Equinox: Cast and Creative Team

Daniela Mendes Albert (Choreographer – I am here) is a fourth-year B.F.A. in Dance major with an emphasis in performance and choreography. She grew up in Edinburg, Texas where she studied dance at Dancentre of Edinburg. During her time at UT Austin, she has performed in works by Jennifer Archibald, Le’Andre Douglass, Valeria Gonzalez, and more. Professionally, she has worked with Ty&Co, the Clubhouse, and Ballet Nepantla. Her choreography has been showcased at the American College Dance Association South Central Regional Conference (2025).

Gabriel Brown (Composer – Shadow Puppets) is pursuing a Master of Music degree in Composition at the Butler School, studying with Experimental and Electronic Music Studios' professor Januibe Tejera. He is a composer, audio technologist, and sound artist exploring the evolving relationship between music and technology. His work balances precision and expression, aiming to preserve music's emotional, human qualities while embracing modern audio technology. Recent credits include original scores for The University of Texas at Austin Department of Theatre and Dance and a ten-channel audio piece. 

Layla Crear (Costume Designer—Shadow Puppets) is pursuing a B.A in Theatre and Dance with an emphasis in costume design and a Minor in Arts Management and Administration. Her recent credits with Texas Theatre and Dance include Twelfth Night, A Beautiful Day in November on the Greatest of Great Lakes, and Romeo y Juliet.

Edgardo Cruz (Lighting Designer – Shadow Puppets, I am here) is a first-year B.A. in Theatre and Dance major with an emphasis in design and technology at The University of Texas at Austin. Recent credits with Texas Theatre and Dance include Diet of Worms, Ordinary Time, and Twelfth Night.

Gala Demarin (Scenic Designer) is a first-year M.F.A. in Theatre candidate with a specialization in live design and production (scenic design) at The University of Texas at Austin. Recent credits with Texas Theatre and Dance include Assistant Scenic Designer for Diet of Worms, Ordinary Time, and This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing.

Valeria Nunez Estrada (Assistant Scenic Designer) is a third-year B.A. in Theatre and Dance major with an emphasis in design and technology, and a B.A. in Government major. Recent credits include, Assistant Scenic Designer for UT New Theatre: Diet of Worms, Ordinary Time, Assistant Technical Director and Assistant Prop Manager for This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing (2025), Assistant Scenic Design for Dance Repertory Theatre: Rooted in Motion (2025), and Co-Scenic Designer for A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2024). 

Thomas Gougeon (Violist - Dreams in the Mist) studied at the Butler School of Music in Austin where he received his Bachelor of Music under Sandy Yamamoto. Gougeon was concertmaster of the Roundtop Festival Orchestra in the summer 2023 season and has played with the Austin Symphony Orchestra and Central Texas Philharmonic. He has performed alongside renowned chamber performers including Daniel Ching, Anton Nel, Bion Tsang and Sandy Yamamoto. Gougeon continues to study with Sandy Yamamoto at BSOM pursuing his Artist Diploma.

Layla Isaac (Costume designer – I am here)

Yuheng Jiang (Costume Designer – Spring, Sprang, Sprung) is a first-year M.F.A. in Theatre candidate with a specialization in live design and production (costume design) at The University of Texas at Austin. She holds a B.A. in Theatre and Dance from Macalester College, MN. Yuheng mostly designed at Macalester College, and she has also worked as a Production Management Fellow at the Children's Theatre Company for the 2024/2025 season.

London Lack (Choreographer – Shadow Puppets) is a fourth-year B.F.A. in Dance student with an emphasis in performance and choreography and a B.A. in Plan II Honors major at The University of Texas at Austin. Recent choreographic credits include her short film "The Smell of Yellow," her contemporary ballet Quiet Tears of Roses, and House Play. She founded the Cauliflower Project, worked as the Performing Arts Editor of Apricity Magazine, and is an active member of The Friar Society. 

Jacqueline Mai (Assistant Stage Manager) is a second-year B.A. in Theatre and Dance major with an emphasis in design and technology. She has experience in many areas of technical work and stage management. Her recent Theatre and Dance titles include Once in a Hundred Years, Twelfth Night, and Ordinary Time.

