I M P A C T  &
COLLABORATORS

"Seeking the unfamiliar, to unlearn oneself in order to meet oneself....
To collaborate & in collaboration, to become further."
- MOON Collective 

​​"So, a little story about Jesús and New Swan Shakespeare Festival in California, the theater where he was serving as Production Stage Manager in Summer 2019. The scene: Opening night of "The Merchant of Venice". Jesús on the corner of the balcony of our mini-Elizabethan theater, calling the show. Shylock saunters onstage for his first entrance, when suddenly... EARTHQUAKE!!! The scenery begins to sway, the balcony itself is rocking. People are freaking out! Jesús’ calm voice over the PA system, “Dear patrons, we are experiencing an earthquake. Please stay calm & exit the theater. Proceed to the adjacent park where we will meet.” Jesús directed all of our patrons to safety and then chatted with them like the host of the party out there, until it was safe to lead them back to their seats when the aftershocks had ended. Then he re-started the show with Shylock's entrance. Jesús’ calm demeanor under pressure was incredibly impressive and made me think, “If I’m ever in a plane crash, I want Jesús to lead me through the wreckage to safety." - Eli Simon, Artistic Director, New Swan Shakespeare Festival & New Swan Shakespeare Center

“Working with Jesús is... empowering, a headache, and all-in-all a cathartic experience. In the end, you have accomplished something beautiful to be proud of."
- Jessica Keasberry-Vnuk, Freelance Producer, Manager & Writer

"Jesús brought a humanity to the job and the room that is often forgotten in the hustle and bustle of today’s process. Always looking out for the people in the production, Jesús was the first to offer to help and would happily do whatever was necessary to ensure the success of the project. He has a burning passion for his art and is incredibly clever and resourceful, making him a valuable asset and an extraordinary leader. I was fortunate to have him on my team and would be honored to work on a project of his in the future." - Bradley Zipser, AEA Stage Manager

“There is a popular quote from the renowned poet Maya Angelou that states, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” If you were to ask me of the story of how Jesus and I met, I wouldn’t be able to recall all the details, however I would be able to tell you of how a shy, timid, and fearful girl straight out of high school felt seen, respected and valued for the first time. I would be able to tell you of how you can spend only a few seconds with Jesus and leave feeling like you have a lifetime of tools to enable the power that has ALWAYS been inside of you to change the world with your artistry. He believes in all that you are and will go out of his way to help make sure that your dreams become reality. What is so magnificent about working with Jesus is that there is no ego, every individual in that space with him is stripped away of restrictions and is encouraged to share their voice and contributions. You are not there to be instructed and follow “traditions” when working with him, but you are there to engage and share and discover and build and learn and unlearn and to take up space, WITHOUT apology. As a director, he will ensure that everything is done with purpose and intention and will always create a safe space for everyone on the team. The conversations with him will challenge you to rethink the message and purpose that you are carving out. As you learn from him, he also learns from you, it is a shared experience and such a collaborative process. It is like breathing in a new air that you didn’t realize you were missing out on, that would enable you to live more purposeful, truthful, and freeing. You may not remember all of the details of how you met this rare and brilliant human named Jesus, but I can promise you that you will NEVER forget the feeling.” - Bianca Chauntell Taylor, Actor

"Jesús collaborates extremely well, his creative visions are amazing and he has the drive and skills to see them through.
​I am confident that he will be a leader in this industry and will change it for the better."
​- Lonnie Rafael Alcaraz, Professor at UC Irvine, Head of Lighting & Professional Lighting Designer (website)

"To have someone that can execute their job immaculately is great, but to have someone that can do this with genuine care & purpose of the greater cause, that's almost unheard of. Jesús is an absolute phenomenon. I know its sound like I am creating an absurd hype but I challenge you to work with him for a single day and have any less to say of him" - Stephanie Carrillo, Director, Actor & Deviser

"I have worked with Jesús multiple times in different ways - he has not only the super ability to create a safe harboring room, but a room where everyone is welcome to create at their finest. As a director he fosters a room where there is high standards but everyone is welcomed as an equal. Ideas and choices are valued and tried. As a photographer he finds ways to bring the beauty out of anything - he makes you feel safe and cared for in a very vulnerable and intimate space. And he makes me feel pretty." - Gabriel Franco Kull, Actor

"Collaborating with Jesús is always a unique, learning experience because he is the walking definition of what it means to collaborate and to be a collaborator. As an artist myself, it is refreshing to walk into a space knowing that he is ready to build, experiment, and above all, trust the decisions made by all the artists in the room. He values and honors everyone's voices in the room and most importantly, Jesús encourages growth in each of his projects." - Nita Mendoza, Lighting Designer & Graphic Artist

"Jesús is one of the most creative, passionate, and organized artists you will ever meet. There are truly not enough words to describe how amazing, collaborative, communicative, and wholesome he is." - Arielle Singer, Stage Manager (Website & Portfolio)

