Testimonials
“Mark Anthony is a wildly creative young man with an old artistic soul. He’s gifted with a unique vision that explodes on every project he takes on. I see a long and storied career ahead.”
Dan Guerrero - Tony-Award Winning Agent, Activitst, Actor, Director, and Producer
"Mark Anthony Vallejo is an inspired and visionary director. He creates beautiful landscapes of movement, imagery and story. I have witnessed firsthand his innovative and unique aesthetics in both ANNA IN THE TROPICS and COLOSSAL. I was equally in awe as a fellow theater maker and moved to tears as a human being. He possesses immense talent, skill and virtuosity. Most of all, Mark Anthony is a generous collaborator and deeply connected to his cultural roots in East Los Angeles. He is a modern Chicano artist and the stage is his world canvas.”
Cristina Frías - Award-Winning Mexican Actor, Educator, Acting Facutly at East Los Angeles College
“I saw Mark Anthony’s production of Colossal at ELAC in the summer of 2024. The work was muscular, visceral, poetic and timely. This artist is developing a vibrant aesthetic, breathing new life and energy into Latine Theatre. I would collaborate with Mark Anthony in a heartbeat!”
~Mónica Sánchez-Actor, Playwright, Director, Educator
“Working with Mark Anthony is like stepping into a living, breathing art gallery. His physical vocabulary immediately grounds the performer in the world of the play. He brings an ease and flow to the collaborative spirit of theater. His reverence for the art form reminds you why you fell in love with the craft in the first place. His 'moving pictures' approach? It's like he's taken the best of cinema and married it to the raw energy of live performance. The result is pure magic.
Watching a Mark Anthony production is a visceral experience. His epic take on “Colossal” hit me in the gut, tickled my imagination, and left me buzzing with possibilities. His work isn't just pushing boundaries; it's redrawing the map. If this is the future of theater, sign me up. Mark Anthony isn’t just directing plays; he's directing the future of our craft. And trust me, you want to be along for the ride."
Jon Gentry, Performer/Playwright/Educator, MFA in Acting
“Mark’s vision as a director is to always push the envelope and challenge not only the actors, but the audience as well on what they are witnessing. He advocates for Black and Brown actors to be on stage and there’s something very intentional about that. That’s my favorite thing about him. He doesn’t play it safe. I’ve worked with him on 3 other productions at LBCC before graduating and I am grateful to have been taught by a truth teller, visionary, and artist.”
Monaliese-Rose Davis- Theatre Major at CSU Dominguez Hills, Actor and Poet.
If you think theater should be about bringing people together, celebrating voices often less heard, and challenging what you know, then Mark Anthony is a director to know and follow. I've been lucky enough to work with him as both an actor and as his stage manager, and each production was an incredible experience. I can't say enough good things about getting to be a part of his process in creating beautifully thought-provoking pieces. He has not only made me want to deepen my craft and continue to pursue a career in theater, but he has also shown me the possibilities of what theater can and should be. Mark Anthony is truly an artist - one who seems to effortlessly infuse our world with a bit more magic - and I would jump at the chance to work with him again and support his artistic vision. I can't wait to see where his career takes him.
Reigh Levinstein, Actor, LBCC Theatre Major
Mark Anthony does a really good job of representing a story with consideration to many details including, but not limited to, an in-depth analysis of any script and its connection and relevancy in a contemporary world, a keen sense of space with any type of performance area, and a sharp instinct when directing fellow artists of various levels of experience (whether they are students just starting out or seasoned thespians). He brings a fresh perspective to the public with his work and community engagement, especially when inviting the next generation of theater artists to the industry.”
Natalie Rian- Scenic Supervisor at University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Scenic Designer, Painter, and Illustrator
“What makes Mark Anthony's directing so special is his ability to take a script to new levels with powerful and poignant visual imagery. His commitment to storytelling is infectious, creating a truly collaborative team from the performers to the designers and the crew. Mark's experiences in performing, movement, dance, stage combat, and directing have prepared him to push the boundaries of what is possible on stage. This is where the magic happens!"
Jessica Champagne Hansen - Costume Designer, IATSE Local 829, Costume Faculty at East Los Angeles College
“It is obvious that Mark Anthony cares about the success and devotion with his shows. I am very thankful each day that Mark Anthony gave me the opportunity to learn and become part of a show. The level of energy, professionalism, patience and commitment inspired me to have a desire to work on more projects with this specific director.”
Rungrisa Sadao- Theatre Major at Long Beach City College
“His attention to detail and foreshadowing is innovative and quite unique. I absolutely enjoyed working with him and learning from his effective and fun directing style. If I could describe Mark Anthony's directing with only two words it would be revolutionary and exciting. I can't wait to see what else he produces in his directing career.”
Lauren Grace Parra- CTG Directing Obeserver, Director, Actor, and Theatre major at East Los Angeles Community College
Last May I saw his show Colossal twice. I had never in my life seen a show that actually made me feel something. It had me on a roller coaster of emotions, as a matter of fact I had never seen a show where the audience was allowed to interact with the show. Mark is the new art, and his teachings are golden. It shows within his work and I’m very grateful to have him as a mentor, but most of all a friend.
Andrea Vidalia- Actress, Primary and Secondary Educator in the Arts
“His directing is creative and bold in that he pushes the boundaries of what is available to theatre in a very unapologetic way.”
