PAST ENSEMBLE MEMBERS
RICH ALFONSO
Spanglish Director
Rich Alfonso is an actor and comedian hailing from Philadelphia, PA who has been performing in Chicago for the better part of 7 years. Rich has trained at The Second City Conservatory and both training programs at The Annoyance and iO Chicago. In 2016 he was a recipient of the Bob Curry Fellowship, a partnership with The Second City and NBC/Universal. Other credits include touring with Second City aboard the Norwegian Gem and performing in the Urban Twist revue "Totem Pole of Privilege." Other than performing with Heraldo at iO, Rich also performs at the theater with the Harold Team Duchess and independently with his 2 man group, Spic & Tan which has performed all over Chicago.
Spanglish Director
Rich Alfonso is an actor and comedian hailing from Philadelphia, PA who has been performing in Chicago for the better part of 7 years. Rich has trained at The Second City Conservatory and both training programs at The Annoyance and iO Chicago. In 2016 he was a recipient of the Bob Curry Fellowship, a partnership with The Second City and NBC/Universal. Other credits include touring with Second City aboard the Norwegian Gem and performing in the Urban Twist revue "Totem Pole of Privilege." Other than performing with Heraldo at iO, Rich also performs at the theater with the Harold Team Duchess and independently with his 2 man group, Spic & Tan which has performed all over Chicago.
ALEXIS ALVARADO
English Team
A Chicago native, Alexis started his improv journey at The Second City Training Center. He has taken classes at iO Chicago, Under the Gun, and the CSz Professional Program. Alexis is excited to be back with GLx for his/it's 3rd season.
English Team
A Chicago native, Alexis started his improv journey at The Second City Training Center. He has taken classes at iO Chicago, Under the Gun, and the CSz Professional Program. Alexis is excited to be back with GLx for his/it's 3rd season.
ALEX BARONTINI
Video Sketch Team, Writer
Hey! It’s me, Alex! I’ve done a bunch of stuff and I do a bunch of stuff, but that’s not important. Thanks for coming to THIS show. Generation Latinx is a cool thing with a bunch of cool people. Support for comedy diversity programs like this one is huge, so thank you for laughing with us. Enjoy the show and enjoy the rest of this list of high res headshots.
Video Sketch Team, Writer
Hey! It’s me, Alex! I’ve done a bunch of stuff and I do a bunch of stuff, but that’s not important. Thanks for coming to THIS show. Generation Latinx is a cool thing with a bunch of cool people. Support for comedy diversity programs like this one is huge, so thank you for laughing with us. Enjoy the show and enjoy the rest of this list of high res headshots.
CHLOË CAUDILLO
Video Sketch Team
Chloe Caudillo is a Chicago-based writer, director, improvisor, and filmmaker. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois and Second City's Harold Ramis Film School. You can check out some of her stuff at www.coco-loca.com. She’s looking forward to collaborating with her fellow Latinx-ers!
Video Sketch Team
Chloe Caudillo is a Chicago-based writer, director, improvisor, and filmmaker. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois and Second City's Harold Ramis Film School. You can check out some of her stuff at www.coco-loca.com. She’s looking forward to collaborating with her fellow Latinx-ers!
ADAM DE LA FUENTE
English Team
Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Adam began doing comedy by accident. He was sick, felt like he had to vomit, but a friend of his forced him to audition for the Lyons Township High School improv show. The rest, as they say, was... a series of ups and downs, bombed auditions, near-death experiences in Central America, putting up with terrible customers while working in the service industry, and proving his 6th-grade teacher wrong. His Mom says he's a better man for it.
English Team
Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Adam began doing comedy by accident. He was sick, felt like he had to vomit, but a friend of his forced him to audition for the Lyons Township High School improv show. The rest, as they say, was... a series of ups and downs, bombed auditions, near-death experiences in Central America, putting up with terrible customers while working in the service industry, and proving his 6th-grade teacher wrong. His Mom says he's a better man for it.
