Designed and Directed by

Giancarlo Rodaz

Music Director

ARN XU

Performers

Conservatory Student Performers

Our team

Administrative StaFF

Giancarlo Rodaz Artistic Director

John Rodaz Founder, Producing Director

Maria Banda-Rodaz Executive Director

Laz Hansen Technical Director

Xierra Itayem Conservatory Director

Irma Becker ITP Director

Emily Bodden Development Manager

Jennifer Gomez Marketing Manager

Arina Solosenkova Front Desk Manager

Tracy Orozco Conservatory Coordinator

Daniela Quevedo Marketing Assistant

Gabriela Hernandez Development Assistant

Samantha Perez Administrative Assistant

Gil Kaufman Video Production, Media

Meet the Performers!

Katie Duerr is a Miami-based actor, music director, and a University of Miami Frost School of Music graduate with Vocal Pedagogy certification from Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Having amassed over 30 music directing credits at Area Stage since 2016, and with the unique experience of being a former student, she now takes immense pride in her role as the in-house Musical Director and senior Conservatory Vocal Coach. Performance credits include: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Mrs. Potts, Carbonell Nominated), Shrek (Fiona), Matilda (Miss Honey), Annie (Grace), Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Allana), Be More Chill (Chloe), She Kills Monsters (Agnes), The Wizard of Oz (Wicked Witch), Cabaret (Frauline Kost), Peter x Wendy (Captain Hook) and Oliver! (Mrs. Sowerberry/Mrs. Bedwin). Directorial credits include: Aladdin Jr. 

Gabriela Hernandez is thrilled to be performing at Broadway at the Botanical! Previous theatre credits include: REGIONAL: Olney Theatre Center: Frozen (Elsa, D.C. Regional Premiere); Timberlake Playhouse: Anything Goes (Erma), Footloose (Urleen), The Wizard of Oz (Ensemble/US Wicked Witch), Clue: On Stage (Ensemble), Jekyll & Hyde (Red Rat Girl/US Nellie). Gabriela is a proud graduate of Pace University, where she earned her BFA in Musical Theater in 2024. Instagram: @gabriela__hernandezz TikTok: @gabrielahernandezzz Website: www.gabriela-hernandezt.com Representation: Clear Talent Group @cleartalentgroup

Imran Hylton is a BFA musical theater graduate and Summa Cum Laude award recipient from The University of Florida and New World School of the Arts. Past performance credits include his Carbonell Award Winning Performance (Best Supporting Actor In a Musical) in Area Stage Company’s production of Beauty And The Beast (Maurice/ Madame), Annie (Miss Hannigan), Cabaret (Bobby), the world premiere of Broadway Musical “A Wonderful World” as the character Banjo Ben directed by Tony Nominee Christopher Renshaw. He would like to thank the amazing creative team of this production, his fellow cast members whom he has the absolute honor to be sharing the stage with, his family and friends for their constant love, sacrifice and support! Instagram: @Imranhylton

John Mazuelos is a local theatre actor and voice over artist. Credits include: Lord Farquaad (Shrek: The Musical), Rooster (Annie), Fagin (Oliver!), King Triton/Chef Louis (The Little Mermaid), Professor Porter (Tarzan); and was nominated for a Carbonell award for his portrayal of Cogsworth and Lefou in the South Florida award winning production of Beauty and the Beast. Follow him @johnluismaz.

Annette Rodriguez is a local performer, voice and acting coach and director of Area Stage’s ITP Productions from Miami, Florida. She studied at New World School of Arts and received her BFA in Music Theatre in 2021. Past theatre credits as a performer include Oliver! (Widow Corney), The Little Mermaid (Scuttle), Beauty and the Beast (Silly Girl), In the Heights (Carla), Annie (Lily St. Regis, Star-to-Be), Polar Express (Steward). She would like to think her close family and friends for supporting her in all her endeavors.

