Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, July 31, 2025.— Ingrid Méndez and Agustín Domínguez, students in the Bachelor of Psychology program at the Universidad Panamericana Aguascalientes campus shone in the prestigious artistic program Beyond Workshop Series in New York, directed by the organization R. Evolución Latina in New York.
During this experience, they shared the stage with young people from various parts of Latin America, participated in intensive acting, singing, and dance workshops, and explored the power of art as a tool for social change.
Artistic talent that transcends borders
Both students began their artistic training in the Art and Culture programs at our university, which laid the groundwork for their participation in one of the most influential workshops in contemporary Latin American theater.
Ingrid, who played Sephora in *The Prince of Egypt*, highlighted the importance of artistic support starting in the first semester—an experience she describes as “unforgettable” and one that inspired her to continue participating in concerts and musicals organized by the university.
For his part, Agustín shared that the first turning point that shaped his personal and professional growth came about thanks to his introduction to art.
“My first exposure to the arts was in 2019, when I attended an intensive summer course in musical theater produced by the Universidad Panamericana , and the Jana School of Performing Arts in Spain. Years later, I had the opportunity to build on that experience through this course in New York, where I discovered a meticulous, rigorous, and deeply vibrant approach to creating art,” she says.
From the “ Universidad Panamericana ” to Broadway: Education with a Purpose
Both Ingrid and Agustín took part in the intensive musical theater course, which included a production of *Hercules*. It was there that they first met Gaby García, an artist and instructor from Broadway and a member of the organization R. Evolución Latina, who led the Broadway-style training workshop.
“At the time, we didn’t know they were watching us to identify potential scholarship recipients,”, Ingrid says. “It wasn’t until September that they called Agustín and me to give us the surprise; we had no idea.”
From that point on, a new chapter would begin for Ingrid and Agustín, who— thanks to their perseverance and artistic dedication—were selected to participate in the Beyond Workshop Series.
“Our first class was with Gaby García, and I was surprised that it was something completely different, because in the class we didn’t focus on dancing, acting, or singing as individual activities—instead, we took intensive classes in all three at the same time,” Agustín shares.
He also emphasized how enriching the experience was, spending time with very talented people from other countries. “It was very inspiring and motivating; it’s nice to know that there are people in the world who create art and are passionate about the same things you are,”, she says.
A transformative experience that builds community
As part of the Beyond Workshop Series program, participants spent the first two weeks training in Broadway-style musical theater, and the last two weeks were devoted to staging a musical performance.
The work in question was *Aguardiente*, written by Luis Salgado, a professor and director of R. Evolución Latina, which chronicles the experiences of Latino immigrants in the United States and their struggle to achieve the “American Dream” through art.
“It was presented in Spanish precisely because we said, ‘We’re going to convey a message to Latinos—what better way than in Spanish?’”, explains Ingrid.
Many of the exercises developed during the training process were incorporated into the musical as a reflection of the creative energy that characterized each of the participants.
The event also featured performances of traditional dances representative of the members’ countries of origin, enriching the artistic program with a display of cultural diversity.
“I had never done theater until I came to the Universidad Panamericana , and fortunately, I ended up getting this great opportunity. “The truth is, it wouldn’t have been possible without the discipline and passion that the department of art and culture instills in all its projects,”, adds the UP student.
For his part, Agustín emphasizes how important it is that spaces like R. Evolución Latina transform the lives of young artists on an international level—both in terms of creating art and even in terms of discovering their calling.
UP: A Platform for Discovering and Nurturing Vocations
Both Ingrid and Agustín credit the Universidad Panamericana as a cornerstone of their artistic and personal development. Their experience in New York allowed them not only to hone their performing skills but also to reaffirm their commitment to the performing arts.
“This experience was eye-opening and enriching. Now I know that one of my calling lies in the arts, and I’m very grateful to the Universidad Panamericana and R. Evolución Latina for helping me discover that calling, because without these opportunities, you can lose your way and it’s hard to know which direction to take,” Ingrid reveals.
Find out more about art and culture at the " Universidad Panamericana": https://www.up.edu.mx/tema/noticias/arte-cultura-y-difusion
