Pa'lante Theater Cast & Crew of Calling Puerto Rico with U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona
About
"It was all a dream, I used to read Word Up! magazine" - The Notorious B.I.G.
In 2016 Our founder Rafael Feliciano-Roman was living in Western Massachusetts and realized that in New England a lot of the theater organizations and groups were mainly white and not led/run by individuals people of color. As a result of wanting theater that was reflective of the community of which he lived/served. He founded Pa'lante Theater Company as solely presenting theater company brining in outside theater companies and shows from Pregones/The Puerto Rican Traveling Theater Company (NYC), and Urban Theater Company (Chicago), presenting productions such as "Dancing on my Cockroach Killers," "La Gringa," and "Not for Sale." After moving away from that community the theater company did not continue and the dream/vision and overall work of Pa'lante went dark.
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Upon moving back home to Connecticut in 2021, the same realization ensued there is no theater that soley focuses on the Black/Latino/a/e experiences. Rafael revived Pa'lante Theater Company (2.0) along with four Afro Latina women formed Pa'lante Theater Company, Connecticut's first and only Afro-Latino/a/e theater company. Co founders are Zelest Caraballo, Angelica Huertas and Alana Ferazzi.
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Pa'lante Theater's inaugural season launched in 2023, thanks in large part to supporter and presenting sponsor Seven Angels Theatre at 1 Plank Road in Waterbury, Connecticut. Pa'lante Theater Company is thrilled to provide quality theater and film that is reflective of the rich Afro-Latino/a/e diaspora of Connecticut. 2024 Pa'lante began a new era by officially signing a lease for small Black Box theater space at 111 Bank Street in the heart of Downtown Waterbury.
Our Team
The Pa'lante Theater Company Team consists of four amazing individuals who are dedicated to bringing top quality Afro-Latino/a/e theater to the State of Connecticut.
Our Founder
Our visionary and founder Rafael Feliciano-Roman established a cultural renaissance in Greater Waterbury. To find out more about Rafael visit his personal website at www.rafaelfelicianoroman.com
Rafael Feliciano-Roman, Founder, Artistic Director
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RAFAEL FELICIANO-ROMAN
(Born Nelson Rafael Feliciano Roman) - is a Queer Afro Taino Artist, Activist and Taino Indigenous Spiritual Healer (Yoruba Priest and Taino Behique) and has been deep in spiritual work and practice for over fifteen years. Rafael's artistic focus is Afro-Caribbean Culture & Puerto Rican Bomba.
Rafael is twice formerly homeless. He has held elected office and is a trained Circle keeper. He is the winner of the 2024 Greater Waterbury Arts Hero, Jose Julio Sarria Civil Rights, Audre Lorde Founder’s, Business West 40 Under 40 and El Mundo Boston Latino 30 Under 30 and Waterbury Youth Services Coqui Awards.
Rafael is working to dismantle and decolonize himself and the world. Through ensuring that all art, and cultural events are offered at little to no cost to the community.
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Rafael is the founding person of the following arts and cultural institutions;
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- Afro Caribbean Cultural Center, Waterbury, CT ​
- Pa'lante Theater Company, Connecticut ​
- Greater Waterbury Puerto Rican Day Parade & Festival, Waterbury, CT ​
- Greater Waterbury LGBTQIA+ PRIDE Week Committee​
- Center for Ancestral Circling, Chicago, IL
- CT Taino Remembrance Day, Waterbury, CT
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Rafael also a podcaster with a new Podcast called "Tribe with No Nation" debuting Winter of 2025. Rafael is a proud Waterbury, CT resident and always considers the mother land of Borinquen as home.
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Elias Ocasio, Technical Director
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Born and raised in Waterbury, I grew up loving music and movies. Singing became my first love at a young age, and it was singing that led me into my passion for musical theater and music directing.
After high school I went on a 4 year hiatus from acting, but I'm ready to come back better than ever. The stars aligned and they led me to Palante!
A substitute teacher with Waterbury Public Schools. Elias was featured in Pa'lantes Viva Broadway - Waterbury, Seven Angels Theatre's - A Bronx Tale, Elias's
had his directorial debut of Pa'lante's Season show Foxes in 2025.
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FIOR RODRIGUEZ (OFFICE / HOUSE MANAGER)
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Fior Rodriguez (she/her) is a Dominican Republic-born actor and artist currently residing in central Connecticut. Fior has a B.S. in Biology from Southern Connecticut State University, and a lengthy resume of experience in pediatrics, public health research, maternal health and sexual education. Fior changed the trajectory of her career when she realized those positions did not spark joy, and transitioned into being a full-time artist in 2023. Fior is passionate about the representation of BIPOC stories, cultures, and art, and is dedicated to making Pa'Lante Theater Company succeed in its mission to do so.​
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ZELEST MARIE CARABALLO (COSTUME DESIGN/PROPS)
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One of the Madrina's of Pa'lante - Zelest help bring Pa'lante 2.0 to Waterbury. Currently does Stage Managing, props, and costume design.
She was born and raised in Waterbury. Growing up she took acting classes and has been a part of various productions in Waterbury. She has written and directed shows off and on Pa’Lante. Her passion for theater drove her to help create the first Latine black box theater in Connecticut,
because she believed in Waterbury being a cultural mecca for black, latine, and people of color.
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Angélica Huertas, Fund Development / Sound Tech
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Angélica G. Huertas fell in love with theater while performing in musicals in high school. After earning her B.A. from Smith College, she returned to Waterbury and worked for local theaters, starting with Shakesperience Productions, Inc. in marketing and administration, then continuing to Seven Angels Theatre and working in the box office and House Management. She is currently a grant writer and sound designer for Pa'Lante Theater, also having sound designed for other theaters, including GALA Hispanic Theater in Washington DC.​
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Alanna Ferrazzi, Stage Management/Production Staff
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Angélica G. Huertas fell in love with theater while performing in musicals in high school. After earning her B.A. from Smith College, she returned to Waterbury and worked for local theaters, starting with Shakesperience Productions, Inc. in marketing and administration, then continuing to Seven Angels Theatre and working in the box office and House Management. She is currently a grant writer and sound designer for Pa'Lante Theater, also having sound designed for other theaters, including GALA Hispanic Theater in Washington DC.​
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Bryan Vega, Set Designer and Builder
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AMARAE MATTEI (LIGHTING DESIGN)
Stage name Rae Luna. American hip hop performer Raé Luna is a rising star from Waterbury, Connecticut. She has established a reputation for herself as a specialist in contemporary hip hop because to her distinctive style and skill with words. Her music combines conventional Hip Hop with a contemporary touch and includes R&B, Soul, and Pop components.
Rae joined Pa'lante's technical team during Foxes and designed her first
show during our "New Works Festival," and "Don Juan." ​
Seven Encarnacion, Stage Management/Production Staff
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Growing up I was obsessed with theater, having some of my favorite movies being Annie and Crybaby. So it only made sense that I was a
part of theater at all my schools. Into my adulthood, I made it a point to be involved in my community and continue to pursue my interest in theater.
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I ended up falling into Pa’Lante and haven't left since becoming a part of this wonderful team. I usually am behind the scenes as a member of the tech team and haven’t been on a stage since high school.
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Stage Manager Credit for Pa'lante Shows: Foxes.
Production Assistant:
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