La Tunda: A Reimagining of a Colombian Folklore

Ankita Ashrit

Actress (Tamara)

Diego Symouksavanh

Actor (Santi)

Edduar Peralta

Actor (Andrés)

Jex Arzayus

Actor (Dario)
Jex Arzayús is a Latinx Colombian transman actor and multidisciplinary artist based in the Twin Cities, with over eight years of professional acting experience. Jex directs Soap-Prov, an improvised soap opera that has performed throughout the state, and teaches art and design in the Roseville school district. Jex performs regularly in the local improv scene at venues including the Twin Cities Improv Festival, Bryant Lake Bowl, and the Phoenix Theater. Jex is thrilled to make his Fringe-producing debut and to act as Dario, a trans-Colombian American. You’ll find Jex immersed in his favorite passion project, collaborating with his partner, Ora, and hanging with the kittens, Thor and Rune.

John Blocher

Actor (Emilio)
John Blocher is an actor and poet. He made his short film debut, co-starring in "A Night of Charade," at the Z-Fest Film Festival in April 2025. When not writing or performing, John enjoys cooking, dancing, reading, and spending time with loved ones.  

Laura Hild

Actress (Charlie)
Laura is excited to be back performing in MN Fringe this year! She has been dabbling in the comedic arts for the past ten years in the Twin Cities. Performing improv, sketch, dance, and also writing and producing shows. She is a member of the improv teams Soap-Prov, The Provettes, The Unnamed Jill Bernard Project, and Miscellany and is a ComedySportz player. She loves a good steak off the grill and snuggling with her cat, Charlie.

Maureen L. Bourgeois

Actress (Madre)
Maureen L. Bourgeois is a Twin Cities-based performer, writer, and director. Maureen can also be seen in “The 4 W’s and the H of Murder” (which she also wrote) at Mixed Blood Theatre. Maureen loves performing and, after a performance break, has been seen onstage in “Who Killed Ariel,” “Fractured Remembrances,” “Lock-In,” and staged readings for Threshold Theatre and A Drinking Game Minnesota. Maureen also works as a Standardized Patient/Client and as a Crisis Intervention Actor, utilizing her performance and education background to help people work on interpersonal and practical skills.

Robby Miller

Actor (Jack)
Robby Miller is a Twin Cities-based performer and improviser, excited to return to the Minnesota Fringe Festival and present this original queer work. Robby graduated from Hamline University in 2018 with a degree in Theatre Arts and has previous Minnesota Fringe credits, including The News with Clevername Theatre (2018) and Plaid Tales with No Way Theatre (2019). He has also held various administrative roles in the local arts scene, working with companies such as Hennepin Arts, Park Square Theatre, and the Minnesota Fringe itself. When he's not performing around the Twin Cities improv scene, Robby is an avid world traveler, father to his orange tabby cat Akito, and a die-hard Minnesota Timberwolves fan, where he has been a member of the team's Action Pack for the past several years.

Ora Jay

Director
Having been involved with La Tunda since its inception—as co-writer and marketing manager—Ora is thrilled to make a theatrical directorial debut. In 2024, Ora earned the First-Time Filmmaker Award at the Z-Fest Film Festival and couldn’t be more thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the MN Fringe Festival. Heartfelt thanks go out to the entire cast and crew for their dedication and to Jex Arzayús for co-writing and producing the show. Keep an eye out for the film Arousal Broom at local film festivals.

Molly Murray

Stage Manager

Wesley Erickson

Sound Designer