ELISABETH DEL TORO
English Team
Elisabeth Del Toro is stoked to join GLx! Elisabeth can also be found improvising with indie teams Ride or Die and Talking Birds. Her theater credits include She Kills Monsters and Water Children (The Cuckoo’s Theater Project), The Good Fight (Babes with Blades), El Stories: Holiday Train (Waltzing Mechanics), and Parachute Men (Teatro Vista). She is a graduate of the University of Chicago and is represented by Grossman and Jack Talent. More info and some flattering pictures at elisabethdeltoro.com
English Team
Elisabeth Del Toro is stoked to join GLx! Elisabeth can also be found improvising with indie teams Ride or Die and Talking Birds. Her theater credits include She Kills Monsters and Water Children (The Cuckoo’s Theater Project), The Good Fight (Babes with Blades), El Stories: Holiday Train (Waltzing Mechanics), and Parachute Men (Teatro Vista). She is a graduate of the University of Chicago and is represented by Grossman and Jack Talent. More info and some flattering pictures at elisabethdeltoro.com
MIKE GERAGHTY
Spanglish Director
Mike Geraghty is an actor and improviser in Chicago, Illinois. He is originally from Fresno, California. From there he moved on to Reno, Nevada where he started performing Hip Hop music and stand up comedy. Mike has studied improv at the iO Theater and The Annoyance Theater. Currently you can see him perform every Saturday night with his Harold team Big Spoon, and every Monday night with his indie team Dumb John, both at the iO Theater. Other theater credits include, The Annoyance, CiC, and The Playground.
Spanglish Director
Mike Geraghty is an actor and improviser in Chicago, Illinois. He is originally from Fresno, California. From there he moved on to Reno, Nevada where he started performing Hip Hop music and stand up comedy. Mike has studied improv at the iO Theater and The Annoyance Theater. Currently you can see him perform every Saturday night with his Harold team Big Spoon, and every Monday night with his indie team Dumb John, both at the iO Theater. Other theater credits include, The Annoyance, CiC, and The Playground.
RUPERTO GLORIA
Spanglish Team
Born in the provincial town of Matehuala, San Luis Potosi in Mexico, Ruperto came to Chicago in 2007 to break the monotony of living in Texas most of his life. After a traumatic Dear John letter received on Christmas of 2014, Ruperto wanted to fill his life with merriment and mirth. So for the past 3 years, the shy little boy from a rural upbringing has come to the big city honing his improvisational skills at Second City, iO Chicago, The Annoyance, and Madrid. Ruperto Gloria is overjoyed to be a member of Generation Latinx!
Spanglish Team
Born in the provincial town of Matehuala, San Luis Potosi in Mexico, Ruperto came to Chicago in 2007 to break the monotony of living in Texas most of his life. After a traumatic Dear John letter received on Christmas of 2014, Ruperto wanted to fill his life with merriment and mirth. So for the past 3 years, the shy little boy from a rural upbringing has come to the big city honing his improvisational skills at Second City, iO Chicago, The Annoyance, and Madrid. Ruperto Gloria is overjoyed to be a member of Generation Latinx!
JIMMY GRIBBIN
Spanglish Director
Originally from Arizona, Jimmy Gribbin is a part of the iO House team, Pequod’s present: The Harold
Spanglish Director
Originally from Arizona, Jimmy Gribbin is a part of the iO House team, Pequod’s present: The Harold
CESAR JAIME
Spanglish Director
Cesar hails from the great city of Chicago, IL. He is an actor with a strong focus and dedication to the art of Improvisation and improvisational theater. He’s had the honor of studying under some of the most amazing teachers of Improvisation, most notably two of the people that influenced him the most, Martin De Maat and Del Close. Cesar currently can be seen in weekly improvisational shows at Chicago’s iO Theater in the shows “The Armando Diaz Theatrical Experience & Hootenany”, “FELT”, and his iO Harold team “Smokin’ Hot Dad”.
