Gamze Alkan, Dannalee Arias, Bethsabé Caballero, Sasha DiBeneditto, Sinny Feliz, Elena Garcia, Genesis Perez, Rocio Perez, Sandra Restrepo, Cesar Salcedo, Amanda Sanchez, Naz Tokgoz
Mino Lora
Executive Artistic Director & Co-FounderMino Lora is the Executive Artistic Director and co-founder of The People's Theatre (formerly People's Theatre Project), one of New York City's leading immigrant-centered cultural organizations. An award-winning theatre director, educator, advocate, and arts administrator, she has spent more than two decades advancing artistic excellence, arts education, and cultural equity in New York City.
Born and raised in the Dominican Republic, Mino immigrated to the United States in 2000 to study English Literature and Theatre at Manhattanville University. Since settling in New York City in 2004, she has dedicated her career to creating opportunities for immigrant artists and communities through theatre, education, and civic engagement.
Since co-founding The People's Theatre in 2008, Mino has transformed the organization from a grassroots initiative into a nationally recognized nonprofit serving more than 11,000 children, families, and community members. Under her leadership, the organization established partnerships with more than 30 New York City schools, developed award-winning arts education and professional producing programs, and became a leading voice for immigrant storytelling and multilingual theatre.
Over the past four years, Mino has led the development of The People's Theatre: Centro Cultural Inmigrante, a $40 million capital project that will open in September 2026 as Inwood's first professional theatre and the largest Latino theatre in New York State. As executive lead on the project, she helped secure the original $15 million City RFP and subsequently raised more than $22 million in additional public and private support, including transformational gifts from NewYork-Presbyterian, the Miranda family, and the John Gore Organization/Broadway.com.
A recognized leader in New York's cultural sector, Mino was appointed by Governor Kathy Hochul in 2024 to serve a five-year term on the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA). She serves on the Steering Committee of the Latinx Arts Consortium of New York (LXNY) and is an active member of the Cultural Equity Coalition, the New York Immigration Coalition's Immigrant Leadership Council, and the Alianza de Teatros Latinos. She also served on the Arts & Culture Transition Team for Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the Arts & Culture Transition Team for New York City Comptroller Mark Levine.
In addition to her leadership as an arts executive, Mino is an accomplished theatre director whose recent credits include Domino Effect and Missing Socks, and she has participated in New York Theatre Workshop's Adelphi Residency. She is a frequent speaker and panelist on arts leadership, immigrant communities, and cultural equity, having presented at Yale University, Hunter College, The New School, TEDx SUNY Potsdam, Fordham University, City College, SUNY Oswego, Crain's New York Business, Shawmut Construction, and other institutions. She has also served as a grant panelist for the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs/Cultural Development Fund and The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage.
Her work has been recognized by numerous civic and cultural organizations. She was named one of NBC Latino's "10 Latinos with Heart," profiled in The New York Times' "Sunday Routine," honored by NoMAA's Uptown Arts Stroll, recognized as Best Director by the Talia Awards in 2025, and named a Distinguished Alumni Spotlight by Manhattanville University.
Bob Braswell
Managing Director & Co-FounderBob Braswell is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of The People's Theatre, where for nearly two decades he has helped build one of New York City's leading immigrant-centered cultural organizations. Together with Executive Artistic Director Mino Lora, he has guided the organization's evolution from a $400 startup budget into a nearly $4 million institution and the opening of The People's Theatre: Centro Cultural Inmigrante, New York City's first cultural center dedicated to the immigrant experience.
Bob began his career as an actor, performing Off-Broadway, in regional theatres across the country, and in film and television. Over time, he realized that building The People's Theatre had become the work that mattered most to him. As the organization grew, so did his role. He learned whatever the organization needed next—from writing grant proposals and building budgets to shaping its public identity, strengthening its organizational culture, and building the operational foundation that would allow it to grow with intention.
Today, Bob focuses on the organization's financial stewardship, strategic planning, and communications, helping ensure that The People's Theatre continues to grow with intention while remaining grounded in its mission and values. His work has centered on preparing the organization not simply to open a building, but to sustain one through thoughtful financial stewardship, values-driven leadership, and a deep commitment to people. He believes that the measure of a cultural institution is not only what it produces, but what it makes possible for others.