Grace Suárez is an Acting graduate from Interlochen Arts Academy. Recent credits: Tarzan (Young Tarzan) Beauty and the Beast (Silly Girl), Rada (Rada), Sun In Ya Hands (Marisol). Grace was also featured at Lincoln Center’s premiere of MUKTI, where she presented a piece based on her experience as a Venezuelan refugee. She is thrilled to return to Area Stage and deeply grateful to her family for their unwavering support. Instagram/Tiktok: @gracesuarezn

Conservatory Student Performers

Nicole Becker is an 11th grader at Miami Arts Studio. Professional credits: Little Mermaid 2024 (ensemble). Educational: Little Mermaid (Ariel) /Arsht Center, RENT (Mimi Marquez), Beauty and The Beast (Babette)/Arsht Center, Aladdin Jr. (Jasmine), Lady Miasma (Almira Miasma). A winner of the Overall Grand Champion in the 23rd Young Talent Big Dreams competition, she thanks Area Stage for supporting her artistic growth, and her family for supporting her dreams!

Alexander Montero, a senior in the musical theater program at Miami Arts Studio, is thrilled to join Broadway in the Botanical. Performing since age seven, his credits include Hadestown (Orpheus), Anastasia (Dimitri), The Little Mermaid (Eric), and Little Women (Laurie). He made his film debut as Sylvester Coddmeyer III in The Kid Who Only Hit Homers. Offstage, Alex enjoys piano, skateboarding, and wakeboarding, and is grateful to ASC for this opportunity and their constant support. 

Olivia Serrano is a senior at New World School of the Arts, where she studies musical theater. She is thrilled to be performing in Area Stage’s Broadway In The Botanical alongside such esteemed artists. Favorite credits include Hadestown (Persephone), Sweeney Todd (Mrs. Lovett), Mean Girls (Janis) and Hadestown (Hades).

Team

Laz Hansen (Technical Director, Production Coordinator) In 2014 Laz transitioned from 27 years of working in the financial services sector to a career in theater & arts. He joined the New York Film Academy (NYFA) working on the expansion of their facilities in New York and Miami. This led to working with the respective Heads of Filmmaking, Photography and Musical Theater to lead the carpentry and scenic artistry for theater and film sets, and as Technical Director for musical and play productions. In 2019 he moved to Miami and joined Area Stage while continuing work on New York City productions several times a year.

Eliezer Migueles (Master Carpenter) was born in Sancti Spíritus, Cuba, and worked as a farmer from a very young age. Upon arriving in Miami, he began his journey with Area Stage as an assistant carpenter. Over time, he mastered his craft and became the company's Master Carpenter in 2019. Eliezer is grateful for the career change opportunity that Area Stage has provided him and extends his heartfelt thanks to John and Maria Rodaz, and Laz Hanson for their mentorship and support.

Sofia Ortega (Wardrobe) is a multifaceted artist and educator. She is a graduate of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, where she holds BFA in Drama with a minor in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Studies. Originally from Miami, her artistic journey began at age ten when she discovered her love for acting, singing, and dancing. Sofia has directed and choreographed numerous summer intensive workshops and coaches voice, dance (including Tap, Musical Theatre, and Jazz), and acting at numerous theatre and dance programs in Miami. Sofia is also a skilled costume designer, leveraging her strong foundation in the visual arts. Design credits include Area Stage's acclaimed productions of Lionel Bart’s Oliver!, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Anastasia, The Addams Family: Young@Part, and Frozen Jr. Her ultimate goal is to establish her own musical theatre school, where she can nurture aspiring artists to achieve their full potential.