Micah Medellin (Assistant Costume designer – I am here, Shadow Puppets) is a first-year B.A in Theatre and Dance major with an emphasis in design and technology. They have a specific interest in costume design and construction. Their recent credits include being a dresser for Twelfth Night.

Gesel Mason (Choreographer – Spring, Sprang, Sprung) is a Professor of Dance at the University of Texas at Austin and Artistic Director of Gesel Mason Performance Projects. A 2019 Rauschenberg Artist-in-Residence, 2025 Dance/USA Artist Fellow, and 2026 Creative Capital State of the Art Prize winner for Texas, her work has been presented at the John F. Kennedy Center, American Dance Festival, Bates Dance Festival, Jacob’s Pillow, and at museums and cultural centers across the United States and abroad.

Joe Morales IV (Projection Designer – Spring, Sprang, Sprung, Shadow Puppets) is a first-year M.F.A. in Theatre candidate with a specialization in live design and production (integrated media for live performance) at The University of Texas at Austin. Morales is a local Austin resident who began theatre design at James Bowie High School before completing his B.F.A. in design and technology at Emerson College in 2023. joemoralesiv.com

Juliette Quémerais (Sound Designer – Spring, Sprang, Sprung) is an international student from France and Australia. Studying music at The University of Texas at Austin, Juliette works on sound design, film scoring, composition and even performance, building a wide range of knowledge and capabilities in sound and music.

Patrick Schoen (Lighting Designer – Spring, Sprang, Sprung, Dreams in the Mist) is a M.F.A. in Theatre candidate with a specialization in live design and production (lighting design) at The University of Texas at Austin. Recent lighting design credits include, Onegin (Georgia College & State University, 2025), Rindaldo (Mercer University, 2025), Angels in America Part One: Millennium Approaches (Theatre Macon, 2025), and DRT: Rooted in Motion (UT, 2025).

Laura Soares (Stage Manager) is a third-year B.A. in Theatre and Dance major with an emphasis in design and technology. She has a background in various types of backstage work and stage management. Recent credits include assistant stage managing for Dance Repertory Theatre’s ROOTED IN MOTION (Texas Theatre and Dance, 2025) and stage managing the student-led dance show EVOLUTION (Texas Theatre and Dance, 2025).

The Soha Quartet (Musicians - Dreams in the Mist) was formed in January 2024 at The University of Texas at Austin. They have won first prize at the 2025 Music Teachers National Association Chamber Music Competition and were named semi-finalists in the 2025 Plowman Chamber Music Competition. Committed to community engagement, The Soha Quartet has served as Butler School of Music Community Representatives for the Austin Chamber Music Center since spring 2025, performing and leading masterclasses for public school students.

Lindsey Thurston (Costume designer– Dreams in the Mist)

Jonathan Um (Composer – I am here) is a musician and creative facilitator working at the intersection of sound, collaboration, and experimentation. He studies Arts and Entertainment Technologies at The University of Texas at Austin, where his work bridges music, dance, storytelling and emerging media. Before returning to academia, he spent five years in Los Angeles working professionally as an artist and producer, developing, producing, mixing, and collaborating across diverse projects, shaping an adaptable, relational approach to sound.

Joel Valentín-Martínez (Co-Artistic Director, Choreographer – Dreams in the Mist) is an Associate Professor of Dance at The University of Texas at Austin. From 1990-2003, he toured the world as a performer with Garth Fagan Dance. Recent choreography projects in Mexico include Meditación (2025), Cositas (2025), Otros dias de guardar (2022), Sur Grande (2019), and De aquí, de allá (2019); Canadian collaborations include Dear Brother (2023); and #passagebreak2 (2019) premiered in Puerto Rico; Past projects include Pop Refuge (2019), and Tlatelolco Revisited (2008).

David Zambrano (Assistant Projection Designer)

Rosie Adams (Dancer – Shadow Puppets) is from Denton, Texas. She is a transfer student from Kilgore College and is a current B.F.A. in Dance major with an emphasis in dance education. At Kilgore College, she was part of the World Famous Kilgore College Rangerettes and Industry Dance Company in the Kilgore College Dance Department.

Nyla Aikens (Dancer – Dreams in the Mist) is a B.F.A. in Dance major at The University of Texas at Austin Department of Theatre and Dance. Since transferring to The University of Texas, she has previously trained at The Boston Conservatory and attended Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts.