Nearly twenty years after co-founding The People's Theatre, Bob now has the privilege of walking each day to a theatre in his own community, realizing a dream long shared by artists across Upper Manhattan and helping lead that dream into its next chapter.
Aya Esther Hayashi, Ph.D
Development DirectorAya Esther Hayashi joined the PTP team in February 2019. She previously served as Development Associate at Pan Asian Repertory Theatre and Assistant Director/Choreographer for the Children and Teen Theatre Programs at the Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance on Roosevelt Island. Raised in Richmond, VA, she moved to NYC in 2009 after completing her degree in Flute Performance at the University of North Carolina (Go Heels!). She holds a PhD in Musicology from The Graduate Center, CUNY, and produces, directs, and performs musical theatre with her company, Okaeri Productions, and AfterWork Theater.
Abe Johnson
Education DirectorAbe Johnson is a performer, director, and educator. Growing up in Mississippi, Abe sought out all of the performing opportunities provided him, eventually becoming involved with New Stage Regional Theatre. From there, he moved to Cleveland, Tennessee for college where he traveled for four years with the Lee University Singers. Upon completing his B.S. in Music Business/Vocal Emphasis from Lee University, Abe found his way into the educational world as a choir director. Before arriving in New York, he was music department chair for a performing arts school in Florida, where he oversaw piano, orchestra, guitar, band, and taught chorus. Although his course of study was framed in music, it’s application continuously drove him back to theatre. While living in Florida, he became heavily involved in the Manatee Performing Arts Center, first as a performer, followed by three years as a professional stage manager. It was during this time that he decided to return to school to enhance his ability as a theatre educator.
Abe holds an M.A. from NYU Steinhardt in Educational Theatre in Colleges and Communities. Abe graduated with his culminating project, a curriculum entitled Let’s Talk About Identity: Self-Assessment to Self- Determination. He is passionate about the merging of social justice, theatre, and education as a means of self-awareness and self-determination. Outside of grad school, Abe was a supporting Artist for CO/LAB (Creative Opportunities without Limits and Boundaries) Theatre Group, which provides creative and social outlets for actors with developmental disabilities. Abe was also the Assistant Director and Music Director for National Queer Theater’s production Speechless, a devised documentary theatre play based on the collection of stories from people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS. Prior to that he was the Music Director for DREAMers, a play that explores freedom, oppression, and identity as undocumented youth respond to the announcement of President Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. It was developed with The Civilians Education Department in partnership with Make The Road New York, and was written and directed by Adam Odsess-Rubin. He has served as part of the Program Committee for the NYC Arts in Education Roundtable, is part of the Education Collaborative for The New York Immigrant Coalition, and is a proud member of the NYC Gay Men’s Chorus.
Abe holds an M.A. from NYU Steinhardt in Educational Theatre in Colleges and Communities. Abe graduated with his culminating project, a curriculum entitled Let’s Talk About Identity: Self-Assessment to Self- Determination. He is passionate about the merging of social justice, theatre, and education as a means of self-awareness and self-determination. Outside of grad school, Abe was a supporting Artist for CO/LAB (Creative Opportunities without Limits and Boundaries) Theatre Group, which provides creative and social outlets for actors with developmental disabilities. Abe was also the Assistant Director and Music Director for National Queer Theater’s production Speechless, a devised documentary theatre play based on the collection of stories from people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS. Prior to that he was the Music Director for DREAMers, a play that explores freedom, oppression, and identity as undocumented youth respond to the announcement of President Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. It was developed with The Civilians Education Department in partnership with Make The Road New York, and was written and directed by Adam Odsess-Rubin. He has served as part of the Program Committee for the NYC Arts in Education Roundtable, is part of the Education Collaborative for The New York Immigrant Coalition, and is a proud member of the NYC Gay Men’s Chorus.
Jiawen Hu
Producing DirectorJiawen Hu is a theater producer and artist whose work grows from her immigrant experience. Originally from Hangzhou, China, she studied performance studies and educational theatre at NYU and has since collaborated with Broadway and Off-Broadway artists to create productions that amplify underrepresented voices and center community engagement.
Her producing credits include the Whitney Museum, Queens Museum, New York Theatre Workshop, Pregones/PRTT, and National Queer Theater. Her productions have been recognized with HOLA 2025 nominations for Outstanding Production, Best Directing, Best Playwright, and Lead Actor.
