MEET THE ARTIST'S

Sonia Pasqual
ROLE​
Creator and Director
ABOUT ME
Sonia is a trailblazing professor of Live Entertainment Design and Production at Valencia College. Over thirty-years in live show production, the T H E A T R E, she enjoys all aspects of the industry, including, pedagogy, stage design and the new play creation process. Her first pedagogical opportunity was for Walt Disney World, Lighting the Disney Way. Sonia began acting on stage, to singing in chorus, special effects makeup for stage and film, to working on electrics for stage and television studios, painting and carpentry. She holds a Bachelor degree in Theatre Production and Visual Arts, with a minor in Theology from Fordham University Lincoln Center, New York. An Associate of Science degree in Theatre & Entertainment Technology from Valencia College, Orlando, FL. Her Master in Liberal Studies degree, Rollins College reconnected Sonia to philosophy and studying playwrights political and socio-economic lives, which inspired their stories and writing. As a professional stage lighting designer 20 years—her love of texture, color and keen insight to paint the stage with light transitions to personal narratives as theatre for social justice. Her history in technical and design work with Walt Disney World Entertainment, Universal Studios Orlando, and countless theatrical companies in Florida, Oregon, Washington and New York has created the world in which Sonia manipulates now. Sonia is already working on a second play!
INTENTION
To create performance art and literature that is inclusive, diverse, equity and represents the rainbow of people I have known, know and will know--humanity.
Hannibal Callens
ROLE​
Deviser for Blackness, Actor & Comedian
ABOUT ME
Hannibal Callens has had a versatile career in the arts through acting, singing, dancing as well as stand up comedy for almost a decade. He also has an affinity and appreciation for the Black American experience through his love of history and culture. 
INTENTION BEHIND THE PIECE
​Both his love of the arts and his respect for culture culminate in his work on "Conscious Voices". Allowing him to dig deep into his own experience to use the arts as a way to convey his own lessons in an honest way, and share them with the world that is ready and willing to listen.
Celina Gueoli
ROLE​
Colorism, Actress & Dancer
ABOUT ME
​Celina was born and raised in Brazil, where she first fell in love with performing. A leg injury changed her career and destiny, bringing her to the USA, on her own, going after her American Dream when she was only 20. 
A Valencia Alum, Celina graduated with her Entertainment Technology and Design degree with the dream to one day work with shows at Disney. During her time in Valencia, she got back to dance and used to perform to all her lighting design projects, making them a very interesting design to watch. She started her dream career journey at Disney with a professional internship, working show production where she has been working for 10 years. On the side, she continued to pursue her dance passion as a hobby. That was when the Salsa world discovered her, and she started performing for local teams. Five years later, she converted her own garage into a dance studio and in the midst of a Pandemic taught classes online to help not only herself, but others to do something for their mental health through dance! Now she teaches in person adult Salsa and Country Line Dancing, as she jokes “both ends of the spectrum of dances.” Last year she fulfilled another dream and put her own Dance Team of 4 powerful women together to perform on stage!
Now she is fulfilling an old desire to get back to acting; performing the role of a Latina she is very excited to be back at Valencia, but this time on the other side of the curtains!
INTENTION BEHIND THE PIECE
​As the voice of a Latina, I want to bring the passion and power that this culture represents, to inspire those who can see themselves in me that they also can dream and achieve those dreams, if only they believe in their power and passions and never give up fighting their fights for their dreams. I am tapping into all the struggles I went through myself as an immigrant into this country and want to share the voice of those who are also going through similar struggles, so they don’t feel alone.
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This is a very powerful piece, full of distinct heritage pieces that I am embracing the responsibility to include them all together to represent all our differences, coming together as our most beautiful strength!
Isaiah Entzminger
ROLE​
God-Consciousness, Actor
ABOUT ME
Originally from Richmond VA where he studied theatre at Howard University. He is most proud to have studied under the late Al Freeman Jr, Vera Katz,  Henrietta Edmonds and Kelsey E Collie, who inspired me to start want to work with children in the arts. I was a confounder Words To Grow On which was a children's theatre company in Norfolk VA along side Kimberly Hodges.. I also have  studied under the late great Ernie McClintock who was the founder of Jazz Actor's Theatre. Isaiah has also performed twice at  the National Black Theatre festival which was held in Washington DC. I have  been in the movies Lincoln and Hannibal as well as the tv show Homeland. I am also proud to have worked on a variety of tv commercials and informational videos for Capital One. I am so happy to be performing in my very first production in Orlando FL and I look forward to entertaining Florida as well as the world for years to come. I would also like to give thanks to Derome Scott Smith (AART), Toney Cobbs, Rebekah L Pierce, L Roi Boyd and most of all my father Minister Isaiah Entzminger Jr and my mother Helen D. Entzminger. (I wish you all were here to see this amazing transformation. I love and miss you both.) If you ride the waves, you will finally reach land. Peace!
 