Giancarlo Rodaz (Director, Artistic Director) is a Miami native who grew up immersed in the theatre, working in all areas of production. Directing credits include: Alice in Wonderland, Ride, She Kills Monsters, Shrek the Musical, The Wizard of Oz, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Matilda the Musical, Annie, Be More Chill, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Lionel Bart's Oliver!, Tarzan. Playwright/directing credits: Peter x Wendy, Rise of the Titans (Arsht Center), Janis Matthews & The Dodo Scouts (Area Stage), The Lone Wolf of Honeysuckle Valley, Don’t Fear the Rain (MicroTheater), Alice in Wonderland and Lady Miasma (Area Stage). His musical The Ballad of Janis Matthews and the Dodo Scouts, performed at The Mile Square Theatre (NJ), Lady Miasma. Carbonell Awards: Best Lighting Design nomination, The Nether (2017), Best Director nomination, Be More Chill (2022), Best Director, Beauty and the Beast and Best Production of a Musical, Beauty and the Beast (2022), Outstanding Production of a Musical nomination, The Little Mermaid (2023).  Silver Palm Award: Outstanding Direction and Highly Theatrical Vision for She Kills Monsters and The Wizard of Oz (2018), Be More Chill and Beauty and Beauty the Beast (2022). Oliver! (2024). He received the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce “Shooting Star” Award in 2022. He is currently working on a new project with the rock band Coheed and Cambria.

Arn Xu (Music Director, Pianist) received his BM in Piano Performance from UM’s Frost School of Music and his MM in Piano Pedagogy and Performance from the University of Toronto. In addition to being an active pedagogue, Arn has been described as a sensitive pianist in both a solo and collaborative setting, with performances, masterclasses, and musical theater productions throughout the states, Canada, and Europe. Recent credits include the Area Stage production of Tarzan this past summer.

Board of directors

Sara Poses Chairperson

Huga Arza Vice Chairman

Oscar Caceres Treasurer

Helen Gomez Mopsick Secretary

Ed Acle, Maria Banda-Rodaz, Alan David Barson, Tere Batista, Harvey Burstein, Patricia Farrell, Brian May, Giancarlo Rodaz, John Rodaz, Lee Rubin, Jon Secada, Mari Secada

Board of Advisors

Frank Alvarez, David Caserta, Oscar Isaac, Don Van Natta

DONORS

Area Stage enthusiastically thanks its generous sponsors and donors, without whose involvement and support productions like this one would not be possible.

Award Winning Sponsor ($400,000+)

The Children’s Trust

Critically Acclaimed Sponsors ($350,000+)

State of Florida Agency of Persons with Disabilities

Nominated Sponsors ($250,000+)

Miami Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs

Debut Sponsors ($125,000+)

Dennis & Smith Foundation | Paul Doherty

Standing Ovation Sponsors ($75,000+)

Acle Family | Arza Family | Beatriz Bolton | Lyrasis | Marcia Frazier | May Family | Poses Family | TD Bank | The City of Coral Gables | The National Endowment for the Arts

Box Office Hit Sponsors ($50,000+)

Acle Law Firm | Bean Automotive Group | Jannette Milton | Sullivan Family

Applause Sponsors ($25,000+)

Dosal Foundation | The Jorge M. Perez Foundation and The Miami Foundation | Nicklaus Children’s Hospital

Director Circle ($10,000+)

Alex Vadia | The Gloria Estefan Foundation | Martha Sullivan | Olivia Vlasova | Commissioner Raquel Regalado

Music Director Circle ($5,000+)

Arthrex Inc | Bettina Arguelles Legorburu | Cesar Carvalho | David Worland | Dorothy Lusinski | Erin Hager | Fabian Basabe | Jessie Wolfson | Lee Rubin | Daphne Mershon | Ligia Del Pino | Lora Miller | Martin Stier | Nikisha Williams | Oscar Caceres | Thomas Mooney | Todd and Wendy Mangione | Vanessa Hyden | Acle Family | Arza Family | Beatriz Bolton | Brian May | Lyrasis | Marcia Frazier | Philene Foundation | Sara and Todd Poses | TD Bank | The City of Coral Gables

Choreographer Circle ($1,000+)

Thomas Mooney | Helen Mopsick | Harvey Burstein | Todd Poses | Edward Acle | Fabian de Armas | Hyman & Ida Kirsner | David & Patricia Farrell | Joseph Milton

Designer Circle ($500+)

Lee, Daphne & West Rubin | Javier Saladrigas | Olga Saladrigas | Bettina Legorburu | Erin Hager | The Miami Foundation | Maria Banda-Rodaz | David Caserta | Denise O’Neill | Justin Joy

Actor Circle ($250+)

