I think great acting is a deep dive into the strange, brilliant, messy truth of being a human being — and lucky for me, I tend to get cast as the gloriously weird ones.
Give me the offbeat, the misunderstood, the struggling, the character with brain damage, seven cats and a closet full of secrets — I’m all in.
I like to think that I’m chasing the electric moment where the page and the truth collide. To paraphrase Uta — It’s not about making believe — it’s about making yourself believe.
"This cast is a strong one. I was pleased by all." -- Petaluma Argus Courier: Hannah in Arcadia at Cinnabar Theater
Hannah in Arcadia at Cinnabar Theater
"......played with jaw-dropping elasticity by Laura Levin, Gina Alvarado, Sam Coughlin and Nick Sholley, who all get chances to display their range, depth and comic ability." -- North Bay Stage and Screen: Chorus #3, BOB A Life in Five Acts, Main Stage West
Chorus #3, BOB A Life in Five Acts, Main Stage West
Chorus #3, BOB A Life in Five Acts, Main Stage West
Sarah in Amy and the Orphans at Cinnabar Theater
"A strong performance from Gina Alvarado as the mysterious Sarah" -- Sonoma County Gazette: Sarah in Amy and the Orphans, Cinnabar Theater
Sarah in Amy and the Orphans, Cinnabar Theater
"Gina Alvarado and Justin P. Lopez are enjoyable diversions in a couple of flashback scenes of Sarah and Bobby" -- Aisle Seat Review: Sarah in Amy and the Orphans, Cinnabar Theater
"The grandmother, Cindy (Gina Alvarado), refuses to show emotion, hiding behind cloying smiles and forced self-righteousness. She loves Jesus more than her daughter, and is unafraid to admit it" -- Sonoma County Gazette: Cindy in Luna Gale at Cinnabar Theater
"......keeps characters achingly real, veering away from caricature or criticism of their beliefs and habits. The whole ensemble works for honesty and authenticity." -- Petaluma Argus Courier: Cindy in Luna Gale at Cinnabar Theater
"Gina Alvarado as a friendly librarian brought heart to the show" -- North Bay Stage and Screen: Mrs. Phelps in Matilda the Musical at Spreckels Theater Co.
"Alvarado is a deservedly frequent performer on North Bay stages, and sings beautifully in group scenes" -- Aisle Seat Review: Mrs. Phelps in Matilda the Musical at Spreckels Theater Co
"... delightfully engaging performance by Gina Alvarado as the ghostly femme fatale Elvira" -- North Bay Bohemian: Elvira in Blithe Spirit, 6th St Playhouse
Elvira in Blithe Spirit, 6th St Playhouse
"In a skillful performance, Alvarado captures George’s oddly naïve fascination with the idea of multiple lovers and a barely acknowledged sense that something in her life is missing" -- Sonoma County Gazette: Gearge in How to Transcend a Happy Marriage at Left Edge Theater
George in How to Transcend a Happy Marriage at Left Edge Theater
".... Alvarado is extraordinarily expressive, unpacking terrifying concepts that her character is facing. Alvarado is all-in with the role, and her narrative asides to the audience add an additional texture to the play" -- Petaluma Argus Courier: George in How to Transcend a Happy Marriage at Left Edge Theater
"Director Sandra Ish has a strong, diverse ensemble at work here, led by Alvarado" -- North Bay Stage and Screen: George in How to Transcend a Happy Marriage at Left Edge Theater
"The show’s female cast members—in particular, Lee and Alvarado—are very strong in this production. No weak links!" -- Aisle Seat Review: George in How to Transcend a Happy Marriage at Left Edge Theater
George in How to Transcend a Happy Marriage at Left Edge Theater
George in How to Transcend a Happy Marriage at Left Edge Theater
"Judy's (Gina Alvarado) face when she hears that "clothing is optional" could almost be a meme" -- Petaluma Argus Courier: Judy in Small Mouth Sounds, Left Edge Theater
Judy in Small Mouth Sounds at Left Edge Theater
"Gina Alvarado makes a wise-cracking, zany Zerbinette" -- The Baltimore Sun: Zerbinette in Scapin, Baltimore Shakespeare Festival
"As Adriana, the woman whose life gets unusually complicated by the arrival of man looking exactly like her husband, Gina Alvarado does terrific work, animated by a wide array of vocal colors and inflections." -- The Baltimore Sun: Adriana in The Comedy of Errors, The Baltimore Shakespeare Festival
Betty in Landscape of the Body, Bigger Than a Breadbox Theater Co at Exit Theater, SF
Siobhan in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time at Spreckels Theater Co
Siobhan in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time at Spreckels Theater Co
Siobhan in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time at Spreckels Theater Co
Siobhan in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time at Spreckels Theater Co
Siobhan in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time at Spreckels Theater Co
Siobhan in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time at Spreckels Theater Co
"Alvarado's moaning and keening Beth brings a forcefulness to the performance that Shepard's play can't do without." -- The Washington Post: Beth in A Lie of the Mind at Rep Stage
"Memo to actress Gina Alvarado: Gina, we hear that your mesmerizing performance as a brain-damaged young wife in Rep Stage’s production of A Lie of the Mind is your Maryland debut, so we want to ask you a few questions. Have you tried the crab cakes yet? They’re delicious. And how about that Chesapeake Bay? Beautiful, isn’t it? We want to make absolutely sure that you’re happy and comfortable in the Free State so we can enjoy your talents for years to come." -- The Baltimore Sun: Beth in A Lie of the Mind at Rep Stage
"Alvarado seamlessly glides through the stages of Beth’s recovery, from her character’s initial inability to take a step to jumping on a chair; from uttering only grunts to clearly articulating thoughts that don’t always make sense. At all stages of Beth’s impairment, her personality shines through. Alvarado conveys Beth’s frustration at her own limitations, but also her charm and sense of humor. It is a complex, layered, rich performance." -- The Baltimore Sun: Beth in A Lie of the Mind at Rep Stage
"It's Gina Alvarado who steals the show. Her various portrayals of Beth -- from the screaming hysteria of the beaten and battered confined to a hospital bed to the flirty and playful young woman who longs for love and affection -- are gripping. You can't help but believe that Alvarado is the loving and idealistic wife of Jake." -- The Washington Examiner: Beth in A Lie of the Mind at RepStage
Hannah in Ideation at Left Edge Theater
Hannah in Ideation at Left Edge Theater
Hannah in Ideation at Left Edge Theater
Hannah in Ideation at Left Edge Theater
Hannah in Ideation at Left Edge Theater
Hannah in Ideation at Left Edge Theater
Hannah in Ideation at Left Edge Theater
Hannah in Ideation at Left Edge Theater