THE TEAM
Meet the therapists and actors behind our films.
THE TEAM
Meet the therapists and actors behind our films.
Meet Our Team
Creative artists and performers have special gifts and powers. They have the ability to awaken us, shake us up, and even teach us things we might otherwise avoid or find difficult to understand or digest. Our collaborative creative process involves research, tapping into one’s “lived experiences,” and using our imaginative potential and storytelling gifts.
We also found that artists and therapists share an openness and capacity to collaborate. When actors and filmmakers come together with healing professionals, it’s no surprise that it results in some life-changing “healing powers.” Our goal is to help therapists, mental health professionals, social workers, teachers, coaches, parents, and young people, to learn from our films and stories. Our goal is to help kids and teens to HEAL.
Meet Our Team
Creative artists and performers have special gifts and powers. They have the ability to awaken us, shake us up, and even teach us things we might otherwise avoid or find difficult to understand or digest. Our collaborative creative process involves research, tapping into one’s “lived experiences,” and using our imaginative potential and storytelling gifts.
We also found that artists and therapists share an openness and capacity to collaborate. When actors and filmmakers come together with healing professionals, it’s no surprise that it results in some life-changing “healing powers.” Our goal is to help therapists, mental health professionals, social workers, teachers, coaches, parents, and young people, to learn from our films and stories. Our goal is to help kids and teens to HEAL.
Meet Our Team
Creative artists and performers have special gifts and powers. They have the ability to awaken us, shake us up, and even teach us things we might otherwise avoid or find difficult to understand or digest. Our collaborative creative process involves research, tapping into one’s “lived experiences,” and using our imaginative potential and storytelling gifts.
We also found that artists and therapists share an openness and capacity to collaborate. When actors and filmmakers come together with healing professionals, it’s no surprise that it results in some life-changing “healing powers.” Our goal is to help therapists, mental health professionals, social workers, teachers, coaches, parents, and young people, to learn from our films and stories. Our goal is to help kids and teens to HEAL.
The Therapists
Julian Ford, Ph.D., ABPP
Project Director, Lead Therapist
Dr. Julian Ford is a board-certified clinical psychologist and tenured Professor of Psychiatry of Law at the University of Connecticut Health Center, where he chairs two panels of the Institutional Review Board. He is the Principal Investigator and Director of two Treatment and Services Adaptation Centers in the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, the Center for Trauma Recovery and Juvenile Justice, and the Center for the Treatment of Developmental Trauma Disorders. Dr. Ford also serves as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Trauma and Dissociation and European Journal of Psychotraumatology and as Chair of the American Psychological Association Division of Trauma Psychology Presidential Task Force on Child Trauma for the American Psychological Association Division of Trauma Psychology. Dr. Ford has published more than 250 articles and book chapters, and is the author or editor of 10 books. Dr. Ford conceived and developed “TARGET” the Trauma Affect Regulation: Guide for Education and Therapy (TARGET©) model for youth and adults with complex PTSD. He is also the Executive Producer of Critical Moments, a therapist training series produced for the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, at Duke University.
Julian Ford, Ph.D., ABPP
Project Director, Lead Therapist
Dr. Julian Ford is a board-certified clinical psychologist and tenured Professor of Psychiatry of Law at the University of Connecticut Health Center, where he chairs two panels of the Institutional Review Board. He is the Principal Investigator and Director of two Treatment and Services Adaptation Centers in the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, the Center for Trauma Recovery and Juvenile Justice, and the Center for the Treatment of Developmental Trauma Disorders. Dr. Ford also serves as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Trauma and Dissociation and European Journal of Psychotraumatology and as Chair of the American Psychological Association Division of Trauma Psychology Presidential Task Force on Child Trauma for the American Psychological Association Division of Trauma Psychology. Dr. Ford has published more than 250 articles and book chapters, and is the author or editor of 10 books. Dr. Ford conceived and developed “TARGET” the Trauma Affect Regulation: Guide for Education and Therapy (TARGET©) model for youth and adults with complex PTSD. He is also the Executive Producer of Critical Moments, a therapist training series produced for the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, at Duke University.
Rocio Chang, Psy. D.
