ARTIST BIOS

Veronica Bazan Garrubbo (Antonia, she/her) is honored to be making her Wirtz debut as she closes out her time at Northwestern. Favorite educational credits include “In The Heights” (Vanessa) and “Merrily We Roll Along” (Meg; Beth u/s) at Northwestern, as well as “Mad For Love” (Finea) at the British American Drama Academy. Endless thanks to Henry, Mariana, Andra, and the cast and creative team for such a warm process. veronicagarrubbo.com /IG: @veronicagarrubbo

Sophia Bogdanovitch (Swing, U/S Cantora, Fermina, Maria, Antonia, she/her) is a second year, voice and opera major from Wellesley, Massachusetts. She has previously performed at Northwestern in Jesus Christ Superstar, Pirates of Penzance, Shimmer and Sweeney Todd. She thanks her family for all their support and love.

Cristin Carole (Intimacy and Violence Designer, she/her) is a movement designer and director. Her choreography and intimacy design credits include productions at Steppenwolf, Timeline, American Blues, Rivendell, Court and Writers Theatre. At Goodman Theatre, she served as Movement Director for “Toni Stone”, Associate Director for August Wilson’s “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” and worked on intimacy designs for “Inherit the Wind.” She recently directed “Legally Blonde the Musical” at Loyola University and is the assistant director for “Hymn” at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Cristin founded the Shirley Hall Bass Foundation, a US non-profit dedicated to performing arts education.

Isadora Coco Gonzalez (Aldonza, she/her) is a senior at Northwestern University studying Theatre, Dance, and Art History. Her Northwestern performance credits include “Man of La Mancha,” “The Tempest,” “Me…Jane,” “Frida,” “Working,” “Seussical” and “Matilda.” She is a member of the Music Theatre Certificate Program, the Jewish Theatre Ensemble, and an avid choreographer for Steam Heat Dance Company. Thank you Henry, Mariana, Andra, and the Mancha team! To learn more about Coco, check out her website: isadoracocogonzalez.com

Henry Godinez (Director) is Carlos Montezuma Professor/Chair of Theatre at NU and Sable Resident Director at Goodman Theatre where he recently directed Inherit the Wind, as well as Measure for Measure at Chicago Shakespeare Theater and Big Fish for Marriott Lincolnshire. Other directing includes Signature Theatre, Yale Repertory Theatre, Seattle Rep, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and Dallas Theater Center. Born in Havana, Cuba, he is co-founder of Teatro Vista and serves on the board of the Illinois Arts Council and Goodman Theatre. 

Clarisa Gomez Rodriguez (Ensemble, U/S Aldonza, she/her) is a first-year Theatre major at Northwestern University pursuing minors in Sound Design and Dance. Originally from Venezuela, she has lived in Madrid and London. At Northwestern, she has appeared as Phoebe in Pythia (an original musical) and is a proud member of Vertigo Productions and the Latin Music Ensemble. Clarisa is passionate about composing, directing, and exploring the intersections of feminism and Latine identity in musical theatre.

Phoenix Gonzalez (Production Dramaturg, she/her) is a PhD student in Theatre and Drama, with a focus on medieval and early modern religious drama. Previously, she worked with the Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts as dramaturg for the productions Everybody (2023) and Something Rotten (2022).

Theo Gyra (Captain/Duke/Carrasco, he/him) is a senior from Dubai, United Arab Emirates studying Theatre and Arabic with a certificate in Music Theatre. Chicago Theatre credits include the Goodman Theatre’s “Inherit the Wind” and The Lyric Opera of Chicago’s “The Listeners.” Previous Northwestern Theatre credits include the Wirtz Center’s “The Aliens” (Jasper), “The Clean House” (Charles), “Blood Wedding” (Leonardo), “Be Mean To Me” (Damir), “Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo” (Tom), “Lunar Rhapsody” (1st Dimensional), JTE’s “Cabaret” (Ernst), and the American Musical Theatre Project’s “Cowboy Bob” (Cop Billy), and “Escapeland” (Luke). He would like to sincerely thank the entire production team, Northwestern Theatre faculty, and his family and friends for their constant support.

Mackenzie Kirkwood (Padre, he/him) is a Nigerian-Irish tenor and sophomore dual-degree student pursuing Journalism and Voice & Opera Performance with the Music Theatre certificate. Credits: “The Merry Widow” (NU Opera) and “RENT” (JTE). He studies voice with W. Stephen Smith. Kirkwood sings for NCE (gospel), produces for THUNK, and taught voice at Interlochen’s Camp. An ASG Senator, Northwestern News Network anchor/producer, and STITCH editor, Kirkwood aims to use his voice to provoke empathy. Thank you to his family.

Anne-Sophie Lacombe Garcia (Housekeeper, she/her) is a Franco-Mexican actor based in Chicago. She is a senior at Northwestern University, pursuing a double major in Theatre and International Studies, along with a Music Theatre certificate. Chicago credits include: The Revolutionists, The Prom, How to Know the Wildflowers: A Map (Wirtz Center) and Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women (Northlight). @annesophie.lacombegarcia on Instagram. 

Julia Marshall (Assistant Stage Manager, she/her) has been inspired by theatre since the age of 3, and feels incredibly lucky to be continuing this journey with this production of Man of La Mancha. Previously at Northwestern, she has stage managed Jesus Christ Superstar (Winter 2025), NU Faces (Spring 2024), and A Gentleman’s Guide… (Winter 2024), She has also participated in numerous other productions as a performer, lighting designer, and teaching artist. She would like to express her gratitude to all involved in the production for making it all theatre should be and for the welcoming space they have built. Her gratitude particularly extends to Audrey and Davis, whose dedication gave this production the rewarding process it had.

