ELENA VELASCO (she/her/ella)
Unions: SDC; SAG/AFTRA
CELL: 703-328-8868
EMAIL: [email protected]
PRODUCTION EXPERIENCE
Directing Credits * Also Choreographer #Helen Hayes Award Nominee +Helen Hayes Recommended
Frida Libre * GALA Hispanic Theater
Picasso * GALA Hispanic Theater
Arco Iris * # Arts on the Horizon
In the Heights # NextStop Theatre
Mojada * + 1st Stage
Alma Central Square Theater
La Llamada de Sylvia Méndez (new version) * GALA Hispanic Theatre
The Amazing Adventures of Dr. Wonderful * + Keegan Theatre
La Llamada de Sylvia Méndez * GALA Hispanic Theatre
El Rostro de la Luna * Adventure Theatre (co-director)
Guerrilla Theatre Works: Boiling Point Convergence Theatre
The Magical Piñata * Keegan Theatre
A New Nation * One Journey Festival (local DC tour)
Hands on a Hardbody * + Keegan Theatre
Entre la Tierra y el Cielo * Gala Hispanic Theatre
A New Nation *+ Convergence Theatre
This Is All Just Temporary * Convergence Theatre
Hansel & Gretel * + Synetic Theater (co-director/adapter/choreographer)
Fracture South Asian Performing Arts Network (SAPAN Institute)
Best of Ten Minute Plays Source Theatre Festival
Witch * Convergence Theatre
At What Cost? * Convergence Theatre
Óyeme, the Beautiful* Óyeme/Imagination Stage Tour
Bhavi the Avenger * Convergence Theatre
Nurse Fawn* Convergence Theatre (at Catholic University)
Coriolanas* DC Capital Fringe Festival, Atlas Performing Arts
A Bid to Save the World* Source Theater Festival (Premiere)
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Synetic Family Theater
Rough Faced Girl * (Helen Hayes Recommended) Synetic Family Theater
The Magic Paintbrush * (Helen Hayes Recommended) Synetic Family Theater
Las Aventuras de Tio Conejo * Synetic Family Theater
The Armadillo’s Song * Synetic Family Theater
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Chalice Theater
Charlotte’s Web * Chalice Theater
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Musical) * Chalice Theater
Once on this Island * Chalice Theater
Big the Musical * Chalice Theater
Seussical * Chalice Theater
Anything Goes * Chalice Theater
Angel in the Battlefield Discovery Theater
El Viaje Discovery Theater
STAGED READINGS DIRECTING CREDITS
Last Song for My Father Kennedy Center REACH Local Arts Residency
Walter Mercado presents a queer Puerto Rican
(not just) Christmxs Carol Avant Bard
Kairos Contemporary American Theatre Fest
Cebollas Contemporary American Theatre Fest
Belonging without Strings Transformation Theatre
DMV QFest: Virtual BIPOC 10 Minute Play Festival Convergence Theatre
On the Wings of a Mariposa (virtual) Adventure Theatre MTC
Snapshots Convergence Theatre
American Triage Georgetown University Borders and Their Shadows International Festival
The QoL Mandate NextStop Theatre
Entre el Cielo y la Tierra Kennedy Center New Visions New Voices
Her, Across the River Avant Bard Theater
Crossing the Street is…. Young Playwrights Theatre
Silence is Violence Young Playwrights Theatre
Miranda Avant Bard Theater
Bhavi the Avenger Convergence Theatre, 2015
University Productions
Ride the Cyclone Bowie State University
Men on Boats (co-director w/KenYatta Rogers) University of Maryland
Medea (aerial choreographer) Bowie State University
Dreamgirls Bowie State University
Little Shop of Horrors Bowie State University
#metoo * Bowie State University
Godspell Bowie State University
La Perdida* Catholic University Callan Theater (Musical Premiere)
Coriolanus Catholic University Lab Theater
So Snow Catholic University Lab Theater
Assistant Director
Three Men in a Boat Synetic Theater (Derek Goldman)
Hampton Years Theater J (Shirley Serotsky)
Shakespeare in Hollywood Hartke Theater (Jay Brock)
Choreography Credits
The Agitators Mosaic Theater Company
Guerrilla Theatre Works: At What Cost? Convergence Theatre
Midsummer Night's Dream WSC's Avant Bard
The Hampton Years Theater J (Assistant Director)
1776 Keegan Theater
Oliver Chalice Theater
The Pajama Game BFCDS
Pirates of Penzance BFCDS
Cinderella BFCDS
ACTING/PERFORMER EXPERIENCE
Theater
White Rabbit, Red Rabbit Performer NextStop Theatre
The Decameron (Digital Adaptation) Company Member Synetic Theater
Now This! Musical Improv Co. Member (2003-2016) Washington, DC
Red Suspenders Cleo Theatre Alliance
Perdita Carlota Signature STAGES
Shakespeare in the Schools Helena/Lady Capulet Educational Theatre Co.