Project Co-Director, Consulting Therapist
Dr. Chang is a long-time therapist and an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Connecticut Health Center. Following her postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Connecticut, her work focuses on the treatment of traumatized children and families, with an emphasis on those referred from the juvenile justice system. Dr. Chang is published in the area of childhood and adult trauma, and she has presented at a wide variety of regional and national scientific meetings. She is sought after to provide specific training on assessment and treatment of complex trauma, and in particular she has been a resource to Latino organizations. She was a faculty member of the Complex Trauma Treatment Network in which she worked with a large Puerto Rico Learning Community that includes all Juvenile Detention Facilities on the island. Dr. Chang is currently developing a Spanish curriculum on the intersection of domestic violence, mental health, and trauma with the Connecticut Coalition against Domestic Violence and the National Alliance of Mental Illness. As Co-Director of the Center for the Treatment of Developmental Trauma Disorders at UCONN Health, she oversees the Critical Moments Film Series for the National Child Traumatic Stress Network.
Rocio Chang, Psy. D.
Project Co-Director, Consulting Therapist
Dr. Chang is a long-time therapist and an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Connecticut Health Center. Following her postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Connecticut, her work focuses on the treatment of traumatized children and families, with an emphasis on those referred from the juvenile justice system. Dr. Chang is published in the area of childhood and adult trauma, and she has presented at a wide variety of regional and national scientific meetings. She is sought after to provide specific training on assessment and treatment of complex trauma, and in particular she has been a resource to Latino organizations. She was a faculty member of the Complex Trauma Treatment Network in which she worked with a large Puerto Rico Learning Community that includes all Juvenile Detention Facilities on the island. Dr. Chang is currently developing a Spanish curriculum on the intersection of domestic violence, mental health, and trauma with the Connecticut Coalition against Domestic Violence and the National Alliance of Mental Illness. As Co-Director of the Center for the Treatment of Developmental Trauma Disorders at UCONN Health, she oversees the Critical Moments Film Series for the National Child Traumatic Stress Network.
Michael Gomez, Ph.D.
Consulting Therapist
Dr. Gomez is a Licensed Psychologist and educator who recently joined the staff at Bradley Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. Previously as Associate Professor in the Pediatrics Department of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Dr. Gomez has provided training and consultation in assessment and treatment of children exposed to trauma. He is also a member of the OUHSC training team for the treatment of problematic sexual behaviors (PSB) in adolescents. A Nationally Certified therapist in Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) as well as a Nationally Certified Consultant in TF-CBT, Dr. Gomez has also trained in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and treatment of problematic sexual behaviors (PSB) in adolescents. In addition, he’s been the lead psychologist at the Jumpstart Clinic at the OUHSC, an assessment clinic for autism spectrum disorders and developmental disabilities. Dr. Gomez completed his doctoral work at the University of Kansas Clinical Child Psychology Program, with fellowships in Pediatric Psychology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), one of the top training sites for child trauma in the world.
Michael Gomez, Ph.D.
Consulting Therapist
Dr. Gomez is a Licensed Psychologist and educator who recently joined the staff at Bradley Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. Previously as Associate Professor in the Pediatrics Department of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Dr. Gomez has provided training and consultation in assessment and treatment of children exposed to trauma. He is also a member of the OUHSC training team for the treatment of problematic sexual behaviors (PSB) in adolescents. A Nationally Certified therapist in Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) as well as a Nationally Certified Consultant in TF-CBT, Dr. Gomez has also trained in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and treatment of problematic sexual behaviors (PSB) in adolescents. In addition, he’s been the lead psychologist at the Jumpstart Clinic at the OUHSC, an assessment clinic for autism spectrum disorders and developmental disabilities. Dr. Gomez completed his doctoral work at the University of Kansas Clinical Child Psychology Program, with fellowships in Pediatric Psychology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), one of the top training sites for child trauma in the world.
Steven Hydon, Ed.D., MSW
Consulting Therapist
Stephen Hydon is a teaching professor of practicum education at the University of Southern California, and serves as the director of the School and Educational Settings specialization program. His interests are in secondary traumatic stress and social work practice in schools. He has been a consultant for the U.S. Department of Education and has trained globally on secondary traumatic stress, compassion fatigue, educator resilience and the evidenced based intervention, Psychological First Aid: Listen, Protect, Connect, Model, and Teach. He is also a member of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) and the Trauma and Services Adaptation Center for Resiliency, Hope and Wellness in Schools, where he serves as the liaison to the NCTSN’s Terrorism and Disaster Network. Dr. Hydon was recently appointed President of the American Council on School Social Work, a national association dedicated solely to the profession of school social work. He has contributed regularly to the Critical Moments therapy film series, and continues to work with Dr. Ford’s team on the Digital Diaries: Rx.