Jiawen’s work has been featured in The New York Times, Time Out, NBC, American Theatre, and Broadway.com. She believes in theatre’s power to create spaces of belonging, spark dialogue, and nurture group genius.
Alejandra Venancio
General ManagerAlejandra Venancio is a theater-maker and producer from Colorado whose background in collaborative storytelling, and deep belief in community, guide her work in operations and strategy. Drawing on her experience in project management, systems administration, and design thinking, she enjoys building human-centered systems that support creativity, clarity, and care. She is passionate about developing devised, experimental, and multidisciplinary theatre, and is dedicated to making theatre welcoming and accessible to everyone. She holds a BFA from the Hartt School and an MA from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art's Theater Lab.
Reyna Erika Bonaparte Sandoz
Associate Education DirectorReyna Erika Bonaparte is a teaching artist, educator, community organizer, facilitator and poet from Harlem, NYC. She earned her Bachelor’s of Art from Bard College and received her master’s in Applied Theatre from CUNY’s School of Professional Studies. Reyna has been involved in the arts for over 20 years and spent most of that time working at the Harlem Children Zone, where she ran multiple writing, media and arts programing for students across the agency’s many middle school and high school sites. Reyna is passionate about theatre for social change and activism and sees her work at PTP as crucial in her quest to help others find their voice and fight oppression everywhere.
Fridda Fernandez
Communications ManagerFridda Fernandez is originally from El Salvador but currently resides in New York. She holds a B.A in History, Human Rights, and Peace Studies from Lehman College in the Bronx. She participated in the PTP program upon arriving in the US, which helped her develop her civic education and build self-confidence. Fridda is an active volunteer for various causes, locally, nationally, and internationally. She has a strong presence on social media, where she showcases her daily life and involvement in her community. Fridda hopes to inspire young people to work towards creating a better community where human rights are respected consistently and sustainably over time.
Leticia Cortes Ortiz
Youth and Family AdvocateLeticia Andrea Cortes Ortiz is a trauma-informed ethicist and advocate born and raised in Caguas, Puerto Rico. She holds an M.A. in Ethics & Society from Fordham University, with a concentration in community and humanitarian programming. Her academic research has been published by Johns Hopkins, Penn State, and the Marshall Institute for Ethical Thought and Action. She serves on the District 10 Co-Governance Group and is a judge for the National High School Ethics Bowl. Leticia’s work bridges social ethics with youth development, ensuring that every student is supported both artistically and holistically. A former young performer herself, she deeply believes in theatre as a tool for self-advocacy, civic engagement, and leadership development. Her work centers on building systems of care, amplifying marginalized voices, and driving forward equitable, mission-aligned programming that uplifts the full humanity of the communities The People’s Theatre serves.
Lucas Doytier
Production ManagerLucas Doytier is a first-generation American from South Florida, leading technical production at The People's Theatre. Lucas' background in the arts stretches over 10 years of live events, from nationally touring Broadway performances to Live Nation concerts, and everything in between. Starting his journey at the age of 6 taking guitar lessons, Lucas found and explored a deep passion for music and theatre which he continued throughout college, graduating with a B.A. in Music from Nova Southeastern University. Lucas loves to orchestrate events and provide opportunities for his local community, going as far as producing his own shows for the last 5+ years in South Florida, ranging from open mics to comedy shows, battle of the bands, and even local vendor markets. Lucas is ecstatic and grateful to be working with such a powerful force in the community like The People's Theatre, and can't wait to meet, inspire, and support his new home in NYC.
Simon Salinas Jr.
Development AssociateSimon Salinas Jr. is a playwright, director, and multidisciplinary theater maker from the Rio Grand Valley in South Texas, now finding home in New York City. Simon’s work delves into the supernatural phenomena of human emotion and connection. A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Dance, Simon crafts stories that challenge perceptions and center underrepresented voices, particularly within the LGBTQIA+ and Latine communities and those navigating mental illness.
Simon’s artistry is rooted in storytelling that explores the surreal. Filtering grief, anger, guilt, sexuality, family dynamics, and identity through abstract and unconventional lenses. His writing is described as “supernatural,” not solely for its exploration of ghosts or spiritual elements, but for its quest to illuminate the intangible truths of the human condition. He believes in the transformative power of theater to make the small moments of life feel monumental, offering audiences a reflection of themselves and their potential to create ripples of impact.
