‘Latino presence on Broadway’ – HOLA Panel

Join us for an insightful discussion on the “Latino presence on Broadway” at the upcoming HOLA Panel. Moderated by esteemed journalist Fernando Cárdenas, this panel brings together industry leaders to explore the impact, challenges, and triumphs of Latino representation in Broadway theater. Confirmed panelists include Director and Choreographer Luis Salgado from R.Evolucion Latina, actress Jennifer Sánchez , and the Chair of The American Theatre Wing and celebrated Costume Designer, Emilio Sosa. Gain unique insights and perspectives from these accomplished professionals as they delve into the complexities of fostering diversity and inclusion on the Broadway stage. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage in a meaningful dialogue that celebrates the vibrant contributions of Latino artists to the world of theater.

¡Te invitamos a unirte a esta importante mesa redonda sobre la ‘Presencia latina en Broadway’ en nuestro próximo HOLA Panel! Moderado por el destacado periodista Fernando Cárdenas, este encuentro reunirá a líderes de la industria para explorar el impacto, los desafíos y los triunfos de la representación latina en el teatro de Broadway. Entre los panelistas confirmados se encuentran el director y coreógrafo Luis Salgado de R.Evolucion Latina, la actriz Jennifer Sánchez y el Chair del American Theatre Wing y celebrado diseñador de vestuario, Emilio Sosa. Sumérgete en las perspectivas únicas de estos profesionales consumados mientras profundizan en las complejos incursiones para fomentar la diversidad y la inclusión en el escenario de Broadway. ¡No te pierdas esta oportunidad de presenciar un diálogo significativo que honra las vibrantes contribuciones de los artistas latinos al mundo del teatro!

General Information and Requirements: 

• Event: ‘Latino presence on Broadway’ – HOLA Panel followed by a Networking Event.
• Moderator: Fernando Cárdenas
• Confirmed Panelists: Emilio Sosa, Luis Salgado, and Jennifer Sánchez .
• Date: Sunday May 19 2024
• Place: IATI Theater (64 East 4th Street, New York, NY 10003)
• Time of the Panel: The HOLA Panel Discussion will last approximately 1 hour from 5 PM to 6 PM.
• Networking Event: Following the discussion, we will host a social gathering with complimentary wine and music in the same theater from 6 PM to 8 PM, providing an opportunity for networking and connection among HOLA Members.

Luis Salgado

Luis Salgado is an award-winning international director, choreographer and educator from Puerto Rico, based in New York City. He is the director/choreographer of the current National Tour of On Your Feet! The Musical – The Story of Emilio & Gloria Estefan and most recently directed and choreographed a  production of AIDA at STAGES St. Louis in Missouri, earning a St Louis Theatre Circle nomination for Outstanding Production of a Musical. He was the Assistant Latin Choreographer of In the Heights on Broadway, which won four Tony Awards.

Currently, Luis is currently working on a new version of AMERICANO!, along with Sergio Trujillo, Book by Tony Meneses and Music and Lyrics by Carrie Rodriguez. In addition, he is currently developing a new musical, in association with R.Evolucion Latina, titled BARBA, a Brazilian Body Percussion Musical, written by Carlos Bauzy and Kim Bixler. He has also been commissioned to conceive a new musical celebrating Colombian culture in Washington D.C by the GALA Hispanic Theater.

In 2022, Luis directed and choreographed the world premiere of ON YOUR FEET! La historia de Emilio y Gloria Estefan ¡EN ESPAÑOL! at GALA Hispanic Theatre in Washington, D.C. The production led the 2023 Helen Hayes Awards field with fifteen (15) nominations and nine (9) wins including  Outstanding Production, Outstanding Direction, and Outstanding Choreography in a Musical.

Luis also directed and choreographed In The Heights at STAGES St. Louis in Missouri in 2022. The production was recognized by the St. Louis Theater Circle Awards with a field-leading eleven (11) nominations and took home six (6) wins including Outstanding Production, Outstanding Ensemble, and Outstanding Choreographer of a Musical.

In total, Salgado staged eight (8) productions in 2022 including three (3) productions of In The Heights, and three (3) productions of On Your Feet including the world premiere of the Spanish language production and in his home of Puerto Rico. He conceived, directed and choreographed Let’s Dance, a production for Transcendence Theatre Company in California and directed and choreographed the award-winning 2022 upfronts for Telemundo.

Luis has worked as the associate director/choreographer of Cirque du Soleil’s Paramour in Hamburg, Germany. Among the productions he has directed/choreographed in the United States and abroad include musical Ella Es Colombia in Bogota, Colombia, the Holland production of On Your Feet!, RAGTIME, TO BE OR NOT TO BE… a Shakespearean Experience, AIDA The Musical, FAME, Amigo Duende the Musical, In The Heights, Matilda, Song of Solomon, Speed the Plow, The Tempest, and Candela Fuerza y Pasión in Lima, Peru. And in 2021, Viva Broadway’s When We See Ourselves concert as part of the Curtain Up event in Times Square produced by Playbill and the Broadway League.