Spanglish Director
Cesar hails from the great city of Chicago, IL. He is an actor with a strong focus and dedication to the art of Improvisation and improvisational theater. He’s had the honor of studying under some of the most amazing teachers of Improvisation, most notably two of the people that influenced him the most, Martin De Maat and Del Close. Cesar currently can be seen in weekly improvisational shows at Chicago’s iO Theater in the shows “The Armando Diaz Theatrical Experience & Hootenany”, “FELT”, and his iO Harold team “Smokin’ Hot Dad”.
KENDRA JAMAICA
Spanglish Team
Born and raised in "Chicago" aka northwest suburbs, Kendra made her way to comedy through the Annoyance program. She is currently in a short form improv show, Nuggets, and is co-directing the Annoyance's Christmas play. You can catch her serving up some serious jazzy banter at Andy's Jazz Club in River North. Is fluent in Spanish and "quasi" in Italian. A serious lover of house music and comedy ignites a passion for finding a way to combine them for a very successful career!!!
Spanglish Team
Born and raised in "Chicago" aka northwest suburbs, Kendra made her way to comedy through the Annoyance program. She is currently in a short form improv show, Nuggets, and is co-directing the Annoyance's Christmas play. You can catch her serving up some serious jazzy banter at Andy's Jazz Club in River North. Is fluent in Spanish and "quasi" in Italian. A serious lover of house music and comedy ignites a passion for finding a way to combine them for a very successful career!!!
MARIA KONOPKEN
Video Sketch Team, Director
Maria’s roots started in the beautiful city of Phoenix, but after moving to Chicago, her heart belongs in this frozen tundra. Maria is a graduate of the training programs at iO Chicago, Annoyance and Torch Theatre. When she isn’t experiencing extreme weather changes, Maria can be found with her notebook, running shoes, or performing around Chicago with the women of Matt Damon Improv, storytelling, and reading poetry. You can follow her pictures of tacos, wine, and Chicago on Instagram @mariakonopken or her blog at www.windycactus.com
Video Sketch Team, Director
Maria’s roots started in the beautiful city of Phoenix, but after moving to Chicago, her heart belongs in this frozen tundra. Maria is a graduate of the training programs at iO Chicago, Annoyance and Torch Theatre. When she isn’t experiencing extreme weather changes, Maria can be found with her notebook, running shoes, or performing around Chicago with the women of Matt Damon Improv, storytelling, and reading poetry. You can follow her pictures of tacos, wine, and Chicago on Instagram @mariakonopken or her blog at www.windycactus.com
KEITER LIRIANO
Video Sketch Team
Keiter is a Dominican-American and Miami, FL native who studied improv and sketch at Villain Theater. In Miami he worked on tv shows for Nickelodeon, FX, & ABC and also worked on the Oscar winning film “Moonlight”. He is currently a student at the Second City’s Harold Ramis Film School improving his comedic storytelling and comedic filmmaking. He is excited to work with Generation Latinx to create some hilarious content.
Video Sketch Team
Keiter is a Dominican-American and Miami, FL native who studied improv and sketch at Villain Theater. In Miami he worked on tv shows for Nickelodeon, FX, & ABC and also worked on the Oscar winning film “Moonlight”. He is currently a student at the Second City’s Harold Ramis Film School improving his comedic storytelling and comedic filmmaking. He is excited to work with Generation Latinx to create some hilarious content.
MANUELA MENDOZA
Spanglish Team
Manuela Mendoza: an ultimate Miami born n bred baybee girl. She prides herself in using ALLCAPS and terms like “baybee”. A Political-Science Graduate turned Instaglam sensation, Manuela knows the ins and outs of glam, gender politics, and politics politics. Manuela also known as MANU, is a graduate of the iO Improv Program, the iO Musical Improv Program, and the Annoyance Theater and Bar Improv Program. You can catch her playing with the iO Harold Team Mothership, Heraldo, and Generation Latinx!
