December 3, 2025
9:30 AM, 12:30 PM & 7 PM
La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
Length: Approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Age recommendation: 10 and up. No one under 7 will be admitted. We ask that everyone in your party regardless of age be able to sit quietly through a performance without disrupting other patrons or the artists.
Based on the screenplay by Ramón Menéndez and Tom Musca. Adapted for the stage by Robert Bella.
Andrew Pinon (Jaime Escalante) is thrilled to join Phantom’s upcoming production at La Mirada Theatre! Andrew is an award-winning filmmaker, playwright, author, and actor from Orange County. His favorite roles on stage include Hamlet, Proctor in The Crucible, The Complete Works of Williams Shakespeare (Abridged), and Ben in The Night of the Living Dead. In 2026, he will portray Diego Vega in ZPI and The Maverick Theater’s world premiere of Andrew’s original play THE RETURN OF ZORRO.
Gavin Hamze (Angel Guerra) is thrilled to be making his Phantom Projects/La Mirada Theatre debut! He has been performing onstage since he was 10 years old. Select credits include: Regional: Annie (Featured Ensemble, Off Broadway Corona Theatre). Other select credits: Little Women (Professor Bhaer, YLS Players), Beautiful-The Carole King Musical (Neil Sedaka, Curtis Theatre/Southgate Productions), Dogfight (Bernstein, No Square Theatre), The Sound of Music (Rolf, Jstage Irvine), Fiddler on the Roof (Mendel, Electric Company Theatre). Gavin recently received the Orange County Curtain Review Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his performance as Lefou in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Jstage Irvine). Thank you to Joslynn Cortes (voice), all his family, friends and his girlfriend Alyssa who have supported his career along the way. All glory to God—Jeremiah 17:7-8|
Adrian Saavedra (Chuco) is excited to be part of the Stand and Deliver cast. He studied theater arts at the LACC theater academy for two years. One of his hobbies is traveling and exploring new places.
Alyssa Saldaña (Claudia Camejo) is a Chicana actress from Santa Ana CA and is very grateful to perform in her first Phantom Projects production. Originally from the high desert, she is an alumni of Encore Jr./Sr. High School for the Arts where she participated in many productions and SoCal theatre competitions. She later earned her BFA in acting from AMDA LA. Previous credits include Hecate (Macbeth), Olivia (Twelfth Night), Rosaura (La Vida es Sueño) and Maggie (Den of Thieves). She would also like to dedicate this performance to the “Jaime Escalantes” in her life Linda Casas, Micheal Nevárez and Richard Gallegos. Educators whose impact changed her life forever.
David A. Rangel (Tito Guitano) is from South Central L.A. and holds an associate degree in Theater and Technical Theatre from East Los Angeles College. His first feature film was The Last Brown Beret, in which he played young Frankie.
Anais Barrón (Lupe Escobar) recently graduated from Cal State Fullerton with a BFA in Theatre and concentration in Acting; she could not be more proud and excited to be joining Phantom Projects for “Stand and Deliver”. Previous CSUF passion projects include Mother in “Blood Wedding” and co-leading her Theatre department’s improv team. A special thanks to her friends and family for their unwavering support and for teaching her the concept of comedic timing; we’re all better off because of that!
Julian Montellano (Francisco “Pancho” Garcia) is an actor based in Southern California. Previously Julian has been seen onstage as Anon in Fullerton College’s production of Anon(ymous). Julian is so excited to be performing at the La Mirada theatre and hopes you enjoy the show!
Jasmine Jaramillo (Ana Delgado) is very excited to join Phantom Project’s production of Stand and Deliver at La Mirada Theatre. She is a recent graduate of Cal State Fullerton and studied Theatre and Communications. Her previous credits include playing Brenda in Change the Game, Sue in Fefu and Her Friends, and Olive in 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. She extends an enormous thank you to her family and friends for their unwavering love and support.
Dylan Magallanes (Javier Perales) is a current Devised/Physical Theatre student at Cal State Fullerton. “Stand and Deliver” will be Dylan’s first production with Phantom, as well as his first time onstage at La Mirada Theatre. He’s ecstatic to be working with this wonderful cast and crew!
Christine Cortez (Rafaela) is delighted to announce her acting debut in Phantom’s Stand and Deliver at La Mirada Theatre! A dedicated storyteller, poet, and writer, Christine is committed to elevating underrepresented voices in her work. Her diligence is reflected in her academic and industry achievements, which have earned her roles at DreamWorks and Disney Branded Television. Always ready to channel her creative flow, you’re sure to find Christine performing late night slam poetry and jamming out with her beloved violin, ‘Margaret’ , often with a cup of matcha in hand.
Karla Ojeda (Principal Molina) is excited to join the Stand and Deliver production. A Los Angeles native and Garfield High School alumna, Karla is a classically trained actor and director with 30 years of experience in educational theatre across Southern California. Her recent directing credits include “The Prince of Egypt,” “Fernandomania,” “Mujeres on the Verge,” and the Short and Sweet Hollywood festival. On stage, she has appeared in “L.A. Chapters” at the Morgan Wixson Theater, “Soul Sacrifice” at the Frida Kahlo Theatre, and portrayed Gloria Molina in the world premiere of “A Woman Named Gloria.” She has also played Frita Kahlo in “El Verde” and starred in the award-winning “Santa Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” at The Brisk Festival. In addition to her theater work, Karla has produced and starred in several films, including the Imagen Award-winning series “The Misadventures of Cholo Chaplin.” Her latest film, “Marigold the Matador,” is available on Amazon Prime and Tubi.
