Fighting Back! Program

Terence Chin (Ensemble) is a 4th-year undergraduate student majoring in Theatre Arts with an emphasis in Performance. He has been in multiple plays and musicals throughout his journey in Ca State LA such as Lucinda y las Flores de la Nochebuena in Fall 2019, Dreaming of our Future in Spring 2020, Dreaming of our Future Reboot in Spring 2021, and Los Faustinos in Spring 2022. Terence was also one of the Irene Ryan nominees in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) this year. For his final semester, he decided to perform one last time for the same director that cast him his freshman year for Dreaming of our Future. As a person who grew up in Malaysia and loved watching action movies, it is Terence’s dream to become an actor and to perform. He hopes that after graduation, he has the skills and the knowledge to perform in theatre and film and to achieve his dream of becoming a professional actor.

Bobbi Ennis (Bobby/Ensemble) is a recent transfer to Cal State LA, finishing their BA in Theatre Performance. This is their first Cal State LA production. They recently moved to Los Angeles from Pittsburgh, PA where they directed and acted in various productions in and outside the educational institutions they attended while there. Bobbi has performed the roles of: Claudius and Gertrude in Hamlet, Clea in Black Comedy, Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, and Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing. Bobbi sends love and gratitude to their partner Aeryn, best friends Adrian and Nico, and the Fighting Back cast and crew for this inspiring introduction to Cal State LA’s Theatre Department.

Aaron Gonzalez (Ensemble) is a 20-year-old junior at Cal State LA, majoring in Theatre in the option of Performance. Fighting Back! is Aaron’s first performance at Cal State LA. After doing SRLA (Student Run Los Angeles) and cheerleading for 2 years in high school, Aaron decided to pursue a music degree at Cal State LA but switched majors after the first semester and instead pursued a passion and degree in acting. Aaron would like to thank everyone who has supported and came to the show. In addition, thanks the entirety of the cast, because “the bonds and friendships made during this play was worth more than the time spent on it.” 

Abelardo Hernandez (Ensemble) is a senior at Cal State LA, majoring in Theatre Arts. This is Abelardo’s second show; his first was What's On Your Mind. His main roles were his own written scenes such as Stubborn Customer, Bartender, and Bar Woman. Abelardo plans to grow his passion in performance and accomplish his dreams.

Sherlyn Noh (Ensemble) is a fourth year at Cal State LA, majoring in Theatre Art. She has acted since high school as the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz and was the assistant director to help her teacher. Her plan after graduation is to get a master's degree and become a director and an actress. She would like to thank her family for supporting her and telling her to follow her dream. They say, "If you love what you're doing, keep going and follow your dream."

Delaney Reineke (Ensemble) is a third-year transfer student at Cal State LA who is majoring in Theatre Arts. This is her second semester here after transferring from Ventura College, where she most recently played Hope in Almost, Maine. She is very excited to be a part of her first production at Cal State LA and wants to thank her family and friends for all of their love and support.

Kylee Q Robinson (Ensemble) is a first-year MFA candidate focusing on Writing for Film, Television, and Theatre. Q has never performed with an ensemble in a devised piece, but she is no stranger to the stage. In her hometown, Q performed in numerous productions; two of her favorite roles were Jo March in Little Women and Berthe in Boeing Boeing. She has directed several productions, the most recent one being Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, and looks forward to directing an original musical called Oshkosh. She has two beautiful children, a son and a daughter, and is a radical socialist.  

Corey Taft (Ensemble) is a 1^st year MFA student in the TVFT program. He earned his bachelor's degree from Cal State LA in Scriptwriting and was an active member of the school's speech and debate team. He has studied improv and sketch writing at The Pack Theater, UCB and Monkey Butler. He's performed with Camerashrapnel, ShopKeep, Wretched Hive and Pleather. He's excited for the opportunity to perform in Fighting Back! and is looking forward to the next three years with Cal State LA.

Adamarys Vargas (Boebert/Ensemble) is a first-year student at Cal State LA, majoring in Theatre Arts. Fighting Back! is her first production here. She is very grateful for this wonderful cast and crew she’s gotten to work with. Ada wants to give thanks to her family and Bugsy for their love and support. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Madison Wong (Samantha/Ensemble) is a first-year student at Cal State LA, majoring in Theatre Arts with a Performance option. Fighting Back! is her first production with the department. Maddy discovered her love for theatre and performing in high school; her first role was White Rabbit in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. She wants to thank her wonderful family and friends who have always supported her in everything she pursues.

Mia Zell (Speaker/Ensemble) is a freshman here at Cal State LA and this is her first performance with the program! She is super grateful for the opportunity and loves the bond they have created with the cast. She would like to thank her friends and family who have supported her through this process.