Spanglish Team
Manuela Mendoza: an ultimate Miami born n bred baybee girl. She prides herself in using ALLCAPS and terms like “baybee”. A Political-Science Graduate turned Instaglam sensation, Manuela knows the ins and outs of glam, gender politics, and politics politics. Manuela also known as MANU, is a graduate of the iO Improv Program, the iO Musical Improv Program, and the Annoyance Theater and Bar Improv Program. You can catch her playing with the iO Harold Team Mothership, Heraldo, and Generation Latinx!
ABIGAIL PIÑON
Spanglish Team
Abigail Piñon is a Chicago-based artist who enjoys performing/writing/producing comedy, musical improv, and theatre throughout the city. She is extremely thrilled to be playing with Generation Latinx! She is a proud Co-Producer of Girl Gang here at iO Chicago. You can also find her performing in La Carne Asada and Sketch Cast through the month of December at The Second City TC. Abi is a Legacy Coach at the CMI Leadership Summit and a Teaching Artist at The Warehouse Project and Gallery. Her favorite pastimes include: "binge watching Brooklyn Nine-Nine, integrating Les Misérables quotes into everyday conversation, and barking super accurately like a dog!"
Spanglish Team
Abigail Piñon is a Chicago-based artist who enjoys performing/writing/producing comedy, musical improv, and theatre throughout the city. She is extremely thrilled to be playing with Generation Latinx! She is a proud Co-Producer of Girl Gang here at iO Chicago. You can also find her performing in La Carne Asada and Sketch Cast through the month of December at The Second City TC. Abi is a Legacy Coach at the CMI Leadership Summit and a Teaching Artist at The Warehouse Project and Gallery. Her favorite pastimes include: "binge watching Brooklyn Nine-Nine, integrating Les Misérables quotes into everyday conversation, and barking super accurately like a dog!"
JESSI REALZOLA
Spanglish Team
Jessi Realzola is a Chicago based comedic actor, writer, and improvisor. She has graced the stages of Second City TC, iO Chicago, Annoyance, The Crowd Theater, The Playground Theater and many more. Jessi’s performer credits include video sketch as well as film festivals throughout the year, dancer for Calle Latina salsa dance team, and improv with Generation LatinX, Concsious Pontius, Ratas de dos Patas, and Las Tinas. Jessi uses her rich Mexican background as a source for inspiration for creating characters, original sketches, and web pieces. She has produced variety comedy shows all over Chicago that focus on highlighting diverse talent. Jessi owes her success in comedy to the love and support from her family and friends, but most importantly, her husband Luan.
Spanglish Team
Jessi Realzola is a Chicago based comedic actor, writer, and improvisor. She has graced the stages of Second City TC, iO Chicago, Annoyance, The Crowd Theater, The Playground Theater and many more. Jessi’s performer credits include video sketch as well as film festivals throughout the year, dancer for Calle Latina salsa dance team, and improv with Generation LatinX, Concsious Pontius, Ratas de dos Patas, and Las Tinas. Jessi uses her rich Mexican background as a source for inspiration for creating characters, original sketches, and web pieces. She has produced variety comedy shows all over Chicago that focus on highlighting diverse talent. Jessi owes her success in comedy to the love and support from her family and friends, but most importantly, her husband Luan.
TAWNY SAFIEDDINE
English Team
Tawny Safieddine misses her hometown of Santa Ana, California but really loves Chicago's empanada game. She is very excited to be among the diverse cast of Generation Latinx. Tawny is an ensemble member of pH Comedy and has previously performed at The Playground Theater on an Incubator team and for One Group Mind. She has trained at iO, Annoyance, and is a graduate of the Second City Conservatory program. Smiling at dogs and holiday candy sales are a few of her favorite things.
English Team
Tawny Safieddine misses her hometown of Santa Ana, California but really loves Chicago's empanada game. She is very excited to be among the diverse cast of Generation Latinx. Tawny is an ensemble member of pH Comedy and has previously performed at The Playground Theater on an Incubator team and for One Group Mind. She has trained at iO, Annoyance, and is a graduate of the Second City Conservatory program. Smiling at dogs and holiday candy sales are a few of her favorite things.