The Pearl Juana Kennedy Center
Fiesta! Storyteller Kennedy Center
Talking Eggs Widow/Old Woman Imagination Stage
Rapunzel and Other Hair Tales Rapunzel/Puppeteer Discovery Theater
Tales from El Salvador Mama Discovery Theater
Measure for Measure Isabella Mount Vernon Players
Theodora, She-Bitch Justinian Theatre Conspiracy
Carrier Kim Theater of the First Amendment
Comedysportz Company Member Washington, DC
Television, Commercial, and Film
VEEP (HBO Pilot) Nevada Constituent HBO
Stop N Shop – Stock Up Sale Spokesperson Oil Factory Company
Health Care Reform: Man on the Street Mother GMMB
Giant Food Spokesperson Oil Factory Company
People for American Way Spokesperson People for the American Way
Epix Internet Spokesperson JPL Productions
Wendy’s Restaurants Food Sampler TEAMVU
Nobel Prize/Smithsonian (V/O) Reporter Sounds of Science
Game Change Reporter Denali Productions
Head of State Interviewer DreamWorks
Along Came a Spider Tourist Paramount
America’s Most Wanted Josephine Otero (BTK) AMW
America’s Most Wanted: Top Cops Sra. Diaz AMW
Industrials
NASA, Department of Homeland Security, Zoning for Prince William County, Center for Workers’ Rights, Transportation Security Administration, NIH, INS, IRS, Sodexho-Marriott, Census Bureau, Bell Atlantic, Red Cross, Navy Federal Bank
RELATED PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE
Convergence Theatre - Artistic Director, 2014-present
convergencetheatre.org/
Óyeme - Affiliated Artist and Co-Creator, 2014 - 2020
A theatre arts haven for unaccompanied minors in Maryland, focused on creating creative space, building community and developing advocacy performances in partnership with students and professional artists. Generously supported by Imagination Stage and the Doris Duke Foundation.
Young Playwrights' Theater - Guest Director, April 2016 - April 2018
Young Playwrights' Theater was created to partner theatre artists and DC area school children in an effort to provide a space, both physical and spiritual, where youth could generate plays from their experiences and imagination. As Guest Director, these plays are staged with professional actors and performed on professional area theatre stages, such as Anacostia Playhouse, GALA Theatre and Theatre J. Performances have included Silence is Violence, Crossing the Street: SW is... (a poetic docudrama on gentrification), and the annual YPT Playwriting Festival.
Solo Artist Performances, 2001-2011
One Woman Show presenting Latin American folktales, performed in the Greater Washington DC area.
Performance locations included Hirschhorn Museum, Newseum, National Zoo, DC Public Libraries, Prince George’s County Public Libraries, Montgomery County Public Schools, City of Gaithersburg, and Class Acts Arts’ sites.
five foot two productions – Co-founder, performer, and writer, 1999-2000
A female puppetry company focused on multicultural folktales. Public performances hosted by Discovery Theater, National Zoo, Dumbarton House, and DC public schools from 1999-2000.