Steven Hydon, Ed.D., MSW
Consulting Therapist
Stephen Hydon is a teaching professor of practicum education at the University of Southern California, and serves as the director of the School and Educational Settings specialization program. His interests are in secondary traumatic stress and social work practice in schools. He has been a consultant for the U.S. Department of Education and has trained globally on secondary traumatic stress, compassion fatigue, educator resilience and the evidenced based intervention, Psychological First Aid: Listen, Protect, Connect, Model, and Teach. He is also a member of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) and the Trauma and Services Adaptation Center for Resiliency, Hope and Wellness in Schools, where he serves as the liaison to the NCTSN’s Terrorism and Disaster Network. Dr. Hydon was recently appointed President of the American Council on School Social Work, a national association dedicated solely to the profession of school social work. He has contributed regularly to the Critical Moments therapy film series, and continues to work with Dr. Ford’s team on the Digital Diaries: Rx.
Ernestine Briggs-King, Ph.D.
Consulting Therapist
Dr. Briggs-King is a licensed psychologist with over 25 years of experience in the fields of child maltreatment and child traumatic stress. She has extensive experience in providing, developing, disseminating, and evaluating several trauma-focused mental health treatments delivered to children, adolescents, and their families. Dr. Briggs-King is also a co-investigator on several multisite, longitudinal studies examining the developmental and psychosocial impact of trauma and violence. Dr. Briggs-King has developed a national reputation for her clinical, research, and implementation efforts and has received several awards and honors for her work in diverse communities. She is also a contributing therapist to the Critical Moments film and webinar series on adolescent and family trauma, produced by the Center for the Treatment of Developmental Trauma Disorders for the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. An Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University School of Medicine, Dr. Briggs-King is a clinical/community psychologist with a doctorate from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Ernestine Briggs-King, Ph.D.
Consulting Therapist
Dr. Briggs-King is a licensed psychologist with over 25 years of experience in the fields of child maltreatment and child traumatic stress. She has extensive experience in providing, developing, disseminating, and evaluating several trauma-focused mental health treatments delivered to children, adolescents, and their families. Dr. Briggs-King is also a co-investigator on several multisite, longitudinal studies examining the developmental and psychosocial impact of trauma and violence. Dr. Briggs-King has developed a national reputation for her clinical, research, and implementation efforts and has received several awards and honors for her work in diverse communities. She is also a contributing therapist to the Critical Moments film and webinar series on adolescent and family trauma, produced by the Center for the Treatment of Developmental Trauma Disorders for the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. An Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University School of Medicine, Dr. Briggs-King is a clinical/community psychologist with a doctorate from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
The Actors
Kendra Garnett
Kendra Garnett is a performing artist and choreographer with a BFA in Theatre Performance from Central Connecticut State University. She has over 15 years of dance training, ranging in forms from Jazz to Tap to Hip Hop; and just recently choreographed “2 Very Long Days” in NYC. She is a company member of New Zenith Theatre and Sova Dance & Puppet Theater. Recent acting credits include Hermia (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Lilith (She Kills Monsters), and Judah & Mrs. Potiphar (Joseph and The Technicolor Dreamcoat). She is a certified teaching artist for CTCN Kingian Nonviolence Teaching Artist program and she works with youth on both acting and dance. Kendra’s use of the arts to bring awareness to mental health has resulted in some of the most rewarding work that she’s experienced as its often overlooked or portrayed negatively. Her goal is to use storytelling to not only connect with other people, but bring communities together by providing support and awareness.
Kendra Garnett
Kendra Garnett is a performing artist and choreographer with a BFA in Theatre Performance from Central Connecticut State University. She has over 15 years of dance training, ranging in forms from Jazz to Tap to Hip Hop; and just recently choreographed “2 Very Long Days” in NYC. She is a company member of New Zenith Theatre and Sova Dance & Puppet Theater. Recent acting credits include Hermia (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Lilith (She Kills Monsters), and Judah & Mrs. Potiphar (Joseph and The Technicolor Dreamcoat). She is a certified teaching artist for CTCN Kingian Nonviolence Teaching Artist program and she works with youth on both acting and dance. Kendra’s use of the arts to bring awareness to mental health has resulted in some of the most rewarding work that she’s experienced as its often overlooked or portrayed negatively. Her goal is to use storytelling to not only connect with other people, but bring communities together by providing support and awareness.
