Providing extraordinary Latino arts, culture, and heritage experiences for the enrichment of all communities.
Legacy
José González y Salazar, Founder
Dañel Malán-González, Founder
Olga Sanchez, Artistic Director Emerita
Board of Directors
Maya Malan-Gonzalez, President
Verenice Leon Hurtado, Treasurer
Denise Robles Torres, Secretary
José González y Salazar, Past President
Dañel Malán-González
Armando Arias
John Rodarte
Staff
Dañel Malán-González, Executive Director
Maya Malan-González, Interim Artistic Director
Veronica Christie, Business Manager
Wayne McWorter, Marketing Director
Mia Torres, Community Engagement Director
Yosmel López Ortiz, Arts Education Director
Annie S., Production Associate
T. Sampson, Master Carpenter
Khayry Gonzalez, Technical Assistant
Nolan Schroeder, Technical Assistant
Resident Artists
Lawrence Siulagi, Resident Sound & Projections Designer
Affiliations
Theatre Communications Group
National New Play Network
Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber
Coalition for Communities of Color
Portland Area Theatre Alliance
About: Board of Directors
Maya Malan-González, President & Interim Artistic Director, is an actor, playwright and teatrista. Her work centers female voices and pressing social issues, and she embraces movement and a little wacky humor in all things art. She is a lifelong member of Milagro in Portland and an ensemble member with Teatro Luna West in Los Angeles. As an actor, Maya is passionate about touring and has performed on stages from coast to coast as well as in Mexico, Scotland, and Ireland. She has also performed with Cara Mia Theatre, San Jose Stage Company, San Diego Rep, The Road Theatre Company, El Teatro Campesino, Teatro Vision, and Northwest Children’s Theatre. Her written work includes “Huelga” and “Blast Off” commissioned and presented by Teatro Milagro; “A Xmas Cuento Remix”, which had a National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere with Milagro, 16th Street Theater, and The Cleveland Public Theatre; and her story “Down the Side of the Mountain” is featured in Teatro Luna’s Audible Original audiobook, “Talking While Female and Other Dangerous Acts”. Maya received her B.F.A in Acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University with a concentration in Latino Studies and she is a graduate of the NALAC Leadership Institute (2018).
Back to Top
Verenice Leon Hurtado, Vice President & Treasurer, is a Loan Officer at Guild Mortgage and real estate investor. In her professional work, she is known for building trusted relationships and guiding individuals and families through complex financial decisions with care and clarity. Through her real estate investments, she has built and co-managed a small business requiring hands‑on experience with budgeting, operations, and long‑term planning. She brings a strong commitment to community leadership, actively engaging in initiatives that promote connection, education, and representation. She is deeply passionate about the importance of Latino storytelling and arts, and the role cultural representation plays in affirming identity, preserving history, and strengthening community. Verenice is honored to support Milagro Theater’s mission and believes the arts are a powerful catalyst for dialogue, belonging, and social impact.
Back to Top
Denise Robles Torres, Secretary, is a former teacher and long time admirer of Milagro. As a former actor with Milagro, she is able to appreciate the hard work of the artistic team as they create relevant and timely productions. As a board member, she has been able to apply that knowledge to the inner workings of Milagro and is committed to supporting the theater’s mission and vision. Denise believes that live performance, like good teaching, reveals truths and serves the good of the community as well as appeals to our universal humanity. (2025).
Back to Top
José Eduardo González y Salazar, Founder & CFO
E-mail: jefe (at) mintcream-leopard-837177.hostingersite.com
José’s background includes ten years as a freelance scenic designer working in Oregon, Texas, and California. He founded Milagro (aka Miracle Theatre Group) in 1985 with his wife, Dañel Malán-González. José holds an MFA in Theatre Arts from UCLA and a BA in Humanities with an emphasis in Philosophy and Arts History from the University of Santa Clara. He has studied in Vienna and traveled through Europe and the Middle East. In 1997, José was recognized as a “Community Treasure” by TACS-PGE/Enron. He has also received awards for “Outstanding Contribution to the Hispanic Community” from IMAGE of Washington County, 1992, and a 1983 Dramalogue Award for “Excellence in Set Design” for The Hostage. In 2019, José received The Stewart H. Holbrook Literary Legacy Award for significant contributions to Oregon’s literary community. In 2022, José was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters by Portland State University. Under the pseudonym Martín Milagro, he has written five full-length plays produced by Milagro: Maria’s Magic Christmas (1989); Un Christmas Cuento (1991); ¡Cuentos! (1992); La Canción de Libertad (1993); and Chavez (1996). He has also penned two Spanish-language screenplays: Solución Familiar and Adios Tristeza for Washington County Aging Services. José has served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in Theatre Arts and Chicano/Latino Studies departments of Portland State University, and as a Visiting Arts Administration Specialist for the United States Information Agency (1995 & 1996), conducting workshops in arts administration and fundraising with large and small organizations in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. Currently, he serves on the board of directors for the Miracle Theatre Group and the Embajada Chicano Cultural Aztlan.
Back to Top
Dañel Malán-González, Founder & Executive Director
E-mail: malan (at) mintcream-leopard-837177.hostingersite.com
Malán co-founded the Milagro with her husband, José Eduardo González y Salazar and in 1989 she created the bilingual touring program, Teatro Milagro, which tours nationally to schools, colleges and universities. Ms. Malán researches and develops script ideas and works with playwrights, directors, composers and choreographers for the creation of many of the productions. She has also written several bilingual scripts for Teatro Milagro, which include Cuéntame Coyote (2005, 2014) and FRIDA, un retablo (2006, 2013). For several years she also managed and performed with the Milagro Bailadores, Miracle’s pan-Latino dance troupe. For Milagro she has collaboratively designed and implemented curriculum for K-12 schools and colleges and has presented at various workshops, conferences and college campuses around the country. Malán also co-founded OYE, Opciónes Y Educación, a Latino sexual health coalition with Multnomah County Health Department. Malán received her BA in Theatre Arts from the University of California, San Diego and her MS in Curriculum Instruction from Portland State University. Currently she serves as a Commissioner representing Multnomah County on the Metropolitan Exposition and Recreation Commission.
Back to Top.
Dr. Armando A. Arias is a behavioral scientist and institutional enterprise systems architect whose career has focused on turning complex technical, scientific, and organizational challenges into workable strategies for universities, public agencies, and emerging technology initiatives. His work blends social science, technology literacy, and interdisciplinary collaboration, and he has a long‑standing role as a collaborator between technical experts, policymakers, and institutional leaders. Dr. Arias is Professor & Founding Faculty/Founding Dean at the School of Social, Behavioral Sciences & Global Studies; Founding Dean at the School of Creative Arts, Human Communication & New Technologies; and Founding Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs. He is also the founding CEO of the Global Dementia Spectrum Project and co‑author of AI: Global Solution for the Dementia Crisis, and his current work focuses on improving dementia research, development, application, and care by addressing fragmentation across medical sciences, research & development, healthcare, policy, and caregiver networks.
Back to Top.
John Rodarte brings organizing and fundraising experience to the team. John is the Manager of Commercial and Residential Sales for AAA Heating and Cooling and has been connected with Milagro for years, but has only recently become involved. He has a strong business background, over 20 years of managerial experience as well as a strong dedication to community involvement and volunteerism. John served as the State Director of the Ventura Junior Chamber of Commerce for six years where he coordinated the State Convention, served on fundraising committees, and created innovative new programs. He looks forward to using his experience to help shape the future of Miracle Theatre Group and to expand awareness of the Latino Arts in the Portland community.
Back to Top.