EDUCATIONAL THEATRE PRODUCTION * Also choreographer
The Lion King, Jr. * Burgundy Farm Country Day School
A Thousand Cranes * Burgundy Farm Country Day School
Pirates of Penzance * HB Woodlawn Secondary School
The Witch of Edmonton * HB Woodlawn Secondary School
She Kills Monsters* Imagination Stage Conservatory
Willy Wonka and Chocolate Factory * Mount Vernon Children’s Theater
The Wizard of Oz * Mount Vernon Children’s Theater
Seussical * Mount Vernon Children’s Theater
Anne of Green Gables * Mount Vernon Community Children’s Theater
Maricela de la Luz Lights Up the World * Imagination Stage Student Company
Anything Goes Imagination Stage Student Company
Annie Imagination Stage Outreach Theater
The Demon Headmaster Imagination Stage Outreach Theater
Commissioned Youth Musicals (Synetic Theater)
Star Force
The Wild and Wacky Wizarding World of Wiley Skylar
Sha-Zam! the Musical
Original Youth Musicals through Residency Partnerships
What the Dickens! Educational Theatre Company
Mooin, Bear Child Educational Theatre Company
The World According To Bill Educational Theatre Company
Liang and the Magic Paintbrush Educational Theatre Company
Zeusical Educational Theatre Company
Alice in Wonderland Educational Theatre Company
Where the Wild Things Are Educational Theatre Company
Shakin’ Up Shakespeare Educational Theatre Company
Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator Educational Theatre Company
The True Story Educational Theatre Company
Trickster Tales Educational Theatre Company
The Lorax Educational Theater Company
The Snow Queen Educational Theatre Company
The Class of Junie B Jones Educational Theatre Company
My Father’s Dragon Educational Theatre Company
EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION
M.F.A. in Directing, Catholic University
B.A. in Drama, Magna cum Laude, Catholic University
RYT-200 (Vinyasa Yoga), Rising Sol Yoga School.
TRAININGS
Directors Lab West 2018 (Professional Development Intensive)
Cornerstone Theater - Paula Donnelly, Peter Howard, Daniel Penilla (Professional Development Intensive)
Stage Combat – Casey Kaleba, Catholic University
Voice -Cathy Manly, Maureen Codelka
Tap – Diane Braden, Diane Hamilton
Jazz – Maria Watson, Diane Hamilton
Physical Theater–Paata Tsikurishvili, Irakli Kasvade, SyneticTheater
Silks Aerials - Urban Evolution
AWARDS
University Systems of Maryland Board of Regents 2024 Creativity Award.
Helen Hayes 2024 Nomination - Best Director and Best Musical, In the Heights, NextStop Theatre.
Helen Hayes 2024 Nomination - Charles MacArthur Best New Play, Arco Iris (playwright/director), Arts on the Horizon.
Excellence in Acting Instruction, Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival and National Alliance of Acting Instructors.
2023 Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF) Barbara Whitman Award - sdcfoundation.org/2023-recipient-and-finalists-barbara-whitman-award/.
The Amazing Adventures of Dr. Wonderful, Keegan Theater, (Director/Choreographer), Broadway World DC Best Theatre For Young Audiences Award, 2022 - www.broadwayworld.com/washington-dc/article/Winners-Announced-For-The-2022-BroadwayWorld-Washington-DC-Awards-20230127.
Pipeline, Special Achievement in Direction by a Faculty Artist, Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, 2022
Outstanding Creative Works, Bowie State University, 2021.
DCBX Veinte Award, Washington DC, 2019.
Young Faculty Award, Bowie State University College of Arts and Sciences, 2019.
Guerrilla Theatre Works: A New Nation, Convergence Theatre (Director/Choreographer), Best of Professional Productions, DC Metro Theatre Arts, 2018.
Guerrilla Theatre Works: A New Nation, Convergence Theater (Director/Choreographer), Helen Hayes recommendation, 2018.
Anacostia Arts Center/ARCH Development Residency (Convergence Theatre), 2018.
Tom Behm Scholarship for Professional Development, Southeastern Theatre Conference, 2017.
Imagination Stage - Building Demand for the Arts Grant, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, 2016-2017 (Affiliated Artist).
CulturalDC Mead Theater Lab Grant, 2016-2017 (For Convergence Theatre).
CulturalDC Mead Theater Lab Grant, 2015-2016 (For Convergence Theatre).
Graduate Assistantship, Catholic University, 2012-2015.
