About UTM
Mission Statement
Urban Theatre Movement is a multicultural collective of artists dedicated to producing original, contemporary and classical works. We strive to create accessible art and life changing experiences through innovative theatre that serves and mirrors our rich and diverse inner-city communities. We seek to re-envision theatre and evolve as artists by empowering the residents of these neighborhoods. We aim to nurture, support and encourage under-served young artists. To give them voice and hone their potential starting at their most vulnerable stage in life. We will channel their cultural and regional roots to create a more productive and enlightened society.
Meet The Crew
Executive Team
Age 2012 - Greenwich Village, NY
Paul Tully was born in Los Angeles, California. At a young age he moved to New York City where he stayed with his father. Living in Greenwich Village he was quickly introduced to the wonderful world of theatre. At age eleven he appeared in his first stage performance of OKLAHOMA! and instantly fell in love with acting. His father enrolled him in acting classes at HB studios where he began studying…
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Age 2012 - Toa Alta, Puerto Rico
Julian Acosta was born and raised in Puerto Rico. He went to school in the Antilles School System on Fort Buchanan in Guaynabo and High School in El Paso, Texas where his father, a U.S. Marshal, was transferred. Julian started acting at North Harris College in Houston, TX under Sherri Ryan White and went on to earn a B.F.A in Theater at Florida International University in Miami and his M.F.A in Acting…
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Age 2012 - East Los Angeles, CA
Melanie was born and raised in East LA. Melanie has always been involved with community work at a young age and love to help and contribute to others. Melanie is currently a Licensed Cosmetologist who was lured into theatre and became very involved with helping build the company. She also Stage Managed UTM’s last main stage production THE LAST DAYS OF JUDAS ISCARIOT. Melanie is a proud UTM member…
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Age 2011 - Los Angeles, CA
Rich has worked professionally across the country as a director, actor, writer, producer, designer, stage manager, acting coach, and instructor. Theatres include Austin Playhouse, Hyde Park Theatre, Blue Theatre Austin, The Los Angeles Theatre Center, Pacific Stages, Geffen Playhouse, Actors Workout Theatre, SMPAC, and the Artspark Festival to name a few. At Artspark his play Searching… won the…
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Age 2012 - Downey, CA
Daniel Zornes is a proud member of Urban Theatre Movement. He has recently been apart of a few UTM productions including the one act festival "Street Graffiti" and also "The Show Must Go On!", which he co-wrote. Daniel is also a member of UTM's amazingly talented Improv group "Ivy League". One of the best things Daniel enjoys about being in UTM, (besides making people…
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Age 2012 - Los Angeles, CA
A. Alex Alfaro, also known by his artist name of "A.L.Pharaoh" is a native of downtown Los Angeles who has been an artist his entire life. A poet for over 15 years, he initially got involved with UTM through their SP!T, spoken word series. He’s proud to be part of the UTM family and is also a founding member and the current president of The Coalition of Professional Experiencers, a collective…
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Founding Members
Company at Large
Age 2012 - Inglewood, Ca
David Santana was born in Inglewood, CA right in the midst of Los Angeles but for the most part was raised in Orange County. His stage debut was an extremely nervous red-faced spear carrier in an elementary school production of Julius Caesar. He took a long break from the stage and decided to focus on school, athletics and writing until he rediscovered his love for performing through spoken word and acting as a freshman at UCSB; since then he has gotten over most of his stage fright. David earned…
Age 2012 - Norwalk, CA
Evelyn Arreaga was born and raised in Norwalk, California. From an early age, Evelyn always had a keen interest in the art of theatre but never had the courage to perform. After meeting Paul Tully and Brenda Banda, Evelyn became a founding member of Urban Theatre Movement because she believed strongly in the company’s mission statement. She is a woman who believes in giving back to the community and UTM is a great outlet to do so. As a founding member of UTM Evelyn jumped in the position of Marketing…
Age 2012 - Downtown Los Angeles, CA
Jeremy Aluma is a Los Angeles theater director and artist. He is a founding member of Urban Theatre Movement and serves as their Associate Director. Aluma co-founded Alive Theatre and served as their Artistic Director for nearly 2 years, in which time he produced over 20 different plays. Directing credits include; 4 CLOWNS by Jeremy Aluma (Hollywood Fringe Festival Award for Best in Dance and Physical Theater, Hollywood Fringe Festival Nomination for Best World Premiere, Bitter Lemons Most Outrageous…
Age 2012 - Huntington Park, CA
