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.
​
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.
​
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 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
​
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.
​
Rafael is the founding person of the following arts and cultural institutions;
​
- 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
​
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.
​
​
ZELEST MARIE CARABALLO (COSTUME DESIGN/PROPS)
​
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.
​​
Angélica Huertas, Fund Development / Sound Tech
​
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.​
​