Simon is beyond excited to have found home at The People’s Theatre and be a part of an organization that goes above and beyond for their community.
Marco Antonio Rodriguez
Literary Manager
Nyala Hall
Audience & Community Experience ManagerNyala Hall is a theatre administrator, arts professional, and lifelong lover of the performing arts. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Auburn University, where she developed a strong appreciation for the power of the arts to build community, inspire dialogue, and create meaningful connections.
Her passion for nonprofit theatre administration was sparked through her experiences with The Mosaic Theater Company and Auburn University's theatre program, where she witnessed firsthand how mission-driven arts organizations can enrich lives both on and off the stage. These experiences inspired her to pursue a career supporting artists, audiences, and cultural institutions through arts administration.
Outside of her professional work, Nyala has a deep love for dance and believes in the unique ability of movement and performance to bring people together. She is passionate about creating welcoming spaces where people from all backgrounds can experience the transformative power of the arts.
Currently based in New York City, Nyala is excited to continue expanding her education, leadership skills, and career in the nonprofit arts sector while serving communities throughout the Bronx and beyond. She remains committed to fostering accessible, inclusive, and vibrant cultural experiences for artists and audiences alike.
Diana Valck
Associate Production ManagerDiana Valck is a Dominican arts administrator and production professional whose connection to the arts began backstage at a very early age. Raised around rehearsal rooms and stages through her grandmother’s work as a theater director and writer, Diana grew up with a deep appreciation for the care, coordination, and heart that bring live performance to life.
By age 13, she was already supporting professional productions backstage, learning how many moving pieces, people, and details come together to create a show.
Diana has built her career across theater, live events, concerts, film, community performances, and arts education programs. Her experience includes stage management, production coordination, artist support, event operations, tour management, and serving as a local producer for international tours.
Diana believes in the power of the arts to bring people together, create space for growth, and inspire meaningful change through community. She is excited to support The People’s Theatre en nuestra nueva casa in Inwood as we begin this next chapter.
Luisa Alarcón Criales
Youth Support CoordinatorLuisa Fernanda Alarcón Criales is a Performance Studies Ph.D. student at NYU and a New York City-based physical actor, educator, anthropologist and community organizer from Cali, Colombia. Her research considers the role of performance in transforming society, specifically by examining practices of memory and performance as the training and tactics of insurgency. If performance “not only reproduces what exists but…actualizes possibilities for worldmaking through consciousness-raising” (Fuentes 2019:12), then what possibilities for worldmaking exist for those who grew up within insurgency, scarcity, and violence, but are now looking forward to reconciliation and transformable long-lasting justice? Luisa has performed at international festivals such as the Festival International du Théâtre Universitaire de Tanger, Morocco, and at the International Festival for Contemporary & Experimental Theater in Cairo, Egypt. She was also an artist in residence at Circulo Escénico in Cholula, México, where she developed her performance piece "Llanto a la Pirámide." At the Magdalena Project in Ayllón, Spain, she developed a performance to commemorate over 500 years of the Spanish colonization in the Americas together with Gabriela Acosta and María Luisa Bringas Campos. As an Educator, Luisa is dedicated to student-centered instruction, fiercely dedicated to ensuring that every student, regardless of race, income, neighborhood, or special needs achieve personal and academic success. She has an in-depth knowledge of ethnographic research with over 5 years experience in education and community service. Luisa is extremely excited to feel at home at The People’s Theatre and be a part of an organization that goes above and beyond for their community.
Arts FMS
Financial Management ServicesArts FMS provides exemplary financial management services focused on long-term fiscal health and sustainability, empowering organizations to focus on mission fulfillment. www.artsfms.com
Teaching Artists
Petrina Ampeire, Marcela Artunduaga, Reyna Bonaparte, Jack Cavanaugh-Gialloreto, Candaceia Charles, Jeremy Feight, Yev Gelman, Sarah-Michele Guei, Tyra Hardy, Leila Kashani-Sabet, Yekta Khaghani, Joshwald Martinez-Peralta, Amalia Oliva Rojas, Camila Perez-Santiago
Supporting Artists
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