Tony Bartolone is a community college drop out. He honed his craft at Cerritos College where he did nearly twenty plays, won several theatre and writing awards, and made some of his best friends with whom started two theatre companies. He is a founding member of Mozaic Theatre and has been in Urban Theatre Movement since the beginning. He has explored the human condition on stage as an actor, writer, director, comedian, improviser, producer, sound designer and sound technician. He has made several…
Age 2012 - Compton, CA
Essence Brown grew up in Watts and moved to Compton when she was almost seven. Her debut performance was as a Beggar in the HUNCHBACK OF NORTE DAME, and eventually she became a regular among the theater crowd, on or back stage until graduation. Acting had sunk in, and it wouldn't come out. After high school, she started taking courses at Cerritos College, and eventually became a part of a long list of productions, both behind and on stage. Her most current accomplishments was pouring out heart poetry…
Age 2011 - Los Angeles, CA
Audrey began studying dance at an early age with professional ballet companies including Pacific Northwest Ballet and Ballet El Paso. She developed a love for the stage and began performing with various youth and community theaters in the Seattle area. She continues to feed her passion for both acting and dance. Since moving to Los Angeles, Audrey has appeared in a webseries for ABC Family, a campaign for MTV, as well as various commercials and short films. Onstage, she has performed with Reprise…
Age 2012 - Paramount, CA
Isabel is an actor, writer, director, improviser and a dancer. She has performed in numerous dance recitals and has acted in numerous shows with such theater companies as: East LA Repertory, Mosaic Theater, and the Frida Kahlo Theatre. Isabel has directed multiple short-plays and sketches winning two "best director" awards at Cerritos College for APPLES 'N ORANGES written by Sean Zilke-Escalante and GRIM AND VIGOR written by Isabel Davila herself. Also winning for "best writer".…
Age 2012 - Los Angeles, CA
Jon is originally from Los Angeles CA. At an early age he was exposed to the arts and showed a talent for drawing and painting. He studied illustration, painting and photography while at Pasadena City College where he then took his first acting class with Nicholas Hormann. In 2007 he directed his talents toward the movie industry. He’s worked on several independent productions as an art director, storyboard artist, leadman, prop master, prop designer, stunt performer and even a couple featured…
Age 2012 - Anaheim, CA
Billie Escalante is from Anaheim, California. Since she was young she has had an obsession with Makeup Artistry.To Billie, makeup is more than just painting a face; it is a form of expression and originality. Through Urban Theatre Movement, she was been able to, not only, keep her dream of doing makeup alive, but also, keep her individuality. Billie joined UTM after meeting Evelyn Arreaga; it was then that she saw what UTM represented and that their strive for a better world through service and…
Age 2012 - Los Angeles, Ca
Lupe contributes to the company with assisting at our box office and house managing.
Age 2012 -
Sean Zilke-Escalante is an actor, writer, improviser and director. He has written two One-Acts that were produced at Cerritos College and, along with a film scholarship, has won multiple awards regarding his many short films. Sean has always helped and supported UTM since the beginning but couldn't be as involved as he wanted to, due to touring the country as a. Sean's first performance with UTM was in Isreal Lopez's second production of BROKE: (A CHEAP PLAY FOR YO BROKE ASS). In his second production,…
Age 2012 - Downey, CA
Chris was born and raised in Los Angeles, Ca. Chris started acting at Cerritos College in 2007, since then has been hard at work performing and involving himself in any way possible. He has appeared in productions such as THANK YOU, DON’T COME AGAIN, ELEVATOR GAME, PARRALLEL LINES, THE LAST DAYS OF JUDAS ISCARIOT, and most recently MASSACRE (SING TO YOUR CHILDREN). He can also be seen in independent film NOTES OF MY LOVE.
Age 2012 - Los Angeles, CA
Donna Simone Johnson was born and raised in Los Angeles by an actress and an artist, and garned an impressive resume of plays, commercials and television shows by the time she was ten years old, earning her the role of Young Nala in "The Lion King" at the Pantages. In 2003, she was one of 500 young artists named a California Arts Scholar, and given a full scholarship to study acting at California State Summer School for the Arts at CalArts. There, she flourished under the training of Michael…
Age 2012 - South Gate, CA
Israel López was born in Los Angeles and raised in the southeast LA suburbs of South Gate and Huntington Park. Growing up with a single parent and as a result of no childcare, Israel discovered theatre through the process of hanging out at Cal. State Los Angeles. While his mother was in class working on her degree in education, Israel would wander the campus of CSULA watching student performances and exhibitions. The experience of being in a university environment left a huge mark in his young…
Age 2012 - Compton, CA
Hugo Martinez is a proud member of UTM and feels fortunate to have the opportunity to work alongside a group of very talented actors. His credits include Intimate Apparel, Bedheadz, Merry Wives of Windsor, Grapes of Wrath, You Again, Three Extra, The Show Must Go On, Broke, and The Last Days of Judas Iscariot.