Tanya Kane-Parry (Director) is a director/choreographer in theatre, opera, and dance. Artistic Director of Opera del Espacio. Full-time faculty in the Department of Theatre and Dance since 2001. Teaches acting, dance, Viewpoints, devising theatre and more. Credits include: I’ve Fallen/Clap Off! at Highways Performance Space; The Way Of Water at Cal State LA, Bootleg Theatre, Cal Poly Pomona, Hollywood Fringe and South Coast Rep’s SCRamble; Meet Me @ Metro II and III ; Space: The Final Frontier presented at SOSE Company Creation Festival; Private in Public at SoCal Dance Invitational Concert and World Dance Alliance-Americas in Honolulu; Triple [Inter]sect dance concert at Highways Performance Space; multiple site-specific performances - desert ruins at Llano del Rio, Downtown Art Walk, Brewery Art Walk, Echo Park Art Walk, The Series at the Standard. Additional credits include productions at Long Beach Opera, LA Phil, Festival Opera, Opera Omaha, Houston Grand Opera, Washington National Opera, Los Angeles Opera, Canadian Opera Company, Liceo Opera (Barcelona), National Opera of Bordeaux and Angels Vocal Arts. Most recent project was created collaboratively with students in the Department: Dreaming of Our Future/Soñando de Nuestro Future, a live-streamed performance centered on the challenges and terrorization of immigrants in the US. Tanya has lived and worked in Spain, France, the former Soviet Union, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, and Japan. She is fluent in Spanish and French and conversational in Russian and just spent the past 3 months volunteering in Poland and Ukraine supporting the Ukrainian refugees and orphaned pets suffering due to the Russian invasion.  

Morgan DeGroff (Costume Designer) is a costume designer based in Los Angeles with a decade of experience. Notable works include Office Uprising starring Brenton Thwaites, Jane Levy and Zachary Levi, Discarnate directed by Mario Sorrenti, and A Thousand Junkies which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. Morgan was born and raised in Reno, Nevada. At an early age she became fascinated by counterculture fashion and began designing and creating garments inspired by unique perspectives. Through her work she continues to explore the anthropological relationship of humans with clothing. She strives to use costumes to bring depth and authenticity to a character, believing that thoughtful garments are integral to conveying a compelling story.

Jorge Rivas (Assistant Choreographer). It all started in a small town in Zacatecas, Mexico at the early age of five. In the intervening two decades, Jorge has been active in the world of performance and dance, cultivating numerous cultural and artistic events in many communities. In 2014, Jorge established Ballet Bravo, which allowed him to express his own artistry and appreciation of cultural heritage. Jorge also encourages his students to express their artistry and creativity through dance. Now, as a Cal State LA student, he is working hard to obtain a BA in Theater, Arts and Dance to further his passion for community involvement and performing arts. In addition to his own work, Mr. Rivas has had the honor of working with the LAOPERA in The Barber of Seville (2015), Carmen (2017), and El Gato Montes (2019). He has also performed with various singers, music videos, TV celebrities, and TV shows. His most recent participation was in Vida. Other professional participation includes Angeles Ochoa, Los Rieleros del Norte, Los Tigres Del Norte, La Santa Cecilia, and his most recent appearance at the Academy Awards presentation for Best Animated Film Coco. He continues to dedicate his time and energy to helping various communities to discover their physical and psychological wellbeing through dance. Now, Jorge has taken his passion for helping his community by establishing Youth Culture Moves the World, a nonprofit organization which serves as a vehicle in furthering his student’s goals and careers.

Icarus Mora-Urquilla (Assistant Stage Manager) is a second-year student at Cal State LA, majoring in Theatre Arts with an emphasis in Production and Design. Fighting Back was his first experience as an assistant stage manager. During his time here at Cal State LA, Icarus has been a part of the paint crew for Old Blood, Soledad, Los Faustino’s, Keely and Du, References to Salvador Dali Make Me Hot, and Loop Group. He’d like to thank his support group on campus and those that give him continuous opportunities outside of it as well.  

Allan Tijamo (Content Creation/Video Projection Team) is a first-year MFA student studying Television, Film, and Theater (Writing Option). Screenwriting credits include Blue Moon (Joel Lamangan/Regal Films) and My Kuya’s Wedding (Topel Lee/Regal Films). Directing and editing credits include GayTV (TV pilot) and A Summer’s Rage (documentary short). He thanks Tanya Kane-Parry for all the opportunities she has given him throughout this process, as well as the entire MFA cohort & faculty for being an awesome extended family.