Azario Mastraneglo
Azario is a director, writer, and performer whose work stretches from online Dungeons & Dragons streams on YouTube, to films with New Zenith, and to stages performing live theatre in New York, Connecticut and California. He has appeared in several Critical Moments films, and as Joshua in the Trauma Avengers, Digital Diaries:Rx series. He has a great passion for storytelling and world building, aspiring to be able to create entire universes for creatives to work within. Hopefully one day we can make something beautiful together.
Azario Mastraneglo
Azario is a director, writer, and performer whose work stretches from online Dungeons & Dragons streams on YouTube, to films with New Zenith, and to stages performing live theatre in New York, Connecticut and California. He has appeared in several Critical Moments films, and as Joshua in the Trauma Avengers, Digital Diaries:Rx series. He has a great passion for storytelling and world building, aspiring to be able to create entire universes for creatives to work within. Hopefully one day we can make something beautiful together.
Maria Franco
Maria Franco is a Puerto Rican actor and theatre maker based in Brooklyn, New York. Her work includes Shakespeare, devised theatre, and film, exploring stories of identity, resilience, and mental health. She trains with Blessed Unrest, a physical theatre ensemble, and recently collaborated with the Obie Award–winning company Hoi Polloi on Winning Is Winning, a devised theatre and dance piece examining how ambition and the drive to “win” shape our identities and culture. Maria believes storytelling has the power to open dialogue, challenge stigma, and remind us of our shared humanity. She continues to use performance as a tool for healing, connection, and meaningful storytelling.
Maria Franco
Maria Franco is a Puerto Rican actor and theatre maker based in Brooklyn, New York. Her work includes Shakespeare, devised theatre, and film, exploring stories of identity, resilience, and mental health. She trains with Blessed Unrest, a physical theatre ensemble, and recently collaborated with the Obie Award–winning company Hoi Polloi on Winning Is Winning, a devised theatre and dance piece examining how ambition and the drive to “win” shape our identities and culture. Maria believes storytelling has the power to open dialogue, challenge stigma, and remind us of our shared humanity. She continues to use performance as a tool for healing, connection, and meaningful storytelling.
Sergio Bernal
Sergio Bernal is an actor based in Brooklyn with experience in both film and theater. He earned his BFA in Theatre Performance from Central Connecticut State University, where he developed a strong foundation in character work and script analysis. He’s developed the roles of Jaime and Emilio for the Critical Moments series, and also works behind the scenes with the film production team. Sergio has contributed to projects like Healing Powers, Critical Moments, and the Trauma Avengers that promote empathy, awareness, and critical thinking in healthcare education. He feels fortunate to work with a passionate, creative team whose dedication to authentic storytelling results in a meaningful impact on underserved and marginalized youth.
Sergio Bernal
Sergio Bernal is an actor based in Brooklyn with experience in both film and theater. He earned his BFA in Theatre Performance from Central Connecticut State University, where he developed a strong foundation in character work and script analysis. He’s developed the roles of Jaime and Emilio for the Critical Moments series, and also works behind the scenes with the film production team. Sergio has contributed to projects like Healing Powers, Critical Moments, and the Trauma Avengers that promote empathy, awareness, and critical thinking in healthcare education. He feels fortunate to work with a passionate, creative team whose dedication to authentic storytelling results in a meaningful impact on underserved and marginalized youth.
Weimy Montero Candelario
Weimy is an actress from the Dominican Republic. She recently graduated from the University of Connecticut with a BFA in Acting, and is currently the Director of Spanish language programming at Gamut Theatre Group in Pennsylvania. A few of her previous roles include Marianne in The Revolutionists, Miss Pat in The Colored Museum, Don John/Margaret in Much Ado About Nothing and Lady Mac in A Shorter Scottish Play. Her work on mental health, therapist training, and fighting adolescent trauma matters deeply to her because it gives voice to experiences that are often hidden, creating space for healing and connection.