Laura Baker (Dancer – Shadow Puppets) is a B.F.A in Dance major at The University of Texas at Austin. Her recent credits with the Department of Theatre and Dance include Quiet Tears of Roses (created by Paris and London Lack, 2025), Cyphers (2024), Points of Intersection (2024), It’s Starting Again (created by Lauren Jershin, 2023), and Evolution (2023). Laura is also pursuing a second degree in Journalism.

Andrea Bernal (Dancer – Spring, Sprang, Sprung and Dreams in the Mist) is a second-year B.F.A in Dance major at The University of Texas at Austin.  Her recent credits with Dance Repertory Theatre include Vanessa Anspaugh's Wild Hearts and Other Ecologies and Angel Blanco’s Presente. She is currently choreographing around central Texas as well as staying involved in several dance orgs around campus.

Ariyana Bogan (Dancer / Rehearsal Assistant – Spring, Sprang, Sprung) is a third-year B.F.A. in Dance major with a minor in Arts Management and Administration at The University of Texas at Austin. She is originally from Houston, Texas, and has a background in various dance styles, including hip-hop, jazz, and contemporary.  Recent credits with Texas Theatre and Dance include 10 + 1 (Points of Intersection, 2024), Evolution (2024), where to go from here (CYPHERS, 2024), Lone.Lean.Less and The Altar of Humanity: The Convocation, The Resolution, The Benediction (Equinox, 2025), The Golden Hour by Giuliana Velez and Saada Diggs (Cohen New Works Festival, 2025), and Evolution (2025).

Triana Cisneros (Dancer- I am here) is a third-year B.F.A. in Dance major at The University of Texas at Austin. She is from Laredo, Texas, where she received extensive dance training at the Laredo School of Contemporary Dance. Her recent credits with Texas Theatre and Dance include Óxido (Rusty) by Claudia Lavista (Points of Intersection, 2024), On and On by Le’Andre (Cyphers, 2024), Motherless Child by Raul Tamez (EQUINOX, 2025), in addition to At This Table by Makaila Natividad in The Cohen New Works Festival.

Paulina Cuenca (Dancer – Spring, Sprang, Sprung) is a B.F.A. in Dance major with an emphasis in performance and choreography at The University of Texas at Austin. Recent credits with Texas Theatre and Dance include Ohr (Rooted in Motion, 2025), Estorbo Publico (MFA Thesis 2025), and In Your Orbit (ACDA 2025).  She recently worked with BODYTRAFFIC L.A. and Zeitgeist Dance Theatre N.M. where she danced in Lineage choreographed by Francisco Gella and Yusha Marie Sorzano.

Emma Flores (Dancer – Spring, Sprang, Sprung) is a third-year B.F.A. in Dance major at The University of Texas at Austin. She is from Austin, Texas, where she grew up doing competitive dance and musical theatre, now she trains street styles, with an emphasis in hip-hop. She most recently danced in DRT's Rooted in Motion (2025) and choreographed for student dance team Redefined Dance Company at the World of Dance Houston competition (2025).

Audrey Friloux (Dancer - I am here, Shadow Puppets) is a B.F.A in Dance major pursuing a minor in Arts Management and Administration at The University of Texas at Austin. She grew up dancing competitively and now teaches and choreographs for students in Austin. Recent credits with Texas Theatre and Dance include Rooted in Motion (2025), Equinox (2025), Evolution (2025), and Cyphers (2024).

Annasofiha Garcia (Dancer – Spring, Sprang, Sprung, Shadow Puppets) is a second-year B.F.A in Dance major also obtaining a minor in Business at The University of Texas at Austin. Born and raised in Brownsville, Texas, She studied various styles of dance under the direction of Diana Santos De Reyes at The Studio Academy of Ballet (TSAB) including ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, and more. Currently, she is also practicing Tap under the direction of Acia Gray at Tapestry in Austin, Texas. Recent credits with Texas Theatre and Dance include Presente by Angel Blanco (2024), VOID/ing by EG Gionfrido (2025), Trazando Taíno by Annie Laura Irizarry (2026).

