We are proud to acknowledge the incredible talents and dedication of the playwrights, actors, and partners who are an essential part of the BCM Theater Outreach Program. Their creativity, hard work, and passion for storytelling inspire and engage our communities. Through their performances and written works, they create a space where art and health education meet to inform audiences about cancer prevention. We celebrate their contributions and the powerful role they play in enriching our program's mission.
Playwrights and Directors
Jean Donatto
Equity actor, stage, and screenwriter Jean Donatto has a long history of dedication to Educational Theatre. Her focus on Health Education specifically was sparked by a lengthy, in-house Arts residency at Texas Children’s Cancer Hospital and the loss, in rapid succession, of several close friends to Breast Cancer. Recognizing that cancer may affect everyone, Jeane is grateful to the DLDCCC for the opportunity to share accurate information on early detection and prevention.
Using the latest validated research provided by the DLDCCC Jean has crafted humorous, informative, and appealing presentations in both live and filmed formats. Each performance effectively engages its audience – often underserved- with strong retention of key information demonstrated in post-performance surveys. Performances are culturally and linguistically tailored: delivered in English for African American audiences and adapted for the Hispanic/Latino and Vietnamese communities.
She has worked with the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center Theater Outreach Program at Baylor College of Medicine since 2010 and her work includes:
- Playwright and Director of “Beauty from the Inside Out”
- Playwright and Director of “A Well-Tuned Engine”
- Playwright and Director of “Upfront with the Girls” (Retired Monologue)
- Director of filmed version of “La Vida es un Sueño”
- Director of filmed version of “Mi Decisión”
- Playwright and Director of “The Bottom Line”
- Playwright and Director of “Pink Meets the Wise West East”
- Playwright and Director of “My Friends’ Health is My Business”
- Playwright and Director of “Uncle Vu Has The Answer”
Adelina Martínez
Adelina Martínez is a professional scriptwriter, actor, and director, with an extensive career in theater and teaching performing arts. Originally from Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico, she discovered her love for the performing arts as an adolescent. In 1997 she founded the theater group Somos Todos whose mission is to spread Hispanic Theater and educate through the arts. She has collaborated with the Houston Area Women’s Center, directing a play against domestic violence (I Promise it Won’t Happen Again), and the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center at Baylor College of Medicine, writing and directing performances on cervical cancer education and colorectal cancer education.
Her work with the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center Theater Outreach Program at Baylor College of Medicine began in 2009 and includes:
- Director and playwright for Spanish monologue “La Vida es Un Sueño”
- Director and playwright for Spanish monologue “Mi Decisión”
- Director and playwright for Spanish play “Educando a Papá”
Thomas Meloncon
Houston native, Thomas Meloncon is a nationally recognized playwright and director. His most noted play, The Diary of Black Men, has earned him several awards and honors. Known for his impactful plays and poetry, Mr. Meloncon lends his talents to the production of a variety of educational works for the American Cancer Society, The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, The Houston Area Women’s Center, etc. Mr. Meloncon is an Associate Professor of Theater in the Department of Visual and Performing Arts at Texas Southern University.
He began collaborating with the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center Theater Outreach Program at Baylor College of Medicine in 2008 and his work includes:
- Playwright and Director of “The Marriage Test”
- Playwright and Director of “Before Time Runs Out”
Sandra V. Pari
Sandra V. Pari is a professional writer, director, and producer recognized for her work internationally in Bolivia, Mexico, and the United States. Her experience includes roles as a journalist, announcer, director, and screen writer on projects for television programs and short films. As the executive producer of Bara Comunicaciones, she has worked on numerous projects and has collaborated with Baylor College of Medicine in the creation of monologues and theatrical scenes for their theater outreach program. Sandra has a passion for empowering the Latino Community through communication.
Her work with the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center Theater Outreach Program at Baylor College of Medicine began in 2014 and includes:
- Director and writer of “No Será Mi Pesadilla”
- Director and writer of “Se Acabaron Las Vacaciones”
- Director of filmed version of “No Será Mi Pesadilla”
- Director of filmed version of “Se Acabaron Las Vacaciones"
- Director of filmed version of “Vacation is Over”
Actors and Actresses
Epig Dominguez
Epig Dominguez, from Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico, has built an extensive career as an actress with notable theater production companies in Houston TX. Though theatre is her first love, Epig has also appeared in several television shows and commercials. As a member of Somos Todos theatre group led by Adelina Martínez, she has appeared in 21 Somos Todos productions, mostly in lead roles, including lending her talents as an actress in cancer education productions.
Her work with the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center Theater Outreach Program at Baylor College of Medicine includes:
- Actress in Spanish monologue “Mi Decisión”
- Actress in Spanish play “Educando a Papá”
Maque Garcia
Born in Mexico City, Maque has lived in Houston for over 24 years. Her career includes more than 12 years of experience as a television presenter in Azteca Houston 51 and MundoFox. Maque also belongs to the community theater group of the Consulate General of Mexico in Houston. Her passion lies in community work through theater, as well as rescuing animals in her free time.
Since 2015 she has worked with the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center Theater Outreach Program at Baylor College of Medicine providing her talents in the following productions:
- Actress for the Spanish monologue “No Será Mi Pesadilla”
- Actress for the Spanish monologue “Se Acabaron Las Vacaciones”
Jesus Lira
Jesus Lira is a talented actor who enjoys all genres of theater including musicals, monologues, short films and plays. His father-in-law died from colon cancer in 2024 and “Educando a Papá”, a play about colorectal cancer prevention, has allowed him to honor his memory by helping to raise awareness. He is thankful to be a part of this project, but most importantly, this family. He currently works with the Theater Group Somos Todos acting in educational performances about cancer prevention.
His work with the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center Theater Outreach Program at Baylor College of Medicine includes:
- Actor in Spanish monologue “La Vida es un Sueño”
- Actor in Spanish play “Educando a Papá”
Mayra Monsivais
Mayra Monsivais, is a native Houstonian actress working in TV and film, including commercials and music videos. She has also been a Teaching Artist for Alley Theatre since 2019.
Her work with the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center Theater Outreach Program at Baylor College of Medicine includes:
- Actress in Spanish Play “Educando a Papá”
Maria Resendez
Maria Resendez, a prominent Mexican actress, began exploring the world of art at a very young age. Her career has been distinguished by performances on notable stages in the Unites States, México and France. Additionally, Maria has enjoyed participating in television and industrial commercials, as well as in several independent films. As a member of Somos Todos, Maria has performed in several plays. Maria is passionate about acting and loves to travel the world getting to know different cultures.
Her work with the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center Theater Outreach Program at Baylor College of Medicine includes:
- Actress in Spanish Play “Educando a Papá”
Venise Watson
A dynamic entrepreneur, financial consultant, and wellness advocate dedicated to helping individuals achieve their best selves. As the founder of Dear Divine LLC, she empowers people through financial education, credit repair, trading, and holistic wellness solutions. With a background in tax consulting, customer service, and the beauty industry, Venise combines her expertise in business, personal development, and alternative healing to create impactful solutions for underserved communities. Her mission is to make health, wealth, and well-being accessible to all while fostering generational transformation.
She began working with the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center Theater Outreach Program at Baylor College of Medicine in 2021 and her work includes:
- Actress for “Beauty from the Inside Out”
- Actress for “A Well-Tuned Engine”