Trans tween embarks on virtual journey of
self–discovery in Latino Theater Company’s
technically innovative ‘Level Up!’
LOS ANGELES (February 25, 2026) — What does it mean to live as your true, authentic self? Latino Theater Company presents the world premiere of Level Up!, a visually stunning, emotionally resonant, family-friendly new play by Gabriel Rivas Gómez that unfolds across everyday reality as well as in a vividly imagined virtual realm. Directed by Fidel Gómez (Just Like Us, Tacos La Brooklyn), this technically innovative production runs April 4 through May 3, at The Los Angeles Theatre Center in downtown Los Angeles. Six low-priced previews take place March 26 through April 3.
Desi López, a trans tween, is afraid to come out to her family. In her oversized hoodie, Desi is seen as a boy IRL (in real life). But inside The Proxy, a richly imagined virtual world within the play’s digital realm, Desi discovers the freedom to exist as her true self: a powerful female warrior with enormous butterfly wings who embarks on an epic quest to save her dying dog and reunite with her mother.
Blending live performance with projection and inventive design, Level Up! explores identity, family and transformation in an era increasingly shaped by virtual environments and simulated realities.
Desi is played by 14-year-old Mathias Brinda, with Xol Gonzalez as her older brother, Memo; Richard Azurdia as Papá; Sol Crespo as Mami; and Andi René Christensen as Azlan, her beloved dog. Gene Powell plays 8eatles the 8ard, a mystical guide within The Proxy, and Wiley Naman Strasser appears as Smallfish, a formidable creature of the virtual landscape. Mauricio Marte and Celeste Lanuza are understudies.
The production’s dual realities of the López family home and the fantasy environment of The Proxy are brought to life by scenic designer François-Pierre Couture, lighting designer Xinyuan Li and projection designer Hsuan-Kuang Hsieh.
Costumes are designed by Maria Catarina Copelli, sound design is by Robert Revell, fight choreography is by Edgar Landa, and casting is by Lolário Casting. The production manager is May Congxiao Fei, and Esperanza América is assistant director. The production stage manager is Ariana Michel, assisted by Crystal Nieto.
“Level Up! is a multigenerational story that moves between the physical world and a vividly imagined virtual realm, exploring identity, transformation and the courage to be seen,” says playwright Gabriel Rivas Gómez. “The artists behind this production reflect an extraordinary range of races, ethnicities, gender identities and lived experiences, including trans and gender-fluid voices. From the start, Fidel envisioned the stage as an interface, a living portal into a digital environment, rather than a traditional set, and our designers are bringing that vision to life in marvelous ways. Collaborating with this team feels like walking alongside giants — even the ones who are only 14.”
Co-commissioned by Latino Theater Company and Children’s Theatre Company of Minneapolis as part of the Generation Now initiative supported by the Mellon Foundation, Level Up! was developed in Latino Theater Company’s Circle of Imaginistas playwriting group. Lead actor Matthias Brinda has been involved with the project since its earliest workshops, including developmental productions in Minneapolis, MN at Children’s Theatre Company and Atlanta, GA at the Alliance Theatre in addition to those at Latino Theater Company.
Gabriel Rivas Gómez received his M.F.A. in Dramatic Writing from USC in 2007, where he was mentored by Oliver Mayer, Velina Hasu Houston and Luis Alfaro. His plays, including Chasing Monsters, Circus Ugly, Swarm Cell and Scar Tissue have been produced in various Los Angeles theaters. Scar Tissue was subsequently published in “The Best American Short Plays of 2010-2011.” He developed his play, Carnivores, as an inaugural member of the Latino Theatre Alliance Writer’s Circle. His work focuses on justice issues and giving words to the voiceless. His plays have been taught, read and performed at numerous universities across the country. His work has been called everything from surreal to abstract to unstageable. He is tenured faculty at Glendale Community College.
With funding from the Mellon Foundation, Generation Now was launched as a part of a five-theater partnership that includes Latino Theater Company and Native Voices in Los Angeles, Ma-Yi Theater Company in New York City, and Children’s Theatre Company and Penumbra in Minnesota. The goal of Generation Now is to expand the canon of work produced for multigenerational audiences and to create a model of transformative partnership for the theater field. The partners strongly believe that if we are to have an extraordinary theater culture in this country, we must start young, and it must be intergenerational, inclusive, inspiring, transformative and lifelong. Together they envision creating a lasting canon of new works for multigenerational audiences.