Age 2012 - Lakewood, CA
Shanelle Moore was born in Long Beach, CA and raised in Lakewood, CA. She attended a few theatre courses at Cerritos College, where she developed a desire to pursue a career in theatre and film. Soon after, Shanelle performed in several productions directed and produced by Brenda Banda and Paul Tully, such as: LIVE ART at the Rhythm Lounge in Long Beach, CA; EXPRESSIONS in Redondo Beach CA; and STREET GRAFFITI in Hollywood, CA. Some recent performances were: New Strand Ensemble’s production of…
Age 2012 - Long Beach, CA
Samantha Parks was born in California and moved to Kansas with her mother at the age of eight. Her father was a devoted performer and songwriter – so, it was no surprise that as a small child, Sam had already discovered her own love of music and dance. After finishing High School in Olathe, Kansas - she successfully competed in the American Royal Superstars in Kansas City, MO and won nine awards at IMTA in Los Angeles, CA. She has now relocated to Long Beach, California where she continues to…
Age 2012 - Huntington Park, CA
Abraham Ramirez is a member of UTMs improv team THE IVY LEAGUE. He is also an aspiring film maker
Age 2012 - Norwalk, CA
Charlie was born and raised in Norwalk, CA. Charlie auditioned for a school play when he found out a girl he liked was going to. His infatuation with the girl faded but his newfound love for acting didn't. After spending 3 years under the direction of drama teacher Pat McLoy (L.A. County Teacher of the Year, '08-'09) at John Glenn High School, Charlie graduated and continued his study of Theatre at Long Beach City College. After two years of training with professors Hal Landon, Greg Mortensen, and…
Age 2012 - Long Beach, CA
Amery Ken Thao is a first generation Hmong American. Originally from Ottawa Illinois, his parents’ quest for a better life led them to Merced, California. His eclectic thirst for the music, visual art, and theatre brought him to Long Beach where he studied film and theatre. While at attending California State University Long Beach, he honed his directing skills under the tutelage of Head of Directing, Anne D’Zmura, and developed into a multidisciplinary artist with a craving to produce original…
Age 2012 - Whittier, CA
Joel J. Venegas was raised in Whittier, CA. He moved to Pico Rivera in his teens and now resides in Bellflower. His first acting class came at the age of 27, at Cerritos College, under the direction of John Zamora. It was an experience he said changed his life for the better. Once the acting bug hit him, he never looked back and moved forward onto performing on stage. His performances include The Grapes of Wrath (Mayor of Hooverville/Man with Club); Broke: A Play for Your Cheap Ass (Various Roles);…
Age 2012 - Upland, CA
Spencer Weitzel is a native of Southern California and a proud member of the Urban Theatre Movement. Acting is one of his favorite things in the world to do. Some of his favorite memories on stage include playing Buff in “SubUrbia”, DeFlores in The “Changeling” and Eliseo in UTM’s production of “Massacre (Sing to Your Children)”. He’d like to thank his family and friends for being ridiculously supportive and warm and kind and just plain awesome. Feel free to look him up on facebook.…
Age 2012 - Inglewood, CA
Donte Wince is a current major in Theatre Arts and is also a member of UTM. He was attracted to acting immediately after stumbling upon it while looking for something different to challenge him. Donte has been seen in Hamlet, De Donde? and Intimate Apparel, which got him a nominee with ACTF. He has an everlasting desire to reach his highest potential with acting and wants to continue gaining as much experience as possible with the art.
Age 2012 - Los Angeles, CA
Jose Za Zueta was born, bred, and raised in Los Angeles, Ca. and would not have it any other way. Jose was very shy as a child and was forced to take part in his first play at the age of 13 by Sister Irene, the Principal of the Catholic School he attended. After many tears and discussions with Sister Irene and his parents, he performed to an audience of over 1000 people and walked away a different person. Sister Irene told Jose that the experience would change him and that he was destined for great…