Weimy Montero Candelario
Weimy is an actress from the Dominican Republic. She recently graduated from the University of Connecticut with a BFA in Acting, and is currently the Director of Spanish language programming at Gamut Theatre Group in Pennsylvania. A few of her previous roles include Marianne in The Revolutionists, Miss Pat in The Colored Museum, Don John/Margaret in Much Ado About Nothing and Lady Mac in A Shorter Scottish Play. Her work on mental health, therapist training, and fighting adolescent trauma matters deeply to her because it gives voice to experiences that are often hidden, creating space for healing and connection.
Marlee Geyser
Marlee began acting in Critical Moments films at age 11 when she was cast at an open call audition in Hartford for it’s very first year of therapy films. She played a young girl who’d experienced parental abuse at home, demonstrating to her therapist what she saw and felt by using toys, dolls, and a large scale doll house. Since, she’s appeared as Gabby in numerous Critical Moments films, and her monologues are an essential part of the Digital Diaries Rx “Trauma Avengers” series. New Zenith has literally watched Marlee grow up through her numerous films and diary entries. A current university student, Marlee has also performed in both school and community theatre productions. The UCONN Health project has been an important part of her life, and she hopes to continue to contribute to Dr. Ford’s mission.
Marlee Geyser
Marlee began acting in Critical Moments films at age 11 when she was cast at an open call audition in Hartford for it’s very first year of therapy films. She played a young girl who’d experienced parental abuse at home, demonstrating to her therapist what she saw and felt by using toys, dolls, and a large scale doll house. Since, she’s appeared as Gabby in numerous Critical Moments films, and her monologues are an essential part of the Digital Diaries Rx “Trauma Avengers” series. New Zenith has literally watched Marlee grow up through her numerous films and diary entries. A current university student, Marlee has also performed in both school and community theatre productions. The UCONN Health project has been an important part of her life, and she hopes to continue to contribute to Dr. Ford’s mission.
Kaitlyn Oliva
Kaitlyn is an actress who trained at the University of Connecticut where she earned a BFA in Acting. She recently worked as an intern at the Ridgefield Theater Barn in Connecticut, and she’s a company member of Bright Star Touring Theater, an educational touring theatre for young audiences. This past year with Bright Star, she toured and performed in the Midwest and across the South. Some of her previous theater credits include Mrs. Martinez in Bienvenidos, Monica in Seven Spots on the Sun, and Rosannah in Brilliant Traces. She’s appeared as Marcela in Critical Moments, and as Marta in the Trauma Avengers mini-film Marta, Like a Wild Flower. Kaitlyn believes it is important to advocate for our mental well being, and especially in providing therapy. She is thrilled to contribute to Critical Moments which supports the growth and development of therapists who closely with youth.
Kaitlyn Oliva
Kaitlyn is an actress who trained at the University of Connecticut where she earned a BFA in Acting. She recently worked as an intern at the Ridgefield Theater Barn in Connecticut, and she’s a company member of Bright Star Touring Theater, an educational touring theatre for young audiences. This past year with Bright Star, she toured and performed in the Midwest and across the South. Some of her previous theater credits include Mrs. Martinez in Bienvenidos, Monica in Seven Spots on the Sun, and Rosannah in Brilliant Traces. She’s appeared as Marcela in Critical Moments, and as Marta in the Trauma Avengers mini-film Marta, Like a Wild Flower. Kaitlyn believes it is important to advocate for our mental well being, and especially in providing therapy. She is thrilled to contribute to Critical Moments which supports the growth and development of therapists who closely with youth.
Kelsey Culup
Kelsey earned a BFA in Theatre Performance. She’s had the pleasure of working on several New Zenith/UCONN Health projects, including the roles of Anna in Critical Moments, and both Richard III and Viola in On Stage/In Session: Shakespeare’s Works on Mental Health. She has also performed with New Zenith Theatre including roles as Winnie Foster in Tuck Everlasting and Helena from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She currently resides in Missouri where she’s involved in commercials and short film work. She cannot be more grateful for the growth she has experienced working with Ed and the rest of the New Zenith cast and crew. The Critical Moments project has allowed her a chance to share her creativity and passion for performance with a team devoted to important healing work with kids who are battling trauma.
