Featured Alumni:

Class of 2001

Ashley Alvarez

I graduated from CEA in 2001. While I was there, I was always very aware of how significant the arts were to living a fruitful and fulfilling life. My favorite memories from CEA include the many ballet and Cuban dance classes I took during and after school, being a part of the school plays and participating in shows. I remember performing a Gloria Estefan solo in 6th grade after just entering CEA, and I was so nervous! But after seeing the warm reception from my teachers and so many of my classmates, I really started to build my confidence in not only starting a new school, but also in performing. I don't think I would have been granted that wonderful opportunity at any other school. After graduating from Lourdes and receiving my BFA in theater from FIU, I moved to Chicago for a couple of years and truly started to hone my passion in performing on stage. My husband and I moved to New York City in 2014, and he began writing a play called The Cubans, to bring more representation of the Latino community on stage. I am thrilled to be performing in this play now as the main character, Christy, at Miami New Drama at the Colony Theatre. This career can be challenging and unpredictable, but I think back to many of my memories at CEA and realize that performing and expressing myself through the arts has always been such a large part of who I am. I am so grateful to have been surrounded by such a supportive environment at CEA, where the arts were not only included in the curriculum, but also reinforced as a crucial component of leading a rich and meaningful life.