Eva Escatel | Yann Cosmao | Ninoska Fernandez | Carlos Saladrigas | Gina Maser | Jose M Sanchez | Javier Fernandez | Adrian Esquivel | Joanna Tomas | Carolyn Mara | Jacqueline Kearns | Yann Cosmao | Ayca Kaya | Wendy Mangione | Ashlee Thomas | Philippa Milne

Ensemble Circle ($100+)

Michael Arufe | Yania De De Jesus | Joe Moore | Yann Cosmao | Nicole Arza | Natalie McGinn | Jennifer Gomez | Jessica Schwartz | Sabrina Perez | Mariana Morales | Jacqueline Alfonso | Ginger Moskowitz | Andrea Chavez | Rogelio Figueroa | Leticia Cordero | Bryan Wells | Karin Jawitz | Marti Gammon | Bari Newport | Irma Becker | Lourdes Farinas | Ramon Navarro | Jodie Rozencwaig | Fernando Perez | Eli Encarnacion | Mai Oizumi | Cheryl Newman | Mona and David Markus | Karen Colbert | Jim Mooney | Susana Esrequis | Linda and Tom Dann | Maribel Hung | Jose R Tarajano Jr | Jessica Bonzon | Jonathan Dann | Gricel Quimper | Michelle Arandes | Lucy Cruz | Chris Calvesbert | Beverly Cook | Julie De Grandy | Caressa Lanier | Barbara Pena | Carol Kaminsky | Troy Fields | Ryan Holtzman | Margaret Block | Jose Pere | Khia Lopez | Mary Inhoffer | Ryan Goepel | Charlayne W Thompkins | Lizette Alvarez | Robyn Batelman | Carmen Fanego Calixto | Luis Ramirez | Cheryl Evans | Carla Trinidad | Rachel Poses | Rochelle Lanster | The Pour | Kevin Grace | Timothy Jon Van Hemert | George Navarrete | Heidi Gruber | Jennifer Olenwine | Madelyn Herzfeld | Judith Frankel | Jorge Saladrigas | Ray Reslin | Thomas Proctor | Kathie Poses | Sarah Legorbruru-Selem | Vivian Perez-Siam | Natalie Schwartz | Francesca Silvestri

Friends of ASC ($25+)

Grace Suarez | Cristina Davis | Stefany Hernandez | Peter Hardan | Jenny Gomez | Darra Levy | Ashley Acosta | Olivia Vlasova | Adelia Harris | Amy Schneider | Danny Taha | Lucia McGinn | Ricardo Garcia | Julio Alvarez | Vera Ciocca | Raymond | Xavier Salinas | Margaret Pearson | Melissa Softness | Claudio Acuy | Cristina Davis | Gil Kaufman | Dulce Jane | Sylvia Flores Berkshire | Michael Cruz | Nara Valdez | Mai Oizumi | Lila Dann | Adriana Jaramillo | Fran Aronovitz | Joel Aguilera | David R Eskra | Rafael Sangiovanni | Alan Barson | Jose Redondo | Andie Arthur | Maria T Alonso | Victor De Jesus | Vanessa Dalmau | Geita Infante | Emily De Jesus | Valentina Perez | Yaima (Mark) Fernandez | Iliana Martinez | Tanya Bravo | Anonymous Anonymous | Maria Paz | liza abreu | Andres Orozco | Marisol Gonzalez | Gilda Pruna-Hageman | Conrad Larrauri | Gabe Garcia | Herve Salmon | Darra Levy | Justino Anell | Carlos Alvarez | Maria Leonor Lovo | Cristina Cartaya | Jorgina Fernandez | Marisela Vallejo | Martha Leon | Xiomara Campos | Eliana Salzhauer | Catherine Cathers | Jackie Paz | Juan Antonio Arniella | Maria Paz | Jose Paz | Manuel Castineiras | Deena Cromer | Andrew Noble | WWE. Barradas | Angelina Esposito | Pamela Navar | Gloria Montes de Oca | Rosa Taquechel | Stefany Hernandez | Chris Monge | Pam Schwadron | Alexandra Poses | Elena Napolez | Tracy Moret | Mirba Rivera | John Joffre | Michelle Roth | Ana Moya | Marjorie Dunn | Alia Almeida | Kim Werner | Elaine Lanaris | Mercedes Otero | Jose Redondo | Chantal Salnave | Roger Sparks | Ayira Gomez | Virginia Bales | Monica Nunez | Vivian Calienes | Arsenio Prado | Dean Morell | larry cohen | Nate Rich | Katrina Munajj | Elizabeth Bales | Alan Barson | Lilian Cannataro | Victoria Garcia | Stella Yodice | Amy Bogardus | Michael Davidson | Sofia, Emma, Clara Garcia | Yunia Perera | Melissa Clark | Al Alschuler | Yamileth Espinoza | Enrique Niggemann | Alberto Espinosa | Michelle Castro | Amni Orjeda | Jacqueline Gonzalez | Joe Balerdi | Carmel Mayol | Alex Valdivia | James Rosenberg | Amy Bogardus | Ligia Del pino | Elliot Kula | Robin Gale | Ricky Sill | Julio Alvarez | Valentina Pereda | Jennifer Rossi | Margarita Gonzalez | Jessica Paz | Barbette and Charley Cabrera | Melissa Softness | Mel Meinhardt | Claudio Acuy | Ashley Litwin | Sandy Scemla | Adam Horowitz | Jody Gross | Jorge Campos | Patricia Cowins | Maria Carolina Zalles | Sofia Ortega | Arielle Buchman | Jorge Van Balen | Jennifer Papy Barrow | Ann Bogardus | Laura Mendelson