Kelsey Culup
Kelsey earned a BFA in Theatre Performance. She’s had the pleasure of working on several New Zenith/UCONN Health projects, including the roles of Anna in Critical Moments, and both Richard III and Viola in On Stage/In Session: Shakespeare’s Works on Mental Health. She has also performed with New Zenith Theatre including roles as Winnie Foster in Tuck Everlasting and Helena from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She currently resides in Missouri where she’s involved in commercials and short film work. She cannot be more grateful for the growth she has experienced working with Ed and the rest of the New Zenith cast and crew. The Critical Moments project has allowed her a chance to share her creativity and passion for performance with a team devoted to important healing work with kids who are battling trauma.
Patryk Mathieu
Patryk Mathieu is an actor, musician, and storyteller who believes in the power of art to heal. He has worked with many theater organizations including the Hole in the Wall Theater, Hartbeat Ensemble, and most recently, the Majestic Theatre in Springfield, Massachusetts where he appeared as Andrej in Once, the musical. Through his work with New Zenith and the Critical Moments project, Patryk aims to help create stories that connect, comfort, and start conversations that matter. He believes that art can incite change and progress, and these are some of the most crucial events a person can be involved in.
Patryk Mathieu
Patryk Mathieu is an actor, musician, and storyteller who believes in the power of art to heal. He has worked with many theater organizations including the Hole in the Wall Theater, Hartbeat Ensemble, and most recently, the Majestic Theatre in Springfield, Massachusetts where he appeared as Andrej in Once, the musical. Through his work with New Zenith and the Critical Moments project, Patryk aims to help create stories that connect, comfort, and start conversations that matter. He believes that art can incite change and progress, and these are some of the most crucial events a person can be involved in.
Gian Melendez
Gian is a Latino actor and graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in Counselor Education. Passionate about representation, he values telling stories that uplift and reflect his community. His acting credits include roles such as Sonny (In the Heights), Ren McCormack (Footloose), numerous short films, and his first television appearance in Haven: The Series, filmed in his hometown of New Haven. Gian has also competed in monologue competitions and was a three-time nominee for the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) acting competition, recognized for his standout performances in multiple productions. Gian believes that mental health awareness is deeply important, and working on this project was both fun and fulfilling as it connected his passions for acting, education, and helping others as a future counselor.
Gian Melendez
Gian is a Latino actor and graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in Counselor Education. Passionate about representation, he values telling stories that uplift and reflect his community. His acting credits include roles such as Sonny (In the Heights), Ren McCormack (Footloose), numerous short films, and his first television appearance in Haven: The Series, filmed in his hometown of New Haven. Gian has also competed in monologue competitions and was a three-time nominee for the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) acting competition, recognized for his standout performances in multiple productions. Gian believes that mental health awareness is deeply important, and working on this project was both fun and fulfilling as it connected his passions for acting, education, and helping others as a future counselor.
Celimar Rivera
Celimar is a Puerto Rican artist with a Bachelor’s in Bio Molecular Science and a minor in Theater Performance. She is also presently pursuing a nursing career while leading the Standard Participant Pilot Program at Central Connecticut State University. Her acting credits include Tybalt & Friar in Romeo & Juliet; the Captain in The Wolves; and Hipster in Island Song. She’s appeared with Heartbeat Ensemble’s YPI, the Spanish R&J at Hartford Stage, and she’s participated in several music videos and short films. As a Latina who migrated to this country and who is passionate about art, healthcare, equity and justice, Celimar is extremely privileged to create the role of Liz for the Critical Moments project. She believes strong mental health is a vital component to having a fulfilled and healthy life. Having come from a culture where mental health is often stigmatized, the opportunity to bring awareness about the experiences of a Latina teen dealing with trauma was very meaningful and deeply connected to her core values.
Celimar Rivera
Celimar is a Puerto Rican artist with a Bachelor’s in Bio Molecular Science and a minor in Theater Performance. She is also presently pursuing a nursing career while leading the Standard Participant Pilot Program at Central Connecticut State University. Her acting credits include Tybalt & Friar in Romeo & Juliet; the Captain in The Wolves; and Hipster in Island Song. She’s appeared with Heartbeat Ensemble’s YPI, the Spanish R&J at Hartford Stage, and she’s participated in several music videos and short films. As a Latina who migrated to this country and who is passionate about art, healthcare, equity and justice, Celimar is extremely privileged to create the role of Liz for the Critical Moments project. She believes strong mental health is a vital component to having a fulfilled and healthy life. Having come from a culture where mental health is often stigmatized, the opportunity to bring awareness about the experiences of a Latina teen dealing with trauma was very meaningful and deeply connected to her core values.