Leili Givens (Dancer – I am here) is in her third year of pursuing a B.F.A. in Dance with a minor in Social and Behavioral Sciences and Social Work at The University of Texas at Austin. Recent credits include Rooted in Motion (2025), Equinox (2025), Cyphers (2024), Evolution (2024, 2025), and Dance Action’s S.E.E.D. (2023, 2024). This is Leili’s fourth performance with Dance Repertory Theatre. 

Sydney Gladden (Dancer – Dreams in the Mist) is a second-year B.F.A. in Dance and B.S. in Kinesiology and Health double-major at The University of Texas at Austin. She grew up in Round Rock, Texas, and trained intensively with Rise Dance Collective. During her time at The University of Texas, she has performed works by Angel Blanco and Sinclair Emoghene and is excited to be appearing in Dance Repertory Theater for the second time.

Madison Gonzalez (Dancer - Spring, Sprang, Sprung) is from Katy, Texas. She is a first-year transfer student and a current B.F.A. in Dance major with an emphasis in dance education at The University of Texas at Austin Department of Theatre and Dance. Recent credits with Texas Theatre and Dance include the M.F.A. Thesis piece Sovereign Shoulders. She transferred from Tyler Junior College, where she began her collegiate career as a member of the internationally-famous Apache Belles on the 77th line. 

Gillian Gordon (Dancer – Spring, Sprang, Sprung, Shadow Puppets) is second-year B.F.A in Dance and B.S. in Kinesiology and Health double-major at The University of Texas at Austin.  She is from Westchester, New York, where she trained at Westchester Dance Academy for 12 years. This is her second performance in Dance Repertory Theatre. Recent credits with Texas Theatre and Dance include Evolution (2025), and Rooted in Motion (2025). 

Jesus Gutierrez (Dancer – Dreams in the Mist) is from Leander, Texas. This is his second year pursuing a B.F.A. in Dance major with an emphasis in dance education and a minor in Psychology at The University of Texas at Austin. Previously performed in DRT: Equinox, 2024. This will be his second year performing in Dance Repertory Theatre.

Riza Hernandez (Dancer – Spring, Sprang, Sprung) is a second-year B.F.A. in Dance major at The University of Texas at Austin, also pursuing an Entrepreneurship minor through the McCombs School of Business. She is from McAllen, TX and trained at Deborah Case Dance Academy, was a principal dancer with Rio Grande Valley Ballet Company and a Youth America Grand Prix Finalist. Texas Theatre and Dance credits include Presente (2024), Give Your Hands To Struggle (2024), This All Really Happened (2025), S.E.E.D.(2024-2025) and Rooted In Motion (2025). She is Class Coordinator for Dance Action and Cohort Representative for Dance Area Student Council. 

Bryli Lee Jameson (Dancer - I am here) is a B.F.A in Dance major with an emphasis in performance and choreography at The University of Texas at Austin. From the Dallas, Texas area, she has an extensive background in modern, contemporary and African diasporic dance styles. Her credits with Texas Theatre and Dance include Evolution (2024), Cyphers (2024), Equinox (2025) and Rooted In Motion (2025).

Marcel Johnson (Dancer – Spring, Sprang, Sprung) is a second-year B.F.A. in Dance major at The University of Texas at Austin. They earned an Associate of Arts in Dance at San Jacinto College in 2024, where they set new work, “See for Yourself” (2023) . Marcel’s professional performances include El Baile La Loteria by Cynthia Garcia (Pilot Dance Project 2024 and 2025.) Johnson recently founded “ESPA Access Lab,” an initiative program providing free studio space to emerging artists of color.

Katie Jones (Dancer / Rehearsal Assistant - I am here) is a fourth-year B.F.A in Dance major also pursuing a minor in Social Work at The University of Texas at Austin. She is from Katy, Texas, where she trained extensively in ballet and jazz. Recent credits with Texas Theatre and Dance include Rooted in Motion (2025), Equinox (2025), CYPHERS (2024), Points of Intersection (2024), and the Cohen New Works Festival.

Cate Jones (Dancer – I am here) is a fourth-year Finance and Public Relations major at The University of Texas at Austin. She has been involved with the Department of Theatre and Dance since her first semester at UT, taking several technique classes and performing in Evolution each year. Recent credits also include 2023 Cohen New Works pieces, Falling Into Structured Meaninglessness by Anna Valdman and Raised on Estrangement by Ava Tran.