Unions: SDC; SAG/AFTRA
CELL: 703-328-8868
EMAIL: [email protected]
PRODUCTION EXPERIENCE
Directing Credits * Also Choreographer #Helen Hayes Award Nominee +Helen Hayes Recommended
Frida Libre * GALA Hispanic Theater
Picasso * GALA Hispanic Theater
Arco Iris * # Arts on the Horizon
In the Heights # NextStop Theatre
Mojada * + 1st Stage
Alma Central Square Theater
La Llamada de Sylvia Méndez (new version) * GALA Hispanic Theatre
The Amazing Adventures of Dr. Wonderful * + Keegan Theatre
La Llamada de Sylvia Méndez * GALA Hispanic Theatre
El Rostro de la Luna * Adventure Theatre (co-director)
Guerrilla Theatre Works: Boiling Point Convergence Theatre
The Magical Piñata * Keegan Theatre
A New Nation * One Journey Festival (local DC tour)
Hands on a Hardbody * + Keegan Theatre
Entre la Tierra y el Cielo * Gala Hispanic Theatre
A New Nation *+ Convergence Theatre
This Is All Just Temporary * Convergence Theatre
Hansel & Gretel * + Synetic Theater (co-director/adapter/choreographer)
Fracture South Asian Performing Arts Network (SAPAN Institute)
Best of Ten Minute Plays Source Theatre Festival
Witch * Convergence Theatre
At What Cost? * Convergence Theatre
Óyeme, the Beautiful* Óyeme/Imagination Stage Tour
Bhavi the Avenger * Convergence Theatre
Nurse Fawn* Convergence Theatre (at Catholic University)
Coriolanas* DC Capital Fringe Festival, Atlas Performing Arts
A Bid to Save the World* Source Theater Festival (Premiere)
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Synetic Family Theater
Rough Faced Girl * (Helen Hayes Recommended) Synetic Family Theater
The Magic Paintbrush * (Helen Hayes Recommended) Synetic Family Theater
Las Aventuras de Tio Conejo * Synetic Family Theater
The Armadillo’s Song * Synetic Family Theater
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Chalice Theater
Charlotte’s Web * Chalice Theater
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Musical) * Chalice Theater
Once on this Island * Chalice Theater
Big the Musical * Chalice Theater
Seussical * Chalice Theater
Anything Goes * Chalice Theater
Angel in the Battlefield Discovery Theater
El Viaje Discovery Theater
STAGED READINGS DIRECTING CREDITS
Last Song for My Father Kennedy Center REACH Local Arts Residency
Walter Mercado presents a queer Puerto Rican
(not just) Christmxs Carol Avant Bard
Kairos Contemporary American Theatre Fest
Cebollas Contemporary American Theatre Fest
Belonging without Strings Transformation Theatre
DMV QFest: Virtual BIPOC 10 Minute Play Festival Convergence Theatre
On the Wings of a Mariposa (virtual) Adventure Theatre MTC
Snapshots Convergence Theatre
American Triage Georgetown University Borders and Their Shadows International Festival
The QoL Mandate NextStop Theatre
Entre el Cielo y la Tierra Kennedy Center New Visions New Voices
Her, Across the River Avant Bard Theater
Crossing the Street is…. Young Playwrights Theatre
Silence is Violence Young Playwrights Theatre
Miranda Avant Bard Theater
Bhavi the Avenger Convergence Theatre, 2015
University Productions
Ride the Cyclone Bowie State University
Men on Boats (co-director w/KenYatta Rogers) University of Maryland
Medea (aerial choreographer) Bowie State University
Dreamgirls Bowie State University
Little Shop of Horrors Bowie State University
#metoo * Bowie State University
Godspell Bowie State University
La Perdida* Catholic University Callan Theater (Musical Premiere)
Coriolanus Catholic University Lab Theater
So Snow Catholic University Lab Theater
Assistant Director
Three Men in a Boat Synetic Theater (Derek Goldman)
Hampton Years Theater J (Shirley Serotsky)
Shakespeare in Hollywood Hartke Theater (Jay Brock)
Choreography Credits
The Agitators Mosaic Theater Company
Guerrilla Theatre Works: At What Cost? Convergence Theatre
Midsummer Night's Dream WSC's Avant Bard
The Hampton Years Theater J (Assistant Director)
1776 Keegan Theater
Oliver Chalice Theater
The Pajama Game BFCDS
Pirates of Penzance BFCDS
Cinderella BFCDS
ACTING/PERFORMER EXPERIENCE
Theater
White Rabbit, Red Rabbit Performer NextStop Theatre
The Decameron (Digital Adaptation) Company Member Synetic Theater
Now This! Musical Improv Co. Member (2003-2016) Washington, DC
Red Suspenders Cleo Theatre Alliance
Perdita Carlota Signature STAGES
Shakespeare in the Schools Helena/Lady Capulet Educational Theatre Co.