Now celebrating its 41st season as a company and its 20th anniversary operating The Los Angeles Theatre Center, the Latino Theater Company was named a 2025 “Nonprofit of the Year” by California State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas. Dedicated to providing a world-class arts center for those pursuing artistic excellence; a laboratory where both tradition and innovation are honored and honed; and a place where the convergence of people, cultures and ideas contribute to the future, the company has operated The LATC, a City-owned facility housed in a former bank building in Downtown L.A.’s historic core, since 2006, producing hundreds of plays, creating over 4000 jobs and helping hundreds of nonprofit organizations by providing space and resources. Recognizing the Latino Theater Company for its “effective first-class theater center operations,” the City recently extended the company’s initial 20-year lease for an additional 30 years, through 2056. Latino Theater Company was named to the Los Angeles Times “Best of Latino L.A.” and was awarded the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle’s prestigious Margaret Harford Award for Sustained Excellence in Theater. Artistic director Jose Luis Valenzuela is the recipient of multiple awards including lifetime achievement awards from both the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation and theater review site Stage Raw.
Level Up! opens on Saturday, April 4 at 2 p.m., with performances running through May 3 on Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.. Six preview performances take place March 26 through April 3 on the same schedule.
Level Up! is appropriate for ages 10 and up. Free child care for kids ages 4 and up, featuring fun, age-appropriate activities led by a trusted childcare team, will be provided during Saturday matinee performances; all participants must be potty-trained.
Tickets to Level Up! range from $10 to previews and for all Thursday performances to $48 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, except students and seniors, who pay only $24, and the opening matinee on April 4, which is $75 and includes a post-performance reception. A Family Pack (two adults and two children) is available for performances on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (except previews and the opening matinee on Saturday, April 4) for $100, with a $20 add-on ticket for additional guests.
The Los Angeles Theatre Center is located at 514 S. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90013. Parking is available for $8 with box office validation at Los Angeles Garage Associate Parking structure, 545 S. Main St., Los Angeles, CA 90013 (between 5th and 6th Streets, just behind the theater).
For more information and to purchase tickets, call (213) 489-0994 or go to latinotheaterco.org.
Details for Calendar Listings
‘Level Up!’
WHAT:
What does it mean to live as your true, authentic self? Latino Theater Company presents the world premiere of Level Up!, a visually stunning, emotionally resonant, family-friendly new play that unfolds across everyday reality as well as in a vividly imagined virtual realm. Desi López, a trans tween, is afraid to come out to her family. In her oversized hoodie, Desi is seen as a boy IRL (in real life). But inside The Proxy, a richly imagined virtual world within the play’s digital realm, Desi discovers the freedom to exist as her true self: a powerful female warrior with enormous butterfly wings who embarks on an epic quest to save her dying dog and reunite with her mother.
WHO:
• Written by Gabriel Rivas Gómez
• Directed by Fidel Gómez
• Starring Richard Azurdia, Mathias Brinda, Andi René Christensen, Sol Crespo, Xol Gonzalez, Gene Powell and Wiley Naman Strasser. Mauricio Marte and Celeste Lanuza are understudies.
• Produced by The Latino Theater Company
WHEN:
March 26 – May 3
• Previews: March 26 – April 3
• Performances: April 4 – May 3
Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.
WHERE:
The Los Angeles Theatre Center
514 S. Spring Street
Los Angeles CA 90013
PARKING:
• $8 with box office validation at Los Angeles Garage Associate Parking structure, 545 S. Main St., Los Angeles, CA 90013 (between 5th and 6th Streets, just behind the theater)
• Metered parking available on streets surrounding the theater.
• Take the Metro: nearest stop is Pershing Square (two blocks west of The LATC)
TICKET PRICES:
$10-$48 (except opening matinee)
• Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (except April 4 opening matinee): $48
• Students, Seniors, Veterans and LAUSD teachers: $24 with valid ID
• All Thursday night performances and previews: $10
• Family Pack (two adults and two children): $100, with a $20 add-on ticket for additional guests; available for performances on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays except previews and the opening matinee on Saturday, April 4
• Opening matinee (April 4): $75 (includes post-performance reception)
MORE:
Level Up! is appropriate for ages 10 and up. Free child care for kids ages 4 and up, featuring fun, age-appropriate activities led by a trusted childcare team, will be provided during Saturday matinee performances; all participants must be potty-trained.
HOW:
latinotheaterco.org
(213) 489-0994
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