Giovanni Ledezma (Dancer – Spring, Sprang, Sprung) is a third-year B.F.A. in Dance major at The University of Texas at Ausin. He comes from an expansive dance background. Starting with ballet folklorico for over 6 years then exploring various styles which include caribbean, heels, contemporary, jazz, west african, and even hip hop.

Viviana Lopez-Stern (Dancer - Dreams in the Mist) is a first-year B.F.A in Dance major at The University of Texas at Austin. At the age of six, she began dancing ballet folkórico, under the direction of Maria and Alicia Ramirez. This form, along with ballet and contemporary, have been formative in her dance training. During her first semester at UT, Viviana performed at the Meet the First Years’ showcase in choreography set by guest artist Angel Blanco.

Yael Moreno (Dancer – Dreams in the Mist) is a B.F.A in Dance major at The University of Texas at Austin. He has an extensive background in dancing in lots of different styles like folklorico, ballet, hip hop, contemporary, cumbia, salsa, and bachata. Recent credits are performing in the Memphis Grizzlies vs. Austin Spurs half-time show, teaching hip-hop at Texas State, and teaching in different studios and orgs on campus.

Makaila Natividad (Dancer – Shadow Puppets) is a B.F.A. in Dance major with a minor in Arts Management & Administration. She is a creator who merges artistry with faith. She trained at Prisma Dance in Hawai‘i, and performed for Valeria Gonzalez, Jennifer Archibald, Raul Tamez in Dance Repertory Theatre and with Messengerz Dance Company in Europe and Colorado. She was a project lead for Cohen New Works Festival 2025 and student choreographer for DRT Fall 2025. Her artistry reflects her belief that dance is light!

Braxton Nguyen (Dancer - Dreams in the Mist, I am here) is a B.F.A. in Dance major with an emphasis in dance education at The University of Texas at Austin. Recent credits with Texas Theatre and Dance include Bulwark and New Magic Wand.

Cassidy Perry (Dancer, Rehearsal Assistant - Shadow Puppets and Archival Team)  is a third-year B.F.A. in Dance major and a B.A. in Sociology major with minors in Radio-Television-Film and Law, Justice, and Society. She is from Maryland and has an extensive background in numerous styles of dance. Her Texas Theatre and Dance credits include Points Of Intersection (2024), CYPHERS (2024), Equinox (2025), The Cohen New Works Festival in Quiet Tears of Roses (2025), and Rooted in Motion (2025). She has been on archival for five semesters.

Hailey Potter (Dancer – Dreams in the Mist) is a second-year B.F.A. in Dance major with an emphasis in dance education at The University of Texas at Austin. Recent credits with Texas Theatre and Dance include Rooted in Motion (2025), Evolution (2025), and UT Dance Action’s S.E.E.D. (2025). 

Madeline Rodriguez (Dancer - Spring, Sprang, Sprung and Archival Team) is a B.F.A. in Dance major at The University of Texas at Austin. This marks her first performance with Dance Repertory Theatre, following her appearance in the Freshman Showcase (Bulwark, 2025) and Choreography 1 performances (Plus Four and Third Law, 2025).

Sammy Roemer (Dancer –Spring, Sprang, Sprung) is a B.F.A. in Dance major at The University of Texas at Austin. This marks her first performance with Dance Repertory Theatre, following her appearance in the Freshman Showcase (Bulwark, 2025), and a Choreography 1 work by Junior B.F.A. in Dance major Kate Mooney.

IvyCamille R. Sampson (Dancer – Spring, Sprang, Sprung) is a fourth year B.F.A. in Dance student at The University of Texas at Austin.  Her most recent credits are “Answering the Call: The Convocation, The Testimonies, The Benediction.” by Michelle N. Gibson, “The Altar of Humanity: The Convocation, The Resolution, The Benediction” by Michelle N. Gibson and “This All Really Happened (I Made It All Up)” by Leo Briggs. Throughout her years, she has trained under Gesel Mason, Leah Cox, Joel Valentín-Martínez  , Sinclair Emoghene, EG Gionfrido, and Rachel Meador. IvyCamille is a board member of Front N Center which is a dance organization focused on empowering women of color through the art of dance. She is also a representative of the Dance Area Student Council at her university where it is the first year of the organization.