ABOUT AREA STAGE

It was 1989 when John Rodaz founded Area Stage. Maria Rodaz joined the company that same year and together became pioneers of the Miami Beach arts community on Lincoln Road. Since its inception, the critically acclaimed nonprofit has presented a mix of contemporary and classic plays and musicals, world premieres, forever changing the standards of what South Florida’s theatres can be. Throughout its 35 year history, Area Stage productions have earned over 150+ awards, nominations, accolades, etc, including eighty Carbonell Award nominations and awards, numerous acknowledgments such as the Miami New Times’ “Best Of,” including 1992, 1993, 1997, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023 for Best Theater Company; national recognition on Travel & Leisure Magazine, WLRN, CNN, CNN International, Univision, Telemundo, and on ABC’s Nightline with Ted Koppel as the only theatre company ever featured on the program.

In 2008, Area Stage moved into the beautiful Riviera Theatre in Coral Gables, a dream come true and an opportunity for the company to reinvent itself. With a reimagined mission and vision, the company established a professional-level conservatory program in addition to maintaining a full season of professional productions, concerts, and community events. In 2014, the Inspire Theatre Project (ITP) was established, a life-changing program for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. In 2020, Area Stage moved to The Shops at Sunset Place. Its current headquarters, built from the ground up for its needs, hosts state-of-the-art dance and voice studios and a black box theatre.

Under the visionary leadership of newly appointed Artistic Director Giancarlo Rodaz, Area Stage has undergone a transformative phase, embracing immersive productions as a means to elevate storytelling, forcing multi-generational, multicultural audiences to rekindle new relationships with classic tales. A community partnership with the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, Miami’s premier cultural institution was established in 2022, which has allowed the organization to produce at a much higher level reaching larger audience circles, with sold out performances. The company’s forward-thinking approach and innovative spirit have placed it at the forefront of immersive theater, garnering relationships with Disney Theatricals, GFour Productions, and the MacKintosh office.

Recently, Area Stage was recognized with the 2024 Miami Dade Favorites Silver Award and honored by Miami-Dade County with a Proclamation designating June 6, 2025, as Area Stage Inc. Day in celebration of the Inspire Theatre Project’s outstanding contributions to the community, a true testament to the company’s lasting impact. With over 36 years of artistic excellence, Area Stage thanks you for your continued support. This remarkable legacy celebrates creativity, talent, innovation, and the privilege of serving our beloved community.

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