STEVEN SANABRIA
Spanglish Team
A first generation latino,originally from Chicago with Guatemalan Heritage, Steve is excited to be a part of the Generation Latinx ensemble. Steve is a graduate of the Second City training Center Improv program and both the Musical Improv program and the Long form Improv program at iO Chicago. Along with his Indie team, "Hippopottymouth," Steve won the 2015 Laugh Battle Sketch competition. Steve has always had a knack for making people laugh with random thoughts or reflections of what's going on in today's society. Steve is honored and humbled to be able to play with a cast of talented latinos who not only are hilarious but represent the ever changing cultural climate in the US. You can follow Steve on twitter @guat23.
"No soy de aqui, ni de alla, pero soy"
Spanglish Team
A first generation latino,originally from Chicago with Guatemalan Heritage, Steve is excited to be a part of the Generation Latinx ensemble. Steve is a graduate of the Second City training Center Improv program and both the Musical Improv program and the Long form Improv program at iO Chicago. Along with his Indie team, "Hippopottymouth," Steve won the 2015 Laugh Battle Sketch competition. Steve has always had a knack for making people laugh with random thoughts or reflections of what's going on in today's society. Steve is honored and humbled to be able to play with a cast of talented latinos who not only are hilarious but represent the ever changing cultural climate in the US. You can follow Steve on twitter @guat23.
"No soy de aqui, ni de alla, pero soy"
DIEGO SANCHEZ
Video Sketch Team
Diego Sanchez moved to Chicago from Orlando, Florida where he studied Improvisation at SAK Comedy Lab and worked at Universal Studios. He has performed around the city and country with his musical improv group Los Improviachis. He has taken classes at iO, The Annoyance, and the Second City Conservatory. He recently wrote and performed his solo show “Elizabeth” at the Playground Theater. Represented by Gray Talent Group.
Video Sketch Team
Diego Sanchez moved to Chicago from Orlando, Florida where he studied Improvisation at SAK Comedy Lab and worked at Universal Studios. He has performed around the city and country with his musical improv group Los Improviachis. He has taken classes at iO, The Annoyance, and the Second City Conservatory. He recently wrote and performed his solo show “Elizabeth” at the Playground Theater. Represented by Gray Talent Group.
ANDREA VICUNIA
Spanglish Team
Andrea Vicunia is a comedienne and filmmaker from Spain who has been in LA for the past 5 years, performing at The Comedy Store, The Improv, etc. She studied improv at Groundlings and UCBLA. She just arrived to Chicago to develop her comedy script "Stereotyped" with Women In Comedy and is thrilled to join Generation Latinx!
Spanglish Team
Andrea Vicunia is a comedienne and filmmaker from Spain who has been in LA for the past 5 years, performing at The Comedy Store, The Improv, etc. She studied improv at Groundlings and UCBLA. She just arrived to Chicago to develop her comedy script "Stereotyped" with Women In Comedy and is thrilled to join Generation Latinx!
CELESTE VILLANUEVA
English Team
Celeste is originally from Tucson, AZ. As soon as she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Economics she packed up her parents’ Ford Aerostar Minivan and headed to Chicago. After living in Chicago for 12 years she finally got up the nerve to take improv classes and hasn’t looked back. Celeste has studied improv at Second City, iO Chicago, The Annoyance, and CIC Theater. You can also see her try her luck at singing as she performs with the musical improv team The 88s. Celeste is thrilled to be apart of the Generation Latinx cast and can’t wait to play with a diverse group of wonderfully talented people.
English Team
Celeste is originally from Tucson, AZ. As soon as she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Economics she packed up her parents’ Ford Aerostar Minivan and headed to Chicago. After living in Chicago for 12 years she finally got up the nerve to take improv classes and hasn’t looked back. Celeste has studied improv at Second City, iO Chicago, The Annoyance, and CIC Theater. You can also see her try her luck at singing as she performs with the musical improv team The 88s. Celeste is thrilled to be apart of the Generation Latinx cast and can’t wait to play with a diverse group of wonderfully talented people.