Rhiannon Cowles (Raquel Ortega) is elated to return to the stage in Stand and Deliver. She has been acting since childhood and has appeared in numerous plays, films, and television productions. Favorite theatrical credits include Catherine in A View From the Bridge, Mina in Dracula, Catherine in Proof, Mary in Celadine, Lady Nijo in Top Girls, and Cavale in Sam Shepard’s and Patti Smith’s Cowboy Mouth. Rhiannon is a recipient of multiple Inland Theatre League awards. She feels honored to be a part of this meaningful production, having been inspired by the film’s message of dedication and the “ganas” it takes to achieve your dreams. With many Mexican American teachers and educational leaders in her own family, the story resonates deeply. She thanks her fiancé, Chris, for his endless encouragement and support.
Giuliano Champion (Hector Delgado) is a rising actor with a deep passion for storytelling. Currently training at the Anthony Gilardi Acting Studio, he is at the exciting start of his career in the entertainment industry. Giuliano is thrilled to join the Phantom Projects cast in its upcoming production at La Mirada Theatre.
Lynae Cook (Dr. Pearson) is a southern California native, born in Long Beach & raised bouncing between north Orange County & the valley. She’s a lifelong lover of theatre & grew up with Stand & Deliver, thanks to her grandmother, an LAUSD teacher, who taught in La Mirada for years. When she’s not acting, she plays drums in a band called breakfast tacos, reads, & gardens.
JD Venter (Dr. Ramirez) is a Long Beach born actor who has lived all over Los Angeles and Southern California. He studied previously at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and the Lee Strasberg institute. Past performances included Jake in A Lie of the Mind, Moss in Glengarry Glen Ross, CheChé in Anna in the Tropics and more. He currently is expanding his play experience and plays with multiple bands in Southern California and has graced the stages of Metal Fest, OC Fair, South by So What and more.
Oscar Knaux Brito (Armando) is thrilled to join Phantom Projects’ Stand and Deliver at La Mirada Theatre. Based in Orange County, he made his stage debut as Jonathan Harker in Dracula (2024) and has performed in and directed several short independent films through Santa Ana College’s Drama Program, where he continues to study acting. Beyond the stage, Oscar explores storytelling through music under the name Knaux, blending rhythm and emotion to shape his performances. He’s honored to work alongside such a talented cast and creative team.
Steve Cisneros (Director, Producing Artistic Director) created Phantom Projects Theatre Group at the age of 17 and has overseen the daily operations of the troupe ever since. Guiding the organization to national acclaim, Phantom has performed at theatres all over the country and had two national tours that, unfortunately, came to a halt with the Covid closures. Phantom Pro-jects is a resident presenting group at the 1,251-seat La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts producing the annual Theatre for a Teen Audience Series. The troupe has been covered by every major TV station (including stations in France and Russia!) and newspaper thanks to the unique focus on arts education and accessibility. In 2021, The City of La Habra selected Phantom as the new managers and operators of the historic La Habra Depot Theatre. After 6 months of renovations, the troupe opened The Phantom Projects Theatre at La Habra Depot. In 2024, La Habra and Phantom Projects agreed to extend their agreement until at least 2031.
Julianna Rossi (Production Stage Manager) is excited to be excited to be back at La Mirada Theatre with Phantom Projects for Stand and Deliver! Julianna has starred onstage with Phantom Projects’ #TheSocialMediaPlay (2023/2024) but mostly works backstage, stage managing shows such as Number the Stars (2023), The Giver (2024), Sweeney Todd (2024), Matilda JR (2024), Avenue Q (2024), The Diary of Anne Frank (2025), & James and The Giant Peach (2025). She also made her assistant directing debut at La Mirada Theatre with Phantom Projects’ Through These Eyes (2025). Julianna looks to continue her career in theatre and thanks her grandfather and family for the inspiration to do so! Julianna hopes to continue working with the amazing Phantom Projects team!
Izabella Bonilla (Assistant Stage Manager) is proud to support this production. She is currently working toward her degree in Film, TV, and Entertainment Media at Los Angeles City College (LACC), where she explores her passion for production through roles in sound mixing and on-set support for student films. In her free time, she enjoys camping trips, trying new coffee spots, and visiting Disneyland with her family.
Zoe Wilber (Costume Design, Props Master) graduated from Chapman University in 2021 with a BFA in Theatre Performance. She is grateful for the opportunities to design for Phantom Projects Theatre productions since Fall 2022. She has been the general manger for Phantom Projects since Fall 2023! Thank you to this cast for all of their enthusiasm and collaboration, and thank you to Eddie for all of his love and support.
Myles Hall (Sound Designer) reflects on past productions at Fullerton College, Maverick Theatre, Curtis Theatre, and Troy High School, where he explored construction, stage crew, and sound crew. Recent credits include; Cabaret (Fullerton College), Aldadin Jr. (Stagelight Productions), King Kong (Maverick Theatre), and Footloose (Troy High School). Myles looks forward to continuing his journey in sound design and construction.
Jared Alvarez (Production Intern) is thrilled to be here and part of this production! A film student with a passion for storytelling, he is excited to be pursuing his long-time interest in theater. Jared also serves on his church’s production team as the Technical Director, supporting live services and community events. He is grateful for the encouragement of his parents, friends and family, and hopes you enjoy the show!