Luis has appeared on Broadway in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, ROCKY, In The Heights, and On Your Feet!, as well as Off-Broadway shows and Broadway tryouts for ‘The Mambo Kings (Frankie Suarez), Fame on 42nd Street (Joe Vegas, understudy,) AIDA, and more. Film credits include: “American Gangster”; “Dirty Dancing 2, Havana Nights”, the television remake of “Dirty Dancing”, “Enchanted”, and “Step Up 2, The Streets” (Alejandro), for which he also was assistant choreographer.

Luis is the founder/director of R.Evolución Latina, an affiliate of the non-profit organization Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Luis’ personal mission as an artist and a leader is to empower communities  through the power of the arts and make a change for the better.

For more information visit: www.LuisSalgado.com

Jennifer Sánchez

A Brooklynite by way of New Mexico, Jennifer is an actress, singer/musician and award winning songwriter. Her Broadway credits include: The Rose Tattoo, Sunday in the Park with George, On Your Feet, Spiderman: Turn off the Dark, Ghost, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, and West Side Story. Jennifer was most recently seen playing Roaslí in the world premiere of “Real Women Have Curves” at the American Repertory Theater. She has performed at the Hollywood Bowl, The Tony Awards and, dreamily, at The White House for president Obama. You can find her single “Heartbeat”, honoring NYC’s essential workers, on all digital music platforms. Insta: @hennihennisanchez

About the Moderator

Fernando Cárdenas

Born, raised, and educated in Mexico, Fernando relocated to New York roughly two decades ago. Combining his media career and his calling as a university professor, he has worked across various mediums, encompassing print, digital, radio, and television.

Back in Mexico, he established the Misteria Theater Company in his hometown, Cuernavaca, and continues to serve as an honorary Executive Director. During his time in the USA, he spearheaded V-me (Spanish Public Television), collaborated with Nielsen on Hispanic television ratings, and later assumed the role of Digital Producer for NY1 Noticias.

It was at NY1, a local New York channel, where he conceived the segment Escenario, dedicated to spotlighting the Latin presence on Broadway. Thanks to its resounding success, Escenario swiftly expanded to encompass all aspects of Hispanic theater and culture in the Big Apple. His journalistic achievements have earned him accolades from organizations such as LatinPlug, LATA, Latin FAMA, and HOLA. Presently, he chairs the Nominating Committee for the HOLA Awards in New York and serves as a voting member on the NYC Committee for the Talia Awards in Spain.

Having dedicated over a decade to covering the world of stage, Fernando now holds the position of editor-in-chief at the Spanish website La Guía Cultural. He has also served as an Executive Producer for Univision 41 New York and currently holds the role of Digital Manager for the Brooklyn-based Spanish network: HITN. Additionally, he is a Journalism professor at CUNY’s City College of New York.

About the HOLA Panels:

The HOLA Panels serve as crucial platforms for fostering dialogue on inclusion, empowerment, and the diverse experiences of Latin/Hispanic individuals in the performing arts. Each panel represents an opportunity to amplify diverse voices within our community, ignite change, and promote understanding through meaningful discourse.

Sobre los HOLA Panels:

Los paneles de HOLA sirven como una plataforma crucial para fomentar diálogos sobre la inclusión, el empoderamiento y las diversas experiencias de los latinos e hispanos en las artes escénicas. Cada panel representa una oportunidad para amplificar las diversas voces de nuestra comunidad, promover el cambio y convocar al entendimiento a través de determinantes debates.

Cancellation Policy:

• This complimentary offer for HOLA members is subject to limited availability. We ask that you register only if you can attend the entire event.
• In the event that you need to cancel your reservation, we kindly ask for your prompt notification with a minimum of 24 hours’ notice. Please send an email to inform us of your cancellation at hola@holaofficial.org.
• Failure to provide timely notice or being a no-show will result in a 3-month restriction from participating in HOLA programming, starting from the event date.
• To register for events during the restriction period, a $35 penalty fee will be required to waive the restriction.

Política de cancelación:

• Esta oferta gratuita para los miembros de HOLA cuenta con plazas limitadas, por lo que les pedimos amablemente que se inscriban únicamente si están seguros de poder asistir al evento completo.
• Si necesitan cancelar, les solicitamos que nos notifiquen con al menos 24 horas de antelación enviando un correo electrónico a hola@holaofficial.org
• La falta de notificación para cancelar dentro del plazo especificado o la ausencia resultará en la restricción de 3 meses para participar en las actividades de HOLA, comenzando desde la fecha del evento.
• Si desea registrarse en eventos durante su período de restricción, tendrá que pagar una tarifa de penalización de $35 para evitar la restricción.

This HOLA Panel is presented in partnership with IATI Theater.

HOLA would like to gratefully acknowledge Radio Drama Network for their generous support towards our 2023-2024 educational programming supporting art that enriches our culture.

This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

This program is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.