at The Arlington Players; and Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train at The Hard Bargain Players.  Alex has also appeared in original plays from emerging and local playwrights: She Sings Light (Capital Fringe Festival, Curated Series); The Regulars (SCT Productions); and The Jacqmin Family in the Petrified Forest (Source Festival).  His voice work is often featured in the online Spanish language course Fluencia.com.  Alex is an alum of the University of Puerto Rico and The Theatre Lab School of the Dramatic Arts. 

Emily Flack (Ensemble)
Emily Flack (she/her) Creative Cauldron debut! Training: The College of William & Mary, Theatre and Music. Most recently seen as Rachel in Escape to Margaritaville (Cumberland Theatre). Select Regional: Grease (Frenchy - Toby’s Dinner Theatre); Meet Me in St. Louis (Riverside Center); Ruddigore (Sinfonicron Light Opera Company). Educational: Into the Woods, A Chorus Line, Songs for a New World, The 25th… Spelling Bee (William & Mary). Film: Life Without Karma, Serious Profession, It’s Not True. Live Performance at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Love as always to her mom and dad, sister Shannon, coaches Laura Bergquist and Rachel Zatcoff. Follow along: www.emilyflack.com @em.flack

Lenny Mendez (Boss/Ensemble)
Lenny Mendez is a Latina Actor local in the DMV. Her theatre credits include Ichabod: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Audrey: The New Musical, Monarch: A Mexican American Musical at Creative Cauldron, Prom Night, Jardín Salvaje, and Picasso at GALA Hispanic Theatre, Espejos: Clean at Studio Theatre, The Proposal at Workhouse Art Center, and Ash Baxter and the Missing Spyglass at the Alden theatre. She is a George Mason University and Circle in the Square Theatre School on Broadway alumna. On social media at @lennyyy_mendez (Instagram and Twitter). Mama Te Quiero.

Connor Padilla (Chambean/Husband/Ensemble)
Connor is thrilled to be making his debut with Creative Cauldron!  Connor has worked at a number of theatres nationwide, including the Utah Shakespeare Festival, Orlando Repertory Theatre, Orlando Shakespeare Theater, Winter Garden Theater, Taffety Punk Theatre Company, among others.  He holds an MFA in Acting from Florida Atlantic University, as well as a BA in Musical Theatre from Weber State University.

Marco Mendez Romero
Marco is a student at Oak Street Elementary. He has recently performed in Creative Cauldron’s Arts Adventure Camp. His family is from Guatemala and he is very excited to be a part of Monarch!