Get to Know Us

Andy is a transplant to Albuquerque, coming from the Midwest and loving the sunny days. He is a graduate of The Second City Comedy Studies Program in Chicago and former traveling Demotivational Speaker because why be perfect when you can be average? Andy enjoys being both on stage and behind the scenes with recent credits at MTS including performing as Clifford Bradshaw in Cabaret and working as the scenic designer for Sweeney Todd and scenic designs and master carpenter for Cinderella. He previously served as the president of the Michigan Intramural and Recreational Sports Association where he focused mainly on fundraising and by-law and policy making and hopes to bring that experience to MTS. He currently sings with the New Mexico Gay Men’s Chorus.

Ashli Saenz has been an active member in Albuquerque classical arts for nearly two decades as both a professional opera singer and music enthusiast. Growing up in NM and attending UNM has given her the opportunity to meet many of the incredibly talented musicians around town. It is her passion to ensure she is doing all she can to make MTS the most inclusive and equitable theater in New Mexico.

Jordon Embree studied at The Southwest University of Visual Arts, majoring in interior architecture and design with a minor in advertising and marketing. He gained years of experience in residential design as the head In-House Designer at a local custom home builder. He also gained further knowledge of graphic design and production as the production manager at a large format print shop. He has loved theatre since childhood and has found many creative outlets through volunteering with MTS over the years. Now, his focus is on improving and streamlining the processes we use in our theatre.

John Stephen is a local actor, singer and community servant. John is a native Buqueno, and began his relationship with MTS, in ACLOA’s 1977 production of Oliver, as
liver. John has been performing on and off for more than four decades. Some of John’s artistic highlights include a guest appearance on Grizzly Adams and singing with Barry Manilow and the rock band Foreigner. John is also a member of the New Mexico Gay Men’s Chorus and serves as Music Director at Metropolitan Community church. John is a graduate of the University of New Mexico and has spent the last 10 years of a 30-year career at Cedars-Sinai Medical Canter, in Los Angeles California as manager for government programs and collections, before retiring and returning to New Mexico in 2010.

Ron is excited to join the MTS Board of Directors. Ron has been very active in the theatre community since returning to Albuquerque in 2012, performing in shows not only at MTS, but others as well. Ron graduated from Point Park University in Pittsburgh with a BFA and brings extensive performance experience in the theatre and performed in many venues across the US. Ron knows the operations of what it takes to make a professional theatre production company thrive and Ron believes MTS is on a clear path to continue to have high professional standards. Ron's goal is to help MTS continue to reach an even higher standard than it ever has.

Raul was born in El Paso, Tx but has lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico since 2010. He graduated from Cathedral High School in El Paso, TX and attended New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, NM where he majored with a bachelor’s in Business Administration in 2013 and has his Master’s in Business Administration from Western Governors University. Raul wants to help Musical Theater Southwest expand and further their success. Currently, Raul is a program manager for the government bringing experience and professionalism. His admiration and dedication to music comes from having sung in high school in the All-Men’s Choir as a bass and his wife, Ashli Saenz, who is a professional opera singer. He is excited to be a part of MTS as the Amigos Committee Chair.

Xavier Visage aka "Xavi" is a native of Santa Fe, NM and graduate of the University of New Mexico with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. Since 2005, Xavier has directed various parish choirs and performed with numerous choral groups around northern New Mexico. In 2007 he sang Handel’s Messiah at Carnegie Hall in NYC under the direction of world-renowned composer, John Rutter. He served as a long-term substitute educator for various APS schools and taught K-3 Music, 2nd grade writing, 3rd grade Science, and 6th grade Reading Interventions at Mission Achievement and Success Charter School where he currently serves as the Records & Purchasing Manager. In 2020, he music directed The Green, an original musical by Joriah Kwame for the televised musical theatre competition show Broadway Bound LIVE (Katharsis Media) and returned as a vocal coach and adjudicator for Season 2. His other music directing credits include Chicago (MTS, 2019) and Nunsense (ALT, 2023). Xavi's most recent performance credits include: “Stacee Jaxx” in Rock of Ages (DFP, 2023), “Doody/Teen Angel” in Grease (ALT, 2022), “Dr. Frank N. Furter” in The Rocky Horror Show (SFP, 2018) and “Joseph” in Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (MTS, 2018). Xavier is also a licensed Cosmetologist Instructor (NMRLD).