The Pearl Juana Kennedy Center
Fiesta! Storyteller Kennedy Center
Talking Eggs Widow/Old Woman Imagination Stage
Rapunzel and Other Hair Tales Rapunzel/Puppeteer Discovery Theater
Tales from El Salvador Mama Discovery Theater
Measure for Measure Isabella Mount Vernon Players
Theodora, She-Bitch Justinian Theatre Conspiracy
Carrier Kim Theater of the First Amendment
Comedysportz Company Member Washington, DC
Television, Commercial, and Film
VEEP (HBO Pilot) Nevada Constituent HBO
Stop N Shop – Stock Up Sale Spokesperson Oil Factory Company
Health Care Reform: Man on the Street Mother GMMB
Giant Food Spokesperson Oil Factory Company
People for American Way Spokesperson People for the American Way
Epix Internet Spokesperson JPL Productions
Wendy’s Restaurants Food Sampler TEAMVU
Nobel Prize/Smithsonian (V/O) Reporter Sounds of Science
Game Change Reporter Denali Productions
Head of State Interviewer DreamWorks
Along Came a Spider Tourist Paramount
America’s Most Wanted Josephine Otero (BTK) AMW
America’s Most Wanted: Top Cops Sra. Diaz AMW
Industrials
NASA, Department of Homeland Security, Zoning for Prince William County, Center for Workers’ Rights, Transportation Security Administration, NIH, INS, IRS, Sodexho-Marriott, Census Bureau, Bell Atlantic, Red Cross, Navy Federal Bank
RELATED PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE
Convergence Theatre - Artistic Director, 2014-present
convergencetheatre.org/
Óyeme - Affiliated Artist and Co-Creator, 2014 - 2020
A theatre arts haven for unaccompanied minors in Maryland, focused on creating creative space, building community and developing advocacy performances in partnership with students and professional artists. Generously supported by Imagination Stage and the Doris Duke Foundation.
Young Playwrights' Theater - Guest Director, April 2016 - April 2018
Young Playwrights' Theater was created to partner theatre artists and DC area school children in an effort to provide a space, both physical and spiritual, where youth could generate plays from their experiences and imagination. As Guest Director, these plays are staged with professional actors and performed on professional area theatre stages, such as Anacostia Playhouse, GALA Theatre and Theatre J. Performances have included Silence is Violence, Crossing the Street: SW is... (a poetic docudrama on gentrification), and the annual YPT Playwriting Festival.
Solo Artist Performances, 2001-2011
One Woman Show presenting Latin American folktales, performed in the Greater Washington DC area.
Performance locations included Hirschhorn Museum, Newseum, National Zoo, DC Public Libraries, Prince George’s County Public Libraries, Montgomery County Public Schools, City of Gaithersburg, and Class Acts Arts’ sites.
five foot two productions – Co-founder, performer, and writer, 1999-2000
A female puppetry company focused on multicultural folktales. Public performances hosted by Discovery Theater, National Zoo, Dumbarton House, and DC public schools from 1999-2000.
