COMPANY MEMBERS
LEONARD MADRID
Artistic Director (he/him/his)
Leonard is a New Mexico based theatre artist and an Associate Professor at Eastern New Mexico University. Leonard holds an MFA in Dramatic Writing from the University of New Mexico, as well as a BA in lighting and set design and a BFA in Theatre. Leonard’s plays Tecolotito, Perla, and Aurora received the Kennedy Center’s Latino Playwriting Award. Aurora was featured in the Ignition Festival at Victory Gardens Theatre in Chicago. Perla was a finalist of the John Cauble short Play competition. Volver Volver Volver was chosen as the ATHE Playworks play of 2008. Other plays have received readings and performances around the nation. His plays Juanito: a Cuento and Dogboy and Boydog toured New Mexico schools for thousands of New Mexican children and educators.
BARNEY LOPEZ
Technical Director (he/him/his/they)
Barney Lopez is a founding member of Blackout Theatre Company. Barney holds an MFA in Dramatic Writing and a BA in Theatre from the University of New Mexico. Produced plays include Simon as Sergio (UNM); Petite Poems of Peas, Carson Lake, and Nowhere Girls and the Big Night Inn (Blackout); and Sometimes it Snows (audio play). Directing credits include Blackout Tonight @ Home; Ttravis Scottt's Blackout Tonight; and the immersive concert-rodeo-circus production Family Band for a Clown Funeral. Barney is a musician, designer, actor, and the host of Albuquerque's best (and saddest) annual holiday special, Tom Waits for Christmas. Barney is also a passionate educator and has been teaching theatre to children for 10 years.
LILA MARTINEZ
Financial Manager
Born and raised in Gallup, New Mexico, Lila Martinez holds a BA in Design for Performance from UNM. She has designed costumes for theatre and film productions all over Albuquerque, winning three consecutive Best Costumes awards at the 48 Hour Film Festival. Lila enjoys pushing the boundaries of artistic explorations in many mediums, from fashion and design to puppetry and mask making. When she isn't in the theater or at the office, you can find her teaching the arts inside the classroom at CNM, the Harwood Art Center summer programs, community centers or UNM Continuing Education.
ERICKA OLVERA
Executive Director (she/her/hers)
Ericka joined Blackout in 2012. She graduated from the University of New Mexico in 2013 with a BA in Theatre. Ericka is a director, actor, stage manager, producer, musician, improviser, and educator. She has appeared in countless sketch comedy and musical productions, including recently as a core writer/performer on Family Band for a Clown Funeral. Blackout directing credits include Blackout Tonight: Cheap Date; Greetings from Albuquerque; and Fight Pirates: GO! GO! GO! Live Friday! And Saturday! Also Sunday! Ericka is passionate about lifting up stories that haven't yet been heard, and believes in providing opportunities for audiences to play and interact with performance.
STEPHEN ARMIJO
Donor Liaison (he/him/his)
Stephen Armijo joined Blackout in 2018. He studied film at College of Santa Fe and earned a BA in Theatre at the University of New Mexico, followed by a Master's in Secondary Education. A born and raised Burqueño, Stephen has a love of storytelling with a Duke City flair and has performed in theatre and film productions all over town. Credits include Susan and God and Alice in Wonderland (Vortex), Shakespeare on the Rails, Thank You, 5 (web series), and countless Blackout productions including Family Band for a Clown Funeral and the new web series Nite School. Whether in the classroom or onstage, storytelling and performance are his life's calling. When he's not on stage or writing sketches, he can be found teaching high school, Theatre Classes for Kids at UNM, or at the Harwood summer arts program.
ANDEE SCHRAY
Front of House Manager (she/he/they)
Andee Schray is a fledgling member of Blackout Theatre Company. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of New Mexico. It was in theatre. She works as a librarian for Albuquerque Public Schools. Andee believes there is no limit to what art can be and no time to sit down and define it. You can find her doing any number of art projects around town, if you can find her at all.
CAROLINE TOBY GRAHAM
Associate Artistic Director (they/them/theirs)
Caroline Toby Graham has a BA in Theatre and MFA in Dramatic Writing from UNM. Plays include Stargazing, commissioned for Theatre on the Farm; Fiberglass Burning; Low Moon; Menarche in the UK; many ten-minutes and one-acts; and The Great Maverick Adventure of 2007, which earned the Region 6 nomination and national 2nd place for the Kennedy Center's National Partners of the American Theatre Playwriting Award. Caroline is also a performer, dramaturg, educator and model, and co-wrote the award-winning, NM-filmed web series Thank You, 5.
HAILEY TOLLESON
New Works & Outreach (she/her/hers)
Hailey Tolleson joined Blackout in the fall of 2019. She earned an Associates in Theatre from Central New Mexico Community College. Currently, she is working on a BA in Theatre at the University of New Mexico. Other than that, she's an improviser and works on devising variable theatre pieces with CNM alumni, including as a co-founder of Cutthroat Improv and Tangent.
JD OTSUKA
Production Manager (they/them)
JD holds a BA in Theatre from the University of New Mexico, where they performed in several UNM productions including Our Town, The Seagull, and the Out of Order 10-minute play festival. Along with being a performer, JD is a playwright, which they consider to be their main theatrical focus. JD joined Blackout Theatre in 2022 and looks forward to sharing in creative and theatrical endeavors with them for many years to come!
STEVE BLACKSMITH
Marketing Director (he/him/his)
Steven Blacksmith is an actor, writer, and director from Albuquerque, New Mexico. He started acting in high school and then working during the mid 2000's film industry boom in New Mexico. He quickly began producing film and television projects until deciding to go back to film school. He graduated with a degrees in Film Production and Theatre from CNM in Albuquerque. Steven then went on to get his film degree from UNM with a minor in Theatre before moving on to a graduate program in Dramatic Writing.