Isabelle Taber (Dancer –Spring, Sprang, Sprung) is a B.F.A. in Dance major pursuing a pre-health certificate at The University of Texas at Austin. She is from San Antonio, Texas, where she grew up doing competitive dance and musical theatre at the North East School of the Arts. She is also a second-year member of The University of Texas DIA Competitive Dance Team. This is her first performance with Dance Repertory Theatre! 

Natalie Vargas (Dancer –Dreams in the Mist) is a transfer B.F.A. in Dance major. She was born and raised in Austin, Texas, and has a competitive dance background, training in multiple styles. While attending the University of North Texas, she performed with their dance team in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Dallas Cowboys Halftime Show, as well as competing at NDA Nationals. She is currently a member of Dance Action and the department's Dance Student Council. She also teaches at Dance Unlimited in Buda and works as a freelance choreographer in the Austin area and is a member of the adult competitive hip-hop team called "Project A" at Evenground Dance Studio. Recent performances with Texas Theatre Dance include Nadia Milad Issa's Agape Love (Equinox, Texas Theatre and Dance, 2025) and Sinclair Emoghene's Me Duniya (Rooted in Motion, Texas Theatre and Dance, 2025).

Maxima Velasquez (Dancer, Rehearsal Assistant – Dreams in the Mist) is a fourth-year B.F.A in Dance major at The University of Texas at Austin. Originally from Brownsville, Texas and Matamoros, Tamaulipas, she began her performance career at the age of two, receiving training in various concert dance and acting techniques. Her credits with Texas Dance Repertory Theatre include Eternal Bonds .2 (Fall For Dance, 2023), where do we go from here (CYPHERS, 2024), Motherless Child (Equinox, 2025), At This Table (The Cohen New Works Festival, 2025), and Mé Duniya (Equinox, 2025). This will be her last concert with the Texas Dance Repertory Theatre Company.

Julia Vickers (Dancer - I am here) is a B.F.A. in Dance with an emphasis in performance and choreography with a minor in Educational Psychology at The University of Texas at Austin. Recent credits with Texas Theatre and Dance include Wild Hearts and Other Ecologies (Rooted in Motion, 2025), Seeking Solace and This was never yours to name (EQUINOX, 2025), You’ve got my heart (Cohen New Works Festival 2025), in addition to multiple student projects on campus. 

Jalissa Vitalis (Dancer – Dreams in the Mist) is a B.F.A in Dance major at The University of Texas at Austin. She is a versatile dancer who has trained in ballet, hip hop, contemporary, and more. With years of performing, her love for dance has grown even stronger. Over the years, Vitalis has performed in concerts, competitions and recitals with many guest artists. She enjoys using her artistic abilities expressing her love for dance to an audience.

Kendall Wenmohs  (Dancer- Dreams in the Mist) is a B.F.A. in Dance major at The University of Texas at Austin. She grew up in Houston, TX where she began her dance training at the age of 2. She has an extensive background in concert dance and competition dance. Recent credits include performances with the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. In addition to this, she has performed in various summer intensive shows with the Joffrey Ballet School and The Dance Awards. As well as performing in DRT, Cyphers, Equinox, and Rooted in Motion

Bailey Whiteman (Dancer - Dreams in the Mist) is a B.F.A. in Dance major at The University of Texas at Austin, with an emphasis in performance and choreography. Her background reflects a long-standing passion and dedication to the performing arts. She has participated in numerous competitions and concert dance performances, including recent credits with Texas Theatre and Dance such as the First-Year Performance, Presente, and Dance Repertory Theatre’s Me Duniya. 

Wynter Winston (Dancer- Spring, Sprang, Sprung) is a fourth-year B.F.A. in Dance major at The University of Texas at Austin. She participated in the 2025 American College Dance Association with her performance of Cyphers, which was selected for the Gala Showcase. Recent credits include Fanny Packs and Her Testimony, Our Story in The Cohen New Works Festival.Her most recent credits are Me Duniya, and Ohr. After graduation, she plans to pursue commercial and company dance, as well as a career in arts administration and journalism.