EDUCATIONAL THEATRE PRODUCTION * Also choreographer
The Lion King, Jr. * Burgundy Farm Country Day School
A Thousand Cranes * Burgundy Farm Country Day School
Pirates of Penzance * HB Woodlawn Secondary School
The Witch of Edmonton * HB Woodlawn Secondary School
She Kills Monsters* Imagination Stage Conservatory
Willy Wonka and Chocolate Factory * Mount Vernon Children’s Theater
The Wizard of Oz * Mount Vernon Children’s Theater
Seussical * Mount Vernon Children’s Theater
Anne of Green Gables * Mount Vernon Community Children’s Theater
Maricela de la Luz Lights Up the World * Imagination Stage Student Company
Anything Goes Imagination Stage Student Company
Annie Imagination Stage Outreach Theater
The Demon Headmaster Imagination Stage Outreach Theater
Commissioned Youth Musicals (Synetic Theater)
Star Force
The Wild and Wacky Wizarding World of Wiley Skylar
Sha-Zam! the Musical
Original Youth Musicals through Residency Partnerships
What the Dickens! Educational Theatre Company
Mooin, Bear Child Educational Theatre Company
The World According To Bill Educational Theatre Company
Liang and the Magic Paintbrush Educational Theatre Company
Zeusical Educational Theatre Company
Alice in Wonderland Educational Theatre Company
Where the Wild Things Are Educational Theatre Company
Shakin’ Up Shakespeare Educational Theatre Company
Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator Educational Theatre Company
The True Story Educational Theatre Company
Trickster Tales Educational Theatre Company
The Lorax Educational Theater Company
The Snow Queen Educational Theatre Company
The Class of Junie B Jones Educational Theatre Company
My Father’s Dragon Educational Theatre Company
EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION
M.F.A. in Directing, Catholic University
B.A. in Drama, Magna cum Laude, Catholic University
RYT-200 (Vinyasa Yoga), Rising Sol Yoga School.
TRAININGS
Directors Lab West 2018 (Professional Development Intensive)
Cornerstone Theater - Paula Donnelly, Peter Howard, Daniel Penilla (Professional Development Intensive)
Stage Combat – Casey Kaleba, Catholic University
Voice -Cathy Manly, Maureen Codelka
Tap – Diane Braden, Diane Hamilton
Jazz – Maria Watson, Diane Hamilton
Physical Theater–Paata Tsikurishvili, Irakli Kasvade, SyneticTheater
Silks Aerials - Urban Evolution
AWARDS
University Systems of Maryland Board of Regents 2024 Creativity Award.
Helen Hayes 2024 Nomination - Best Director and Best Musical, In the Heights, NextStop Theatre.
Helen Hayes 2024 Nomination - Charles MacArthur Best New Play, Arco Iris (playwright/director), Arts on the Horizon.
Excellence in Acting Instruction, Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival and National Alliance of Acting Instructors.
2023 Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF) Barbara Whitman Award - sdcfoundation.org/2023-recipient-and-finalists-barbara-whitman-award/.
The Amazing Adventures of Dr. Wonderful, Keegan Theater, (Director/Choreographer), Broadway World DC Best Theatre For Young Audiences Award, 2022 - www.broadwayworld.com/washington-dc/article/Winners-Announced-For-The-2022-BroadwayWorld-Washington-DC-Awards-20230127.
Pipeline, Special Achievement in Direction by a Faculty Artist, Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, 2022
Outstanding Creative Works, Bowie State University, 2021.
DCBX Veinte Award, Washington DC, 2019.
Young Faculty Award, Bowie State University College of Arts and Sciences, 2019.
Guerrilla Theatre Works: A New Nation, Convergence Theatre (Director/Choreographer), Best of Professional Productions, DC Metro Theatre Arts, 2018.
Guerrilla Theatre Works: A New Nation, Convergence Theater (Director/Choreographer), Helen Hayes recommendation, 2018.
Anacostia Arts Center/ARCH Development Residency (Convergence Theatre), 2018.
Tom Behm Scholarship for Professional Development, Southeastern Theatre Conference, 2017.
Imagination Stage - Building Demand for the Arts Grant, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, 2016-2017 (Affiliated Artist).
CulturalDC Mead Theater Lab Grant, 2016-2017 (For Convergence Theatre).
CulturalDC Mead Theater Lab Grant, 2015-2016 (For Convergence Theatre).
Graduate Assistantship, Catholic University, 2012-2015.