Alex Alpharaoh - Award winning actor, Writer, Director, Spoken Word Artist, and solo performer from Los Angeles, California
“From the moment I met Mark Anthony I knew that there was something magical about him. The way he creates beauty that moves you and how he encourages others towards creating their own masterpiece is extraordinary. He is the most talented gem that the world must discover. I am one of the lucky ones because I have been able to watch his productions from the audience's vantage point and I have had the great privilege to work with him on stage and in a classroom. I first worked with Mark Anthony as a student and three things I knew almost immediately: he genuinely wants his students to succeed, he thoroughly enjoys everything you bring him and we were all tremendously better for working with him; it's a gift and I am grateful for every moment.”
Jen Hanks - Actress
“Mark Anthony is the most talented director that I know. I am truly thankful that I had the opportunity to be able to work with such an amazing and hard-working individual. He taught me skills and how to gain confidence on stage. The energy he brings into the room will always connect with everyone and build a sense of direction. I am truly in awe of Mark Anthony’s commitments, success and his ability on how to the work the stage with different types of techniques in acting. Not only is he the greatest director but he is also the most generous and joyful person I have ever worked with. I will always deeply admire Mark Anthony.”
Rithya Sadao-Theatre Major at Long Beach City College
“His work is the kind of work I want to be a part of. It’s raw, it's real life, it’s political and groundbreaking. He introduces work for black and brown students to engage in, build on, feel seen and heard both on and off the stage.”
Kyro Davis- Theatre Major at CSU Dominguez Hills, Director, Playwright and Poet
“Mark Anthony Vallejo is a dynamic and creative theatre director and an energizing performing arts instructor. His exuberance and pure joy for teaching and directing is only outweighed by his truly inspired work. I have rarely seen a director that matches his creative talent and his knowledge with his desire to share his vision and skill with his students.
I can only add that I have hired him to both teach and direct and I feel fortunate to have such a talent on our team. “
Anthony Carreiro - Full-time Theatre Arts Faculty at Long Beach City College and former Performing Arts Department Chair
“I was quite impressed with all aspects of Anna in the Tropics production by Mark Anthony. It was a culturally relevant piece. It was an all-around fantastic performance! The acting, scenic design, lighting, costumes, language, music, and overall experience was wonderful. I traveled to Cuba about 25 years ago, and this conjured up so many memories of that bittersweet (azucar-amargo) journey!
Directing this piece with a diverse student cast is exactly the direction we should be going in the Performing Arts at LBCC. Hats off to Director Mark Anthony”
Janet Hund - Dean of Visual, Performing Arts & Cultural Programs at Long Beach City College
“I've loved working alongside Mark and had the privilege to work with him on Colossal. I was inspired by his orchestration and attention to detail. Mark has visions he can communicate and execute because of his immersion in the text. Room for interpretation is a world of opportunity in Mark's arms and we're all the better for it. “
Joe Choreo - Model, Actor, Modern and Ballet Dancer
“I’ve worked with Mark since he was in High School. He was my student but one of the smartest things I’ve ever done was to bring him on as an Assistant Director and later, several times, as a choreographer. I constantly tell my current students he is one of the best directors out there and is destined for fame. One of the best ways I can describe what it is like to watch one of his shows, and I have seen many, from Cal State University of Long Beach, UCLA, Long Beach City and here at ELAC, is that you will always see the majority of the audience sitting forward in their chairs. Leaning in and engaged as if the performance was just for them. It’s crazy. I’ve never seen that with any other director I know.”
Rodney Lloyd Scott - Director, Theater Professor at East Los Angeles College
“Working with professors such as Mark Anthony over the past year and a half, I have developed the confidence to where I have a very good understanding on how to not only to be a good performer, but also how to grow into being a great performer.
Mr. Anthony is very mature and a dedicated master of his craft. He is very creative and knows how to get the best performance out of my fellow actors and I in learning this craft. His professionalism was displayed when teaching how to respect each other's boundaries, which helped me as an actor.
I am very fortunate to have been able to work with such a talented director. He is always a pleasure to work with.”
Rodney D. Richardson, United States Navy Veteran 21 years, Retired Chief Petty Officer, Theatre Arts Major, Acting Academy Program
“I had never met somebody that was so motivated and came from the same background as me, he showed me anything is possible. The way that he approaches the work is so intricate and precise, he makes sure no angle goes overlooked. His approach to material was unlike anything I had seen before. The way he uses movement to reinforce the story is unbelievable.”
Jasia Topete- Actress, Primary and Secondary Educator in the Arts
“Mark Anthony truly has such a talent for creating productions that are deeply personal and evocative, making both the viewing and performing experiences unforgettable. It’s been a privilege to be part of his journey and to witness his growth as an artist. I can’t wait to see where his revolutionary talent and dedication will take him next, and I’m definitely cheering him on every step of the way.”
Nancy Tran - Actress and Los Angeles Elopement Photographer
“Photographing Mark Anthony’s productions of Anna in the Tropics and Colossal has been an eye-opening experience. Coming in without any prior knowledge of the shows, I was instantly captivated by the depth and emotion he brought to each scene. His ability to showcase powerful stories and intricate details through his direction made my job both challenging and incredibly rewarding. Every shot felt like capturing a piece of art in motion. His productions are not just visually stunning but also deeply moving, and it’s been a pleasure to document them.”
Eddie Blanck - Photographer