"I’ve had the pleasure of working with Jesus on several productions at the Monomoy Theatre on Cape Cod, a rigorous summer program where stage management can make or break the season. Not only does Jesus combine passion and artistry with vast technical expertise, he is wonderful collaborator who is committed to creating the best possible experience for the audience and the performers. His multiple talents make him a wonderful asset to the creative process and as a director and a producer, I look forward to working with him in the future." - Mary O'Brady, Producer & Director, Tour de Force Productions, NYC

"Jesús is my collaborator, yes, but he is also - well - my husband. When Jesús first asked me why I loved him, I looked into his dark brown eyes and the first words that left my mouth were: "Because you're organized". He got mad at that. He still won't let me forget it. After 5 years together, 5 years through which we have also continued working as collaborating artists in a multitude of projects, that is, however, still the truth. He is really darn organized." - Merle DeWitt III, Lighting & Projections Designer, Co-Founder & Producer for MOON Collective (Website & Portfolio)

"While working with Jesús - who was at the point the production manager for a project Transversal Theater was creating - a week before our arrival in Cairo, Egypt, we made the decision to not do the planned play currently in production. Due the unstable political circumstances in Egypt, we feared retribution against the actors for performing in a production that the government might deem seditious. With just days before the start of rehearsals, Jesús and I brainstormed and co-wrote a new work, No Erasure, which Jesús co-directed, and for which he served as choreographer too, and he did all of this while continuing his role as production manager. If Jesús sounds like a super-hero dream collaborator, that’s because he is. To say that Jesús can be relied upon absolutely would be a tremendous understatement. Jesús goes way beyond expectation, just as his teams. He co-creates in ways that expand imagination. No Erasure was a huge success. I love collaborating with Jesus!" - Bryan Reynolds, Founder/Producer, Playwright & Director, Transversal Theater Company

"Working with Jesús is to experience a collaboration at such a level that you realize you have been doing it wrong all along. Every company member is an ensemble member and every ensemble member takes equal ownership of the story being told. Even when your idea gets voted down, you are fine because you were heard. Tapping into your potential never felt so natural. It is a process of unlearning in order to create. It is empowering, a headache, and all-in-all a cathartic experience. In the end, you have accomplished something beautiful to be proud of. More importantly, you have grown alongside people that you now respect and are infinitely grateful to know." - Jessica Keasberry-Vnuk, Freelance Producer, Manager & Writer

“If I’m ever in a plane crash, I want Jesús to lead me through the wreckage to safety."
- Eli Simon, Artistic Director, New Swan Shakespeare Festival

"Without a doubt, I would not have walked away from my undergraduate career as the artist and educator I am today without Jesús’s undying support... Jesús taught me how to write grants, budget and produce a show, organize paperwork, communicate as a leader, and most importantly, never doubt myself.  He validated my identity as a young Latina artist as I navigated positions in the theatre industry with increasing responsibilities. I know that I do not stand alone in these sentiments. Jesús has supported various young artists in their pursuits towards higher education and further development of their craft.... Jesús is a highly skilled artist and educator who consistently produces work that reflects his passion for the craft and commitment to the community. He is a natural and approachable leader, a proactive thinker, and a constant positive force no matter how stressful the situation. He is never afraid to speak his mind and stand in support of underrepresented communities who need their voices heard within the theatre community and beyond. I have never worked with an artist or a teacher as multifaceted, empowering, or inspiring as Jesús López Vargas." - Meghan Minguez-Marshall, English & Drama High School Teacher, Southern California

"During the pandemic, a large number of UCI students decided that it was time for a systemic change at our university's practice of equity & inclusion. We organized to form a group called Student Mobilizing Change (SMC). As the reality of the work set it, our movement became more and more discouraging and I realized that I needed more help organizing. I immediately thought of Jesús who I didn't contact from the start for fear of interrupting his busy BUSY schedule. Jesús is one of the most involved people I know and I didn't want to add anything else to his plate, but I was getting to my last straw. Jesús not only made time for me, but organized an impactful training session with the UCI Counseling Center to navigate our new roles as student advocates. As a collaborator, Jesús is honest, encouraging, direct, and compassionate. He extends grace to everyone he comes into contact with and is - as his husband says - extremely organized." - Tolu Ekisola, Actor, Educator, & Community Leader

"Brown Bag Theatre Company, formed in 2012, is a Latinx theatre company with a mission of providing voice to Latinx students through performance, design, directing, producing, and outreach.  Also, it provides a family atmosphere for many first gen Latinx students. Leading this group since 2012 is a venture I am incredibly proud of but since Fall of 2019, I have truly watched the group flourish. Working with Jesus to expand the group and to put more agency and ownership in the hands of the undergraduate members of the group is something I could not have done with Jesus’ presence and guidance. The group has flourished during the Covid pandemic creating multiple online performances and outreach events. I could not be prouder of the group and all they have accomplished." - Lonnie Rafael Alcaraz, Professor at UC Irvine and Co-Founder of Brown Bag Theatre Company, Head of Lighting & Professional Lighting Designer (Brown Bag).

"Jesús... hehe... that guy." - Ross Fleming, Texan