Luis Vasquez-Gonzalez is the PWLT Volunteer of the Month for July, 2026.

Luis is one of the most sought after cast members in Prince William County.  He is known as the delight and heart of any cast that he is in.  Not only is he a delightful actor, but has served in many technical capacities, volunteers for many PWLT activities including a term on the PWLT executive board. PWLT sat down with Luis to talk about his involvement.

https://www.abouttheartists.com/artists/662147-luis-vasquez​

What brought you to PWLT in the first place with Sister Act?

My journey to PWLT began with an invitation from a former musical director whom I greatly admire, Sarah Scott. She encouraged me to audition for the role of Pablo in Sister Act, a Latino character whose lines were entirely in Spanish. The opportunity was a perfect fit for me, and that audition became my introduction to PWLT.

You have played many ensemble and small featured roles in the past decade in the Manassas area. Which one was your favorite?

One of my favorite and most memorable roles was “Crisco Kid,” a Mexican chef in a murder mystery dinner production at the Rooftop. As one of the suspects, I had the opportunity to blend two contrasting elements in the character—charming and friendly on the surface, yet subtly Machiavellian underneath as he worked to mislead the detective. What made the role especially rewarding was how well the audience responded to the performance. It allowed me to fully immerse myself in the character and pushed me to explore new depths in my acting.

You are well known for bringing joy to any cast you are a part of. Why is cast morale so important to you?

Thank you for that compliment. I am naturally a very social person and genuinely enjoy connecting with others. Community theater is something we all do because we share a passion for it. After long days at work or managing responsibilities at home, the theater becomes a safe place where we can be creative, express ourselves, and spend time with people who love the art form as much as we do.

For me, maintaining positive energy within a cast is important because people do their best work when they feel accepted, respected, and appreciated. When everyone enjoys being in the space, creativity flourishes, collaboration becomes stronger, and ultimately the quality of the performance improves. A happy cast creates a better experience both on and off the stage.

Tell us about your involvement with pageants.

My interest in pageants began when I was seven years old. I vividly remember watching the opening of the Miss Universe competition and being captivated by the contestants wearing their national costumes. As each country was announced, I was fascinated by the colors, designs, and cultural details represented on stage. It sparked my imagination and inspired me to learn about places I had never visited.

As the years went on, I became a dedicated follower and student of pageantry, learning about the rules, traditions, and production elements of competitions. I later organized drag queen pageants in New Jersey, combining my love of entertainment and event planning.

More recently, I have had the privilege of traveling internationally as a special correspondent, covering pageants for magazines in the DMV area as well as radio stations in my home country. Looking back, I can confidently say that the dream that began with a seven-year-old child watching Miss Universe has truly come full circle.

What do you do in the theatre outside of acting?

In addition to performing, I have been actively involved in supporting PWLT in a variety of ways. I have served as Secretary of the PWLT Board of Directors, assisted with concessions, attended community fairs to promote PWLT productions, and helped with costuming for Rent.

I enjoy contributing behind the scenes because it allows me to support the organization and help ensure its continued success.

What do you do when you are not working with PWLT?

I love to travel, and whenever I have the opportunity, I enjoy exploring new places, discovering different cuisines, and connecting with people from diverse cultures. Closer to home, my husband and I make it a point to go to the movies at least once a week. I also enjoy quieter moments—writing, spending time with my pets, and simply relaxing at home. These activities help me recharge and provide balance in my life.

What do you enjoy most about working with PWLT?

When I first became involved in community theater, I viewed PWLT as the “Broadway of Prince William County.” I honestly thought it would be nearly impossible to be cast in one of its productions.

When I was cast in Sister Act for the first time, the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything, and our cast was suddenly brought together online. Despite the challenges, that experience strengthened my connection to PWLT and helped me truly appreciate its mission, values, and sense of community.

Over the years, I have met so many wonderful people through PWLT productions, and they have become like an extended family to me. What I enjoy most is continuing to create, collaborate, and share meaningful experiences with that family.