INTENTION BEHIND THE PIECE
As the voice of God-Conscious, I want to convey my love for everyone. We must learn to love everyone no matter their belief system, sexual orientation, political views or even their opinions on race. It is time for everyone to come out of darkness and into the light. This is the only way that we will come out of the cave and see the beauty of this world. Which is the beauty of us.
Kaleb Parrilla
ROLE​
Transgender, Actor & Movement
ABOUT ME
Kaleb is a trangender student at Valencia College. His first semester and his debut role on his theater pathway during his college journey. His experiences include working technical theater and improv acting throughout his four years of highschool. In his free time, he volunteers with the UCF Army ROTC program that he is in. He is also looking to enlist into the Army National Guard over the summer meanwhile taking his steps towards his Associates degree majoring in criminal justice. Many of the qualities he has would be discipline, humorous and passionate about the things he does in his everyday life! 
INTENTION BEHIND THE PIECE
Being born into an unaccepting world and having to answer the questions about whether it is okay or not to be who I was destined to be outside of society’s expectations. Sitting here and being who I am with no questions has made me want to tell everyone that it’s okay. Gender and sexual identity are now more openly acceptable in today’s day and age. Doesn’t change the fact that some households don’t have open arms for todays LGBT+ youth. Being mixed and lgbt+ is already a topic to be discussed about but doesn’t mean it can go without saying that those who come out are strong. 
Kristen Wheeler
ROLE​
Artist/Painter, Woman in the Cave
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Religious Female of Color, voice Jennifer Bonner
ABOUT ME
I'm a painter, photographer, writer, and explorer. As a member, employee, and postulant (I'm gonna be a Deacon!) of the Episcopal Church, I live and breathe the church every day. I am a deeply spiritual individual, with friends and family of every spectrum of belief and non-belief. I believe that as long as you are a good person to yourself and others, the rest of the details are what we call in Louisiana, lagniappe. I believe my only job as a Christian is to be the best example I know how to be, by not just saying that I love Jesus, but truly loving LIKE Jesus. I live and love in Southeast Louisiana with my husband, Basset Hound, rambunctious kitty, red beta fish, and massive collection of house plants. 
INTENTION BEHIND THE PIECE
To be honest, Athenian philosophy is far above my level of intellectual understanding, but I dove in this project headfirst when Sonia asked me because something inside my soul was burning a red-hot flame of fiery revelation. What I discovered in our time together is that the Saints were flowing through my words, mind, breath, heart, and soul (not just through my hands as I was already writing icons). At one point, each of us was asked where our inner voices came from at that moment, and my immediate response was “Mary Magdalene.” We had one particular discussion when we were asked what color represents our “voice,” my answer, “RED.” As I came to better understand the Cave and Plato’s explanation of it, I saw a complete and beautiful vision before me. I didn’t ask for it, it certainly didn’t come at the most convenient time, either way, it was a gift. I closed my eyes and sat at my computer, hurriedly typing out the words of what I saw: a first-person account of Mary Magdalene and the Last Supper through the Resurrection with a flashback of when she first met Jesus and he healed her. I saw Mary outside of the cave, within the cave, leaving the cave, and returning to the cave. I’ve held these words and this experience close to me; not quite ready to share for fear of being misunderstood and misinterpreted, but Mary Magdalene shed the cloak of fear when she followed Jesus, when she knelt before his feet at the cross, and when she went into that cave to tend to his body. So, I am shedding that same cloak and sharing this story with you through Conscious Voices in hopes that it will ignite the kindling in your own soul and set the creative spirit aflame in all of us. And if I failed miserably, as often as we creatives think we do, then hey, it was worth the try. 
Emily Cooper
ROLE​
Black Female Body, Actress
ABOUT ME
​I am a proud Jamaican/ Ecuadorian, which fuels my love of acting for the main reason that I am able to portray either ethnicity (or even more) for my characters. I attended the Maile Modeling and Acting school and hope to use that experience to continue acting throughout film. I’ve never performed in theatre until now but I want to use any/all stepping stones to bring me to my goal of receiving an Oscar. I’d say more but just like the GOAT Eminem said “I am whatever you say I am.”
INTENTION BEHIND THE PIECE
​I want to show the audience how our mindset can leave us in defeat and create unknown confidence. Not only are we fighting our own battles, but fighting against others opinion. I have personally gone through my fair share of sexualization and growing into my body showed me how disgusting people can be with their commentary. Especially family. If anything I’m not playing a character. I am acting out my life. 

Maria Sanchez

ROLE
Assistant Student Director
ABOUT ME
Maria “Gaby” is a student in the Live Entertainment Design and Production program at Valencia College. She has been involved in short films and independent projects, but discovered her interest in live performances and stage design while still enrolled in the film program, prompting her to make a major swap. Currently, she is working towards finishing her studies and participating in more fun projects.
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NTENTION BEHIND THE PIECE
I was given the opportunity to participate in this play as a way of discovering and learning about theatre. But to be a part of a project that gives voices to the unheard has meant more than just a career aspect.

​As a Venezuelan immigrant, I've experienced my fair share of colorism and feeling displaced in society. This play helped me realize that just like I felt, there are many others who feel they to don’t belong outside the cave or don't have the courage because of how society portray us. We have no place in this society, not as quiet individuals, we have voices, let’s use them.

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