Queerceañera: Eclectic's 15th Season Fundraiser & Launch Party Contributors

Originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, and now based in Chicago, José Alfredo is a dynamic visual artist and comedian known for his sharp humor, mysterious hair, and distinct dislike of hugs. A trained alumnus of The Second City and the Bilingual Improv School, he has opened for premier Mexican comedians and hosted for Emmy-winning journalist Ana Belaval at Zanies Rosemont. Deeply committed to community building, José Alfredo blends his passions by offering custom art commissions, hosting dynamic bilingual paint-and-sip workshops, and producing Chicago’s very first Spanish-language stand-up open mic in Pilsen. Ultimately, whether through a canvas or a microphone, his mission is to design inclusive, inspiring spaces where people can connect and laugh—from a comfortable distance. Follow on socials: @josealfredocafeinado

Celebrating the beloved legacy of the eclectic 2000s MySpace-famous tweemo band, Never Shout Never–“xAlways Shart Alwaysx” is an adoringly absurd, live musical drag parody tribute act, created to forever ensure that Never Shout Never’s praises and incredible music will never go unsung. Follow on IG: @xalwaysshartalwaysx

Fresas con Crema is a Latine and Queer Comedy Improv Group led by Licinio Garcia, with other members including Erika with a K, Angelica Davila, Kenny Jamaica, and Ruby Aviña.

Fresas con Crema is a Latine and Queer Comedy Improv Group led by Licinio Garcia, with other members including Erika with a K, Angelica Davila, Kenny Jamaica, and Ruby Aviña.

Fresas con Crema is a Latine and Queer Comedy Improv Group led by Licinio Garcia, with other members including Erika with a K, Angelica Davila, Kenny Jamaica, and Ruby Aviña.

Felicia Hinojosa (she/her) is a Columbia College Chicago graduate and a South Texas native. She’s currently on tour with Stone Soup Shakespeare as Anne Page in MERRY WIVES! Her credits include Red in FRACTURE FAIRYTALES (GreatWorks), Malcolm in MACBETH and Cordelia in KING LEAR (Stone Soup), Tracy Turnblad in HAIRSPRAY (Festival56), Cassandra in VANYA AND SONYA… (Dunes Summer Theater), and HAMLET, HEAD OVER HEELS (CCC). You can catch her singing in cabarets around the city or giving voice lessons in her home studio! Follow on IG: @felicia_hino

Fresas con Crema is a Latine and Queer Comedy Improv Group led by Licinio Garcia, with other members including Erika with a K, Angelica Davila, Kenny Jamaica, and Ruby Aviña.

Fresas con Crema is a Latine and Queer Comedy Improv Group led by Licinio Garcia, with other members including Erika with a K, Angelica Davila, Kenny Jamaica, and Ruby Aviña.

Andrew J. Pond is a founding company member and Co-Artistic Director of Eclectic Full Contact Theatre, and has appeared in many of their productions. Skokie audiences may remember him from Cooking With Bubbie, Rocket City, Alabam’, and Side Effects May Include... He has worked extensively as an actor, director, and playwright with several theatres, is an Elvis impersonator, juggler, VO actor, balloon artist, audiobook narrator, plays with puppets, does Muppet voices, teaches drama and stage combat classes, and has a degree in philosophy so he can use words like “epistemology” at parties. Thanks to Jessica, his partner in all things.

Alix is an Actor/Director proud to be from the Chicagoland area, of Colombian and mixed European heritage. She graduated with a BFA in Musical Theatre from Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University and is currently pursuing her MA in Trauma-Informed Leadership at Dominican University. Her work is shaped by the intersectionality of her multicultural upbringing, bisexuality, disabilities, womanhood, and progressive politics. Acting highlights include: Mimi Márquez in RENT (Porchlight Music Theatre), Marela in Anna in the Tropics (Remy Bumppo), Adela in ¡Bernarda! (Teatro Vista/Steppenwolf Theatre), and Miss Honey in Matilda (Fireside Playhouse). Besitos y abrazos to all of her family, friends, and beagle Clover for their endless love and support! Follow her journey on all socials @alixrhode & www.alixrhode.com

Alondra Rios is a multidisciplinary artist originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Acting credits include Side by Side by Sondheim (Oil Lamp Theatre) and Las Borinqueñas (Vision Latino Theatre Company). She is a co-founder of Women Off-Colour, a multicultural sketch comedy collective that has been showcased at A Red Orchid Theatre Incubator Series, San Francisco's Playground Festival, Steppenwolf's LookOut Series, and a run at The Second City. She is also a passionate educator, serving as a teaching artist at Writers Theatre and Chicago Children's Theatre. IG @alondrariosa | @womenoffcolour

Daniel Alexander Rivera is a Chicano theatre actor/educator. Born and raised in Los Angeles, he received his MFA in Acting from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and has since been based in Chicago. Selected credits include Bull: a love story at the Paramount, Anna in the Tropics at Remy Bumppo, and Clyde’s at the Ghostlight Theatre, MI. He’s currently the Theatre Teaching Artist for the Re: Alize Dual Enrollment Program with Chicago Public Schools and the Dept. of Arts Education.

Natividad (she/they/ella/elle) currently serves as a Co-Artistic Director for Eclectic Full Contact Theatre. She has directed plays for companies and festivals nationally as well as internationally-- including Creede Repertory Theatre, Tipping Point Theatre, One Year Lease Theater Company, Cleveland Public Theatre (w/Teatro Publico de Cleveland), Stage Left Theatre, and EFCT. Nati has had the pleasure of directing in virtual formats as well, including podcast original audio dramas: Monocyte and My European Love for Eclectic Audio Podcast Network. Since she graduated with her BA in Theatre in 2011, she has been nominated for a Wilde Award for Best Ensemble work and the winner of the 2012 BoxFest Detroit Director’s Educational Grant. In addition, she has written and devised original bilingual works based on her cultural roots. Through her art of storytelling, this proud, queer, Latine mama works to lend voice to those without representation, prioritizing members of BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and systemically marginalized communities. Nati dedicates her art to her partner, family, community, and the favorite part of her heart: her son.

Stiletto Heals was created by Fait Accompli to serve as a collective of diverse, creative, and accomplished femme-presenting POC finding intentional healing and self-care through their passion for dance. We encourage you to embrace your individuality and vulnerability on and off the dance floor and seek to support and uplift the whole human. Follow on IG: @StilettoHealsMBW

Moni M. Villalba (she/they) is a Mexican artist, director, and actor based in Chicago. Over the past year, they focused primarily on directing and are thrilled to be returning to the stage. Directing credits include Flies with Honey by Haley Rice (Eclectic’s 2025 Patchwork Festival) and Vivi Mortes Motel by Jordan Large. Outside of theatre, Moni explores creativity through special effects makeup, painting, and music.They would like to thank their lovely partner, Josh, and their cute cat, Shrimp, for always being so supportive.

Shayla Woolsey (they/them) originally hails from Arkansas and recently relocated to Chicago. After graduating with a BA in acting and directing, Shayla moved to the city to pursue theatre in an environment that harbors creativity and amplifies minority voices. You may have seen glimpses of them offstage during Refracted Light at The Edge or Kassandra at the Top of the World at Berger Park Cultural Center. They hope you enjoy the show and have fun :) @shay.n.w