About the Event

Welcome to this year’s 3rd Annual UCAT Summer Series: Reflections. Enjoy a doubleheader across three fun-filled days featuring some of Arizona’s finest talent! UCAT en Minor celebrates the valley’s most talented BIPOC youth in concert, and Single Black Female (originally produced by Friends of UCAT, Flagstaff Shakespeare Co.), is back by popular demand! You don’t want to miss it.

UCAT en Minor is a musical cabaret featuring the incredible youth BIPOC artists in our community. 

Some of the performers include Valley favorites such as Olivia Martinez, Jazlynn Damasco, Jaely Damasco, and Brooklyn Martin, as well as special guest appearances from those who have supported our BIPOC youth in Arizona. 

You may hear some of your favorite selections from In the Heights and Moana Jr.! 

This cabaret focuses on reflections because through reflections, we are empowered to elevate to a higher self, to learn from our experiences, and to serve with great purpose at the core of our humanity. Leave this summer series feeling inspired. 

About United Colours of Arizona Theatre 

Founded in 2016, United Colours of Arizona Theatre began with a Facebook group attempting to create space for BIPOC individuals to convene, network, learn, and thrive within the local fine arts community. The members of United Colours of Arizona Theatre unequivocally support all social justice initiatives, and as ARTivists, their mission is to encourage a more equitable landscape within the local theatre community by creating opportunities for workshops, dance classes, audition prep, and more. 

Artist Bios

Brooklyn Martin is 13 years old and a rising eighth grader at the Arizona Conservatory for the Arts and Academics. She is thrilled to be a part of the UCAT en Minor. Recent credits are The SpongeBob Musical (Ensemble) at Valley Youth Theater, A Christmas Carol (Grace/Fan) and Gypsy (Baby Louise) at Arizona Broadway Theater, and The Little Mermaid (Flounder – 2022 ariZoni nomination) at Starlight Community Theater,. Martin would like to send a special thanks to her grandparents who have always supported and encouraged her to chase her dream.

Jaely Damasco is ecstatic to make her debut with UCAT. Some favorite past credits include: Jeanie in Hair (Spotlight Youth Theatre), Soupy Sue in Urinetown (Arizona Broadway Theatre), Ms. Square in Polkadots (Spotlight Youth Theatre); and Damasco originated the role Ada in Emmett’s Art Project (Spotlight Youth Theatre). Damasco would like to thank UCAT for this opportunity, and Chanel Bragg, her friends and family for the wonderful support and love. @jaely.damasco

Jazlynn Damasco is excited to make her debut with UCAT. Some favorite past credits include: Valerie in The Consoling Mechanism (The Phoenix Theatre Company), Female Ensemble in Sister Act (The Arizona Broadway Theatre), and Mulan in Mulan Jr. (Spotlight Youth Theatre). Damasco would love to thank UCAT for this opportunity, and Renee Koher, Kenny Grossman, Chanel Bragg, her friends and family for all the love and constant support. @jazlynn.damasco

Carlos Sanchez Beltran is ecstatic to be performing this amazing cabaret alongside all these talented artists from all over the Valley. Some favorite past credits include: Thidias/Ensemble in Antony andCleopatra (Southwest Shakespeare Company), Elliot in Eric and Elliot (Childsplay), Rudy/Herman in Selena Maria Sings (Magik Theatre & Childsplay), Acan in Mojada: A Medea in Los Angeles (Southwest Shakespeare Company), and Ted Hinton in Bonnie and Clyde (Desert Stages). Sanchez Beltran would love to thank the UCAT team for this opportunity, as well as their friends and family for their continued love and support. @carlossanchezbeltran_

Olivia Martinez is 16 years old and honored to represent the BIPOC community. Her favorite past acting credits include; Lizzie, Once, and Runaways all performed at Spotlight Youth Theater. When she’s not on stage, Martinez loves the technical side of theatre and has begun to dabble in light and sound design. Martinez would love to thank Chanel Bragg, Maria Cruz, UCAT, Josh Hontz, Kenny Grossman, TJ, Maxx, Mom, Mario, Nana, and Grandpa. She is very grateful to be able to do what she loves every day with the support of her friends and family. Gracias, grandpa, por todo lo que haces por mí. Éste es para ti. Te amo. “Do what you can to support the people you love.” @olieoxen

Wardeh Rose Hanna is excited for the opportunity to perform with UCAT. Some of her favorite roles include Lady Macbeth (Macbeth), Virgina (Hands on a Hardbody), Sybil (Cover of Life), Joanne (Company), and Marmee (Little Women). She is incredibly grateful for her wonderful family. Her whole family is from the Middle East, mostly Jordan and Lebanon. Without them believing in her, and telling her to do what she loves, no matter what, she would not be where she is today. As always, she’d like to thank her family, Mrs. Lallatin, Amber, and Jordan. Stay awesome!

Jose Antonio Guevara (he/him) is a senior at Arizona State University currently pursuing a bachelor of music in music learning and teaching with an emphasis in trumpet pedagogy. He is the undergraduate co-president of the ASU School of Music, Dance and Theatre IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accountability) student committee, where he works to promote equity and inclusion in the arts by supporting students and artists who come from marginalized groups. He would like to thank his friends and family for all of their love and support.

Tre Moore is a Barrett, The Honors College sophomore pursuing music theatre performance and business entrepreneurship. Past productions include Into the Woods (ASU), Little Women (ASU), Tales from the Amusement Park (PT New Works Festival) Joseph… (Limelight), Newsies (Limelight – 2022 ariZoni nomination), and The Lost Boys of Neverland (EVCT – 2019 ariZoni nomination). He thanks Chanel, Jacqui, and his new UCAT family for this opportunity. Enjoy the show! @tremooree

Evan Kaushesh is excited to be a part of this amazing project. He has been on the stage for over ten years but has been recently seen as Paul in A Chorus Line, Billy in Carrie, Micheal in Be More Chill, Juan in Altar Boyz, and Jack in Into the Woods. He is also soon to be co-directing Desert Stages, the upcoming production of 13 with Declan Skaggs, running Oct. 27 through Nov. 12. He would like to thank Maria, Chanel, and all involved for this cool opportunity. Enjoy the show!

Isabella Penza is 12 years old, born and raised in Arizona. She has participated with Phoenix Theatre Summer Camp for the past two years. Penza has been involved in camp productions of Legally Blonde, Jr., Wicked, Seussical, Shrek, and Finding Neverland. She would like to thank everyone who has inspired her such as her theatre camp counselors, her family members, and friends.