Audrey Michael (Stage Manager, she/her) is thrilled to be a part of “Man of La Mancha”. Michael is a Junior pursuing a dual degree in Theatre and Opera Performance with a concentration in Theatre Management. Last summer she worked with the Idaho Shakespeare Festival as a production assistant on “Into the Woods”. Her other credits include: 2024 New Play Festival (Stage Manager), and “The Prom” (Assistant Stage Manager). Michael has also been an Assistant Director/chorus member of numerous Northwestern Operas. 

Grace Morley (Governor/Innkeeper, she/her) is so excited to be a part of Man of La Mancha! A native of Philadelphia, PA, Grace is an actor, singer, and dancer pursuing a B.A. in Theatre and Political Science and is part of the Musical Theatre Certificate Program. Her recent credits include Warrior Ensemble in “Beowulf: A Thousand Years of Baggage” and Carrie in “Carrie”. Thank you to Mom, Dad, Emily, Mommom, Nini, Yeye, and Buddy!

Elebetel Negusse (Fermina/Ensemble, U/S Governor, she/her) began her theater journey in Nashville, Tennessee and has performed in shows like “Midsummer Night’s Dream” as Peter Quince and “The Axeman’s Requiem” as Marie Laveau. At Northwestern, she recently directed “Alice By Heart” and assistant directed “The Clean House” and “February House.” She’s excited to be part of “Man of La Mancha.” Outside of theater, she studies Data Science. She thanks her siblings for being her biggest inspiration.

Alexa Núñez Magaña (Cantora/Ensemble, U/S Aldonza, she/her) Find her on Instagram – @alexa_okau 

Esteban Ortiz-Villacorta (Cervantes/Don Quixote, he/him) is a senior at Northwestern University. He dedicates this show to his parents, Adriana and Leonardo, for without them he wouldn’t have had the opportunity to grow up in this country, be on this campus, or perform this stage. Thank you to Henry and the rest of the company for their endless inspiration. To the Latiné community and every immigrant in this country: El Pueblo Unido Jamás Será Vencido. Thank you for coming.

Mariana Parejo Molinares (Assistant Director, she/ella) is a Colombian theater artist passionate about telling stories through a multicultural, political, and social lens. She is a director, actress, and producer currently based in Chicago. In 2020, she founded Anfibia Teatro, a theater company and cultural enterprise based in Bogotá that brings together multidisciplinary artists to produce theater and audiovisual projects for all ages. She also holds a strong interest in staging opera and bringing a feminine perspective to this traditionally male-dominated industry. Her latest productions include the opera Bastien und Bastienne (2023), the play Miss Julie (2022), and the comedy Sunday on the Rocks by Theresa Rebeck (2024). She is currently directing the new play Seattle by Frank Garland for the New Play Festival at Wirtz Center.

Nicholas Portella (Barber, he/they) is a Northwestern senior studying theater and art, hailing from St. Petersburg, Florida. Previous Wirtz credits include Sheldon in “The Prom”, Professor/Pack in “Me… Jane”, and Ensemble in “The Great Sea Serpent”. In addition to acting, Nicholas is a playwright, director, dramaturg, and member of Asterik A Cappella and The Bix Musical Improv. 

Pedro Rodríguez (Tenorio/Ensemble, U/S Sancho, he/him) is a third year physics major from Dallas, Texas. With a passion for the performing arts that transcends his major, he is excited to bring stories to life on stage. By performing in shows, such as starring as Super Luchador in “Frida Libre” and George in “Kinky Boots”, his love for music and acting has been able to flourish into an integral part of his time at Northwestern.

Anah Shaikh (Maria/Ensemble, U/S Housekeeper, she/her) is a sophomore Theatre and English major. She has previously been in student new work such as “Rest Stop” by Lena Moore (Sit & Spin) and “Hometown” by Sarah Talbert (Los Angeles Theatre Initiative) where she performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. She also appeared in “Alice By Heart” (L&M). She is thrilled to be making her Wirtz debut. She wants to thank her parents and teachers for getting her to this point.

Rowan Sharma (Jose/Ensemble, U/S Barber, he/him) is a sophomore Theatre and Cognitive Science major, pursuing the Music Theatre Certificate and Dance minor. Favorite professional credits include Jason in “Falsettos”, Steward in “Anything Goes”, Gabe in “Next to Normal”, and Bobby Child in “Crazy for You”. At Northwestern, credits include Angel in “Kinky Boots”, Schroeder in “Charlie Brown”, and Peter in “Jesus Christ Superstar”. Rowan enjoys singing with “F15 Acappella”, performing musical improv with “The Bix”, and coaching speech and debate.

Andra Velis Simon (Music Director, Conductor and Keyboard, she/her) is so grateful to Henry Godinez and the Wirtz Center for inviting her to be a part of this production. Most recently, Andra music directed Waitress at The MUNY and co-directed The Lightning Thief at Grinnell College. Other regional credits include Actors Theatre of Louisville, A.R.T. in Cambridge, BAM, Berkeley Rep, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and Pasadena Playhouse. In Chicago, she has music directed for Firebrand, The Goodman, Northlight, Porchlight, and Writers Theatres, the U.S. premiere of London Road at Shattered Globe, the world premiere of La Ruta at Steppenwolf, Mr. Burns at Theater Wit, and many actor-musician productions with The Hypocrites and Chicago Children’s Theatre, among others. As an educator, Andra has taught musical theatre performance at Columbia College Chicago and Grinnell College.