"Shakespeare in Brown Bodies" featuring Alejandra Villaneuva and Heriberto Cruz Jr.

“There is something beautiful and rebellious and strong and proud in being an actor of color presenting these timeless stories.” These words were shared by actor Heriberto Cruz Jr. as part of “Shakespeare in Brown Bodies: Latine Performance at New Swan,” hosted by New Swan on October 5, 2026.

Neah Lekan, a New Swan dramaturg and community educator, opened the event, which was moderated by Professor Kyle Grady (English).

Jesús López Vargas, New Swan's production coordinator and media director, shed light on the importance of representation in theater. “Making [casting] choices consciously and responsibly really does matter because everyone has a story,” Jesús explained. He wants New Swan to be a place that “tells all types of stories for all types of people” who strengthen each other through the experiences they bring to the theater.

New Swan actors Alejandra Villanueva and Heriberto Cruz Jr. recounted their Shakespeare journeys. As an undergraduate at USC, Alejandra was intimidated by Shakespeare, "the king of English.” Her professor reassured her that learning Shakespeare is like learning another language, even if English is your first language. 

Alejandra went on to provide Spanish translations of Shakespeare for The Old Globe’s touring production of Julius Caesar, which traveled to San Diego schools and prisons where many members of the audience spoke Spanish. She was happy to share this skill set with New Swan, where she helped develop the Spanish language elements of The Merry Wives of Windsor Cove.

Heri auditioned for Twelfth Night in his junior year of high school. After sitting at a table with fellow actors who were just as unfamiliar with the text as he was, the sense of flow captivated him. 

Turning to New Swan’s Merry Wives, Alejandra and Heri noted that Latine actors themselves reflect a diversity of linguistic experiences. He speaks a Puerto Rican dialect while Alejandra’s family comes from Mexico.

“It’s just easier to take bold swings with someone you know, who looks like they can catch you,” Heri commented, emphasizing how enabling it was to work with Alejandra. 

After the conversation with Alejandra, Heri presented an acting workshop for artists of color.  “Who gets to sound Shakespearean?” he asks his students. The answer is simple: “You.” He invites actors to bring their personal truth to Shakespeare’s texts, yielding more authentic performances.

As Alejandra and Heriberto continue their acting careers, their journeys serve as examples for other artists. Shakespeare is a powerful form of expression, and with that power, anybody of any color can take the stage to tell stories that matter. In Heri’s words, “Without you, there is no Shakespeare.”

–  Johannes Ha, a fourth-year English major and New Swan intern for 2026-2027